Chapter 19 His Inner Turmoil #2
I almost punched the wall, barely controlling myself as I grabbed the shampoo bottle instead.
Twenty minutes later, I stepped out of the shower, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around my waist as I returned to the bedroom after brushing my teeth.
I walked over to the curtains, shutting them completely before I grabbed some sweatpants and pulled them on, towelling my hair.
I tossed the towel to the ground and walked over to the bed.
Moving the duvet back, my eyes raked over her luscious curves that made my dick twitch.
Fuck, she was out cold, or as Raihana insisted- simply asleep, and I was still fucking unable to stop myself from checking her out.
I got into the bed, and, gently lifting her head, I slid my arm under it and tugged her close.
A soft sigh escaped her, and I smirked, pulling her against me. Her body moulded against mine perfectly as I kissed her neck softly. The smell of blood and smoke lingered, yet it was overpowered by her intoxicating scent. I squeezed her ass before hugging her tightly.
Wake up, Amore Mio…
I couldn’t sleep, my mind a storm of emotions and thoughts, wondering if there was any progress about the so-called Crimson King.
My only grasp on serenity was the woman in my arms. I wasn’t sure when sleep finally came over me, but the first rays of dawn had begun to seep through the crack in the curtain…
Kiara
“Kataleya!” I jolted upright, looking around in the darkness, panic and fear consuming me. Was she okay? Did she get out safely? Where-
Sparks tingled through me when an arm wrapped around me.
“She’s safe.” Alejandro’s soothing voice made my eyes shut in relief. “We’re back home, Amore Mio.”
I let out a shuddering breath of relief, slumping against his chest, my heart pounding rapidly as I clutched onto his arm. Thank the Goddess for that… I needed to see her. I looked around, wondering what time it was. It was still dark, which meant it was still the middle of the night.
Alejandro rubbed my back soothingly, and I turned in his hold, feeling so protected in his strong arms. I kissed his chest softly, my lips brushing one of his pierced nipples making his heart rate spike. I looked up at him.
“I’m glad you got there in time,” I whispered, gazing into his glowing red eyes. In the dark room, they were all I could see.
“You fucking scared me, Amore Mio,” his husky voice admitted.
“I know…” I reached up, cupping his face, the bristles of his stubble prickling my fingertips, a feeling I so loved… “I’m sorry,” I whispered, knowing I worried him.
“Yeah? Well, I’m not letting you off the hook so fucking quickly,” he replied huskily.
Then he was kissing me passionately, deeply, hungrily…
My entire body hummed at his touch, rivets of pleasure rushing straight to my core.
His firm yet soft lips dominated mine completely, his hand gripping the back of my neck as his heart thudded as one with mine.
I could barely breathe with the overwhelming emotions and love that I was feeling, his and mine intertwined as one.
He was here, Kataleya was safe, and we were together…
The moment he squeezed my ass, I broke away, gasping. As much as I wanted him, and that ache in my core was strong, I needed to see my babies first…
“I want to see the kids,” I whispered, cupping his face...
“Sure.” I knew he was smirking from the tone in his voice. I could smell my arousal clinging in the air. “Light,” he said clearly. The lights came on, and I looked into the handsome face of my king. I hugged him tightly, and he stood up, his hands cupping my thighs. “How do you feel?”
“Completely okay, just like I’ve had a good training session,” I replied, frowning as I tried to remember what had happened.
All I remembered was pain and fire… then the burning house…
Kataleya… I shook my head as he quietly opened the door.
“What time is it?” I asked, making him glance over at the clock.
“Near three in the morning.”
“I’ll be quick,” I whispered. He followed as I first went to the girl’s room.
“Scarlett’s with them.”
I nodded, slowly opening the door. Instantly I heard Mom wake up, her heart rate quickening.
“Kia?” She whispered.
“Mom.” She switched the lamp on, and I saw that Kataleya was sleeping in her arms whilst two heads of black hair were on the other bed. I smiled at Mom; she looked so relieved to see me awake. I quickly hurried over to her and hugged her tightly.
“Thank the Goddess,” her hushed voice whispered, kissing my cheek.
I moved back, looking at Kataleya. Clean, no bruises and seemingly at peace… I crouched down by the bed, running my hand through her hair and kissing her forehead softly. I closed my eyes as I rested my head against hers. She was safe. She was home… Goddess, thank you…
“How has she been?”
