Rise of the Rejected Luna - Chapter 55

Chapter 55: _No Control
“How shameless can you be, Phoebe?” Elsa snapped, interrupting my little moment with Phoebe once again.

Phoebe stepped away from me, fixing her gaze on her. “Haven’t you caused enough damage for today, Pinocchio? I’d love it if you excused yourself a–”

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Elsa rushed toward Phoebe, her hand stretched forward like she was about to land a dirty slap on her face.

I noticed the way Phoebe jolted subconsciously before the slap even touched her, but intervened, catching Elsa’s hand mid-air and yanking her away.

“K– Kaene?!” Elsa gasped, wincing in pain at how I held her. “I was just going to teach her a little lesson.”

When I heard that, my frown only deepened as I glared at her, subconsciously increasing my grip on her wrist in the process.

However, before I could do anything I might regret, my mother banged on the dining table, calling my attention to her.

“Stop this unnecessary violence!” She yelled, her gaze fixed on me and my hand around Elsa’s wrist.

I grunted, letting go of Elsa before turning my gaze to Phoebe.

Her eyes were wide open as if she was surprised at my reaction.

I wouldn’t blame her…

After some seconds of awkward silence, my mother spoke up. “Let’s just… Let’s just forget this madness and eat.” She raised both her hands, trying to be diplomatic.

But just when I walked toward the dinner table after one glance at Elsa, she snapped. “Kaene, you hurt my wrist! Did you seriously do that because of… Because of this–”

“It’s Alpha Kaene to you!” I bellowed, not being able to take her nonsense any longer.

She jolted and took a few steps back, but I was just getting started as I pointed at her. “And no, I didn’t just hold you back because of my mate… Who is YOUR Luna, by the way.”

The entire dining room was dead silent and I couldn’t even pick up the sound of any maids.

But I didn’t care and continued. “I snapped just now because you’ve defied me time and time again. I’ve warned you not to touch Phoebe in my presence, but do you ever listen to me? Do you ever regard the words of your Alpha?”

My voice was cold as I took another step forward, everything from my gaze to my footsteps menacing.

Elsa gulped, shaking with uncertainty as I fixed my attention on her.

Eventually, however, I tore my gaze away from her and muttered. “I wouldn’t warn you again, Elsa.”

Without another word, I decided to walk away, heading upstairs to have a quick bath.

.

.

When I was done with my bath and got downstairs, I was surprised to see the state of the dining table.

Phoebe, my mother, and Elsa were all seated quietly, the latter only occasionally glaring at Phoebe, who remained unprovoked.

I was a little impressed by that.

Having seen Phoebe’s temper toward Elsa several times, it was admirable that she was finally having some control over her emotions.

Clearing my throat, I climbed down the stairs and took a seat at the head of the table, my gaze scanning the faces of everyone present.

“Alright, everyone. Let’s eat.” I blurted before picking up a spoon of salad and taking the first bite.

Phoebe, who sat on the chair to my right, also took a bite from something but then Elsa chimed in.

“The Alpha hasn’t even swallowed his food and you’re already so eager to eat.” She remarked, sounding calm like her words weren’t laced with venom. “Are you really that hungry, Luna?”

By the moon, here we go again.

Resigning myself to ignoring them, I continued eating, taking a sip from a glass of wine.

Surprisingly, Phoebe didn’t take offense to Elsa’s words, instead dropping her spoon and fixing her gaze on her. “Today has been a long day, Elsa. I didn’t do much but I believe I did better with my time instead of going around gossiping and ordering maids like they aren’t people.”

Elsa gritted her teeth, but I removed my gaze from her when she looked at me as if she was expecting a reaction.

I would not get myself involved in their drama.

It had been a long day at work… I deserved a little break.

“Now, now, Elsa.” My mother suddenly drawled, seeming unnervingly calm. “There’s no need to talk much about eating habits that some… People…”

She paused, emphasizing the last word.

I raised my head briefly, noticing the calm smile on my mother’s face.

She looked like she was content and had something in mind that she found amusing. But she didn’t bother saying what it was, instead clearing her throat.

“… As I was saying, some people don’t have control over their ‘habits’ or primal urges. We can’t put it against them now, can we?” My mother asked.

My brows creased into a frown at how suggestive her words sounded.

Elsa seemed to have hit some kind of epiphany as a wide grin curled up her lips and she shook her head. “No, mommy Catherine. We can’t hold that against such people.”

To my surprise, she continued eating like she wasn’t bent on insulting Phoebe to filth some seconds ago.

I glanced at Phoebe, hoping to get some kind of reaction. But she remained silent, keeping her attention on her food while doing everything in her power to avoid my gaze.

Now that was suspicious…

Anyway, we continued eating in silence, and even though I didn’t bother looking at Phoebe much, I noticed her gazing at me occasionally, seeming lost.

Hmm… Had my mother’s and Elsa’s exchange triggered her? Was there something they knew of that I didn’t know?

At one point, Phoebe’s maid, Miranda, took an excuse from her to leave which she was granted.

A few minutes later, I cleared my throat, cleaning my mouth with a napkin before getting up, the chair scraping against the tiled floor as I did.

“Come with me, Phoebe. I have something to show you.” I stated plainly before walking away from the dining room, ignoring the curious gazes of my mother and Elsa.