Chapter 16 The Accident

Chapter 16 The Accident
Lunch clearly didn’t go well, but I’m glad it’s over. I couldn’t stay another second at that table with those women talking about me like I wasn’t even there.

Thankfully, Axel spoke up for me. That was the only relief I got out of all this.

After lunch, the men headed to the golf course while I was left with the women on the patio, sipping tea.

I have never felt this level of discomfort before. They kept chatting about random Luna things I didn’t understand while I sat back watching the men. Occasionally, Axel would glance over and smile before turning away again. It made me feel a little better since he was the only familiar face here, and the only person who wouldn’t judge me.

I am surprised to say this but Axel is really the only reason I am feeling good around here. If he weren’t here, there is no way I could survive in this social maze without losing my sense of self completely.  

"Nyla," Gina called. I turned to her and she continued, "Did you know Axel before the mate bond?"

"Yeah, we attended the same high school," I replied.

"Were you friends?" Maggie, the woman in blue, asked.

"No, he was my bully," I answered, looking at him. He was focused on the golf game.

She scoffed. "Let me guess. You’re an omega?"

"No. I was just short and small," I said. I used to hate the way I looked because of Axel. He made my life a living hell back in school.

"I just remembered Chloe," She said, turning to Gina. "Do you remember Chloe?"

"Axel’s ex-girlfriend," Gina replied with a smile.

"Yes, I miss her so much," Maggie gushed. "She was amazing, and they were excellent together. I wonder why they separated so quickly."

"I think he once said it was because she moved to another town."

"Oh, that makes sense." Maggie nodded. They kept talking about Axel’s ex like I wasn’t sitting right there. It felt painfully awkward. I didn’t know what I was supposed to say or do.

Then Gina asked, "Have you ever met Chloe before?"

"Yeah, I saw her with Axel back in school," I replied.

She was one of the girls who bullied me. She never liked me, and Axel just joined in to make my life miserable.

"Weren’t they great together?" Maggie asked.

I hesitated, unsure if I was meant to answer. Before I could say anything, Gina nudged Maggie’s arm and shook her head. "That’s not an appropriate question."

"What? I was just curious, and I’m sure Nyla doesn’t find it offensive. Do you, Nyla?" She asked.

I shook my head. "No." It came out quiet, but of course I did. I’m Axel’s mate. I definitely don’t enjoy listening to his aunts talk about how great he was with another girl while I was sitting right there.

Not that I am into Axel but it’s still weird and I can’t help but feel like everyone here is just waiting for me to prove I don’t belong in this tight-knit family.  

Maggie and Gina kept chatting, and I just watched Axel and his cousins. Suddenly Axel looked over, meeting my gaze with an unreadable expression.

I raised an eyebrow, confused, but he didn’t say anything. He just smiled and turned back around.

"Nyla, can you pass me the cookies on the table?" Maggie asked.

I nodded and stood. When I picked up the plate, I noticed Axel staring at me again. Now I was even more confused. Why did he keep looking at me? Did I have something on my face? Did I look odd? Why couldn’t he stop?

As I kept walking, I tripped. The plate slipped from my hands and crashed to the floor.

"What have you done!" Maggie snapped as she hurried toward me. Her eyes widened in horror as she stared at the shattered plate. "You broke it!"

"I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to… I—" I started, but Gina cut me off.

"Look at what you’ve done!" She snarled, reaching for the pieces.

I tried to help, but Maggie pushed my hand away. "You ruined it already. Don’t act as if you can fix it."

"I’m sorry. I can get you a new one." I said panicking 

"Oh really? Can you bring back my grandmother’s plate? It was one of a kind, and you broke it."

Now I understand why she was upset. I sighed. "I’m sorry."

"I should have known. You’re just an omega. You can’t do anything, not even hold a single plate. You’re not fit to be the Luna."

Her words pierced right through me. I didn’t know what else to do, so I just stood there trying to make things right, trying to make anything better.

"Oh God, I’ve been using this plate for years, and you ruined it," She said.

"I’m sorry," was all I could manage. I reached down to help again, but she pushed me away.

"Just go!" She growled "Get out of here!"

The tears were already falling. I couldn’t hold them back as I rushed out of the garden. I made it to the bathroom, and before I knew it, I was crying.

I felt like a loser. Like someone who didn’t belong here. I wasn’t fit to be Luna. I wasn’t fit for anything. Everyone was right. Someone else should have been Luna, not me.

As more tears slipped down my face, Axel’s voice sounded from outside the bathroom. He was yelling, and he sounded furious.

"Nyla is my mate, and you will not talk to her like that!" He growled.

"Didn’t you see what she did?" Gina demanded.

"I saw, but it was an accident. Anyone could have done it!" He shouted. "I will not stand there and let you talk to my mate like she’s nothing."

The way he said it made my heart race. 

Axel continued "She’s been doing all she can to make this work. She even wore a dress she clearly is uncomfortable with. She’s trying her hardest to just make you guys love her but instead you’re making things hard for her."

"Axel, you do not dare yell at us like that!" Gina growled

"And you do not dare talk to my mate like that." He said 

I sighed heavily. I feel good that he’s protecting me but I just hope this doesn’t make things hard for him.