Chapter 15 At the Dinner Table
1045 Words
Then, he walked in. Ronan walked right in when she was beginning to settle down. His eyes wasted no time in finding hers instantly, just like they always did. It was more like he wouldn't survive without it, and at that moment, everything changed.
Her breathing changed, as she could not keep up with the heavy stare from him. She watched as his gaze gradually dropped on her stomach, though for a brief moment, then, they returned to her eyes.
Everything around them was intense.
"Elara," he called quietly. Her name again on his lips, like they always belonged there.
"Alpha," she replied quickly, resisting every urgent to call him by his name, while at the same time, forcing a distance into her tone.
Even Selene noticed everything. She's sharp, and observant, none of it went by without her knowledge. Ronan clenched his fist, holding himself from insisting she calls him by his first name. He didn't like the idea that his wife and daughter were there with them. He wanted to do many things to her, ask her many questions, but he said nothing. He just kept calm.
Not long, Mira that had gone out to get something, returned, smiling warmly at the two girls.
"Come sit girls, food is ready."
Selene immediately grabbed Elara's hand, pulling her toward the table, a way of separating her from her father, because within her, she knew that everything wasn't right.
But as she made attempt to pull her, Elara's body felt too stiff to move. It was very heavy, like someone knowingly walking into something she would never escape from.
To her, dinner...was unbearable. Every glance from him, every movement, even her breath felt amplified.
To endure she survived till the end, Elara kept her eyes in her plate. She did everything possible to avoid him. But even with all her effort, she could still feel him all over her skin. His eyes was all over her, watching her keenly, constantly, and Selene noticed this too.
"Elara," she suddenly called her. "Please, pass the salt."
Elara blinked because she wasn't expecting her to call her at that point.
"Oh... yeah." She reached for it..but at the same time, Ronan did, and their fingers brushed each other's briefly.
The touch which was brief but electric, and instant, making her breath to hitch again. At the same time, his hand stilled, as their eyes met.
For a split second, nothing else mattered, everyone in the room became invisible to them. The pull, the connection, the truth was gradually coming out.
"Thanks," Selene's voice interrupted them.
She made sure it was loud enough and too sudden to draw them out of their trauce. Both of them immediately pulled away, too quickly making it obvious for everyone on the table.
This made Selene to narrow her eyes slightly at them. There it is again....
Elara's heart pounded, painfully, to the point she could hear it.
No. No. She noticed everything. She definitely saw all that transpired a few minutes ago.
After the horrible dinner, Elara stood up quickly, not waiting for everyone to finish just like they used to do before. "I should go," she said.
"So soon?" Mira asked.
"I'm just tired." That part wasn't a lie, as they had come for lunch, but ended up eating dinner instead.
Selene also stupid up, ready to escort her. "I will walk you out "
Elara nodded calmly, grateful that she came to her rescue, as she was desperate to leave their house, and to not be under the same roof as Ronan, as it had gotten to the point she could give anything to get out of their house.
Right outside, the air felt a little bit colder, but easier to breathe which she was grateful for. But at the same time, the tension followed her, and that was because of Selene. Not long, Selene turned to her, the look on her face suggesting she had a lot to say.
"Elara..."
She needed no one to tell her that her tone had changed. It was completely different, too serious, and careful.
"Tell me the truth." This made Elara's heart to skip, as she didn't know what to expect.
"What truth are you talking about?"
Selene held her gaze for a few seconds, wondering what was going on inside her head.
"Is there something strange going on between you and my dad that I know nothing about?"
The question came out unexpectedly like a bomb, making her freeze completely. At this point, her mind went blank, unable to produce any answer. Her wolf howled, indicating danger on the way.
"No," she answered. But it came out too fast, and sharp.
Selene obviously didn't look convinced, as she was sure in her guts that something might have led to the awkwardness between them recently.
"Elara..."
"There's nothing going on between us," she repeated, but this time, it was softer.
Selene studied her face, searching for lies, or even the truth. But Elara didn't want to lose her guard, so she held everything all in. Finally, Selene sighed, tired of carrying such huge duty on her tender shoulder.
"Okay." I believe you. But the doubt was still fresh in her mind. It was even growing on each passing second, but she held everything in. As Elara finally walked away, taking the shorter path to her house, her chest felt tight like it could burst any second. Her steps had quickened, as she feared Selene might change her mind, call her back for more interrogation. She didn't even look back, she didn't have the guts to do that. She was still trying to figure out how to cancel the bond mating ceremony between Jax and her, and the only person who would have helped out... The only person who understands how she feels, is now suspecting every of her move. How again is she going to survive?
She knew that the doubt in Selene's heart won't go away, until when she proves her loyalty to her. It could only get worse, and once it succeeds in getting rooted down....
Her secret... would follow suit, everything beginning to break. And soon enough, she would have no control over it anymore. Not like she does now.
- Writer
