Chasing His Betrayed Luna novel Chapter 53

AURELIA

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My heart skipped and a part of me sort of died when I saw my daughter’s terrified face. Beads of tears escaped her eyes as she blinked rapidly. I could hear the murmurs from the small crowd behind Katie and I completely avoided Hazel’s gaze for obvious reasons.

“Dad?” I asked with disbelief loud in my voice. How could she call him dad?

Why would she call him–

“I know he’s my dad, mom.” Katie cried, sniffling as she added, “Kyle told me everything, Mom.”

Her heart plummeted to the bottom of my soul. Two of my fears were manifesting before my eyes. One is Katie’s reaction when she finds out the truth and the second is Black Fur members finding out the truth about my past.

However, my focus remained on my wailing child. “Baby–”

Katie muttered an objection, “Can you stop hurting him? He didn’t take Kyle.”

Although I had many other questions, I settled for one to avoid overwhelming Katie. “Where is your brother?”

Katie wiped her wet face as she began to explain, revealing some shocking facts. “While you were in the bathroom, Kyle told me about the argument at the hospital. He has also told me that he knows you make him wear the mask because he looks like Raiden just like how I look like you. Kyle said I resemble you because you’re our mom and he resembles Raiden because he is our dad–”

“Where is your brother, Katie!” I snapped at her as I failed to contain my emotions.

Inara’s rage was still dominant in my mind and hearing Katie’s explanation wasn’t helping.

“Be gentle with her, Lia. Please.” Alpha Tristan interfered, pulling Katie close to him and rubbing her back as she cried.

I inhaled deeply, grateful for Tristan’s calmness and understanding. I still owed him an explanation even though he didn’t seem like he needed one anymore. I crouched in front of Katie, holding her hands, and asked as gently as my racing heart allowed, “If Raiden didn't keep your brother, where is he? Tell me everything Katie.”

I was tempted to make use of her middle name but doing that would only spook her.

Katie sniffed back tears, her lips parting as she started explaining, “Please don't be mad at Kyle, Mom. I made him do it.” My daughter’s shaky voice loosened the messy weave of fury within me and as she continued speaking, I only listened. “He was about to get into the car after he told Aunt Hazel that he would be riding with us but I brought up an idea because we didn't want to leave, Mom.”

“You don't want to go back home to your friends? No one has ever bullied you at home, Katie but you’d rather stay here?” I queried a bit harshly.

Katie sucked in a breath. Perhaps I shouldn't have used the word bullied because Katie broke into tears again and I could sense that last night's incident still horrified her.

“We just wanted to stay with our mom and dad. We don’t want to be separated.” Katie sobbed.

My soul cried with her. I pitied my kids not just because I knew what it’s like to grow up without a complete family but also because they assumed Raiden was a good person just because he was their biological father but that was far from right and I detested seeing Katie in pain because of the messy relationship between Raiden and me.

I should never have returned to this pack… I should have stayed tucked away in Tristan’s pack, keeping my kids from Raiden and his hellhole of a pack.

I sighed, “You still haven't told me where and how to find your brother.”