Defiant Sunshine

Disrespect

“Dad?” she asked, confusion laced in her slightly trembling voice.

The smile on Brandon's face quickly disappeared as he looked at her, not knowing what to say. He felt a little guilty keeping this from her. Opening his mouth to say something, he paused and closed it. His face reverted back to the cold distant one, she had long gotten used to.

“You didn't tell her?” the luna looked at Brandon disapprovingly. Alia looked back and forth between Brandon and his supposed father and turned to stare at the beautiful older woman infront of her. ‘…so this must be his…mother?’

He played with his keys while having this look on his face. “Lets…go inside first and have lunch, then you two can talk, okay?” the Luna suggested, trying to soothe the tension.

“okay" Alia said softly, lightly smiling at the woman radiating a motherly warmth she had longed for, for a while now. Her eyes lit up as she pulled Alia up the front stairs into the house.

“No need" a voice rang out loud enough for them to hear, as they stepped through the door. She could feel Brandon's eyes boring into her skull while they halted in their tracks.

The luna turned around with furrowed brows “What?” she enquired. Brandon walked up the few steps like a god bound to be bowed to. Stopping a few meters away, he looked right at his mother.

“She can stay here. I'll do my best to protect her but we have nothing to talk about…” he slowly shifted his indifferent gaze onto Alia, staring right into her soul. “ She should just stay out of my way.” He did not wait for their response as he walked right past them with his cold aura radiating off of him. Alia wasn't surprised nor shaken by his attitude towards her. She only had to admit that it hurt more when he did it publicly.

“Brandon!” his mother cried out in surprise. Brandon was not fazed by his mother's sudden outburst. He just kept on walking until he disappeared from their view. Alia could see how aggrieved and embarrassed the luna was and felt pity for her. Looking at the now crestfallen face of this beautiful woman, Alia placed her hand on her shoulder and smiled at her reassuringly. She knew her boundaries when it came to Brandon and she kept them as is.

Alia couldn't help but be blown away by the lovely entry from outside their door, becoming an integral part of the home’s bigger narrative. It's beautiful theme and style left her lost for words as she took in its magnificent design. From the yard that led to the front door towards the entry room itself, nothing stood in isolation as each element complemented and enhanced the beauty of the other.

Following behind Brandon as they went inside, Alia tried her best to distract Brandon's mom from her distrauted state.

The entryway seemed dramatic yet elegant as those draped in Mediterranean style. Its elegant array cast a spotlight on everything ranging from the walkway – Talk about the landscape leading to the front door itself and the room that sat beyond it.

Beautiful.

Seeing the luna slowly light up as she presented her home to her, Alia felt a little tug at her heartstrings. A warm smile unconsciously formed on her face, watching the luna gush about her home. She also shared her joyful memories, going on about how she met Alia’s mother. They had been best of friends ever since and had been there for each other throughout. Alia's mind drifted to Cathy, her best friend. Well, her only friend. She wondered if Cathy was okay and if she misses her as much.

Her mind unknowingly drifted to a certain blue-eyed man she had come with, wondering what it would be like to actually get to know him. Get to know the man he really was underneath all the rock solid shield he's holding up. Realising what she was doing, her eyes slightly widened as she inwardly slapped herself numerous times for it. ‘oh god, what are you thinking you i***t. He doesn't like your stupid ass and he definitely won't start now. Pull your s**t together!’

Alia gawked at how beautiful their home was with so much space, gosh they could fit half the town in the foyer itself.

“You like?” a sweet voice snapped her out of her admiring trance. Looking at the Luna's arm linked to hers with a small smile on her face, Alia smiled at her.

“This is gorgeous! No doubt.”

Brandon's mom returned a star struck smile with her eyes twinkling with satisfaction.

“I might end up stealing your designs for my matrimonial home” her hands were clasped together as she rocked back and fourth, with a broader smile that showcased her beautiful white teeth, like a child who had just caused trouble. Brandon's mom laughed as she threw her head back with such grace. She may have been in her late 50s, looking more like she was in her mid 30’s.

Her caramel-brownish hair that fell elegantly on her sides, made her look so juvenile when she laughed. Alia actually envied her carefree nature. She wished she was more like Brandon's mom, happy, comfortable and cared for. With the exact same eyes as Brandon's, which enhances her facial features, she looked more like a Queen than a Luna.

“Please dear, it's Elena… or mom," she smiled warmly at her.

