A Decision to Make

Yes, Grandpa. She wanted our family's approval, right? "So she should do this," Daniella said, turning to their grandfather. Aleah clenched her jaw and glared at her sister. She didn't like Daniella's tone, especially since it seemed like she was pushing Aleah into their grandfather's agreement with his old friend.

"She fits perfectly for the role," Daniella added sanctimoniously, turning back to Aleah. Aleah's anger grew at her sister's words and the way she looked at her. She had always known that her siblings and their father's family didn't like her. But being given a huge responsibility just because they didn't want to deal with the Demon Alpha was something she couldn't accept. She didn't want to be a scapegoat.

"Don't pass your responsibility onto me," Aleah burst out. But she abruptly stopped when her mother placed a hand on hers.

"Sir, Aleah is still a child. "She might not be a suitable wife for the -----" her mother began, but Melissa cut her off.

"Are you refusing? "Have you forgotten the disgrace you brought upon this family when you got pregnant by my husband?" Melissa interrupted with venom. Aleah felt her anger surge, her fists clenched tightly at the woman's cutting words.

"You tarnished my husband's reputation just to chase your dreams of becoming a famous actress? Your disgrace as an omega nearly destroyed my family. And now where are you? You're just living off the monthly allowance, aren't you? If it weren't for our money, do you think you and your daughter would survive?" Melissa continued, her voice dripping with contempt.

"That's enough!" Aleah shouted as she stood up, unable to contain herself any longer. Her mother had admitted her mistakes and had been paying for them her whole life. Why did Melissa keep rubbing salt into old wounds?

"Aleah," her mother whispered, taking her hand. Aleah could feel her mother trembling, a mirror of her own shaking fury. She had endured all the mockery directed at her mother and couldn't take it any longer. Her father's family kept reminding them of that mistake, never letting them forget.

"You rude little---" Melissa started, but was cut off when the old man slammed his hand on the table. 

The sound echoed through the room, and everyone turned to look at him, even Aleah, who was standing. When the old man locked eyes with her, she froze, feeling an overwhelming wave of authority.

"Sit back down," the old man commanded sternly. Aleah had no choice but to sit, her emotions swirling within her. The old man looked at each member of the family with disappointment.

"You are all unbelievable," he said, shaking his head in dismay.I will decide who will be sent as the Alpha's wife. And it's going to be you, Daniella. "My decision is final!" the old man declared, his voice brooking no argument. He stood up and walked out of the restaurant, leaving a tense silence in his wake.

"Mom!" Daniella pleaded, clinging to her mother, tears streaming down her face. The weight of the decision hung heavily in the air, the family's turmoil palpable.

"Pa, we can discuss this, can't we?" Alfredo said, following the old man. Meynard and Luis trailed after him.

"Let's go, Ma," Aleah said, helping her mother stand up.

"No, you won't," Melissa interjected, stepping away from her daughter and turning to Aleah and Elara.

"Are you happy now that Papa has decided to send Daniella to that Demon Alpha?" Melissa snapped.

"It's not like that, Melissa. No mother would want---" Elara's words were abruptly cut off by a resounding slap from Melissa.

"Hey! "What’s that for?" Aleah shouted, pulling her mother behind her.

"Are you defending your promiscuous mother?" Melissa retorted, her voice dripping with malice.

"What did you say?" Aleah asked, her anger rising.

"You don't know? It's your mother's habit to ruin other families. She extorted money from my family by getting pregnant with my husband. "And now she's messing around with someone else's husband," Melissa sneered, pulling out some photos from her bag and throwing them at Aleah. The pictures are scattered across the floor.

Aleah looked down at the photos, seeing her mother having a candlelight dinner with a famous movie director.

"Aleah," Elara said, looking at her daughter with a pained expression. "It means nothing. "It's a misunderstanding," she added. Aleah said nothing, instead picking up the scattered photos one by one.

"You're lucky I haven't shown these to your father or grandfather. If I did, you wouldn't just lose their support; you might even end up in jail," Melissa said, glaring at the mother and daughter. Aleah's heart pounded with anger and restraint. She clenched the photos tightly in her hand, crumpling them in her grip.

"And if you want to prevent these photos from reaching them, I have a better proposition," Melissa continued. Aleah looked directly at her, the pictures now crumpled in her hands. The fury and turmoil inside her were palpable.

