Chapter 146: Tension and unspoken words

The tension that hung over the mansion for the remaining part of the day was heavy and uncomfortable.

By the time everyone gathered for dinner, it had worsened, hovering over the table like a storm cloud on the verge of erupting.

Alyssa had initially wanted to have dinner served up in the bedroom, alone with Dorian. The last thing she wanted was to sit across from Elvira after the latter had tried to kiss her husband in his study hours ago.

But on second thought, she changed her mind. She would not hide in her own home. She was the Luna Queen of Wintercrest, Dorian’s wife, and she refused to cower or feel threatened by a woman from her husband’s past.

So when Dorian asked if she would prefer to eat upstairs away from everyone else, she offered him a soft smile and shook her head.

"No. Let’s eat with everyone else."

Dorian searched her face, his eyes swimming with deep concern. "Are you sure, my love? I know looking at Elvira is the last thing you want right now, but I can’t send her away tonight because she has nowhere to go."

"I’m not asking you to send her away," Alyssa murmured softly. "I would never be so cruel. I know this was once her home."

Dorian pulled her into his arms, placing a soft kiss on her lips. "If you want, I’ll send her away from the table. She doesn’t need to sit with us if her presence makes you uncomfortable."

"It’s fine, Dorian," Alyssa chuckled, reaching up to trace his jawline with her fingers. "I vowed to the people of Wintercrest that I would be the Luna they needed. If I mistreat Elvira out of spite, I would be violating my own oath."

Dorian gazed down into her eyes, pride and immense affection radiating from his gaze. He had been worrying for nothing; his Queen possessed more grace than the entire realm combined.

"You are the most perfect Luna anyone could ever ask for," he whispered softly.

Alyssa smiled, rising onto her tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips. "Let’s go join the others."

...

The dining area, which was usually filled with laughter and loud chatter during dinner, was drenched in complete silence. The only sound was the quiet clinking of porcelain and cutlery as the servants set the table.

Dorian took his place at the head of the table, with Alyssa seated to his right, her chair pulled close to his. Jake, Henna, and Alec occupied the seats along Dorian’s right side, while Anthony, Pandora, and Elvira sat across from them. The air was so thick with unspoken words that it could be sliced with a blade.

Alyssa kept her eyes trained on her plate, her left hand gripped tightly in Dorian’s large hand beneath the table. Quietly, she scanned the room, observing everyone’s expression.

Anthony and Pandora were engaged in a discussion via the mind-link, their eyes constantly clouding over. Jake maintained his cold indifference toward the situation, but he fondly held Henna’s hand in his.

Elvira sat quietly, looking out of place, like an unwelcome intruder who had intruded upon a private gathering and shattered its peace.

After the servants finished setting out the meal, they bowed and quietly dispersed. But as they retreated, Samantha stepped through the arched doorway, carrying a small tray of food as she made her way toward the stairs.

Alyssa noticed how Alec’s eyes tracked Samantha’s every move, following her closely until she disappeared up the stairs. Only then did he pull his gaze back to his plate.

Her brows pulled into a faint frown. Was there something going on between the two of them?

Before the thought could settle in her head, someone loudly cleared their throat at the far end of the table.

She snapped her head up, her brows furrowing into a deeper scowl as Elvira slowly pushed her chair back and stood up.

"Before anything else, there’s something I would like to say to everyone," Elvira announced in a voice that trembled slightly.

Every eye at the table snapped to her. Alyssa fought to conceal the sudden wave of irritation rising in her chest, but it was impossible. She couldn’t recall a time she had ever despised an individual so thoroughly–not even during her worst clashes with Samantha or Melinda.

Beside her, Dorian tensed up, his grip on her hand tightening sharply. Alyssa gently stroked the back of his hand with her thumb, silently soothing his surging anger.

The silence lengthened until Jake finally broke it and spoke out. "Go ahead, Elvira."

Elvira carefully tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, lowering her gaze to Dorian. "It’s actually an apology. To Dorian, and to his... to his wife, Alyssa."