She had an aura that reminded Alia of her own mother, the same warmth that reminded her of the joyful days she used to have with her parents and a smile that reminded her of Brandon's always stoic face. It all made her emotional which was what she didn't want.

Alia flipped the topic by asking about the things around the house, which helped to distract the luna and steer the chat. She couldn't get enough of their beautiful home either. Walking further into the house towards the dining hall, she was met with a pretty long and a bit wide dining table. It looked more like a classic wooden dining table. One of the most prized possessions of ancient times. Don’t forget the food alright, no fuckin kidding her! Her stomach grumbled and the Luna…No, Elena chuckled before leading her towards the table full of scrumptious food.

“Serve yourself, honey," Elena gestured towards the table and boy oh boy, Alia didn't waste a second of her hungry stomach and started filling her plate with sweet pastries and a few savoury ones she had been dying to have since, she walked through those doors. She was so giddy seeing all her favourite food. She also tasted the ones she believed she had not tried before when, suddenly, someone snatched the chocolate syrup from her hand. Her face contorted into an ugly one as she turned violently and almost ran into Brandon. She was not in the mood for one of his attitudes.

“Give me that syrup," she gritted her teeth trying hard not to lose it on him.

“No" he didn't bat a second eye on her as he started walking off with it.

“Don't make me repeat myself Brandon, give me my syrup. I'm not done with it you…headed mutt" she spat and heard gasps and murmurs around them short after. He kept walking like he didn't hear her and gave it to one of the warriors.

“Throw it out. All of it" walking away, the warrior was already out the door. Alia huffed as she glared at him and walked away, pouting profusely due to her now foul mood thanks to Brandon-thee-annoying-prick.

Walking towards a far-end table that was occupied by no one in particular. Alia sat down and tried to enjoy her pastries through her foul mood. She frowned lightly as she felt the energy shift a little in the room, which was so unlikely, unless….

…………..

A woman walked in through the dining room doors. She took each step gracefully alongside an elderly man. Alia assumed he was the woman's father due to the close physical resemblance. The duo headed straight toward Brandon and his parents, who were busy discussing something that seemed quite important. Upon reaching them, the woman smiled at Brandon and his parents, respectfully bowing to the Alpha and Luna of the pack.

The tension between the woman and Elena was unbearably obvious. The way Elena stared blankly at her while Brandon's dad, Alec, was trying his best to keep his Luna at bay was utterly deafening. It seemed like everyone knew what the deal was as murmurs erupted around her.

“Here comes the drama Queen"

“I bet she didn't leave on purpose yesterday for this"

“ You think?”

“I know so. She knew that the young alpha would be here today”

“wow she is a man-hunting w***e like the rumors say"

“We know that both our alphas had agreed to bind the packs by marrying alpha Winsley’s daughter, to the young alpha when they were just infants. But, does she have to make it so obvious?”

“Rumor states that she's already in love with the young alpha and she would do anything to have him in her bed.”

Hearing the last statement, Alia choked on one of her pastries. Great! Coughing profusely she tried not to attract too much attention. A large hand suddenly handed her a glass of water. Alia gladly took it, gulped it down and sighed in relief.

“How many times do I have to come this close to death in a fuckin’ day?" she murmured to no one in particular. She took a deep breath trying to ease her throat's discomfort. “Perhaps you’re lucky to get to have a first-hand experience.” she heard a deep melodic voice suddenly enlighten her. Opening her eyes, Alia was met by ravishingly handsome blond-haired man, who sat beside her in a relatively calm manner. A soft smile lingered on his gorgeous face. Blinking a few times, it suddenly dawned on Alia, he was mocking her.

Her frown gradually loosened, staring right back at him as calm as deep waters.

“At least I know what something enticing feels like. I wouldn't say the same about you". His smile stiffened as it wiped off of him. “You know what's funny?” he queried while leaning forward slowly, playing with a table knife between his fingers. Calmly leaning back on her chair, she stared at him with a face void of any emotion. Man, she had got to thank Brandon for the lessons because they work wonders, everytime. “You, having a nick for sarcasm. “ smiling lightly he voiced out while he slowly yet sexily pointed the knife in his hand at her. ‘Did he have to look this handsome though?’. She thought for a moment.

“Seems like it bothers you. Does it?” taking a sip of her juice she point-blank stared at him without as much as a waver. “ Me?” He laughed, slightly throwing his head back while causing a few eyes to look at them.