“She woke up crying a short while ago, so I brought her to my bed,” Mom replied, running her hand through my hair.
I looked into her soft sage green eyes, knowing she was doing her best to control her emotions.
Growing up, I often felt like Dad was too protective and, don’t get me wrong, he was very overbearing, but when I became a mother…
I realised why; the fear of losing a child or of them getting hurt was terrifying…
just the way Mom was relieved that I was okay. I totally understood that.
“I’m fine,” I said softly. She nodded, cupping my face, and I placed my hand over her pale one. “Thank you for letting me go. I know it was hard for you, too.” She didn’t reply, nodding. I knew she was trying to control her tears. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, baby,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around me once again as a very quiet shuddering sob escaped her.
I closed my eyes, my arms around my baby girl and my mother.
For a few moments, we remained like that until Mom moved back, wiping her tears.
“Goddess, Kia, I don’t cry,” she sniffed lightly.
“It’s okay to at times.” I smiled softly before kissing Kataleya gently. “I want to take her to my room.”
Mom nodded. I walked over to the other bed kissing Skyla and Azura tenderly.
Azura was a messy sleeper, just like Aunty Indigo.
Her arms and legs were sprawled all over the place.
I tucked her in slowly, careful not to disturb her, and caressed Skyla’s hair.
She wasn’t the type to speak up about things that troubled her.
I just hoped she’d be okay. We all would need time to heal from this. I stood up.
Baby, take Kataleya to our room? I mind-linked Alejandro, who was at the door. His sharp piercing eyes met mine, that sexy, arrogant pout on his face, and his clenched jaw only added to how handsome he looked. I knew he wanted me, but he was going to have to wait for tomorrow…
I made my way down the hall to Dante’s room whilst Alejandro took Kataleya to our room. I opened the door slowly, and, as expected, Dad was up in a flash, his eyes blazing in the dark.
“Kiara.”
“Dad,” I replied, walking over to him. I left the hallway door open to cast some light in the dark room. He hugged me tightly, and I smiled up at him.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m perfectly fine,” I answered, pulling away after a moment and going over to Dante. His aura filled the room. Seems like his necklace was removed. His eyes fluttered open, frowning as he looked around before realising it was me, and a small smile graced his lips.
“Mama.”
“Baby.” I pulled him into my arms, wishing I could do something about those veins that covered his body. We’ll find a way. He hugged me tightly before I moved back and cupped his face, planting a kiss on his forehead. “I missed you,” I whispered.
“Me too… I’m glad you woke up.” I nodded.
“Me too.”
I sat with him for a few moments, settling him back down and promising that we’d talk more in the morning before bidding both him and Dad goodnight.
I returned to our bedroom, where Kataleya was fast asleep in our bed.
The lights were on dimly, and Alejandro was standing near the window, which was slightly open, smoking a cigarette.
My eyes ran over his body, my heart skipping a beat when he glanced at me as I entered, closing the door quietly behind me. I walked over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist, very aware of his manhood against my stomach. Goddess…
“Did you see him?” He asked, his eyes hard and cold. I frowned.
“Yeah… I did…” I remembered asking to see the Crimson King… wasn’t I shown into an office? Then what? I placed a hand on my neck and shook my head. “I can’t remember,” I whispered. His frown deepened, his eyes flashing as he squeezed my ass.
“He probably made sure you didn’t remember… do you remember anything?” I pondered over what happened, but it was just… empty.
“I remember demanding to see him… then walking along the hall… and then I was in a fight…or something happened because I was hurt…”
I unwrapped my arms from around his waist, pushing my hair back as I turned away. Why the hell couldn’t I remember? It was frustrating. They must have done something.
“So, they’ve made sure you forgot everything that you saw or some shit like that. When I saw you, you were a fucking mess. They did a number on you and looked like they were going to fucking carve your head open.” His voice held venom, and I placed my hand on his bicep.
“I’m fine. Did you come inside, or did Kataleya go out?” I asked, glancing towards our angel, who was sleeping peacefully.
“I came in. She was trying to pull you out from under a beam.” His arms locked around me from behind, pushing my breasts up as he kissed my neck. I closed my eyes, leaning into him.
“Hmm… I’m glad you came.”
“Yeah? Care to explain why you didn’t leave it to me? You snuck out, Kiara, and it fucking worried me.” His voice was quiet, but I could sense his anger and irritation.
