Chapter 54
Charlie POV
I felt a little calmer after I spoke to Daniel, but the pit in my stomach refused to give me any peace. My fingers were numb from the cold and my cheeks were burning from embarrassment at the way I had stormed out, but I steeled myself to walk back inside and face Miranda and Maria. When I opened the door, Maria gave me a sad smile.
“I don’t have much in by way of lunch. But I was gonna make some sandwiches if you’re hungry?” She asked softly.
“A sandwich would be great, thank you. Can I help at all?” I asked, I didn't want to be left alone with Miranda. Maria put her arm around me and guided me into the kitchen, she gave me a slight squeeze and a side hug as we went.
“Miranda, would you like a sandwich, or I have some soup I think?” She called as she got out the bread.
“A sandwich would be fine.” I rolled my eyes; would it have killed the woman to say please and thank you? Maria started handing me ingredients out of the fridge.
“Any preferences?” She asked us both, as she pulled out several tubs of meat. “I have beef, pastrami, chicken, or tuna?” Miranda didn’t move from her seat at the table or acknowledge us at all.
“Let’s just make a selection?” I offered, Maria nodded, while she gave me an exasperated look, at Miranda’s behaviour. We made quick work of washing and chopping up the salad before putting mustard and mayo on the slices of bread, passing them back and forth as we each added a different ingredient. I cut the sandwiches and added them to a decorative plate Maria had provided before moving on to the next one. When we had an impressive selection, Maria pulled out some plates and napkins. I added some pickles to a plate and poured some chips into a bowl. We worked together seamlessly, moving things to the table, I took the sandwich plate while Maria got some glasses and a large jug of iced tea from the refrigerator. Miranda didn’t even look at us, as I set out the plates and Maria poured the tea, I cleared my throat, determined to elicit some sort of reaction from her. She looked at me with a blank expression, I raised my eyebrow in response.
“I know you think I’m a monster, and maybe I am. But everything I have done since I was old enough to walk has been for the advancement of my family. And when I gave birth to my boys, everything I did after that was for them. I’m not the warmest woman I know, but I have been prepared to fight to the death for my boys from the moment I knew they were growing inside me. You’d think it would ease off once they were born but it just grew. The moment I heard their first cries, I knew I would lay down my life if it meant they would benefit. Maybe that made me hard and cold, I don’t know, maybe I’ve always been this way. But I would do anything for my sons, even if it means they hate me sometimes.” She said with a fire in her eyes.
“Why do you think you need to protect them from their mates?” I asked, as I looked right back at her, with the same look she aimed at me.
“They need strong, confident, powerful women by their sides to achieve what they are destined to achieve. To further our family’s future and maintain the level of greatness that is expected of them, they need the right mate by their side. Can either of you honestly tell me you’re strong enough for that? That you will sacrifice anything, including yourself for my sons?” She glared.
“Yes,” Maria said without hesitation, but Miranda’s gaze never left my face, I hesitated, I wasn’t sure. I loved Daniel, and I would never hurt him intentionally, but was I ready to throw away my dreams to support his? I didn’t know. “I would do anything for Ben, I have put my dreams on hold for Ben and Daniel, I have supported and loved Ben with all of myself since the moment we mated. But it’s never enough for you, because my mother was an omega, so think whatever you want about me, I don’t care, because Ben loves me. And that’s all I care about.” Maria snapped; she slammed the jug of iced tea down.
“And yet, this is the first time you have ever said anything to me. You’ve never screamed at me like this one did this morning, have you?” Miranda asked her, she finally tore her eyes away from me.
“You were the Luna, if I had told you to shove your opinion of me up your ass I could’ve been banished or worse. I held my tongue for Ben, because he needed me to, and he did the same for me. Don’t confuse sacrifice for weakness.” Maria bit back, furious and visibly shaking. I grabbed her hand, she had been so supportive of me, I hadn’t noticed how much she needed someone too.
“Maria is a wonderful wife to Ben and a loyal sister to Daniel. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t even been talking to Daniel right now. She was the one that convinced me to give him another chance, she has been the one performing the Luna’s duties for Daniel. And she has been the one taking your abuse for years, so Ben didn’t have to choose between his mother and mate. The only reason you have a relationship with him is because of Maria. You owe her one hell of an apology.” I warned, I allowed that power to fill me again rather than fight it. Miranda scowled and I heard myself almost growl in warning. She rolled her eyes and folded her arms over her chest.
“I’m... sorry, Maria. I have been unfair to you.” She shot me a look that said that was as good an apology as she was able to give. I squeezed Maria’s hand gently; it was up to her to accept it or not.
“Thank you, now let’s eat.” Maria said in a forced clipped tone, that conveyed, she hadn’t completely forgiven Miranda, but she wanted to end the conversation. We ate in silence for a while, I had little appetite but forced myself to eat something.
“This is lovely Maria thank you, and the iced tea is delicious.” I smiled at her, if Miranda couldn’t be courteous, I would say it for the both of us. I shot Miranda a glance, it let her know exactly what I thought about her. She bristled considerably.
“Yes, thank you, Maria, the iced tea is a little sweeter than I’m used to, but it paired well with the spicy mustard,” Miranda stated, it wasn’t perfect, but it was a step in the right direction. Maria was completely thrown; I could tell by her open-mouthed stare. I prodded her slightly.
“You’re welcome, Miranda.” She blankly responded.
“Can I help you clear the table if everyone is finished?” I offered, I looked to them both for answers.
“I’m finished with the sandwiches, but I would like some more iced tea,” Miranda replied. I shot her a look. “Please.” She added. Maria jumped up to pour her another glass. Almost emptying the jug.
“Would you mind helping me with the plates?” Maria asked me, I nodded happily. “I will make some more tea... unless you would prefer something else?” She asked Miranda, completely thrown by her change of attitude.
“Some more iced tea would be fine, although, the herbal tea you served earlier was also very nice.” Miranda was trying I could tell, she wasn’t very good at it, but I smiled anyway. If I was going to be a part of their family then the other women in it needed to find a way to get along, and if I had to force Miranda to be kinder, then I would.
“I could make another pot if you would like. I have some cookies too that might be nice with it?” I snorted at Maria’s newfound inability to respond to Miranda.
“Calm down.” I mouthed. Maria nodded and we took everything into the kitchen.
“I’m fine with my iced tea for now, Maria, thank you.” Maria looked at me like she couldn’t believe what was happening, I gave her a little hip bump.
“It’s fine, stop panicking.” I mouthed as she filled the kettle with water. Maria took a deep breath, putting the kettle on the stove, her hands shook noticeably. I helped load the dishwasher and left Maria to calm herself down and busy herself making iced tea and cleaning the last of the lunch things away.
“Being a good Luna is more than just making sure everyone gets along,” Miranda said as I sat at the table. I took a breath before answering.
“Then what makes a good Luna, In your opinion?” I asked exasperated but curious as to what she could be driving at.
“I’m sure Daniel told you it’s about being a mother to the pack, the nurturer, but you also have to be fierce, and strong. You have to be willing to give up everything for the pack. Devote yourself to their advancement. Pack, mate, family, self, it’s what we with Alpha blood are taught from childhood. Daniel will always put the pack before you, before your children and you will have to do the same, and I don’t think you can.”
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