“Do your parents go to work? Is that why they aren’t here?” I was curious to know why the boy was alone when he was clearly sick.
“Mummy goes to work sometimes, but daddy’s here. My father is the Alpha.”
It was like a canon blast rang out in my skull. My fingers which were still massaging the boy’s head instantly froze, my pulse quickening.
I looked at the girl, wide-eyed. “Y-Your father is Alpha Jaris?”
She nodded, wearing a smile like she was proud of it.
My world came crumbling all over.
No, this was not possible. Jaris had kids!? And possibly a lover?
It was not supposed to be a problem, but these kids looked like five year olds-the exact time he had slept with me, right before he abandoned me in the morning. So, he already had a family when he met me at the bar? What did that say about him? He was a cheat?
“Are you alright, aunty?” The little girl asked, snapping me back to reality.
Staring at her now made me a little emotional. Of course, there had never been any hope for Jaris and I. He already had a beautiful family to start with.
“I’m fine, sweetheart.” I managed a smile.
I couldn’t help but wonder who their mother was. She must have been prettier than I was five years ago. How could Jaris have left her for me?
I wouldn’t have had an issue with him abandoning me in the morning if he hadn’t given me hope that night. He had called me beautiful and even asked for an extra day. But in the end, he was just like the others. This whole thing had been a mistake.
The door suddenly opened, happening just in time to stop my stupid tears from spilling. A young woman-who looked about my age-entered, wearing a long pretty dress.
She froze at the door, her face contorting in a frown as she looked at me like I was a ghost.
“Who are you?” Her voice when she spoke was smooth, hinting at a woman who had been privileged in life.
The little boy was still asleep on my legs. I was afraid to wake him up with any slight movement.
“Hi I’m Lyric,” I said with a small smile. Who was she?
“I don’t give a hoot about your name, lady. What the hell are you doing in here? And why are you holding my son?”
It crashed over me like an unexpected wave, leaving me reeling for some seconds. Oh, wow…
She was Jaris’ lover. Of course, he must love her to have kids with her.
As gently as possible, I lifted the little boy’s head onto a pillow and stood.
“Do I have to call the guards on you?” The lady asked, her tone not friendly one bit.
Before I could respond, Xyla did. “I called her, mummy. Xylon was having one of his crisis and needed help. I was on my way to get help when I found her in the passage.”
The lady huffed. “So, you invite strangers into your room? Where did you learn that, Xyla?”
There was something about the way the lady communicated with the kid that made me uncomfortable. Even the little girl slightly recoiled.
Her gaze sharp, she turned back to me. “I think you’re grown enough to know better than to listen to what kids say. It was wrong of you have followed a little girl in here.”
“Okay… But I had to save a suffering child. Wasn’t that worth it?” What was her problem? I thought she’d be appreciative or something.
She rolled her eyes. “It’s not like you can do anything for him. I have been the one taking care of Xylon since his crisis began. Nobody has been able to help him other than me.”
“But the aunty was able to help him, mummy,” the little girl said. “And Xylon got better immediately. I’d never seen him recover so quickly,”
I watched surprise flicker through the lady’s eyes. She looked at the boy on the bed again, and this time, there was a certain recognition in her eyes, like she was just noticing he was indeed, better.
“It must be mere luck,” she cleared her throat. “I’m sure she didn’t have to do much.”
I was tempted to laugh. Mere luck? Did she have any idea the effort I had to put in?
She stepped away from the door. “Leave. Now.”
For a spitting second, I wondered why Jaris wasn’t making her his Luna. She looked beautiful and already had kids for him. “I’m sorry I invaded your kids’ privacy. The little boy just needed help, and I thought it’d be wrong to ignore him.” Dipping my head, I left the room.
JARIS
I knew what would happen the moment I walked out on them. My mother was never one to let things go, especially not this. Although, for the first time, I wish she’d get off my back.
My beta-Kael-and head of security-Nerion- waited outside my room. I was trying to take off my accessories when she entered, her eyes anything but pleased.
“What’re you doing, Jaris? We’ve been waiting for over an hour.”
I know she was angry enough to want to yell, but my mother knew better than to yell at me. It wasn’t an action that was appreciated by me.
“I didn’t ask anyone to wait,” I answered without looking at her as I unstrapped my watch.
“Oh, come on! We’ve discussed this already. It is important you have a Luna at this time.”
“Well, pardon me, mother, if I’m not too eager to bond with someone I feel nothing for and never will.”
“And nobody’s asking you to feel anything for her. As a matter of fact, it’s only going to be for a year! Bennett’s daughter is only a necessity that you are well aware of. In a year, we’ll be through with her-that is, if she survives-and truthfully, you know I don’t care.
But you only have to put up with her for a year, Jaris. Hopefully, before then, we’d have found your mate, and she would become the true Luna of the people.” I did not miss the smile that crossed her face. “Everything would be perfect. Just do this, please. Besides, the elders are beginning to talk. We have to get them off our backs. It’s like killing two birds with one stone.”
“I’m tired, mother. Let’s save this riveting talk for later, when I can actually pretend to care,” I cut her off, honestly tired of hearing her say things I didn’t want to hear.
“Fine. I’ll go. But you need see her, at least,” she spoke the words like a bargain.
I knew my mother had a point. I urgently needed a Luna for two reasons, but the thought of being with someone I felt absolutely nothing for irritated me. I didn’t want to be with anyone.
“Let her go. I do not want to see her. Not now, at least.”
“Jaris…”
“I’m done with this conversation. And trust me, mother, my ability to stay polite is slipping fast.” My tone had no room for further argument, and my gaze when I looked at her was icy.
I couldn’t exactly be faulted. Growing up, I’ve always hated to be control. And when I finally became Alpha, it grew worse. I didn’t like anyone telling me what to do. I also didn’t like to be disobeyed. If it wasn’t for the fact that she was my mother, there would have been repercussions.
Finally, she did leave, giving me some space.
I finished undressing and changed into a simpler outfit for the night. I had a lot of work to do, but my mood had already been ruined. So, I simply took a seat on my study table.
Beside me, there was a safe. Inputting my passcode, I took out the photo. A certain calm enveloped me, but at the same time, I felt a sharp sting.
After five years, I couldn’t believe I was yet to get over her. Who was she and what did she do to make me so addicted? Why did she have to hurt me the way she did?
I traced my fingers along the outline of her face. It was a faint image of her leaving the hotel that morning. It wasn’t clear, but it was better than having nothing.
It was just an image, yet it meant the world to me. What ever happened to her? Was she dead? Because for five years, I’d been searching for her but to no avail.
If only my mother could understand that I felt nothing for Bennett’s daughter or my fated mate she’s been desperately searching for.
In our world, seeing your fated mate was rare. Most times, we had to choose a person we were attracted to. I’d found my fated mate nine years ago but lost her before we could even bond. And since then, mother had been keen on finding her. But I didn’t care even about her.
The only woman I cared about was the very one in my hand.
My princess.
She was the one I wanted to make my permanent Luna. Where did she go?
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