"That is Luna Alyssa to you," Alec cut in sharply. "Your past history with the Alpha might make you comfortable in addressing him without his title, but you will not address our Luna with disrespect."

"Alec," Alyssa murmured, offering a warm smile to the gamma as he turned to her. "It’s alright. Let’s hear what she has to say."

She turned her gaze back to Elvira, waiting silently, one eyebrow arched in expectation.

Elvira cleared her throat nervously, wringing her hands together. "I know my sudden return has caused a massive shock to everyone."

"You think?" Pandora muttered under breath.

Ignoring her, Elvira continued. "Wintercrest became my home after Dorian saved me all those years ago, and coming back here was my only option because I have no family left."

Alyssa’s blank expression slowly turned into annoyance. What the hell was Elvira attempting to do now?

"I’ll understand if you choose to send me away, Dorian," Elvira pressed on, her lower lip trembling as she played the victim to perfection. "If I had known you had remarried, I wouldn’t have set foot back here. I just... I missed you so badly."

She turned her face toward Alyssa, allowing a single tear to slip down her cheek. "I’m deeply sorry for my foolish behavior in the study earlier, Luna Alyssa. It was wrong of me, and utterly unfair to you. I was desperate, overwhelmed by memories, and I acted without thinking."

Pandora’s eyes snapped toward Elvira before whipping around to Alyssa. "What happened in the study?" she asked curiously.

Alyssa didn’t answer her. She tore her gaze away from Elvira’s tear-stained face, letting out a silent exhale. Just seconds ago, she had been boiling with irritation toward the woman. Now, against her better judgment, she felt a prick of pity softening her heart.

Dorian finally sat up straight, his expression cold and imposing as he addressed Elvira.

"No one is sending you away, Elvira. Your actions in my study were inappropriate, as you have stated, and it would never happen again. Tomorrow, I will sever our bond and reject you. Then my Luna and I will discuss what to do with you."

Elvira bowed her head, silently dabbing at her wet eyes with a napkin. "I understand," she murmured softly. Leaning down, she picked up her untouched plate and turned to leave.

"Wait," Alyssa called out across the silent room.

Elvira paused, turning around slowly, her bottom lip trembling with unshed tears.

Alyssa sighed softly, gesturing toward her empty chair. "You don’t need to leave. Sit and eat with us. As my husband said, we will not dwell on the past. As long as you respect the boundaries of this house and remember your place, there will be no conflict between us."

Elvira gave a grateful nod and whispered, "Thank you."

The rest of the meal proceeded in quiet calm, the deep tension finally beginning to thaw.

Hours later, long after everyone had retired for the night, Elvira quietly slipped out of the guest room the servants had prepared for her on the ground floor.

The tearful expression she had worn during dinner was completely gone, replaced by a strange glint in her eyes.

She threw her black cloak over her shoulders, pulled the hood to shield her blonde hair, and slipped silently down the hallway toward a side door.

Unbeknownst to her, Samantha was just making her way toward the kitchen to get a glass of water. Her eyes caught the trailing hem of a black cloak rounding the corner of the hallway.

Momentarily forgetting her water, she flattened herself against the wall and crept stealthily after the shadow.

Night guards were patrolling the perimeter when Elvira stepped out beside the garden. She merged with the shadows, perfectly blending with the darkness.

The moment she got an opportunity, she darted across the open lawn, slipped past the tree line and vanished into the forest.

Samantha stood concealed behind a pillar, a coil of suspicion tightening in her gut as she stared into the pitch-black forest where Elvira had disappeared.

She had caught her outside the study earlier that afternoon, spying on Dorian and Alyssa. Now, she was sneaking off at an ungodly hour of the night.

What games are you playing, Elvira? she thought to herself, her eyes narrowing.

Without a second thought, she turned and hurried back to her room. She grabbed her own cloak, slipped it on and stepped outside to trail after Elvira.