3. Storm in the Silence

Flashback

"Orla..."

Elizabeth, the wife of Alpha Aiden and mother of Orla, sobbed as she entered her chamber, making sure her voice was low so she wouldn't spread the bad news further. The workers in her chamber moved out after bowing respectfully to Queen as she motioned to them.

Orla, was seated on a wooden stool in front of the mirror when her mother entered the room and went to her daughter, she wanted to make sure she was okay and to warn her about the impending storm in her normally quiet life.

"...please find a hiding place before your father enters your room, he is heading here. He is really angry. I have never seen him so much angry. Please, my child, go somewhere before…"

Before her mother could continue, she interjected, "Before he murders me?" She spoke the words on her own since she was aware that her mother would never be able to do so.

"Shh… Don't talk like this, my child," Luna Elizabeth cried as she put her hand over her daughter's mouth. "You know I can't live without you, you are my only child," she said as she wiped away a few small tears from her eyes.

"You would have let me die with your husband's hands if you had many," Orla asked with the same fury that Luna Elizabeth sees in her husband's eyes, she could now see that Orla was unable to control the wrath that was suddenly consuming her. It was now clear to her that no one could stop the storm to create havoc in their lives as neither the Alpha nor Orla is ready to take their steps back.

"Have you lost your mind?" Her mother questioned while attempting to contain the tears that were about to fall from her eyes "Why are you acting this way? Do you even have an idea how much I cherish and care for you?" While asking, she fixed her eyes squarely on her daughter who was looking back at her.

"I am sorry mother" she apologized when she realized her mistake. She was aware that her mother is not to blame for anything that has happened. As the Alpha's rule prevails so she is also under the control and order of her husband.

"It's ok. I can understand your mental state but try to understand me as well" she said "Kindly go through the back door, my sister's servants are waiting for you there. I called them in on the short notice. I will inform you once your father's rage has subsided, but until then, remain hidden "She asked her daughter for her daughter's protection and security. She couldn't allow the Alpha Aiden to murder her daughter in rage.

"No!" Orla stated vehemently and took a stand for herself” I am not going anywhere, mum. I have done nothing wrong. It is not a crime to love someone. Why would I want to hide?" She posed the obvious questions to her mother.

"You don't know the anger of your father, child" she sulked "please try to understand the depth of the situation" she requested once more to her daughter who was not ready to listen to her mother even once.

"One day or another, I have to face him. Let's do it today "She murmured while standing straight and staring into space, not ready to meet her mother's eyes even once.

As her mother was ready to make another request, a few voices were heard at the entrance to the princess’s chamber, and Luna Elizabeth was certain that it was none other than her husband who had come to exact his vengeance on their daughter.

Scared was a little word to describe the situation of Elizabeth right now.

"ORLA!"

The thunderous voice of Alpha Aiden Coinin frightened everyone in the chamber, including the guards posted outside, but Orla stayed firm, without moving an inch.

"Is what I have heard true?" The Alpha Aiden asked in a high and forceful tone, fearing that it would terrify her daughter, but little did he know that she had reached to the point where nothing could scare her out.

Luna Elizabeth gently squeezed her palm, asking her to respond negatively, but she had no idea how brave her daughter was.

"YES!" She replied with her chin raised and rage in her eyes.

"Orla!" The Alpha's voice rang out again in the palace, and this time she again didn't move. She isn’t scared of her father.

She was confidently standing straight in front of her father, demonstrating that his strength or authority could not bend her to his will.

"I ask you again," the Alpha Aiden said in a lower tone, attempting to control his rage because the girl in front of him was his daughter and he couldn't make her the victim of his rage. "Is this true?"

Although he is an Alpha who does not like to repeat his words, the news is like a nightmare for him. He couldn't believe what he was hearing so he just wanted to make sure by asking it twice.

"Father, my answer would be the same if you asked me a hundred times," she exhaled deeply, "everything you have heard is correct, and yes, I LOVE HIM"

"Orla!"

This time, Alpha Aiden did something unusual. He took a stride toward his daughter, his palms balled in a tight fists as if he had just resisted smacking her. Orla's gaze fell to his fist, and a spark of anguish flashed through her eyes. Father, who had never spoken in a harsher tone, was about to strike her.

"Aiden, please try to keep your fury under control." Her mother intervened between them both "I know she made a mistake, but it was due to her age. She is very young. I am confident she will understand...."

"Step aside, Elizabeth," Alpha Aiden warned his wife, threatening to kill her if she did not comply with his order.

"Aiden, please..."

“I haven't committed any crime, Mother," Orla interrupted before her mother could continue. “I am well aware of what I have done. And I didn't ask you when I fell in love with him, so I don't want you to become involved and get hurt because of me" She stated this because she was afraid her father would unfairly punish her mother for something she was fully unaware of.

She took a step back and stood calmly beside her husband and her daughter at the request of her daughter. She was genuinely standing between them, unwilling to overtly support either of them.

"Be thankful that you are my daughter, for I am giving you one more chance to rectify your mistake and immediately take your steps back," Alpha Aiden told her.

"Even if you command me to do so, I will not back down. As I already stated, I have not committed any crime, so please do not....."

"Consequences would be disastrous, Orla," her father warned her once more, interrupting her before she could complete herself.

"I am not afraid of you, father."

Alpha's eyes narrowed slightly at her daughter since he was not anticipating such a rebellious form from his daughter, and he was aware that she was doing all of this after being influenced by that boy. When the silence became too much for the people standing in the chamber, Orla spoke to her father again, but this time in a hushed tone.

"Try to understand me as well, Father” she took a small step towards her father “It's not like I am pleading with you. I am telling you, I love him. Please excuse my rudeness. Mate or no mate, he is the man I have selected to be my life partner. Willingly or unwillingly, you have to accept this. I won't let any bond or what the moon Goddess has decided for me dictate my life, you..."

"Orla!" Her father's words echoed across the room, stopping her in her tracks once more.

"Father, your voice or threats will not deter me from loving him."

"Fine!" Elizabeth’s lips curved into a faint smile as Alpha Aiden spoke. A rush of relief poured over her. She assumed Alpha had agreed to his daughter's request, but the smile faded as soon as the next words came out of his mouth, "I suppose you won't understand like that," he drew a deep sharp breath before stating.

"I have invited all the eligible male members of our community who haven't found their mate yet to your birthday party, where we will have a mate ball; I am sure that rouge is not your mate; your mate is from among us, and we will find it tomorrow, and you..." Alpha Aiden pointed to his daughter, "...are going to accept the offer; otherwise, only you would be responsible for what happens to that prick! Then don’t come to me crying or complaining"

Alpha Aiden declared as he exited Orla's chamber, oblivious to the impact his words would have on his teenage daughter’s mental and emotional state...

At that moment she just prayed for her love to be her mate but she didn't know that Moon Goddess has planned something else for her.

End of Flashback