Rejected Little Secret by Lisj

Chapter 50 

The clearing was filled with the mouthwatering scent of the stew, accompanied by the comforting crackle of the fire and the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze. The comforting scent hung in the air, reminding her of the warmth and coziness of home. As Sammy and I locked eyes, a swell of pride washed over us, our hearts brimming with satisfaction as we surveyed the bountiful feast we had skillfully put together. 

As we passed around the metal cups filled with stew, the savory aroma filled the air and the sound of slurping and satisfied grunts filled the silence. Their faces instantly brightened with joy as they savored their first mouthfuls, and before long, the clearing echoed with the blissful whispers and contented exhales of satisfaction. 

“Wow, this is amazing. One of the pack members exclaimed, his eyes filled with awe and a glimmer of appreciation. “You two are incredible cooks!” 

Sammy and I beamed at each other, feeling a rush of pride as our cheeks turned rosy with pleasure from the praise. It was a comforting feeling to be appreciated, knowing that our hard work had been acknowledged. Back in Thornholde, we never received such overwhelming appreciation. 

With each passing moment, the atmosphere in the clearing became more relaxed, as the weight of the past few days seemed to melt away. Seeing smiles on the faces of our companions was a much–needed relief, as laughter and conversation filled the air once more. 

But amidst the jovial atmosphere, there was one person who remained conspicuously silent–Nadia. As I glanced over at her, I couldn’t help but notice the distant, unfocused look in her eyes as she picked at her food. 

“Hey, aren’t you going to eat?” 

Nadia’s guarded expression met my gaze, leaving me unsure of what she was thinking. Her response was delivered with a forced smile, a lifted chin, and a defensive tone. 

“Thank you, but I don’t have any appetite at the moment.” 

As she spoke, the unmistakable growl ofher stomach filled the air, revealing her true hunger. Inwardly, a sigh escaped me, as frustration and sadness welled up inside at her unwavering stubbornness. 

“Come on, Nadia,” Sammy chimed in, her voice filled with desperation. “You need to eat something” 

With a stubborn shake of her head, Nadia pushed her cup of stew away, uninterested in eating. 

“I already said I’m not hungry, quit pushing me.” 

Knowing that arguing with Nadia would be a waste of time, I excharged a tired look with Sammy. I let out a resigned sigh and reluctantly took hold of her cup of stew, pushing it back in her direction. 

“Hey!” 

“Shut it,” I said, my voice tinged with exasperation, “Eat or starve, it’s your choice.” 

The feeling of satisfaction washed over me as Sammy and I completed the BS of distributing the stew to everyone. The air was filled with the tantalizing scent of the stew, accompanied by the comforting crackling of the fire and the joyful sounds of laughter and conversation. 

The crackling and popping of the fire filled the air, while its warm flickers of light brought life to the faces of our pack members gathered around. Across from me, Axton’s eyes danced with amusement, and the clinking sound of his metal cup echoed through the room as he took a sip. He complimented, his voice brimming with sincere admiration, 

“This stew is amazing, Chesnuti” 

A grin spread across my face as I felt a surge of pride coursing through me in response to his words. 

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“Thanks, Sammy and I put at 

a lot of effort into it!! 

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Laughter filled the air, creating a light and jovial atmosphere. Some of the pack members even made playful remarks about marrying us, which caused Sammy and me to burst into laughter. 

Despite the quiet that settled after the laughter and conversation, my gaze was fixated on Nadia. She sat apart from the group, her back deliberately turned, her demeanor filled with unease. No matter how hard I tried to dismiss it, a knot of anxiety coiled in my stomach, growing stronger by the 

minute. 

Ignoring the persistent sense of unease, I attempted to divert my attention to the meal, savoring each spoonful of the stew while engaging in polite discourse with the rest of the group. Try as I might, I couldn’t escape the ominous atmosphere that loomed over us, like a dark cloud. 

As the night wore on and the fine began to die down, the crackling sound grew fainter, creating a sense of stillness in the air. I glanced back at Nadia, hoping to see her silhouette illuminated by the dying embers. But to my surprise, she was nowhere to be found. Instead, I saw her huddled in a small alcove, her back turned to us, her breathing slow and steady. 

A pang of guilt shot through me as I realized that Nadia had been sitting alone the entire time, her presence unnoticed amidst the laughter and conversation. It was clear that she was trying to hide it, but I could still detect the exhaustion etched onto her features, the weariness that seemed to sap 

her energy 

Without uttering a single word, I got up and quietly walked towards Nadia, the sound of my footsteps resonating in the silent night. As I got closer, the sound of her rhythmic breath became more pronounced. 

“Nadia,” My words escaped softly, barely audible above a whisper. My eyes shifted towards the cup of stew we had offered her earlier, it sat there, untouched and growing colder by the minute. “You should eat.” 

Nadia’s lack of response was evident as she kept her back turned to me, her shoulders tense and unyielding, let out a sigh and extended my hand, gently placing it on her shoulder, in an attempt to provide solace. 

Before I could utter another word, Nadia’s voice sliced through the stillness, filled with a bitter and resentful tone. 

“Maya, I’ve already stated that I don’t feel like eating.” Her voice dripped with disdain as she said curtly, her tone piercing through the air. “Please refrain from bothering me any further.” 

“Nadia, please,” I pleaded, my voice growing firmer with each word. “You need to eat something. You can’t keep ignoring your hunger.” 

