Her Best Friend’s Alpha Father

CHAPTER FIVE - FATED LIE

“So,” Selene said, her voice serene but resolute, with that sense of silent disapproval that Elara was afraid of. "Tell me... what about the father? Please do not say it Jax’s. Please tell me you got drunk, had a one night stand with a stranger, but don’t tell me this is Jax’s pup.”

Elara froze. Her throat contracted. She wanted to scream the truth, she wanted to tell Selene about Ronan, but the words were stuck in her throat. Panic surged, her wolf's howl of despair echoing inside.

"It's... Jax," she blurted out. Her voice shook, little and weak.

The eyes of Selene contracted a notch, lips drawn into a thin line. She let out a long breath. “Jax,” she said slowly, her disappointment obvious. “You know, I thought you were smarter than this, Elara. What happened to pull out? What happened to condoms! What became of morning pills? What happened to celibacy! And not make love to that fuckface! Common Elara!”

Elara flinched. "I loved him, Selene... I didn't know what to say. I... I could not... say no when he came to me, I could I could I could... I'm sorry."

Selene shook her head. "I get that. I really do. But this... this does not make this easier. It only makes it worse.“

Elara's chest tightened. She couldn't look at Selene. Her secret, the lie and the reality of the pregnancy were pressing her down, pack honor demanding truth.

"And... him?" Folding her arms, Selene went on. "Jax is a cheater, Elara. A liar. You know that. He does not deserve it... he does not deserve you. You know this would make everything get. You will be bound to a wolf who may not be relied upon, who has already lied to you. Cheated on you and played in your face!”

The eyes of Elara were filled with unshed tears. "I know, Selene... I know he's a cheater. I know he's awful. I... I just... I don't know what to do. Everything--my future--I am not even able to think straight.”

Selene came nearer, and her voice was softer, but no less commanding. "Elara... breathe. You do not need to make all decisions at the moment. But you ought to tell the truth, at least to your mom. And you must have an adult in this. She needs to know."

Elara silently nodded in an attempt to draw a breath. She couldn't focus. Her hands trembled. "I... I don't want pups, Selene. I can not... my life... all is destroyed. I'm not ready... I'm not ready for this!"

The disappointment was still there, although Selene smiled a little. "I know. I get it. But you're already here, Elara. You're pregnant. Faking that it does not exist will not help it disappear. You must confront it, despite the fact that it is dreadful.”

Elara covered her face with her hands. "I can't. I can't do this. I don't want this pup. My life... my plans... everything of it is lost.”

You are not alone, Selene said to herself, and laid a soft hand on the shoulder of Elara. "I'll be here. I'll help you. But you need to tell your mom. We need her to be involved. You can't do this on your own."

Elara weakly nodded and tears streamed down her face. “All right... all right, she said. I'll tell her."

Soon Elara’s mother, Liora Voss came, and she strode into the room with an expression of worry.

"Elara! What happened? Are you okay?" She said, rushing up to her daughter.

"I... I am alright, Mom, Elara said, not looking.

"You are not alright…you are in a hospital for crying out loud. What happened baby, talk to me.” Liora said, cupping Elara’s face in her hands.

Elara glanced at Selene. The look of Selene was steady, composed, reassuring--calmed down, disappointed. Elara took a deep breath. "Mom... I... I'm pregnant."

Liora froze. Her eyes were opened and her hands dropped from Elara’s face. "Pregnant? How? Who--"

"It's... Jax's, Elara said, with a trembling voice.

The face of Liora was flushed with anger. "Jax? That wolf? Elara, I cannot believe this! You dumped him on grounds of cheating and now you are carrying his pup?”

Elara felt her stomach drop. "I... I didn't plan this, Mom. I swear... I... I just--"

"No! You do not get to talk yourself out of this,” Liora interrupted. “You have made your decisions and now you must cope with the aftermath. You cannot evade responsibility.”

The heart of Elara beat with agony. She would have screamed, and told them everything, and told them all the truth--but she could not. Jax was the only lie that was between her and the world of Ronan falling down.

“Mum… it’s not too late. I can abort this pup and pretend it never happened.”

Liora's voice rose. “Listen to me, young lady, do not imagine you can get rid of this pup o! Go talk to Jax! He's the father. You'll face him. You'll handle this. Do you understand? You two will raise this pup! My morals and beliefs would never ever make me sit back here and watch you murder an innocent pup all because of your fear to face the truth and accept full responsibility for your actions.”

Elara shook her head. "Mom... I... I can't... I don't want this pup. I'm not ready... I.. I will not be force to keep a pup because of your morals and beliefs. This is my life, and it should not end because of one mistake.”

"You made a mistake, yes. But you shalt have responsibility. You will go back to him and you will form a mating bond with him. This is not optional." Her mother said with a tone of finality.

Elara's eyes filled with tears. "No... no! I can't! My life... it's over! Everything I wanted... gone... I will not form a mating bond with him!”

"You will do as I say!" Liora barked. "No arguments, no excuses. You're going to form a mating bond with him. That's final!"

Elara looked up at Selene, and besought her. The disappointment found its way to the eyes of Selene but she did not argue with Liora. She was aware that it was not her place to talk or make a decision, at least not yet.

Selene put a stabilizing hand on the shoulder of Elara. "Breathe, Elara. I know this is terrifying. I understand that you are in prison, but I am here. We will make out, even though that does not seem like it at the moment.”

Elara hid her face in her hands, her chest aching. The thoughts in her head were a whirl of guilt, fear and hopelessness. Her future, her dreams, her life--all this seemed to be going out of her fingers.

Liora says again, hard and sharp. "You're going to form a mating bond with him. He will be your mate and that is final!”