The Rejected daughter chosen by the Alpha (Maya and Atila) novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28

– MAYA

I should have been paying attention to the food.

But I wasn’t.

My eyes kept tracking his every movement.

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Atila ate unhurriedly, his strong forearm resting on the table, his large hand slicing through the steak with effortless precision.

Damr it.

I looked away, annoyed with myself, because I had to admit the obvious-he was sexy. Very. Those massive arms, radiating pure testosterone, even while doing something as simple as bringing a bite of meat to his mouth.

“Eat something.” His deep voice reached me without warning. “It makes me uncomfortable being the only one eating.”

Why did he always sound so commanding, even when he was being polite?

I took a slow breath, pretending indifference. “I ate before leaving your house.” I lifted my glass and took a long sip of juice, then picked up a fry and nibbled on it lazily. “That’s why I only ordered this. I’m fine.”

He seemed to freeze mid-motion. His gaze drifted for a moment, like he was recalculating something.

“Either way, I would’ve liked to try your food.” There was something genuinely displeased in the way he said it.

“I can cook for you later.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them. I regretted them instantly.

“Oh?” He took another bite, but his expression changed-sharper now. His attention shifted fully to me instead of the plate.

“I mean…” I rushed to clarify, heat rising to my cheeks. “It’s the least I can do after everything you’ve been doing for me. Consider it a thank-you.”

The disappointment crossed his face too quickly to be ignored. To escape the strange feeling it stirred, I turned toward the nearby window. A cart rolled slowly along the stone street outside, the creak of its wheels blending with the low murmur of the place.

“I’ve always been curious about something here,” I said, seizing the distraction.

“About what, exactly?”

I thought for a moment. “Why don’t I ever see cars around? I mean, we’re just minutes away from the outside world. You have structure, organization… why not bring some human technology into Moonville?” I looked back at him. He was smiling faintly now.

“Because those things are useless here.”

“Useless?”

He took a deep breath, like he was about to explain something in detail.

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6:13 pm P WMM.

Chapter 28

385 Vouchers

“Moonville exists within the human world, but it doesn’t belong to it.” His voice dropped lower. “It’s hidden in plain sight That’s why we stay disconnected from human energy and signals. It’s been that way since our ancestors founded this place.” He paused briefly. “Even if we brought those things in, they wouldn’t make sense. Our community is small. Technology is a blessing to humans, but to a people on the brink of extinction like us, it becomes a threat to our bloodline. Females are encouraged to bear children and preserve our continuity. Now imagine what would happen if we filled Moonville with endless distractions.”

I swallowed and whispered, “That makes sense.”

Maybe that was why my sisters had always been focused on finding partners, even living on the other side of the portal. Mother had always encouraged it, though I’d never fully understood why.

Atila returned to his meal, and we stayed there until he finished. When we stepped outside the restaurant, the cool air helped clear my head.

“I should go. Good work,” I said, already taking a half-step back.

“And where do you think you’re going alone?”

“To your house. I think I know the way by now.”

“I’m going there too.”

“But didn’t you need to go back to the training center?”

He stared ahead, thoughtful. “I did. But I just remembered I have something to fix at home.” He started walking. “Come on.”

I didn’t see any choice but to follow.

“Want to stop by those stalls?” he asked, nodding toward them. “They sell spices.”

I followed his gesture, taking in the vendors lining the stone street beside us-bright colors, sacks of grain piled high, herbs swaying in the light breeze.

“And why would I buy spices?” I asked, teasing.

“To cook for me,” he replied, his tone unmistakably smug. When he caught my serious look, he cleared his throat and added, “Only if you want to.”

I kept my face neutral for a few seconds just to torture him, then let out a short laugh. “I’d love to cook. But I don’t have any money.”

“That’s not a problem.” He tipped his head slightly. “Come on.”

The first stall was overflowing with spices hanging in small fabric sachets. The scent was intense and comforting all at once. 1 ran my fingers over jars of coarse salt, dried herbs, deep-toned peppers. On ice, fresh shrimp still glistened, firm and bright, beside freshly harvested vegetables, heavy onions, and fragrant garlic cloves. My mind was already working, assembling a full stew before I even realized it.

“These shrimp came in early this morning,” the vendor said proudly.

“I can tell,” I replied, selecting a few carefully. “The flesh is still firm.”

He smiled, clearly pleased.

We moved on to another stall-grains and oils this time. Atila pointed ahead.

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6:13 pm P WMM.

Chapter 28

“Give me a moment. I’ll be right back.”

As I examined lentils and chose a darker oil, I noticed a crooked notice tacked to the wooden wall.

We need maids.

Requirements: inexperienced omegas.

Good pay.

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