Chapter 28 It's Up to Me

[Ella]　　　　
It is Claire's birthday today, and to be honest, I have no intention of arguing with her and pissing her off. But what she said really made me feel upset and angry at the same time.
I could feel how she looked at me like she could shoot a knife. But I had never met Claire before today, so why did Claire just say she hated me? It must be more than just the fact that I'm from a small pack in a rural area.
"Mrs. Clapton, I've understood that you're against Eth and me being together. I shouldn't have talked to you like that on your birthday. But, what you just said has hurt my pride. I hope you know that going out with Eth is a matter between him and me. Also, I don't think you have that right to interfere with his choices." I say.
"How dare you! Do you know who you're talking to?" Claire accuses me with a glare while quickly grabbing my right wrist and then twisting my right arm behind my back.
The sharp pain reminds me - your arm is about to be twisted. She is so strong. Oh, yes! She is the previous Luna of the Blue Moon Pack and is certainly stronger than me, an unmarried daughter of an Alpha.
"Let go of me!" I yell in a low voice, hoping she will release me immediately. But her hands seem as firm as handcuffs. She immediately grabs my left wrist when my left hand swings backward. She secures me hard against the wall of the utility room.
This is absolutely humiliating because I now seem like a prisoner pinned to the wall.
If I were to shift here now, then I could definitely break free and escape this hellhole. But, if that happens, then I'm breaking the Universal Rules, which will surely get me taken to court to be punished and cause trouble for my parents and my pack.
"Listen, little thing, I don't intend to hurt you; after all, you're the girl Eth brought here. But your rudeness pissed me off. This is my little punishment and warning to you." Claire says, contempt and condescension hidden in her icy voice.
I shiver as my left wrist seems to be broken by her. The pain irritates my tear ducts and sends tears streaming from my eyes.
"Please, let me go." I plead with her.
"Don't worry. I don't want my child to resent me for interfering too much in his personal life. I just want you to promise that you won't tell Ethan what I said and done to you today. Plus, don't presume to become an upper-class member with the help of Ethan. You don't deserve it! Got it?" Claire says. She presses herself against my back, her threatening words stabbing into my ears.
"Yes, Mrs. Clapton," I nod; all I want to do now is save my poor arm.
"Call me Claire," she orders.
"Yes, Claire," I say.
She is satisfied and releases me. I get free, with the dust of the wall on my cheeks and my trampled pride. I sniff and manage to stop the tears from continuing to flow from my eyes.
I wish to get away from this demon and escape this damn place, but it is not a wise choice. Eth does not know what his mother has done to me. If I left here suddenly, Claire would have the opportunity to make up any lies to discredit me. I don't really expect him to misunderstand me.
"I was told you were my son's pet sitter. Then I'll leave my dogs' dinner and after-dinner exercise to you. Don't worry. I'll allow you to show up at the BBQ party as long as you do those things right." Claire says, admiring her glistening manicure.
"I got it." I agree. There is no way I can say no to her because she is perfectly capable of punching me or crushing my wrist when I refuse. I just hope the party starts soon so I can pretend I'm not feeling well and run away.
"Lucy!" Claire shouts in the direction of the door five feet away from her.
"Yes, Luna Claire," says a middle-aged woman in a long gray dress, coming in from behind the door.
"Take her to my petting farm. When she's finished walking all the dogs, then take her to change and go to the garden." Claire tells Lucy.
I sigh, thinking that facing Claire's dogs is at least a lot better than facing this witch-like, malicious Mother.
***
[Ethan]
Suddenly I get a bad premonition when I see my mother coming out of the house alone. Mother is not as friendly as she looks, which is something I've always been well aware of. I thought if I brought Ella to packhouse to meet her and my father in person, she wouldn't show her dark side to Ella. But I may have made a mistake.
"Where's Ella?" I ask.
"Ella enjoyed Ray and Jay so much that she volunteered to take charge of their meals. Now I guess she's probably ready to go walk the dogs with the servants." Mother says. I don't miss the smugness and sarcasm in her eyes.
"Why would Joanna come here? You know I'm done with her." I ask, putting down the ginger ale in my hand.
"Joanna is my friend. Why couldn't I invite her to my birthday party?" Mom asks, raising her eyebrows.
"I'm sorry, Mother." I apologize to her. For the sake of it being her birthday, I don't intend to anger her.
"Ethan, I will not approve of you going out with that puny girl. She will only bring shame to the Clapton family." Mom says with her friendly but fake smile.
"She's not puny," I say.
"You mean her father-that cowardly Alpha Matthew Ronan? Huh? I bet your father could beat him with one finger." After saying that, my mother grunts again.
"You know Ella's father?" I ask.
"Of course not! Why would I know that kind of Alpha living in a rural village!" my mother yells.
My mother's overreaction completely surprises me. It reinforces my certainty that she must have known Ella's father. I grimace but don't intend to pursue my mother's personal affairs.
"Relax. Mother, I have no intention to upset you." I say, then gently pat my mother on the shoulder.
I glance at my watch. It's still about 30 minutes before the party starts. It is time to go for my mate, who may be bullied by my mother and may be afraid to walk the two Dobermann Dogs.
"Are you going to get the girl?" Mom asks.
"No, I just miss Ray and Jay. Long time no see them," I answer and give my mother a smile.
"Don't get too emotionally invested in that country girl. You'll soon find out you two are totally incompatible." Mother warns me again.
"Thank you, Mother. But it's up to me." I say and head in the direction of the pet farm.
Joanna, who was hiding behind a pine tree, comes out after I've left. She must have thought I didn't notice she was hiding 25 feet away from my mother and me.
"Claire, it's okay. Let him go! Ethan will get tired of playing with that Cinderella very soon. I have faith he will come back to me." Joanna tells my mother.
I let out a low grunt and clench my fists.
I will not allow anyone to mess up my feelings and influence my decisions.
Whether or not I would stay with Ella, whether or not I would get bored with her, whether or not I would announce to my parents that she is my mate; all of that is up to me.