“I couldn’t just sit and do nothing, and you didn’t allow me to go. Look, Alejandro, she’s home, she’s safe. Let’s not think about it,” I pleaded, tilting my head back to look up at him.
“I saw you fucking near death, Amore Mio… I can’t just not think about that shit. We can’t just fucking pretend it never happened.”
He frowned, but I didn’t reply, not wanting to argue.
There was nothing I could do about it, and something told me this conversation wasn’t over.
I understood his concern, but he clearly didn’t want to see my point of view.
I knew we were going to have to talk about it, but not when Kataleya was around.
The last thing we needed was for her to see us argue.
Despite his anger, his arms remained around me tightly while he placed kisses along my neck, but I could sense his emotions…
“Let’s get to bed,” I said, softly pulling out of his arms.
I walked over to the bed and slipped between the sheets, pulling Kataleya onto my arm and holding her tightly. I felt the bed dip when he got in. His intoxicating scent made me feel safe, and when he pulled me against him, I closed my eyes, wishing that we managed to sort our issue out soon.
I love you, I murmured through the mind-link.
That shit ain’t ever-changing. I love you, too.
A small smile graced my lips before I fell asleep, once more holding my baby girl close.
I won’t ever let you go again…
Enrique
I stood silently before my father’s desk. My face was emotionless, my chin tilted up, and my shoulders back despite the pain that filled my body. He had summoned me, but I wasn’t sure why. It couldn’t be good; he was still angry at me for giving the chica food.
My punishment was carried out daily, and I wasn’t healing as well anymore. The lack of food and water was slowing me down, but I wouldn’t let it show. I was strong, an alpha who could handle anything.
I looked at Father’s back. He was standing behind his chair, taking something off the shelf. I could feel his anger, his irritation, and the darkness of his immense power surrounding him.
“Padre, you called for me?” I asked after a few minutes. Standing there was unbearable. Pain was spreading through my calves and back. Today’s punishment had been hard.
“How are you finding the new location, mijo?”
I looked around his office. The house was darker than the previous one. When we had gone earlier, all I could think about was if the chica got out…
“It’s good, Padre.”
“Is it? What of the other one that burned down to a crisp?” He spun around, his hatred burning in his eyes as he glared at me. I lowered my head.
“It was also befitting, Padre,” I replied, keeping my head bowed in respect.
“You know that girl would have died… but I heard that somehow… the door was unlocked. Do you know who unlocked the door?”
Danger.
His voice was so scary I couldn’t help but flinch. I saw the warning signs in his burning eyes as I stayed rooted in my spot. If I lied, I was dead. If I told the truth, then what would happen to me?
“Yes, Padre, I do,” I replied quietly.
“And who unlocked the door? Was it Ronaldo? Maybe I should kill him for disobeying me… I gave no order to anyone to unlock that door.” He dropped into his seat, and I could see the small, thin blade in his hand.
“No, Padre. It was me.” I swallowed, trying not to show how scared I was.
“Then do we kill you, Enrique?”
I struggled to voice my thoughts, feeling a strange emotion overcome me. It felt like there was something stuck in my throat, and I couldn’t speak.
“I…I’m sorry, Padre, she was only a chil-”
A menacing growl echoed around the room, and he lunged across the table, grabbing me by my neck.
“Who was meant to die!” He growled. “What magic has she done upon you that you have disobeyed me not once but twice?”
I couldn’t breathe. His grip around my neck was painful. He dragged me across the table, slamming me face forward onto it.
“Was this the hand that you used to free her?”
He grabbed my right hand, pinning it to the table as I gasped for air, relieved he had let go of my neck.
“Padre, please! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! She was only little- AHHH!” I screamed in agony and fear. The smell of blood filled the air as I stared in complete horror at my hand, or where my hand once used to be.
Father had cut it off completely.
“No, Padre!” A strangled sob left my lips as I begged him, but it was no use, as my entire hand went up in flames.
I stared at my bloody stump numb. My entire life flashed before me; I’d never be able to run in wolf form… I’d never be the best I could be…
“Reap the repercussion of your actions,” Father hissed before he walked out of the office, leaving me behind.
I couldn’t stop the tears. It was strange to cry. It hurt so much. It hurt physically, but it also hurt inside…
I stared at the ashy pile, all that was left of my hand as I fell to my knees, sobbing silently. I felt so… broken. Was this the price of kindness?