Zelda, Zira, Isabella, and Luna Bella sat in the living room as an uncomfortable silence filled the air. Isabella and Luna Bella avoided eye contact while Zelda looked at her daughter, Zira, to do something.
Zira looked at her mom and mouthed, “What?”
“I don’t know, something,” Zelda mouthed back.
Zira sat there trying to think of something to say but nothing presented itself but one.
“So,” Zira started putting on her best smile, “a lot has happened in the past twenty four hours. I survived a rogue attack. Isaiah found his mate. Isabella’s mate is a girl. This should be a celebration of all celebrations, right?”
Zelda facepalm herself while Luna Bella and Isabella looked at Zira like she was crazy.
This is what happens when you leave it up to your daughter Zelda thought.
Yup, that’s my best friend. Ruining things. Her specialty Isabella thought, wishing she could melt into the couch.
I think I did a great job getting the ball rolling Zira thought proudly, smiling to herself.
Learn to read the room dummy Nina said, shaking her head at Zira’s proclamation.
Zira saw that she made the room a bit more tense so she sat back and looked at mom for help. Zelda shrugged her shoulders and luckily Luna Bella cleared her throat.
“Zelda, this is a very interesting teapot you have here. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one this unique,” Luna Bella said, gesturing to the teapot in the center of the table.
“Oh I’m so honored Luna. It’s a butterfly tea set passed down for four generations. My mom used to take us out on picnics with it. I’m surprised it survived during the wreckage, that is. Though your collection I heard is marvelous,” Zelda beamed which seemed to improve the mood in the room.
She’s such a show off Zira thought while Luna Bella smiles a bit from the praise.
“Oh I would love for you to come by for tea some time. Have a look at my entire collection.”
Zelda perked up at the offer. Definitely something at the top of her list. “Oh Luna. You’re so kind.”
“You might want to hurry though. My sets seem to be dwindling by the stress of one such daughter,” Luna Bella directed towards Isabella.
Isabella glared at her mother. “It’s not like you make it easy for me, Mother.”
“What are you talking about, Isabella? Everything I do, I do to make it easy for you.”
“Yeah like marrying me off to someone I barely even know,” Isabella yelled.
Why is she being so unreasonable? Can’t she see I’m doing what is best for her, Luna Bella thought, shaking her head. “I was thinking about your future, Isabella. You need someone to be able to care and protect you. Like your father does for me.”
“You can't be seriously suggesting I find someone like my father,” Isabella gagged.
“Well-” Luna Bella gestured the obvious.
“No! Unless that person is Victoria I want no one else.” Isabella sat back with her arms crossed maintaining eye contact with her mother, who didn’t falter.
“How about some snacks? I’ll go see what I have,” Zelda said, heading to the kitchen.
"Just say it, mother you don't like that it's a girl I've been mated to," Isabella said with much anger.
Luna Bella started to speak but stopped and put her head down. She doesn't know I'm trying to protect her Luna Bella thought. “Do you understand the problems that comes with having a same-sex mate? Most don’t even get past the honeymoon phase. I refuse to have you end up like-”
“Dont!” Isabella roared right when Zelda entered the room. Isabella knew exactly who her mother was talking about. Her mother never told her exactly what happened to her late aunt but she hated being compared to someone she never got the chance to meet.
Zelda looked between the two ladies and nervously placed the tray of mini sandwiches on the table before stepping back.
Thank Goddess. I’m sooooo hungry right now Zira thought as she immediately gobbled down two sandwiches.
“Zira! Manners, please,” Zelda whispered.
“What? I’m hungry,” Zira said back, taking two more sandwiches and sinking back into the couch.
Zelda shook her head and made her way back to her seat. She noticed Luna Bella and Isabella having a glaring contest, and she felt for the both of them. Having this kind of relationship was unthinkable to her and she really wanted to help.
“After listening to everything Isabella has told me I think-”
“Oh so she tells YOU things about her life,” Luna Bella angrily interrupted.
“You have no right to get angry at her, mother. At least she listens and makes me feel accepted as who I am. She makes me feel loved while you look at me like a disappointment,” Isabella snapped at Luna Bella.
Luna Bella was appalled. She stood up with tears in her eyes. She couldn’t believe her own daughter thought she didn’t love her. She has done everything to make sure her kids didn’t experience the hurt and pain her family went through. Yet here her daughter was going through exactly that and it was all her fault.
Isabella stared at her mother in disbelief. She saw the tears pooled in her mother's eyes. It was a sight she had never seen before. A part of her wanted to reach out and comfort her mother but she knew she had to stand her ground on this. This was the first time she ever stood up to her.
"I think it's wonderful that Isabella found her mate. The Moon goddess does things for a reason and something as special as this should be celebrated. Luna, we could be the example for other packs to follow," Zelda chimed in, hoping to find common ground.
Luna Bella quickly wiped the tears that escaped and looked at Zelda. “Thank you, Zelda, for the tea and sandwiches,” Luna Bella as she prepared to leave. “I think I’ve had enough hysterics for today. We can discuss this at home, Isabella?”
Isabella stood up and shook her head. “No, I think it’s best if I stay here. If that’s okay with you Mrs. Lake?”
Zelda didn’t know what to say. She didn’t want to get in between a mother and daughter. On one hand, Luna Bella has all the authority and is already pissed Isabella tells Zelda everything. On the other hand Isabella is hurt and fragile and if it was Zira, Zelda would do anything to comfort her. She was stuck in a hard place and the only person that could help her was busy stuffing her face.
“Um, Zira,” Zelda whispered.
Zira looked up as if she had forgotten what was going on. She quickly swallowed the last bit of her sandwich and stood up next to Isabella. She felt her stomach grumble a bit and she forced the remnants of her sandwich down her throat. Maybe I should have slowed down, she thought as she felt her body trying to eject what she just ate.
“Luna Bella, if I may. With everything that has happened in the past 48 hours, I wouldn’t mind the company. I think having Isa here could help me also,” Zira offered, hoping the Luna would accept her proposition.
Luna Bella looked confused for a moment until she realized what Zira was talking about. Not only was Zira attacked last night but she must have heard about Isaiah finding his mate. Luna Bella vaguely remembered their little romance before then.
“That's fine. I'm sorry for all that's happened to you, Zira. I know how much you mean to my son. I'm glad you're alright, but we’re going to talk about my poor trees you assaulted.”
Zira nervously looked at her feet as she remembered the mess Nina left behind. “Sorry about that. It was all Nina’s fault,” Zira blurted out.
You snitch, Nina growled.
“Regardless, you both are one, so I’ll have to think of a way for you to pay me back,” Luna Bella stated as she turned her attention to Isabella. “Isabella, I'm expecting to see you tomorrow. We have much to talk about."
Zira gave Isabella's hand squeeze before ushering Luna Bella to the front door. Zira froze at the door as she inhaled the scent on the other side. A faint warm cinnamon fragrance surrounded her. What should I do? What should I do? Why was he here? I don’t want to see him. Stop freaking out Zira. What if she’s with him? What if she sees my feelings for him? She would- There was a sharp knock on the door that broke Zira out of her thoughts.
“Well are you going to open it,” Luna Bella asked.