Her Best Friend’s Alpha Father

Chapter 13 The Announcement 2

And you know the funniest thing, Ronan didn't say a word. Not even an attempt to stop them from ranting.

Not even once, let alone stopping them completely. But even at that, the tension quietly radiating from him, was too impossible to be ignored.

On a close look, one could see his fists clenched tightly at his sides, and the effort he was making to stay put and not interfere. His jaw was also locked, and for his wolf, he was raging, demanding expression but he suppressed him.

"Elara..." He finally said something, but quietly. She turned to face him, her eyes wide and in desperation to hear what he had to say. She was hoping he could intervene, save from this tragedy about to befall her, and not expose what they had together.

"Please, Alpha," she whispered, making sure to add the Alpha title to not make her mother suspicious in anyway. "Say something. Anything at all."

He stared at her, really looked at her, that his emotions were almost visible for all to see. He saw her fear, the pain of being mated to someone you have no feelings for. He saw how helpless she was, then, his eyes flickered, and landed in Liora.

"You are making a huge mistake," Ronan started, his voice calm, but at the same time, very dangerous. Liora stopped on her track, and slowly, she turned to face him.

"And why would you say such a thing, Alpha?" She asked, completely confused on what was happening.

Ronan stepped forward, his steps well calculated, and under control. "That is because, forcing a mating bond, has never for once, ended well, especially in the girl," he replied. "And also, when emotions are already unstable."

Liora held his gaze, not as an Alpha this time, but as a mother. She was unmoved by his explanations, as to her, Elara made her bed, and must lay on it.

"This is clearly a family matter, not pack politics," she replied firmly. "I sincerely appreciate your concern, but this decision is mine to make, and I’ve already decided."

Ronan's eyes darkened possessively, but there was nothing he could do, but to try and convince her. "This is more like forcing her to bind herself to a man that doesn't care about her. A man that she doesn't trust well enough to have a mate bond with." He pressed on. "That kind of bond alone..."

"This shouldn't be any of your concern, Alpha," Liora cut in sharply, almost forgetting she was speaking with the Alpha, and he could decide to intervene in the case.

There was a heavy silence after that. For Ronan, he clearly didn't want to back down, and at same time, Liora stood her ground, not ready to back down as well. Ronan would have used his Alpha power to decide on what would happen, but he didn't want to play it with power, so, he kept on indulging her.

As for Elara, she felt like she was being torn apart between her two favorite people in the world.

"Please..." She whispered again, her voice obviously breaking. But none of them moved, neither did any of them change their mind.

At this point, it wasn't about what she wanted anymore. It hadn't been that for a while. She was more of a pawn, in a game she had no idea exists.

*****************

Later that night, Elara sat quietly in her room, all alone. The house was too quiet, way too quiet for her sanity to remain intact. At this point her mind started replaying everything that happened during the day, putting it on repeat, over and over again.

Two weeks.

Exactly two weeks, and she would be officially bound to Jax. It would take only two weeks, and everything would become permanent, changing her life forever. Her hand moved slowly to her stomach, as she clutched tightly to the pup developing inside her, but causing commotion before its birth.

Her wolf stirred on, urging her to liberate herself from the trouble, but she wasn't ready to bulge. Her wolf has never been this confused and restless before. She kept rejecting every single suggestions that she brought to be implemented.

"I can't do this... You are asking me for too much..." She whispered, hoping her wolf would understand. Before she knew it, a tear slipped down her cheek, as that was the only way she could express herself without judgment from anyone.

"I can't..." She said again.

But the truth was, she didn't have a choice.

*******************

"Get up this minute!"

Elara groaned softly, as she was unwilling to leave her bed. She pulled the blanket much tighter around her.

"Selene... please..." She muttered, her voice completely muffled. "I'm not in the mood for such jokes."

"You've been in this awful mood for complete three days now," Selene shot back, her hands placed in her hips. "Enough is enough. You're coming with me, and that's final, don’t try to fight!"

Elara squeezed her eyes shut, hoping to not go anywhere.

"No."

"Yes."

"No, please."

Selene didn't wait for her to finish displaying her drama. She went closer, and yanked the blanket off her body.

"Selene!" Elara snapped, sitting up with her messy and heavy eyes, and weak and exhausted body. Selene didn't even flinch a bit. She was determined to pull her out of the house.

"You're not permitted to lock yourself in this house again," she replied firmly. "You are done running, no more hiding. That would never happen under my watch again."

Elara stared at her, torn and exhausted.

"I'm tired of everything." She whispered.

"I know," Selene replied, in a very soft and calm tone. "But, staying right here, would only make it worse."

Elara looked away, because something in her told her Selene was right. Selene moved closer again, then crouched in front of her.

"Come out with me," she started gently. "Just for a short time. For fresh air, no pressure from anyone. Just us, like before the world became noisy."