"Nova, so nice to see you again," Mathias greeted me. "This is my mate, and Elias' mother, Alexandra," he introduced me. Coming closer, I could see that this woman was beautiful. There was a grace about her that told me she was classy and poised. Her clothes looked like casual business-wear; something that a Southern Bell mother would wear. Her pale pink blouse with khaki slacks and small black accents spoke for itself. She pulled me into a hug.
"Just Alexa is fine, dear. It's so good to finally meet you. Between Elias, Taylor, and Matt, I'd say it's about time," she said, as she pulled away and smiled at me motherly. Her voice was as I imagined. It sounded like bells with a slight southern drawl. Her voice was melodic and polite. I couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. Her light brown hair was pulled into a neat bun at the back of her head with bangs cutting straight across, stopping at her eyebrows. Even older, she still looked the ripe age of 25 years old. Her eyes were a vibrant green. It made me wonder what the baby growing inside of me would look like. Would it be a boy or a girl? Would he/she lean towards Elias' lineage or mine? I snapped out of it and smiled back at Alexa.
"It's nice to meet you, too," I responded politely.
"Please, come inside," Mathias said. Elias touched the small of my back and led me inside.
"Are you hungry?" Alexa asked. I was about to say 'no', but that would be a lie. And I didn't feel the need to lie to Alexa; the exact opposite, really. I felt like it was in my best interest to always tell Alexa the truth, so I nodded. Alexa led our little party through the kitchen and into the dining room where we sat at the formal table. Alexa rang a bell I didn't notice until now and in walked Kendra. I thought I felt my heart stop. She was wearing a long-sleeved turtleneck black dress that had a long skirt that covered her ankles. The dress looked like something a nun would wear. It wasn't flattering at all. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun and her skin was paler than before.
"Yes mam?" she asked softly. I was confused. This wasn't the same outspoken, fierce, and confident Kendra who scarred me literally. Alexa smiled but I could tell that it was only a formality.
"You can serve the food now," Alexa said. Kendra hurried away, but not before glancing at me first. I was even more confused, but I wasn't going to question it in front of everyone. Kendra served our food and everyone went on as if she didn't exist. After we ate, Elias and Mathias excused themselves to get some work done. I debated going up to the fourth floor to wait for Elias, but Alexa caught me before I could escape.
"Nova, come," she said politely, walking towards the living room. I glanced at Kendra, who was cleaning up our mess, once more before I followed Alexa to the couches. It was just then that I noticed she still had the bell in her hand. I sat next to her, straightened my back and waited.
"How are you able to resist me son, or how did you resist him as long as you did, even mated?" she asked. It wasn't accusatory, simply inquisitive. I felt like shrugging would be rude so I kept my shoulders still and I clasped my hands in my lap.
"Honestly, I'm not entirely sure. I would feel the pull and the need to be near him, but then I would think about everything he did. How he pulled me away from my family, and Kendra... I couldn't be around him. My mind wouldn't let me," I tried to explain.
"Willpower," she offered.
"Yes mam," I agreed. She chuckled.
"Really, relax, Nova, it's okay," she urged me. I leaned against the couch slightly and rested a hand on my stomach. Alexa watched my movements curiously before her eyes found mine again. Her expression was serious but relaxed. "Why do you think Kendra is in this house as a servant?" she asked me. I felt my anger bubble up at the thought of Kendra still under the same roof as Elias, but I kept it bottled away.
"I was actually wondering that myself," I admitted. She stood and paced slowly and gracefully in front of me. Her fingers held the inside of the bell to keep it silent.
"Because being a Luna is not just about being the Alpha's mate. You also have to have strength, willpower, wisdom... and cunning," she said. She paused as she faced me. She examined the small, shiny, silver bell before she handed it to me. I hesitated before I took it curiously. A sweet smile plastered on her face as she crossed her arms in front of her, looking every bit the businesswoman I'm sure she was. "I found that dogs are easier to control with a choke collar and a short leash. That goes for all dogs that cross you," she said before she disappeared up the stairs. I stared at the bell in my hands as her words sank in.
I understood. Keeping a close eye on Kendra meant that she had less freedom and willpower to spite me. That went for Elias too. I had to find a leash for him. I realized that Alexa was a manipulative and scary woman...
I liked her.