23. A Weak Princess
AURELIA
I dunked my face in a bowl of water, hoping to kill the anxiety that had settled in the center of my mind. No, I wasn't scared of Raiden neither was I bothered about the killer glare that Larisa sent my way before Alpha Tristan led me away from the couple. However, I was scared I'd break down before them like I almost did earlier.
I felt weak. I felt trapped, in fact.
And it was all because of the traumatizing memories that had been flooding my brain ever since I stepped out of the car. Inhaling the almost familiar air of the pack that broke me, had me gasping for my breath, and seeing Raiden with Larisa reminded me of the cruel things those two did to me.
My memories were fighting against the composure I was dying to keep up because I'd rather die than break before any member of this pack.
A sharp knock on the restroom door had me jumping back to reality. I took a few seconds to inspect my appearance in the bathroom mirror, noticing that I was as pale as a ghost. Perhaps Larisa was right to look at me like I was one.
"Are you alright in there, Lia? You've been off these past few days." Hazel's concerned voice slipped through the locked door.
Lo and behold, her face expressed the same concern when I unlocked the door, letting her in. I tried to smile and assure her. "Fatigue, Hazel. I've participated in more duels than ever this past few days and I have more to-"
"I understand but I'm still worried. You're suddenly so close off and anxious." Hazel looked at me like she could tell that I had been lying to her since the very beginning of our friendship. "You know you can talk to me right? I'm here for you, Lia."
"I know, babe, and I'm grateful," I uttered, pulling my friend into a genuine hug.
Hazel patted my back and we both walked back into the spacious and obviously luxurious room that we would be staying in as long as we were in Raiden's pack. I could tell that this building was built recently as I couldn't recall its existence and the space seemed untouched by anyone.All content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.
Since the room was big enough, Hazel, the kids, and I decided to stay together. Thankfully, we could all fit in the king-size bed.
I found Katie and Kyle snoring softly in bed when I entered the room. They looked so adorable as they slept, somehow staying connected to each other even though they were deeply asleep. Kyle's hand was on Katie's shoulder while Katie's foot rested on Kyle's lap. I felt a pinch of relief just by staring at them yet I was worried Raiden would find out about them.
"He wouldn't. You made sure of that when you killed that stinky assassin he sent. She was the only one who saw you pregnant and even if he finds out, he has no right over them. They're ours." Inara chided confidently, with a deadly tone that sent shivers down my spine. June...
I will never forget that name-
My quiet thoughts were cut off when a knock resounded from the bedroom door. Hazel and I were just about to settle into the room but a feminine voice came after the knock, announcing, "You've been invited to have dinner with the Alpha in the pack's dining hall." By Alpha, I knew she was referring to Raiden and the pack's dining hall was a big hall dedicated to feasting. At least that was how I remembered it.
"Thank you. We'll be there soon." Hazel answered.
The voice came again, "I've been sent to help you get ready. If you'll let me in and-"
"We'll get ready ourselves. Thank you." I didn't hesitate to say that to the person on the other side of the door. She has to be one of Raiden's servants and there was no way in hell anyone would be seeing my kids at their most vulnerable.
Hazel gave me a suspicious look but I shrugged, "It's not like we're royalty. We can get ready for dinner ourselves."
I heard the receding steps of the maid before relaxed. Hazel didn't question my obvious paranoia and we both took turns in the bathroom while giving the kids more time to sleep. It broke my heart to interrupt their sleep but I couldn't leave them alone in the room just to honor
Raiden's invitation to dinner.
"I hate that dress, Mom. I'd rather wear my leather pants." Katie complained about looking like a weak princess, staring at the purple dress I picked for her with disdain in her blue eyes.
"I think princesses are awesome, Katie. You'd make a fine one if only you stop acting like a boy." Kyle muttered to his sister as Hazel dressed him up.
"Nunya." Katie retorted.
I cautioned her attitude immediately, ignoring the fact that she called me mom because we were alone in the room, "Don't be mean to your brother, Katie. You can wear whatever you want to dinner but not this attitude, young Lady."
Katie's lips quivered but she
apologized to Kyle who did the
same. They usually have their cute
fights but was used to that. Together we all head to the living room where Alpha Tristan, Beta Louis, and Jessica are waiting and we leave the building together. We made it to the pack's dining hall in no time and I handed the kids to Hazel after Kyle making sure Kyle's
mask was in place.
I thought I'd be sitting with the warriors from Black Fur but Alpha Tristan grabbed my arm tenderly, saying, "Sit with me, Lia."
He gave no room for argument as he led me to the front of the hall. I could feel eyes on me as Raiden's pack members began to murmur and in fact, some from other packs joined them because Alpha Tristan had never been seen with any woman in public. But why me?
"He wants you," Inara answered my unspoken question just as Raiden waved Alpha Tristan and me to his table where he was sitting with Larisa and a few other Alphas.
"He doesn't." I denied my wolf's statement.
But Alpha Tristan pulled out a chair for me, causing my heart to skip two beats. He was being unusually nice to me yet I didn't have the guts to question in. I sat down quietly and he took the seat beside me.
Raiden clicked his cutlery against
the glass of wine he was holding and the servants strolled into the hall with trays. The palatable smel of dinner almost calmed my nerves but Isoon found myself screaming in pain the second a certain head of servants claimed a spot beside me.
Nina...
I met her gaze but my eyes soon rolled to the back of my skull, pain taking over my senses.