Her Best Friend’s Alpha Father

Chapter 24 The Breaking Point

Since morning, Elara has been trying to get hold of herself. She couldn't breathe properly anymore. This started the very moment some words starting ringing in her head like a curse, the type she couldn't escape no matter how much she tries.

You are pregnant at a young age. You will be bonded to Jax forever. You cannot run away any longer from responsibility. Every direction she turned to get peace, there was no exit. It was only pressure, silence and lies that surrounded her.

Selene seemed to notice this too. They were sitting in Selene's room, their books untouched despite the fact they had been there for the longest time. Even their tea were already getting cold, as they sat in silence like mourners.

"Elara," Selene started softly, now closing her laptop. "I've been watching you closely since we got here. I noticed you have been staring into space, for more than twenty minutes now."

Elara blinked, suddenly returning back to normal.

"I'm fine," she replied quickly.

This made Selene to raise a brow, wondering what could have made her friend so distant like that.

"If I'm being honest, that's actually your thought 'I'm fine' since we got here today."

This made Elara to force a laugh, a very dry attempt to cover up her awkward behavior.

"I'm just tired, nothing serious."

Selene leaned forward to face her, not believing a word from her.

"You know very well that's not it "

There was silence, ad both of them wondered deep in thought. At a point, Elara's fingers, curled around her cup. Her wolf had been restless, stirring inside her. She kept on pushing her, pressing and urging her to tell Selene the truth.

Her chest becomes too tight each time the thought of it crosees her mind. Selene sat down with her, watching closely.

"I won't lie to you, you've been completely a different person since we returned from the hospital," she told her gently. "You became more distant. And at times, I couldn't help but wonder if you are carrying something else much heavier other than the pregnancy."

Elara's breath hitched, because Selene had come so close to her secret. It was too heavy, too dangerous, that she almost broke down.

"I need to tell you something very important," Elara started suddenly. She had found herself saying that before she could control it.

At this point, Selene froze, waiting for whatever her friend had to tell her. She wished so much Elara could be free to tell her what had been bothering her.

"...what could that be?"

This made Elara's heart to slam against her ribs, like her heart was about being ripped off from her chest. Her mouth opened to get talking, then she closed it. By now, her hands had started shaking, though slightly, and she had lost control over it. Her wolf howled, pushing the words out of her mouth. Now. Now. Now.

She just stared at Selene, at her best friend whom she could barely hold eye contact with again. She used to be her safe place, her anchor, the only person that she had never lied to, before all if these started.

For a second, she almost spilled everything. I slept with your father. That deadly truth sat on her tongue like fire, waiting for expression. It was burning her, taking her breath, and making her appear stupid, as it demanded release.

"I..." She started again, hoping to finish the sentence this time.

Selene stood up, already tired of the game.

"Elara..."

The softness in her voice, the way she called her name with concern, it broke something in her. Elara's eyes became filled with tears instantly.

"I can't..." She whispered. Selene moved closer to her, holding her in her arms.

"Hey...hey, talk to me, " she consoled her gently. "Whatever is disturbing you, just say it."

Elara wasted no time in shaking her head quickly. The tears kept flowing, almost clouding her vision.

"No... it's nothing," she said rather too fast. "It's something very stupid, forget about it."

She tried convincing Selene, which made her to frown.

"Elara, you don't look okay to me."

"I am completely okay," she insisted, using the back of her palm, to wipe her tears. "I just...I was just being my overthinking self once again."

Selene didn't believe her, not after the same thing happening at a repeated occurrence.

A knock suddenly came at the door, making both of them to turn. It was Mira, Selene's mom from outside.

"Elara, dear! Jax is here to see you."

Elara froze, her countenance becoming worse that it was. Even Selene wasn't comfortable with the visit, as she sighed softly.

"What a perfect timing." She muttered.

Elara stood up quickly, gathering a few of her things.

"I should get going now." She said.

Selene grabbed her wrist, but gently before she made it to the door.

"Elara,"

Elara glanced at her face, then returned it to her wrist that she was holding. Selene's eyes searched hers with concern, hoping to see any crack, anything that would sell her away. It's true that she had become suspicious of her, but the concern on her face was greater.

"You can go ahead and tell me anything," Selene started softly, hoping she would change her mind. "You know I got your back, right?"

Elara held back from bursting into cry, for betraying her sister from another mother. She simply nodded, and said no word. She knew that the moment she opened her mouth, she would definitely sing like a bird.

She quickly left the room before Selene would ask again, or push her into telling her everything. She knew that any minute she spends there again, could land her in trouble.

Jax was waiting in the living room, smiling like nothing had gone wrong for the past days.

"Hey, baby," he said carefully, grinning from ear to ear, as he moved toward her. This made Elara to become stiff, before she quickly regained herself.

She wasn't used to getting pet names from people like him. It made her skin irritate her.

"Don't call me that," she muttered.

Jax frowned, confused at her outburst.

"What do you mean? You're my mate."

Elara rolled her eyes, not ready to barter words with him.

"I'm not feeling well," she replied. "Can we please, not go through this now?"

Jax carefully studied her, then nodded calmly. "

Fine," he said. "Just don't stress yourself too much. You're doing enough already by carrying my pup. Don't ever forget that."