"Don't waste your energy on those photos.I still have copies and can produce millions more to send to your dad and grandpa," Melissa said, showing Aleah a memory card. "I'll give this to you and won't mention it if you tell your grandfather that you will take Daniella's place as the wife of that Demon Alpha," she added with a smirk.

Aleah clenched her fists tightly, holding the photos. Anger surged within her at what her Aunt Melissa was willing to do to ruin her and her mother. She knew her mother would never destroy another family, and the photos Melissa showed were just of her mother talking to a director about reappearing in a drama. Aleah knew this because she was the first one the director had approached. Despite knowing the truth, Melissa could twist the story to destroy them. She could always manipulate their father into believing whatever she wanted. Given their position in their father's family, making things worse would only further tarnish their image. Aleah knew no one would believe her or her mother. They had no voice in the family, seen only as intruders.

"Fine," Aleah said, causing Melissa to smile.

"Aleah," her mother said, looking at her daughter and holding her hand. Aleah turned to her mother and smiled.

"I’ll be okay," she said with a reassuring smile before turning back to Melissa. This was the only way she knew to save her mother from Melissa's wrath.

"I’ll take her place. I’ll tell Grandpa that I’ll marry the Alpha. Now, give me the memory card," Aleah demanded, extending her hand.

"You're easy to deal with," Melissa said, placing the memory card in Aleah's hand. Once Aleah had the memory card, she immediately guided her mother out of the restaurant and headed to her grandfather's office.

"Do you think she'll do what we said?" Daniella asked her mother.

"She is as naive as her mother. She'll do anything for her, so don't worry. I won't allow your grandfather to marry you off to just anyone," Melissa replied, holding her daughter's hand.

As soon as they left the restaurant, Aleah and her mother headed straight to her grandfather's office, where her father and Meynard were already in conversation. They were surprised to see her enter with her mother. Meynard, Alfredo, and Luis were also present, talking to the old man.

"What is it, Aleah?" her father asked.

"I--" Aleah began, clenching her fist with the crumpled photos of her mother. Everyone waited for her to speak.

"Speak up. We’re discussing something important. If it can wait, let's talk about it at home," Alfredo said to his daughter.

"I – I will marry that Alpha," Aleah blurted out, shocking everyone in the room. The old man looked at her in surprise.

"What are you talking about?" Alfredo asked.

"I want acceptance from this family, so—I will marry that Alpha. I also have a request. Please make sure to take care of my mom, don’t let anyone or anybody hurt her," Aleah said firmly.

"Are you sure about this?" the old man asked.

"Yes. Please allow me to marry that Alpha," Aleah replied.

"There, Grandpa. Everything is solved. Daniella doesn't need to be forced to marry someone like him. She volunteered already," Meynard said.

"Marrying someone is not easy," Luis interjected. "Are you prepared for what might happen? We don’t even know what kind of person he is. And you're too young. You might be rushing into this," he added.

"Sooner or later, I will have to decide to marry someone. Why wait when there is an opportunity?" Aleah countered.

"It seems like you're eager to leave our household," Meynard commented sarcastically.

"Think whatever you like. I have already decided, and it’s final. But please, keep my mom safe," Aleah said, looking at her grandfather. All her life, Aleah felt bullied by her father's legitimate family. She couldn’t blame them—who would want their family ruined by a mistress? She tried her best not to draw attention to herself or add to their grievances. But their very existence was enough to annoy them. No matter what they did, they were always hated. Aleah hoped that by doing this, she and her mother would finally find peace. She wanted to believe this was the only way to stop the judgmental eyes of her father's family. Even if that was all they could achieve, it was worth it.

"You speak as if your mom is ---------" the old man began, turning to Aleah.

"I will be away for a while, so I want someone to promise me to take care of her," Aleah interrupted. She didn’t care if her grandfather thought her mother wasn’t safe in their household. She had to ensure her mother wouldn’t be hurt anymore.

"Then you have my word, young lady. I will make sure to take care of your mom," Damian said.

"Thank you, that’s all I needed to hear," Aleah whispered. If it weren't for her mother, she wouldn’t tolerate everything her father's family did to them. She knew all the sacrifices her mother had made, and even in a small way, she wanted to repay her for her kindness and the hardships she endured.

As Damian looked at Aleah, he couldn't help but admire her. He knew she was being forced into this. She cared so much about her mother that she was willing to sacrifice herself. Despite the rumors about the cruel Demon Alpha, she wasn’t fazed. She was courageous, a trait he admired in her. It was no surprise that he felt a close bond with her—she reminded him of his late wife.