This wasn’t that bad. The three of us in the same room and no drama. It could be because no one has said anything. Alaia and Zira were sitting across from me, avoiding eye contact with me and each other. I could tell Alaia was irritated and I could tell by how she crossed her leg, tapping her foot in the air. Her arms were crossed across her chest and her head was held high. Zira, on the other hand, was fidgeting with her clothes and her eyes cast down. No one wanted to be here but this had to be done.
“Okay, I guess I should start,” I said, clearing my throat. “Um, thank you both for coming.” Geez Isaiah get a grip. You’re an Alpha for Goddess sake. “Look I know this is an awkward situation but I think we can all work together to make sure everyone is happy.”
That must have been a key word because they both looked at me like I said something crazy.
“Happy,” Alaia said with a laugh. “Happy that another girl is having my mate’s baby and not just a baby but his first child. Would you be happy, Isaiah, if I was having someone else’s child? Would you be able to look past that and be happy?”
Her voice started to raise with each question until she was yelling. Her anger filled the room like a cloud of smoke. I didn’t mind her shouting. I was just glad she didn’t try to attack someone.
“Alaia, honestly, I don't know. I mean I would like to think I wouldn’t care but I know it would be a lie. Still if you were my mate, we will find a way to get through it. Together,” I said, standing up and reaching for her.
She stepped back not wanting me to come close and walked over to the couch. I dropped my hands and moved back to my chair. As I was sitting down I noticed Zira staring at me.
I’m sorry. All of this is my fault but maybe it’s not too late to fix it she said.
How I asked.
She didn’t respond, just smiled at me before looking back down. She was really thinking about something. I heard her clear her throat.
“Luna, first, I’m sorry about all this. If I could change it I would but the fact is I can’t. The night we had se-were together, we were a drunken mess and I won’t lie, I was drawn to Isaiah even before that.”
“Where is this going, Zira,” Alaia asked, a bit defensive.
“But he found you and I’ve never seen him so happy. Truly. We’re just friends who made a mistake and are trying to find an amicable way to deal with it. Please believe me when I say I’m no threat.”
Alaia walked over towards Zira, who quickly stood up and moved behind the chair to keep distance between them. I stood up, watching Alaia cautiously.
“Do you see how he’s watching me, Zira,” Alaia asked, continuing her pursuit. “My mate is afraid of me hurting you which means right now you’re above me in his eyes.”
“Alaia-” She raised her hand to cut me off while glaring at me. Then her gaze went back to Zira.
“So for the next five months I have to get used to being second and after that I might have a chance to be first. Except your child will likely put me down to being second again. So I’m sorry if I can't be amicable right now. I just need time to process the fact that I might always be second in Isaiah’s life.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Alaia felt like I wasn't giving her enough of my time to make her feel like she was my number one. What the hell have I been doing wrong then? I didn't care if she didn't want to be touched. I moved around the desk and pulled her towards. Her back hit my chest as I gave her a hug.
“That’s not true, Alaia. You are first in my eyes. From the moment we first met.” I planted a kiss down her neck to her mark. I knew this was a great way to calm her down a bit.
“I could always leave,” Zira said. “I don't have to be here to have the baby. That way you don’t hav-”
“That’s out of the question,” I said quickly. I remember finding her papers on the steps when she left the other day. She was trying to find a way out. Maybe that’s her trying to “fix” it.
“That’s not a bad idea, babe.”
It was my turn to glare at them both. Were they actually serious about Zira leaving to have my child somewhere other than my pack. I couldn't help but laugh a little.
“There’s no way you’re having our baby anywhere but here Zira. That’s final.”
“Well if everything is final in your eyes, what’s the point of this meeting,” Alaia asked with her arms crossed. “I’m not staying here to watch your mistress have your baby.”
Zira scoffed at the ‘Mistress’ comment as I walked over to Alaia. She tried to turn away from me but I pulled her close.
“Alaia, she's not my mistress, okay? She is just a friend, nothing more nothing less.” Alaia didn't respond, just kept her eyes on Zira. She walked around me to come face to face with Zira. I placed my hands on her shoulders to keep her from walking forward. There were a few moments of silence and staring before Alaia spoke up.
“Do you love him,” Alaia blatantly asked Zira, not breaking eye contact. That was not what I was expecting.