5. Done decision

★ELAINE'S POV★

Bile was starting to rise in my throat. I swallowed hard, not knowing how to divulge to them that– my wolf hasn't emerged, yet. Lowering my gaze to my sweaty hands underneath the table, I thought of articulating a lie. But what if the elders ask me to show them? Alas, that would be more humiliating and precarious. So I shoved the thought away from the forefront of my brain, and then I decided to embrace the truth. 

Okay, here goes nothing. 

Just as I was about to open my mouth to speak, one of the elders chimed. “Zeta Harold, that question isn't necessary. Even if she has a wolf, it should be the last thing on our mind, because we need a Luna that is willing and accommodating enough to wipe away Alpha Damon's sorrow. We need someone that would bear his pups and make our pack lively. It seems Lady Elaine can do it, so why don't we cut to the chase?” 

I heaved a sigh of relief, feeling glad that I didn't have to answer that tough question. The moment they realize I'm wolfless, I am pretty sure they'd discard me the next minute. So where would I go from here? My pack? Back to my father? Never! 

“You have spoken well.” A green-eyed elder spoke from the rest. “But that is only if Alpha Damon tries to behave well towards his Luna. We all saw the way he spoke to her earlier, if this persists, the Luna would start to avoid him, and it won't be good for the future of our pack.” He fretted. His tone was frail and feeble. 

The moment he said that; Alpha Damon and I locked gaze for a split second. “Well, I don't care about that, Zeta Joe, because Elaine doesn't exist to me. So I urge you all to teach her how to stop prying in my business, because the next time she does, she will be as good as dead.” his note of warning was as clear as day!

And it made my blood curdle. Fear, panic, and uncertainty coursed through my veins, so I looked away from him, trying to conceal the tears that brimmed my eyelashes, as soon as I remembered the way he almost strangulated me to death earlier. 

The atmosphere turned sour until another elder spoke up. 

“So everyone, I have decided that since tomorrow is the coronation of our Luna, we might as well celebrate my daughter, Cynthia, and Delta Donovan's union. I am sure Delta Donovan is thrilled and he can't wait to be with my daughter." The elder seated directly in front of me proclaimed with his head held high. 

Almost at once, Beta Adrian and I looked at each other. A faint smile tugged the corners of his lips in regards to what the Elder blurted and I knew why he was smiling, So I lost control and burst into a series of raucous laughter. 

Everyone's heads snapped in my direction. And the Elder narrowed his gaze at me. “Pardon me, Luna. Did I say something funny?” 

My laughter faltered. Quickly, the amusement in my face vanished into thin air, only to be soon replaced with a frown. I gulped down hard, unsure of how to respond to his question. 

His piercing gaze demanded an answer I wasn't ready to give. What was I supposed to say? I think you must be mistaken– Delta Donovan isn't thrilled to be with your daughter one bit, in fact, he is seeing the Alpha's maid in secret. No no no, I can't be the one to leak that out. It wasn't in my place. Trying to couple up a plausible response to give, I opened my mouth to speak. 

But Beta Adrian beat me to it. “I think she is just excited about the coronation tomorrow. Since Alpha Damon said her mate rejected her, then she must be thrilled to become a Luna to another powerful Alpha such as Damon.” He waived the pending question and everyone conceded with a nod. 

Although I didn't like his approach, I was still grateful to him for boycotting the situation to save me from what could have turned out to be an awkward, embarrassing situation.

“But are you certain that you want to become Alpha Damon's Luna?” Another Elder directed the question at me. 

Silence fell upon us like a blanket. To be honest, I didn't know the answer to that. If you ask me, I'd say I wasn't ready to become the Luna to someone as cruel, demeaning, and brutal as Alpha Damon. But do I really have a choice? 

My heart thumped rapidly against my chest as I fiddled with my fingers. So I drifted my gaze to Beta Adrian, and everything he advised me on earlier surged to the forefront of my brain— no one has the right to alter your mood, except you. So I brought my gaze back to the Elder and mumbled. “Yes.” 

