Her Best Friend’s Alpha Father

CHAPTER THREE - A LIVING SECRET

Elara was nervous as the cab drove down the empty streets to the apartment of Selene, her visit to this place was not a pleasant one last time, the forbidden pull still lingering in her wolf senses.

Her stomach was knotted in knots as she remembered how Ronan had to lie to prevent Selene from coming in that night when Selene came back unexpectedly. She had just managed to survive the mess of Kira’s birthday party, just managed to contain herself in front of everybody and now Selene had called. Neutral, calm. "We need to talk."

All the possibilities of future events flitted through the mind of Elara, and none of them were pleasant. She sounded the buzzer, heart racing.

"Coming!" The voice of Selene called within in a cheerful voice.

The door opened, and the smile of Selene fell on Elara as a wall. She smiled the same smile she always did warm, bright, full of energy but Elara felt like an intruder standing there.

“Hey,” Selene said, going aside. "Come in."

“Thanks,” Elara whispered, and she got into the apartment.

Selene brought her to the living room and pointed towards the couch. "Sit."

Elara sunk to a point, with her hands restless in her lap. She attempted to appear normal, attempted to maintain her voice. "Hi."

Selene's expression softened. “I am sorry I had not been there today.

Elara's throat tightened. "It's okay." She didn't tell her it wasn't.

Selene sighed and leant back and looked at her. “I heard what had happened to Jax at the party. Someone posted it online, one of the reasons I called immediately.”

Elara froze. Her chest tightened. Her head screamed that she must lie, and nod and say nothing--but Selene had already listened.

"I... uh..." Elara faltered. She had made a smile which did not go to her eyes. "It's fine. I mean... I did the right thing…. Right? I did not ruin it right?”

Selene shook her head. "You didn't ruin anything. It's just... Jax being Jax." She smiled to herself and shook her head. Well, I’m glad you’re back, the streets missed you hun.”

Elara sighed and was attempting to relax. "Okay... okay. …”

Selene's face softened further. "I'm proud of you…just a little sad. I had not even been there to see it, and, frankly, I am glad you had done what you did. Maybe a little more peaceful, I’d have smacked him and his b***h in their face.”

Elara's stomach sank. She didn't deserve praise. Not today, not ever, and especially not from Selene, her pack loyalty torn.

"Why weren't you around?" Trying to shift the topic, Elara asked hoping to forget about her guilt.

Selene's smile brightened. "I was with Mom. I had gone to persuade her against severing the mating bond with Dad.”

Elara's head shot up. "Wait... what?"

Selene nodded eagerly. "Yeah! And... it worked, I spent the entire weekend with her. She's staying." She grinned. My parents are not breaking their pack bond any more.

Elara's heart sank. She forced a laugh. "That's... great news. Really great."

Selene sat back, smiling happily. "Yeah! I mean, it's amazing. They are discussing the idea of a second attempt. Seeing a counselor, even. I just hope this one works out.”

Elara nodded, and had to smile again. "I'm really happy for you."

Selene tilted her head. "You don't sound like totaled. What happened? Are you good?”

Elara's throat burned. "I am. I just... have a lot on my mind."

Selene nodded, in understanding, but Elara could not hide the guilt that consumed her at that moment, her wolf guilt gnawing deeper. Elara had to avert her gaze, and concentrated on the carpet.

“Come on, come on,” Selene said, and stood up. The house needs some arrangement, and we need to go to mom’s she could use some assistance with getting some of her stuffs moved back in.”

Elara blinked. "Oh... okay. Yeah, sure."

They took a cab together to the home of Mira Blackwood, Selene chatting the entire distance, and breaking the silence between them ear interested, but her mind was on other things. Each laugh, each smile of Selene cut with a knife in her heart.

As they entered the house, Elara noticed it was messed up. There were boxes piled up towards the door, some of which were overflowing. Mira came around the kitchen with a small box of kitchen supplies.

"Selene! Elara! You're here!" Mira said, smiling warmly. "Thank you so much. I was not even aware that it would be this difficult to move back in. Maybe I should have not packed most of my things and left in anger.”

“There is no problem,” Selene said cheerfully. "We've got it covered."

Elara was trailing, carrying boxes, dishes, piles of books into the van that waited outside. She was attempting to concentrate on the physical labor as a means of forgetting her thoughts which were running through her mind.

After what seemed like forever, Elara, Mira and Selene went back to Ronan’s house, and started re-arranging Mira’s stuff.

Throughout the whole time, Elara’s mind pondered over her secret with Ronan, the scent of his alpha still haunting her.

“I’ll make his favorite tonight, I know he missed it.” Mira said, the affection in her tone made Elara’s heart clench in jealousy as she walked into the kitchen.

“Why are you allowed to love him openly, whilst I am forced to hide my feelings?” She wanted to ask, but instead she dropped a box on the floor, and made no eye contact with Mira. "Do you need anything else?" she asked quietly.

Mira shook her head. "No, that's plenty. Thank you, Elara. You've been a big help.”

Elara nodded and concentrated on piling another box. She heard Selene talk, about school, friends, even the preposterous adventures of Jax and Kira. Mira sympathized with Elara and promised to get some friends of hers to teach Jax a lesson. Some of it made Elara smile, and she was forced to take part. But inside, she was crumbling.

She continued to think about the previous night--about Ronan. Of how it had come so easy, so wrong, so... forbidden. She couldn't shake it. She could feel her chest aching when she thought of keeping that secret standing next to Selene and laughing with her, faking the appearance of being normal.

How long could she hide it? How many days would she be able to keep the pretence that everything was fine whilst the guilt was devouring her?

“Hey… you good?” Selene’s concerned voice snaps her out of her reverie.

Elara rubbed her hands on a towel, and smiled at Selene. “Yh… I’m fine. It is so nice that your parents are not breaking their pack bond.”

Selene looked at her, her eyes sparkling. "Yeah, I know. It's amazing. I couldn't be happier."

“Come let’s eat. Dad would be back home soon.” Selene said.

At the mention of the word dad, Elara could only wonder how long she has before Ronan tells his mate, packmate or both the truth.