56. A White Wolf
AURELIA
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It's been over twenty-four hours since Kyle went missing and even though neither Katie nor I could feel the bond we shared with him stretching, Katie was becoming restless and worry was eating me away as seconds ticked into hours.
Although Alpha Tristan has been receiving calls from Black Fur Pack because he was needed back at the Pack, he has refused to leave me and the kids behind. He and the little group of warriors that traveled down with us were out all night searching for Kyle together with Raiden's men yet my son hasn't been found.
Where could he be? I cried to myself.
"Katie is watching, Relia. Please don't break down now. Kyle is missing but he is alright. I can sense that." Inara consoled me.
"I just want to see him and hold him. He must be scared, Ina." I whimpered to my wolf.
I thought since Inara could sense Kyle, she'd be able to trace him and lead us to him but after so many failed attempts, we've given up on that method.
"I still don't understand why I can't trace him, Relia. It's like he disappeared from the surface and there is something potent keeping me from perceiving him. I know he is fine but-"
You've explained this to me countless times, Inara. I get it. Kyle is fine but you can't find him... no one can." I mumbled to my wolf, smiling at Katie.
We have both been in the same room I had said goodbye to yesterday. Being here made me sad but not having Kyle here with us was devastating.
"When will Kyle be back, Mom? I miss him. Can Dad bring him back now?" Katie stated, ending her statement with a question.
After I realized that Kyle was missing, I told Katie that Raiden wanted to spend some time with him and added that Raiden would bring Kyle back before nightfall... and that was last night.
"You said I'd have my turn to have fun with Dad before we leave his pack but I want to be with him and Kyle. Why can't the three of us have fun together, Mom?" Katie expressed herself, crawling into my lap.
I pulled her closer, massaging her scalp as I rested my back against the headboard of the bed. "You don't want to spend time with mommy, huh? Is that what you're saying?"
Katie stared into my eyes, shaking her head. "I want that, Mom but I know you aren't happy. Do you want to tell me why? Did Dad hurt you badly? Is he a bad person?"
I had gotten over Katie referring to Raiden as her dad. He was her dad and there was no point lying to her anymore. Everyone in Raiden's pack and Black Fur already knows about my past.
But telling Katie about how Raiden hurt me was something I didn't want to do. I'd rather die with that story.
"Yes, I'm sad, Katie but this has nothing to do with Raiden and no, he isn't a bad person, Baby." I lied without batting my lashes.
"Then why won't you stay with him? Families stay together, Mom and Kyle and I hate the idea of stepparents even though I love Tristan." My daughter announced, causing me to frown.
Stepparents? Since when exactly have these two been discussing Raiden being their father? When did they find out? I asked Katie that question.
My daughter answered, "Hmm, Kyle kinda figured it out the first few days we spent here and I kinda followed Raiden around secretly to have a good look at him.
I tried to hide the shock zapping
through me but Katie sensed it and she etched, "Don't be surprised we figured it out, Mom. You know
are smart and we gave you the
confirmed it to Kyle at the hospital. He was disappointed in you, Mom. I was too but I trust you had your reasons."
chance to tell us about it befomet
My eyes watered. They were not only smart. They were considerate as well and I failed to be a good mother to them.
"I'm sorry, baby." I apologized, hugging my daughter.
Katie hugged me back and we remained like that until the bedroom door opened to reveal Alpha Tristan, Hazel, and Jessica. Katie broke free to run into Tristan's arms and he caught her swiftly.
"That's my favorite girl." Tristan cooed, earning a loud giggle from Katie. Despite how he related to Katie, I could tell that his presence meant he had something to say to me. Soon, Tristan muttered to Katie, "Can you meet the warriors outside and monitor them until I join you guys?"
"Gladly! Mom had been a boring company." Katie squealed and ran out of the room excitedly.
With Katie gone, the smile on Tristan's face fell and he gazed at me sadly.
I uttered shakily, "Y-you don't know where he i-is, d-do you?"
Tristan shook his head, "No, we don't, Lia. But that's not why I'm."
I avoided looking at Hazel and Jessica because I was scared they wouldn't be as understanding as Tristan. They should be mad at me but I wasn't in the right state to deal with their disappointments.
"I promised not to leave you behind
but I've to return home to deal with some urgent matter. Louis and I have to be on our way now but Jessica and Hazel have agreed to stay back with you. If I have to come back, I'll but I hope you will make the trip home with the twins, soon."
Tristan explained.
Who was I to keep him back? In fact, who was I to keep Hazel and Jessica away from their home after I lied to their faces for six years?
"I understand, Tristan." My heart
clenched hard but I maintained a
steady voice, "It pains me that we all can't leave together but Hazel and Jessica don't have to stay. The twins and I will find our way back as soon as Kyle is found. I can't wait to get back home too so it won't be fair to keep Hazel and Jess away from-"
"I'm staying, Lia... or Aurelia." Hazel blurted, stunning me.
With my shocked expression, I looked towards Jessica who snorted, "I'm not as nice as Hazel, Lia. I'm mad at you and I'm only staying because Alpha Trustan believes you need protection... not that you can't defend yourself but I'll stay just because of that." I burst into tears, mumbling how sorry I was to both women. While Hazel moved to hug me, Jessica remained beside Tristan, folding her arms. Tristan said his goodbye stiffly before leaving me in the care of my best friend and an angry Jessica.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
Tristan's parting words to me were whispered into my ear and it was a warning that would keep ringing in my head for the next few days.
"No one can find out you're a white wolf, Lia. Keep your wolf and abilities a secret, especially from Raiden. You can't trust him."