“Like she has a choice.” Alpha Damon sneered, before shoving a morsel of bacon into his mouth. My eyes shot up to his stupid face, but alas, I was surprised to find myself smiling, instead of getting pissed at his silly remark. 

“It is not like you have a choice either, Alpha.” I retorted sharply in the most sarcastic tone. And his face contorted into a dead gripping scowl as he glared at me with fury. Instantly, I shuddered with terror as I picked up my cutlery and began to eat too. 

Taking that as a cue to quit the incessant chattering, the elders picked their cutleries and joined in the buffet. We ate in silence, except for the clanking of spoons against the ceramic plates. And of course, those who chewed their food, loudly and hurriedly, as if it was about to vanish into thin air, the next minute. 

By the time we were done with our meals, Alpha Damon rose to his feet. “The coronation is tomorrow. Please endeavor to make sure the arrangement is scheduled earlier. I want to do this shit and get it over with!” he tossed me one last glare before strutting off. While everyone at the table bowed in deference at his retreating figure. 

Meanwhile, I tossed him a middle finger, hopefully, no one saw me. We just met today and the Alpha effortlessly gets on my nerves without even trying too much. I knew it isn't going to be an easy journey, nonetheless, I was ready to brace myself and persist through all odds. 

One by one, the elders dispersed to their various abodes, some paid obeisance to me, while some just issued me a curt nod before ambling away. However, that was the least of my worries. 

I jolted to my feet and made my way to my room. I could not wait to speak with Tania. I needed to confide in her as always, I want to hear her urge me to go ahead with the coronation, tomorrow. So while walking to my room, alone, various thoughts raced through my mind. 

What would tomorrow be like? Did I make the right decision by agreeing to become Alpha Damon's Luna? 

These questions taunted me over and over again, prompting an exasperated sigh to escape my lips. 

Quit worrying, Elaine! My instincts scolded me. You know fully well that's better for you to stay here.

 To be honest, it's more acceptable to become unhappy as a Luna, yet, people would serve and respect me, than, to return to my pack, where I'd face more hell. Becoming a rogue wasn't even an option any longer. As a she-wolf, I'd be vulnerable to a lot of dangers lurking out there. No one would come to my rescue. Nevertheless, if I was going to make such a hasty decision, I had to consider Tania, because I won't want anything bad to happen to her. 

Brace yourself, woman! Breathe in, out, in, out, in. I schooled myself.

 However, tomorrow is going to be a long day, but it's already a done decision. 

But then my thoughts dissipated the moment I heard proceeding footsteps, emanating from behind me. The long hallway was quite dark and my heart began to thump rapidly against my chest. I could not stop thinking about the male wolf, Alpha Damon murdered in cold blood earlier today. Still, was there such a thing as ghosts? 

Could he be enraged because I didn't make an effort to save him? In truth, I have been guilt-tripped since I saw that gory sight behind that closed door. A wave of fear coursed through my entire body as I hasten my pace. I could feel the veins at the base of my neck and the back of my hands, pulsating out of anxiety. Suddenly, someone grasped my hand. 

With a loud yelp escaping my lips, I jumped startled. “Let me go!” 

But the person turned out to be Beta Adrian. Instantly, a wave of relief calmed my tumultuous nerves. My breathing reduced to a normal pace. 

“I am sorry for creeping on you like this." Beta Adrian apologized with a warm smile. His handsome face lit up through the darkness and somehow, my stomach fluttered. He stretched out his hand forward to reveal my hairclip. “I found this on the floor and I wanted to return it to you.” 

“Oh,” I returned the smile. “Thank you.” before attempting to pick it up, he fixed it on my hair, himself. His warm gesture brought up something that strengthened my resolve and I found myself grinning from ear to ear. 

His eyes flickered brightly as they held mine. “Goodness, you are so beautiful. Any man should be lucky to have you.”