Chapter 90: **"Darien Shadowfire Moonstar!"**
Alora felt she had cried more today than she had in the last few years. Alora thought all her tears had been beaten out of her by now. But today seemed to be the day for many shocking revelations, including the fact that she could still cry.
It was a little longer before she was able to calm down. The tight embrace of Luna Embers arms around her, were grounding. It was like her hug was keeping her from fracturing into millions of pieces. After a bit, Alora was able to stop the faucets her eyes had become.
She lifted her head from Luna Ember’s shoulder and wiped her face with her hand. A tissue appeared from the side, held by Alpha Andrew. Luna Ember stepped back into his arms after Alora accepted the tissue with a murmured ‘thank you.’
She blew her nose in the tissue, before looking around for a trash can to put it in. Darien silently pointed out where one was after he realized what she was looking for. His heart was hurting for his best friend, and he was feeling a little helpless. More and more, he desperately wished Damien was here.
Jaxon felt he shouldn’t be here to witness this strong Alpha female break down. But he was also grateful he was here for it as well, so he could offer his support in any way necessary. Becoming Alora’s Beta felt like he was answering the call of destiny. As if the Moon Goddess herself had ordered him to Alora’s side.
Kain and Galen were wondering what an enforcer does when their Alpha cries. The more they learned about their Alpha’s life up till now, the more they wondered just how she was alive. It spoke volume of the incredible amount of willpower she had to have to get to where she is now.
Alfred and Camille were comforting each other, while watching the emotional moment. Like their sons, the more they learned of what Alora has suffered, the more their hearts ached for her. No pup should have ever gone through what Alora was subjected to.
Luna Ember urged Alora back into her seat. “Eat sweetie, and drink some of that juice. After the day you’ve had, you need the essentials. Protein, carbs, and electrolytes.”
Alora nodded, allowing Luna Ember to take care of her. Maybe it was a little selfish of her to want to soak up all this attention and care from her. But the warmth Alora felt from Luna Ember made her feel like she had a real mother for a moment. She had seen her care for Darien and Damien in the same way. Had seen this kind of care given to other pup by their mothers.
After Luna Ember got done fussing over her, Serenity must have decided it was her turn. Because next thing she knew, Serenity had her arms wrapped around her shoulders. Alora couldn’t help the squeak of surprise she let out. Which absolutely delighted Serenity.
“Oh! My Goddess!” Serenity exclaimed with an excited squeal. “That was so cute!”
Alora blushed, and judging from the amount of heat coming from her face. Alora assumed the blush was quite dark. “Um…I was not trying to be cute.”
Serenity didn’t think Alora could get any cuter, but the blush proved her wrong. “Ah! You just got cutter!”
Everyone around them started laughing, the mood around the table suddenly brightened with Alora’s reactions to Serenity’s antics.
“Seriously!” Serenity said. “You’re adorable, how could you know?”
“Ah…” Alora cleared her throat. “I…never considered myself cute…or adorable.”
Darien was now laughing like a loon, and Alora glared at him. “Quiet you!” She said through gritted teeth.
That only had Darien laughing more. He knew he shouldn’t, he’d pay for it later, but right now he didn’t care. Until his mate smacked him on the shoulder. “Ay! Mate! Why must you abuse me so.” Darien wheedled, trying to gain sympathy.
Unfortunately for Darien, there was no sympathy to be had. Serenity just smacked him again and told him to behave and stop laughing at her new sister. Which had everyone at the table, including Alora, laughing at his expense.
Darien gave Serenity puppy dog eyes and whined a little about how mean everyone was being by laughing at him. Luna Ember had a funny look on her face as she looked at her youngest. Her expression was a mixture of disbelief and restrained violence.
Serenity had to let go of Alora to deal with Darien, which seemed to be his plan all along. This gave Alora an idea. Xena and Selena inside her let out almost evil sounding chuckles of amusement at what Alora was about to do.
Alora wrapped her arms around Serenity’s waist and pulled her into her lap. Turning her body away from Darien as she did. This time it was Serenity’s turn to squeak adorably. Her blush didn’t just stay on her face though, Serenity had a full body blush going, a bright pink from head to toe.
Darien let out an indignant, “Hey!” Serenity’s brothers and Jaxon were holding onto each other, their faces red with laughter. “Give me my mate back you thief!”
“No.” Alora said in a deliberately sullen tone. “Finders keepers, losers weepers.”
Poor Alpha Andrew was taking a drink when Alora said that. He snorted into his cup, causing his drink to spray onto his face. Then he started to cough and laugh at the same time. His situation only got worse when Darien chose that moment to whine to his mother.
“Moooooom! Alora took my mate away and won’t give her back! Do something!” The urge for violence must have won the battel against Luna Ember’s restraint.
From what looked like thin air, Luna Ember produced a rolled-up newspaper. ‘Who even gets a paper copy of the news these days?’ Alora took a second to wonder. Then she was out of her chair and beating her youngest son with it.
Serenity watch with an expression that was equal parts horrified and amused. Serenity let out a strangled sounding chuckle, before slapping a hand over her mouth and turning her wide slightly panicked gaze to Alora. Alora couldn’t help but laugh, which caused Serenity to laugh.
The pitiful begging from Darien only made it harder not to laugh. “You idiot son of mine!” smack. “Ah! Ma!” “What is wrong with you?!” smack. “Ma, please!” “You’re a grown Werewolf with a mate!” smack. “I’m begging!” “And a pregnant one at that!” smack. “I’m sorry mom! I’m sorry! Please forgive me!” Darien pleaded.
Luna Ember stopped and glared at her son. After a moment she let a. “Humph.”
I took everyone a while to stop laughing. Darien got back into his seat. He looked at Alora with pleading eyes. Rolling her eyes, she decided she’d teased him enough. Serenity was giggling as she handed her back to him.
Once Darien had Serenity back, he had no intention of letting her go. He was holding onto her, afraid someone else would come up and snatch her away from him.
Unfortunately for him, his mother wasn’t having any of it. “Darien Shadowfire Moonstar! You put that poor girl down right now!”