CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Ryan remained silent, and Olivia couldn't help but think he was just being plain stubborn. She gently nudged the plate of steak closer to him. "Look, I don't want to pressure you, but would you just try a little bit? I promise, it's really delicious."
Ryan's brow furrowed. Hesitantly, he picked up a small piece with his fork and put it in his mouth. Just like always, the texture felt wrong, like he was chewing on air. A cold look washed over his face as he sharply placed the fork back down. "I won't repeat myself. Get out."
Olivia's mouth was full, and her expression was one of pure confusion. "With all due respect, My Alpha," she mumbled around her food, "you keep telling me to leave. If you don't want to eat, maybe you should leave instead."
"You should be grateful the Alpha is letting you walk away without resorting to force. Anyone else would have been dragged out by now," his beta, Michael, interjected. But Olivia clearly had no intention of leaving.
"Why is everyone so worked up about me being here?" she asked, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "I just want to enjoy a good meal. Why are you getting angry, My Alpha? Oh! Perhaps it's because I've almost finished all the spring rolls… please forgive me. They were so delicious, I just couldn't stop myself." Olivia paused for a moment, then offered, "Alright, I suppose I could let you have the last one."
Before anyone could react, she reached out and playfully stuffed the spring roll into Ryan's mouth.
Ryan was utterly shocked by her audacity, and he wasn't the only one. Everyone in the room froze, their eyes wide with disbelief. Then, a strange look flickered across Ryan's face, his fingers twitching as he clenched his hand into a tight fist.
The spring roll was halfway into his mouth, a sight Olivia found oddly endearing. "Well? What do you think? It's delicious, right?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.
Unable to avoid it any longer, Ryan took a bite. And just that single bite sent a jolt of surprise through him. He could actually taste the crispiness of the pastry, and the sweet and savory filling seemed to melt on his tongue. He couldn't help but stare at Olivia, with astonishment and disbelief in his eyes.
Could it be? Could this woman not only soothe his… his curse, but also bring back his appetite? Slowly, cautiously, he took another bite of the spring roll. The taste was still there. It wasn't his imagination.
Olivia beamed at him. "See? I told you! It's really delicious, isn't it?" Ryan remained silent for a long moment, his mind racing.
Michael was completely bewildered. He had been ready to physically drag Olivia out, but Ryan wasn't giving any orders.
Finally, Ryan spoke, his voice a little rough. "Olivia."
Michael instinctively tensed, rolling up his sleeves, anticipating the order to drag her out. He knew Ryan's usual reaction to such… boldness.
"I want you to feed me," Ryan said, his gaze fixed on Olivia.
"Yes, Alpha," Michael blurted out automatically. Only after the words left his mouth did he realize what he had just heard. He looked at Ryan, his jaw practically on the floor. "Alpha, what did you just say?"
Confusion rippled through the room. Olivia, on the other hand, let out a hearty chuckle, pointing a finger at herself. "My Alpha… you want me to feed you?"
Ryan's eyebrow arched slightly.
"Are you deaf?"
Olivia retorted playfully, "If I were deaf, I wouldn't have understood a word you've said since I arrived at the North Prime Pack, My Alpha. I just thought you might have bumped your head somewhere. You're a grown man, for goodness sake! You have hands; you can feed yourself. You're not a two-year-old child. Can you try to be a little more mature here?" she whispered the last part, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Michael instantly clapped a hand over Olivia's mouth, his eyes wide with panic. "Stop talking already!"
Ryan's gaze remained fixed on his beta. "Take your hands off her. Let her speak."
Michael quickly removed his hand, giving Olivia a look that clearly said, 'I tried my best… if you get yourself killed, don't blame me.'
Olivia, sensing she might have gone a little too far, softened her tone. "That's not exactly what I meant, My Alpha. If you want me to feed you, then I will."
She moved her chair closer to Ryan, her expression eager. Her eyes flickered to his face, then down to his lips, and she nervously bit her own before clearing her throat. "My Alpha… what would you like to eat?"
Ryan knew he wasn't in the mood for a verbal sparring match.
He sighed softly. "Anything," he replied.
A part of him desperately needed to know if the food had tasted so good because Olivia had fed it to him, or if it was just a cruel trick of his mind.
Olivia casually picked up a piece of chicken with her fingers and held it out to him, as if feeding a small child. "Ah… can you open your mouth?" she instructed gently, and Ryan surprisingly obeyed.
"Arhhh… a little wider," she added. "You need to eat more so you can grow stronger and healthier."
"Can you just fucking feed me and act normal?" Ryan snapped, the frustration finally bubbling to the surface.
Olivia rolled her eyes inwardly, muttering under her breath, 'How can a grown-ass man want me to feed him? Who's the abnormal one now?'
"What was that?" Ryan asked, his voice sharp. But before she could answer, she popped the piece of chicken into his mouth. Ryan slowly chewed, the familiar texture suddenly bursting with flavor. It was the same chicken he had eaten countless times before, tasteless and bland. But now, he could taste the herbs, the spices, the rich sauce that bloomed on his tongue.
Could she truly be the help he desperately needed to get better?
Michael's eyes widened in dawning realization. The Alpha was eating. He had served Ryan for years, witnessing firsthand the slow development and severity of his anorexia. They had consulted healers, doctors, specialists – all to no avail. In his worst states, Ryan could barely stomach nutrient solutions.
But here he was, actually eating, and without a hint of nausea.
Olivia sighed as she continued to feed him, one bite at a time. She was doing this partly out of a strange sense of… something, and partly because she was still hungry, and Ryan had already told her to leave twice. She had a feeling the third time wouldn't be so polite. Using her fork, she scooped up more food and offered it to him. The servants around them exchanged bewildered glances, sensing that Olivia was far from ordinary.
The fact that she had dared to talk back to the Alpha and gotten away with it was a clear indication that she was not to be underestimated.
Ryan, who hadn't felt truly full in what seemed like an eternity, finally felt a sense of satiation. Olivia had also eaten her fill. The food, she had to admit, was exceptionally good. After finishing her juice, she stood up. "My Alpha, if there's nothing else you require, I'll retire for the night. I still need to prepare for school tomorrow."
Ryan nodded almost imperceptibly.
As Olivia reached the door, she suddenly heard Ryan's voice. "Have breakfast with me tomorrow. Seven o'clock."
Olivia turned back, a playful smirk on her face. She walked towards Ryan, leaned in close, and whispered in his ear, "If I have breakfast with you tomorrow, would you let me sleep in your room tonight? I have a sudden urge to make babies."
"Then you can starve," Ryan replied coldly, his eyes narrowing.
"Such a killjoy," Olivia sighed dramatically before finally leaving the dining hall.
The moment the door closed behind her, Michael spoke up, his voice filled with concern. "I can call a doctor to come and check you, Alpha."
"No need," Ryan said calmly, his gaze distant. "I don't want anyone to know about this… this new development. No one can be trusted."
"Understood, Alpha. I will keep this information confidential and won't breathe a word to anyone," Michael assured him, still slightly reeling from the events he had just witnessed.