96. In Your Heart
AURELIA
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I didn't let my gaze off my kids even though I could sense Raiden's men around the house. To me, his men were useless and it has become clear to
me that Larisa's parents' escape could only have been possible if someone from the inside let them out.
Exactly, there was someone on the inside pulling the string for Larisa and her family.
Raiden must have realized this by now, I supposed... but he could only be too livid to use his senses and put two and two together.
Tale of a proud and arrogant Alpha.
"I don't like this." Inara chimed into my mind. She was on high alert even though we were sitting in Raiden's sitting room.
I responded, "I don't as well. I wish we could just have dinner and leave immediately or after I speak with Iris. I hate being stuck within these walls." My eyes scanned the living room and I had to force myself to not think about the past for the thousandth time this night.
That was what staying in Raiden's mansion did to me.
I hate it here.
"I know how you feel about this place and we can always leave for the apartment," Inara said to me, in an attempt to help me relax.
I recalled Raiden asking everyone to stay put while he chased after Larisa's parents but I wasn't staying here because of his words. I was still here because I was waiting for the right moment to approach Iris and lay out my questions.
In fact, I was hoping Hazel or anyone else, aside from my kids, wouldn't be around to hear Iris and I talk.
Like a miracle, the opportunity was presented to me when Iris excused herself and walked towards the stairs. It was difficult to seize the opportunity because I didn't want to leave the kids alone even if it was for a second.
But Inara muttered to me, "They'll be fine with Hazel and just like you said, I'm on high alert. Go find answers so we can leave here."
I appreciated my wolf but with that out of the way, I began to worry about taking the stairs just like I saw Iris did. I was worried I couldn't handle the surge of memories that would flood my mind as soon as I stepped toward the first floor.
Despite my struggles, I also excused myself but before I could reach the top of the stairs, I ran into Nina, and the same genuine smile that I saw on her face earlier reappeared.
"Luna Aurelia." She muttered emotionally.
"Don't call me that." I wanted to say or snap but I held my tongue in my cheek. The emotions in her eyes had me swallowing my words.
Nina continued, tears rolling down her cheeks, "I've been meaning to talk to you. To express my gratitude but time hasn't permitted me. Thank you for making it possible for me to see my daughter again and alive. You saved my Maya-"
Her voice broke as she broke into tears. My heart cried for her. I knew that feeling too well. I had been in her shoes and I could tell that it wasn't a comfortable one.
I thought of saying something to ease the pain in Nina's heart despite the toxic history between us, but she also began mumbling her apology. "I was so bad to you. I had no reason to be wicked yet I was and I made life even more difficult for you-"
“It's alright, Nina. It's all in the past and I'm happy your daughter has returned. No mother deserves to feel the loss of a child.”
Nina countered, "It's not alright,
Luna. Even before Maya was taken | was a good person. I misused her powers. I didn't realize how bad I was until Larisa misused her
powers, kidnapped my daught
so
she could have me under hep control, and used me to subdue other servants in the pack. She is a tyrant. She abused her power-"
"She abused you too and everyone she took." I was surprisingly calm as I said those words to one of the people who made my teenage years a living hell.
"Just like I abused you when you
were working for me and even after you became the Luna. I'm not any different from Larisa." Nina shook her head, her words sticking to me as soon as they left her lips. She didn't bother to hide her tears from me as she continued, "I don't deserve to be forgiven but I ask you to find a place in your heart, Luna.
Please." Content © provided by NôvelDrama.Org.
I exhaled audibly, taking two steps closer to Nina. I held her shoulders gently and whispered to her, "You are forgiven and you're a hero despite the odds. You once saved me from two men."
Nina chuckled amid tears, causing me to chuckle as well.
"Those pricks.” Nina laughed, sniffling back tears. "Thank you for everything, Luna and I'm sorry I couldn't protect your boy from Larisa even after she sent me to threaten you the other day. I couldn't even protect my own child."
“Bygones are bygones. We can only move on with our lives now and try not to repeat the same mistakes.” I responded, squeezing Nina's hands.
My own words kept ringing in my ears even after I let Nina and continue my search for Iris. Bygone are bygones... but that didn't apply to Raiden. His past actions were still fresh in my memory. Although I've tried, it's hard to let go of those memories-
"Looking for me?" Iris's voice distracted my thoughts. I blinked rapidly, catching my breath as my eyes quickly racked the corridor.
Iris smiled, “Come with me. I know you've questions and I might be able to provide answers."
“Well, that's good enough." I thought to myself and slipped into one of the rooms in Raiden's mansion, following Iris.
She sat on the edge of the bed and
pointed at the couch closer to her. I relaxed my nerves as I sat down but Iris unnerved me when she said, е "Before you ask your questions, I've one of my own, Aurelia." Iris didn't wait for my permission before she asked, "Care to tell me how you ripped the silver-coated cells open with your bare hands?"
Instantly, cat got my tongue. This cat stole my tongue, in fact.