The Alpha's Eternal Luna

Episode #3( Controlling )

Connell halted as my voice reached his ears, quickly turning around. However, before I could utter a word to him, my mother's voice cut me off.

"Look, Leela, has arrived! We were just talking about you," Mother announced. I peered over Connell's shoulder to see my mother standing next to Connell's mother. Miss Adele Everton. This family is renowned in our town, and their word is law, not out of respect, but fear.

The Everton's are the most enigmatic individuals I’ve ever encountered. There’s something about them that unsettles me. Perhaps it’s because they indirectly dictate my life by influencing my mother to control me.

Well, I never had a great relationship with my mother, to begin with, but ever since she began working for Everton, our lives have taken the worst turn.

"Come here, Leela, meet Madam Adele," Mother said, almost forcing me to greet her, which I didn't want to do, but to please my Mother, I greeted Madam Adele with a warm smile.

" Madam Adele, the dinner is ready. I don't think we should wait any longer." Mother announced, and Madam Adele nodded in agreement, and I was hoping that Connell wouldn't open his mouth and forget about the letter.

"Come this way please, and Connell, you were saying something to me. I apologize, I didn't hear you." Mother asked Connell and a cold sweat broke through my hairline. Connell looked at me with his threatening eyes. My heart was beating like a war drum. I feared that he would spill the secret to Mother.

And my dream of escaping this place will stay a dream. I pray to God that he will show mercy on me.

"Aunt Madeline, we'll discuss it later. Sadly, I won't be able to attend dinner with you all due to a prior commitment" he finally said, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ah, I had hoped you could join us for dinner, but I understand that commitments are important. We can always plan another dinner," Mother responded, a warm smile gracing her face. She and Connell share a close bond; she practically considers him her own son, oblivious to the reality hidden behind his seemingly innocent demeanor.

Connell gave a nod of agreement. As Mother led Madam Adele to the dining room, I was about to follow them when Connell suddenly blocked my path with his figure. A smirk played on his lips, and his eyes were filled with arrogance and pride. "What's the matter? Just let me pass," I retorted.

"I'm merely reminding you not to assume that I've changed my stance about informing your mother. If you continue this behavior, I won't hesitate to reveal your secret to her next time but I am giving you a chance to tell her the truth and you only have one week. If you won't tell her then I will on the party," he warned me. I reluctantly agreed, swallowing my pride, and he left me standing alone in the grand hallway. The ornate chandelier above cast a warm glow, its light dancing off the polished marble floor. And my brain couldn't process what had just occurred. My racing thoughts were interrupted by my mother's voice, who called me from the dining room.

The next thing I knew, I was sitting at the grand dining table, the rich mahogany wood gleaming under the soft candlelight. My mother sat to my right, her face glowing with warmth and kindness. To my front was Madam Adele, her eyes, dark and inscrutable, were fixed on me. She was a mystery, an enigma wrapped in a riddle. Her presence was overwhelming, her aura dark and intimidating, making me feel uneasy.

Madam Adele's eyes were like two obsidian stones, cold and unyielding. Her gaze was penetrating, as if she could see right through me. Her silence was deafening, filling the room with an air of tension that was almost palpable. I tried to meet her gaze, but the intensity in her eyes made me look away.

As the dinner progressed, the clinking of cutlery against the plates was the only sound that dared to break the silence. I tried to engage in small talk, to lighten the mood, but Madam Adele's piercing gaze made it difficult.

"So, Leela, what are your plans after graduating from high school?" Madam Adele inquired, her voice echoing in the grand dining room. Her sudden interest in my personal life sent a shiver down my spine. Connell's intrusive questions were expected due to his controlling nature, but why was she so curious?

I straightened up in my chair, I dabbed my lips with a napkin, buying myself a few precious seconds to gather my thoughts.

"Madam Adele, I haven't made any specific plans yet. May I ask why you're interested?" I responded, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Oh, that's splendid. Your mother was considering having you join me at the company after your graduation. However, I suggest she consult you first if you suggest other future plans. But since you don't seem to have any, would you consider my job offer?" She proposed, her words hanging in the air like a guillotine. I turned to my mother, my eyes wide with disbelief.

"No need to consult her. My daughter will follow whatever I instruct her to do," my mother declared, her words cutting through me like a knife. I was stunned. How could my mother make such a significant decision about my life without consulting me? I glanced at my mother, a tear welling up in the corner of my eye, threatening to overflow.

"Excuse me, I need to go study. I have a test tomorrow. Please, continue enjoying your dinner," I choked out, rising from my chair. The room seemed to spin around me as I made my way to the door. I could feel their eyes on my back, their gazes burning holes in me. I left the dining room without a backward glance at my mother, the door closing behind me with a soft click.

My eyes became teary without saying anything further. I turned and walked into my room. I just kept on crying. For myself, for my dreams, for not standing up for myself and for feeling hopeless. Hot tears streamed down my face, and I squeezed my eyelids shut in the hope my tears would stop. My choppy breathing and watery eyes remained for quite some time, and I lay in bed unmoving.