Her silence lingered between us, creating an insurmountable barrier. A mix of frustration, fear, and uncertainty churned within me, creating an overwhelming emotional storm. Taking a deep breath, I moved closer, extending my hand to delicately brush against her shoulder, 

“Nadia, listen to me,” I begged, my voice carrying a tinge of desperation. “I understand your anger towards me, towards us, but you can’t keep going on like this. Taking care of yourself should be a top priority.” 

In an instant, Nadia sprang into action, her movements quick and forceful. Filled with rage, she snatched the cup of stew next to her and launched it in my direction, letting out a fierce cry. My clothes were instantly stained and my skin felt a burning stickiness as the stew splattered all over me. Shock and hurt overwhelmed me as I staggered back, my eyes locked on Nadia in utter disbelief. 

“What the hell’s your problem, Nadia?!” 

With a defiant stance, Nadia curled into herself, creating an impenetrable barrier against the outside world, her gaze fixed on the ground. As I watched her, my heart felt heavy with sorrow, realizing that there was no comforting words or actions that could alleviate her pain. With a heavy sigh, I wiped the stew from my clothes, my movements slow and deliberate. 

“Fine,” I whispered quietly, my voice filled with a hint of resignation. “If that’s how you want it, then so be it,” 

Turning away from Nadia, I took a few steps back, my heart heavy with sorrow. 

16:39 Wed, 19 Jun GBG. Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

“But know this,” I added, my voice filled with annoyance and a slight tremor. “This was the last time I’ll ask. From now on, you’re on your own.” 

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Returning to the bonfire, I was greeted by a familiar touch on my shoulder, sending a wave of familiarity through me. A pair of strong arms enveloped my waist, drawing me into a warm and comforting embrace. Seeking solace, I nestled into Axton’s lap, feeling the reassuring strength in his embrace. 

Suddenly, Axton’s voice filled the quiet, his warm breath fingering near my ear 

“What happened, Chesnut?” 

I let out a deep sigh, burdened by the weight of the evening’s events that seemed to linger in the air around me. 

“Nadia,” Imuttered, my voice barely above a whisper. “She_she threw a fit.” 

I could feel Axton’s concern as his grip on me tightened and his brows furrowed. 

“Why?” 

Uncertain of how to convey the jumble of feelings consuming me, I paused briefly before finding my voice. 

“She…she got angry,” I explained, my voice trembling with emotion. “And she…she threw stew at me.” 

Sammy’s expression turned dark as she caught snippets of our conversation, her tightly clenched jaw a clear sign of her anger. 

“That’s unacceptable,” A low, dangerous growl escaped her lips, sending chills down their spine. Her head snapped to the side, her eyes narrowing as sho glared at Nadia’s back. “This is enough, she has been so unpleasant throughout the entire trip! Who does she think she is, strutting around like she owns the place? I’ll march over there and let her have an earful of my thoughts!” 

With urgency, I extended my hand and firmly clasped her arm, trying to prevent her from moving any further. With a look of confusion, Sammy shook her 

head at me. 

*Come on, 

Maya- 

“No, Sammy,” I said firmly, my voice tinged with sadness. “Just…just let it go.” 

“I know it’s frustrating” My admission came out as a barely audible whisper. “But Nadia…she didn’t want to come here. She’s…she’s hurting too.” 

Sammy resumed her stew, but her grumbling continued quietly in the background. Axton’s gentle squeeze around my waist provided a sense of reassurance, his unasked question lingering in the silence. 

“Do you need some fresh air, Chesnut?” 

I hesitated, torn between the cory warmth of the fire and the urge to scrub away the stew’s remnants that clung to my skin. But Axton’s gentle insistence Spurred me on, reminding me of the importance of taking care of myself. 

“Okay,” My voice barely made a sound as I whispered, the crackling flames overpowering any noise. “Let’s go.” 

Axton’s gentle smile accompanied me as he led me away from the lively pack, the sounds of their playful whistles and teasing remarks gradually growing fainter. A pang of guilt washed over me as I left them behind, but Axton’s presence provided solace, assuring me that it was acceptable to prioritize my own well–being. 

As we walked through the forest, the moonlight created a mystical ambiance, filtering through the branches above and illuminating the landscape with a gentle, silver radiance. I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the world around me, the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant call of a night bird creating a sense of tranquility that washed over me like a soothing balm.. 

We eventually made it to the edge of a serene lake, where the moonlight danced upon its shimmering surface, creating an ethereal glow. Overwhelmed 

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by the sheer beauty, my breath caught in my throat as I took in the breathtaking sight. Axton’s hand tightened around mine, his touch grounding me in reality as I drank in the scene before me. 

“It’s beautiful, Axton.” 

With a playful expression, Axton’s eyes lit up, brimming with amusement. As he spoke, his voice exuded a sense of quiet pride. 

“I knew you’d like it.” 

Grateful for his thoughtfulness, I couldn’t help but smile back at him, savoring the opportunity to momentarily escape the chaos of the pack and find solace in peace and quiet. By the edge of the lake, we sat side by side, enchanted by the soothing sound of the water gently caressing the shore, its melody echoing through the stillness of the night. 

For a while, we simply sat in silence, content to bask in each other’s company and the beauty of the world around us. Gradually, the memory of Nadia’s outburst and the underlying tension within the pack resurfaced, tainting our peaceful moment with a sense of unease. 

“Do you think she’ll be okay?” 

Axton’s sigh carried the weight of the situation, his expression mirroring the gravity of the moment. His admission hung in the air, his voice heavy with doubt and hesitation. 

“I don’t know.” 

16:39 Wed, 19 Jun