“No princess, I like a girl with a spicy tongue like yours.” He says, leaning back into his chair, staring at her with a faint smile. “At least I know I won't be bored with you around” He stood up and nobly walked off. “You think?” her nonchalance was palpable. It reminded him of Brandon's. A sudden thought crossed his mind as he smirked with mirth in his lazy eyes. Because he was walking away from Alia, she couldn't see his action.

“ Welcome to your new home princess" he says a little loudly as he ignores her question, continuing to walk away. Staring at his elegant back a corner of her lips raised a little “ Handsome and shameless. Quite a combination.” She murmurs to herself with a chuckle. “I heard that,” He says loudly as he crossed the room. Naturally he was a force of attraction. Crossing the magnificent hall all eyes were trained on him. She wolves

With her empty plate and a half full stomach she decided to get more. ‘Great, now he's going to think that I'm following him around‘. Yet, she still walked towards the food table. Halfway across the room, Alia realised that the room was now almost full of people, warriors. Taking out her phone to check the time, she was met by a dark screen. “s**t, I forgot.” Muttering to herself, she kept walking. She felt a lot of eyes boring into her from all sides yet ignoring them, she went straight to the cold section of the table. Deciding on some fruits instead of more pastries.

Stretching out her hand like a kid excited to be given some candy, Alia felt a sudden hold onto her wrist. Blinking a few times, she slowly looked up at the owner of the thin hand, only to be met by a cold glare as the woman surveyed her with an automatic sneer.

“No omega is allowed to eat at this table or take more food than what they are given. Don't mistake generosity for weakness.” She spat out loud. Alia knew that everybody heard her due to the werewolf hearing. She looked at the glaring woman and realised it's the woman that walked in here a few moments ago, like she owned the place.

“excuse me?” Alia was allowing herself to process the nonsense this woman just said. “Oh, you talk back? I see all the food has made you forget who you’re talking to, mutt. I have the authority to throw you back to the dumpsters, where you belong. Now listen to me very carefully. Do not ever touch this food, it's reserved for higher ranks and you are nothing. Secondly, know how to address people above your league with respect. I won't be this nice next time.” She bitchily spat, basically throwing Alia’s hand at her, almost making me hit her own face.

Taking an noticeably deep breath to calm the rage that was now building inside her. No fuckin' one has ever dared to belittle her like that. Dragging her image through the mud like this bad mannered woman just did. Who the f**k does she think she is to mess with her like that? Did she think she was going to get away with it? ‘Oh baby, you got another thing coming.’

Upon opening her eyes, Alia stared at the woman with a blank expression trying her best not to rage out. She knew if she did, the woman was going to end up on a medical bed with a broken face. A cold smile appeared as she raised her chin high enough to meet head on with the woman unwelcoming gaze “firstly, Don't you ever touch me again -I'm not your friend and you do not know who I am, or, what I'm capable of. Besides, don't you think your makeup might fall onto this delicious looking food-filled table with you shaking your head vigorously like that?” Alia squinted her eye with her head slightly tilted to the side.

“Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?!” the woman prodded causing everyone to keep quiet. Alia was not going to back out and bow down to her so easily. She didn't care if the woman was an alpha’s daughter or a damn princess of Arizona. The woman was not ‘bout to speak to her like that and belittle her nor belittle omegas like that. Those people work ten times harder to put food on both their own tables and her fuckin' table, yet she has the nerve to say they don't matter. ‘Oh, I need to put this w***e in her own damn place.’

Elegantly crossing her arms over her chest, Alia slowly closed the distance between them, looking her right in her eyes. “ Who do I think I am?” her even tone sent chills down everyone's spine with a playful smirk on her beautiful face. The woman felt like something was wrong “You see, you, Don't deserve to know who I think I am sweetie, but, I'll gladly give you a little insight on it. I am definitely the woman I think I am, not a man hunting w***e , who climbs her way up a title like the little slut that you are.” she authoritatively yet calmly uttered, tilting her head slightly to the other side. Now, she was the one blinking multiple times trying to process Alia's not so kind words. She could not believe that the little girl in front of her just called her a ‘man hunting w***e’ and a ‘slut'!

Alia didn't waste her time, taking her plate she had placed on the table earlier on and start filling it with her desired sweets. She left the woman standing there with her tongue up her ass and her mouth wide open.