Elara, the forbidden luna

MYSTERY ALPHA

Elara's POV

"What the..." I muttered and sneaked up to listen to more but I was persuaded by the sound of feet going down the hall to change my mind.

I run-walked down the hall, only letting out a shaky breath in the safety of my room.

"A new man for you."

What the hell does that mean? That was certainly what my grandfather was saying to my mother. Is he mating her off to another fool, is it?

I had not even begun to think more of it, when a knock at the door startled me.

"My Lady," one of the maids said. Dinner is ready and your mother and grandparents have asked you to dine with them.”

She said and walked off without a reply.

I groaned, and rubbed my fingers through my hair.

I hastened to dress up in a simple outfit, one from the lots the maids had left me.

The long dining table was filled with foods as I walked down to the dining hall. Grandfather, like usual, at the end of the table, and serious. My grandmother was on the right-hand side of him and my mother, Isolde, weakly smiled as she sat on his left hand side.

“Elara”, said my grandmother. “Come, come and sit here with your mother, dear.

I nodded and sat with her. The scent of the food was divine and it made my mouth water. The quietness was interrupted with my grandfather blessing the meal and the first bite was taken. At that point, we began to eat.

After a few bites, my grandfather wiped his mouth, and leaned back in his chair. “About what your father did,” in a cold voice. "This man has lost all dignity."

My grandmother scowled, and held his arm. “Not before the child, please,” she said.

He freed his hand from her grip”. She is not a child any more,” he said. “And she is aware of what is going on. Right, Elara?".

I was paralyzed a moment and then shook my head. "Uh-uh, yes, Grandfather."

He nodded. "Good. The reason I must be direct you see. The dowry your father got back yesterday and disgracing your mother before the council was disgraceful.

My grandmother sighed like me being present whilst he said all these were truly making her uncomfortable but my grandfather did not listen to her and went on with his conversation.

“Should by any chance this widen out, your mother never again find a mate, And sorry to say, a lady is a weight when she did get to a certain age, and it is disgraceful that her father should keep her in his pack.”

I stared at my mom, but she just took a bit of beef in her mouth and slowly chewed it . I wished I could have defended her or at least protested to him not to talk about her so, he was discussing some commodity in the pack, yet I chose to close my mouth.

My grandfather laid down his fork in a very noisy way.

“I have already taken steps to avoid thay.” he said.

Hearing this, my grandmother surprised. "Which measures?"

“I have talked to another alpha,” he added, with a slight trace of pride. “A more powerful and stronger one. The discussion began soon after Aldric began misconducting. He agreed to mate with Isolde."

My fork stopped midair. I looked at my mother, who was gazing at her plate with a blank face.

“You do not mean it?," screeched grandmother, “you are remarrying her, so soon?”

“Yes, that is the plan, mating is in a few days, maybe tomorrow or the day after, but yes. The next day, we shall go to his pack.” Grandfather replied.

I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but somehow my tongue did not appear to be functioning. All this is beginning to pick up again. Yesterday we were kicked out of one pack estate and tomorrow we are going to leave another?

I choked and my eyes sank on the plate. The hand of my mother touched below the table, and rubbed my thigh as an unspoken admonition against saying anything. She did not even look at me but I understood her.

Grandfather , oblivious to this went on. “This new alpha too has consented to stay with Elara in the new pack estate.”

I looked up. "Me?"

"Yes." But, he said, “do not think you will have an idle time. The high-society families can be found at that court. We will get you a fine match anyhow. Time to discuss on your future.”

I tried to smile but it came out forced. “Thanks, Grandfather, That is... very kind."

He smiled , pleased, and went on with his meal. Several minutes later he waved his hand. "Now, Elara, you can depart. The other is adults only stuff. Take some rest child.”

I rose and bowed and walked away. Now out-of- sight took a deep breath.

Is Grandfather truly concerned over the happiness of my mother? Or is it another political gimmick? Only another means of reinforcing his power?

Does he truly care about mother and her reputation or is this his way of flaunting his connections in father’s face?

Is this his way of reminding father he still had power?

He said it like he did it to save mother because he loved her but it felt like it was business and not love.

And then, of course, there was that other matter which I could not stop thinking about.

Who was this new alpha?

An alpha mightier and more powerful than my father?

I began thinking of all the rulers I had heard about. One by one,

I ruled them out. Most already had a Luna.

Except one.

"Except for one," I whispered.