Tension and Confession

Lyla’s POV 

“What happened back there?” I inquired meekly. “You look… overwhelmed.”

Elowen sighed, and pulled her hair. “I am. I don’t know how to explain it. I’m happy… I am. I found a mate, an alpha, strong, honorable, but... “ She stuttered and looked at her hands. “It is just  being a Luna, it is so high it makes me feel that it is above me. As it is too much power in a person like me.”

I extended my hand and grabbed her. “Elowen, don’t say that. You have been bearing so much since we lost Mom and Dad. You have been holding this family together, and you have worked harder than any other person I know, and you have defended me and this home through it all. You are the one who can manage being a Luna.”

Her lips trembled a little and I held her hand. “You have never demanded for respect, you’ve always earned it. You already have the strength in you. You just need to have faith in yourself.”

 The she looked at me, with a smile that was weak,  her voice breaking. “You really think so?”

“I know so,” I said firmly. “You’re brave. You’re smart. You have been taking care of me and yourself like we were children. You can handle this. You will be the best Luna, I swear, I know it. Get me a mic, I’ll say it again.”

With a wavering laugh Elowen leaned back. “Thanks… I needed to hear that.” She hesitated, biting her lip. “I also think… I think Isolde doesn’t like me. She’s intimidating. I am able to sense it whenever she gazes at me. I don’t know why, but I… I only feel that I must watch myself everywhere around her.”

I shook my head, and strove to keep my voice light, although my stomach was knotting itself. “Don’t worry about that. You need not worry about people who like you or do not. I’ll be here. Anything anyone tries, I will deal with. You will not have it all by yourself, not as long as I am around.”

The eyes of Elowen softened, and gratitude flashed in them. “Thank you, Lyla. Really. I do not know what I should do without you.”

“Don’t mention it,” I said. I smiled a little to her, and, just at this moment, my stomach churned, and I remembered that I had not eaten anything. 

She giggled and looked to the door. “Someone’s hungry. Come on.”

I trailed her, and went down the hall to the dining-room. The room was bigger than I had imagined, and it was furnished with long polished tables and carved chairs, and lanterns pouring a warm light over the walls. Kieran was at the table head, his pose dictatorial but easy. At his elbow the keen eyes of Isolde swept over the room, but she hesitated a moment as we entered.

Kieran talked to maids and guards in low, firm voice. “The Luna and her sister now reside in this house. Always treat them with the highest respect. Understood?”

“Yes, Alpha,” the maids and guards said in one voice.

He swivelled around to us, and his voice was less harsh. “A menu adjustment will be made to-night. There are certain allergies my luna has, and we need to avoid any health problems.” 

Elowen nodded, a little nervous, but I could make out that her shoulders were relaxing a little. “Thank you, Kieran.”

He dismissed  the employees with a wave of his hand, and then smiled at us . 

We sat down, Elowen on his right, me by  her side. The initial bites were silent, the clash of knives and forks and the low decibel chatter taking the place of conversation. I attempted to concentrate on the food, but my stomach turned. I could sense the secret that I was bearing weighing on me with each swallow and it was difficult to swallow.

After a moment or two, I heard a voice, that of Kieran. “Elowen, tomorrow guards will go to your old pack , to your house, get your belongings and bring them here. All you want will be brought to this house. I do not wish to stress you or endanger you, you’re now my Luna, and I am a man with many enemies.”

Elowen smiled  at  him. “Thank you, Kieran. That’s very thoughtful.”

I had to eat, pushing the food down, not to choke at the feelings of guilt growing out of my inner world. With every bite it seemed to me that the weight was increasing, the burden of what I had not confided in her bearing down like a rock.

Isolde leaned a little towards me, dropping her spoon as she cleared her throat. “ Lyla... would you care to be one of the court dancers.”

“Huh?” I asked, confused. 

“You see you are already a good dancer, I thought you’d like to join the court dancers- but this time only put on more clothes”Islode said, her eyes on me.

“She is not interested.” Elowen cut her off, rudely.

There was a slight upward curve of the lips of Isolde, and a trace of amusement in her eyes. “I did not intend to offend,” she said in a kind of way.

Kieran spoke in a low and dictatorial tone. “Isolde, concentrate on what you eat.”

“Sorry elder brother.” She mumbled, her face losing that arrogance. 

“I’m sorry about that Layla.” Keiran added.

“It’s fine.” I mumbled, feeling bad because this is just our first day here, yet my history had made Elowen cross Isolde. My appetite was gone anyway. I was nibbled by the guilt, and my composure was devoured. I inspected the table and said in a low voice, “I am tired. I think I’ll head to my room. Thank you for dinner, Kieran.”

Elowen looked at me pathetically but I did not pay attention and I left the dinning hall. As soon as I got into my room, I fell down on the bed with a low sigh. I tried on my own to set myself straight, to brainstorm some method of coping with the truth, but the secret was like a living thing, aching in my chest. To have Elowen come to my defense, to protect me without her knowing what I had done... it broke my heart with the very thought of it.

Several minutes had passed, and the door was knocked at. My stomach leapt. I called, “Come in, my voice a little strained.

Elowen entered with a gentler expression. “How do you feel?” she inquired, and came up to me, and sat on the edge of the bed.

I forced a smile. “I’m… just fine.”

She gave me a small nod. “I am sorry for what happened there. That was… inappropriate.”

I shook my head. “It’s fine, really. Don’t worry about it.”

“You sure?” She asked and I nodded.

Silence reigned over the room for some time as I tried to summon courage to tell Elowen the truth.

At last I spoke, and my voice was low and tremulous. “I need to tell you something…”