Chasing His Betrayed Luna novel Chapter 17

AURELIA

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For the umpteenth time, I tossed in my bed, ignoring the sun rays on my face. Somewhere in the corner of my mind, I knew I should be up and getting ready for the games but I remained in my bed, dreading the reality that would slam into me the second I stepped out of bed.

He was here, after all.

The man who did everything he could to kill me was here in the same pack with me.

The pain and hatred that the sight of him arose in me yesterday at the guesthouse kept me up all night even though Inara tried to talk me into relaxing and preparing my mind for the duel I would be participating in today.

“I can’t believe you wasted your energy worrying about that prick, Relia. You could have had a good night's sleep and saved your energy for whoever you would be up against in today’s challenge.” Inara complained, stirring in the back of my mind.

“You think I want to be like this?” I asked my wolf, hiding my face in my pillow. “I loathe that man, Ina and he tried to kill Katie and Kyle. I can’t let him get to them. I can’t break before him yet I don’t know how to keep my demons locked away while I’m around him.”

Having a heart-to-heart conversation with Inara was a daily routine. I never hide anything from her which is why I was certain she knew my heart was hurting at the moment. Alpha Raiden traumatized me. He broke me and I thought I had healed with the arrival of my babies but seeing him again revealed that I was still a bleeding mess–

“Mama?” My little boy’s morning voice echoed in my room as he slipped past the door, making his way to my bed.

I didn’t have to open my eyes to know that he just woke up but my eyes still fluttered open as my heart swelled with love. “Hey, baby,” I muttered with affection, holding out my arms for him to crawl in for a hug.

Kyle, who has always enjoyed my affection, smiled shyly as he settled in bed with me, in between my arms and chest. His dirty blond hair had been a constant reminder of a certain gray-eyed man. Kyle got all of his physical features, except his stormy blue eyes from him but my little boy was nothing like that heartless monster.

“Katie said you have an important game today, Mama.” Kyle looked into my eyes, curiosity glinting in his. I nodded, kissing his cheek softly. “Can I join you? I love games! But why are you still in bed?”

Kyle's excitement for the games decreased the minute he realized I wouldn’t be in bed if I was excited about the game.

“You don’t like the game?” Kyle asked, his voice dropping.

“I love the game, baby, and I’ve been looking forward to kicking some ass– I mean, winning.” I quickly corrected myself.