Chasing His Betrayed Luna

ALPHA RAIDEN

I saw Aurelia walking out of the apartment for the first time in days that night and I followed her, careful not to spook her as she mindlessly navigated the forest. I've made it my duty to stand guard of the building for the past few days even though I had men stationed around the building.

If Kyle was kidnapped under my nose and Katie bullied to near death, it was only right to strengthen the security around the building. I have also begun to look into the kids that almost killed my daughter. I'd use them as examples to others when I get to punish them. The search for Kyle had taken over my time but finding the bullies was also important. I need to make my pack a better and safer place for anyone to reside.

After watching Aurelia sit by the still water, moving her hands around and eventually burst into tears, I apparached her. "You have a thing for crying in the middle of the forest at an ungodly hour, Aurelia," I announced my presence.

Aurelia's eyes were swollen and she had huge dark bags under them.

The truth was she looked like shit-

"Have you taken a minute to look at yourself in the mirror?" Lex countered not to insult me but to make fun of me.

My wolf and I had been on edge these past few days. I was sleep-deprived and starving as well. I tried eating a couple of times but I couldn't bring myself to stomach anything. How could I?

"Do you have any news for me?" Aurelia asked expectantly.

Her swollen eyes looked like they were about to pop out which made me curse myself. How I wished I had Kyle with me right now. How I wished the boy had been found so she could be happy. Fuck, it's been three days and my pack has been turned upside down... yet, Kyle has not been sighted.

I shook my head, avoiding Aurelia's gaze, "I'm sorry, Aurelia. I have failed you once again and-"

Her muffled sobs disrupt my words. Aurelia's body shook visibly despite the darkness around us as she cried harder. I stood there for minutes as I didn't know what to do. I contemplated pulling her into my arms to console her but I knew she wouldn't want that- "Are you sure about that?" Lex asked me, pointing out, "She needs to be held right now, Raiden. No selfish intention just hold her. Be here for her. It's the least we can do."

With Lex's words ringing in my head, I close the distance between Aurelia and I. Carefully and slowly, I wrap my arms around her, giving her enough time to push me away if she wanted to but she didn't. Aurelia didn't resist not even when I pulled her flush against my chest.

No selfish intention... just be here for her.

Lex's words resonated in my head while Aurelia sobbed into my chest. She cried her eyes out without minding my presence. She also didn't react to my arm around her for the first three minutes.

Afterward, her arms slowly crept over my back, her sobs becoming louder.

"What do we do, Raiden? Kyle... My ba-baby-" She cried loudly.

As I didn't know what to say, I just nodded, patting her back gently.

After a while, Aurelia pulled back, breaking the hug. I immediately missed the feeling of having her in my arms because as much as the hug was to offer Aurelia comfort, it also helped me relax for the first day in many days.

"I'm not trying to talk down on your efforts but it's so strange that we haven't found him. He's in the pack. Why can't we get to him?" Aurelia sniffled, shaking her head as she spoke.

I nodded, "I agree with you. This is a strange case and it makes me wish my mom was around. She would be of great help."

"How?" Aurelia asked, letting her guard down around me for the first time.

"Oddly, my mom used to have these unexplained powers. She once told me it has something to do with her mom's lineage." I explained to Aurelia despite not knowing the full story myself. "Perhaps we can call her back to the pack. I'm sure she will be willing to help if we tell her Kyle is her grandchild." Aurelia voiced hastily.

"I wish we could, Aurelia but my

parents cut ties with me after they found out that you left the pack and I held a mating ceremony for Larisa Although the ceremony didn't go through because you rejected meCcontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

just in time to put an end to it,

my parents have refused to speak to me ever since. I don't know where they are."

"Oh..." That was all Aurelia said.

However, I perceived her shock briefly and it made me wonder if she was stunned that I haven't officially mated with Larisa or if her surprise was as a result of my parent's reaction to our separation.

I thought the conversation would end there but Aurelia chimed, "Is there anyone you suspect? Having a list of suspects will help us track Kyle-"

"If you are asking me to make a list of those that hate me, you'd be on that long list, Aurelia." I interrupted her question with the best response I could give.

"But I won't kidnap my own son-" Aurelia rolled her eyes before she suddenly paused. Her face twisted into a deep form as she asked, "How about Larisa? I know she doesn't hate you but she hates me and-"

"And you hate her too but trust me

when I say Larisa has been helpful during this search. Just like you, she hasn't been speaking to or seeing me but she has been helping." Aurelia didn't hide her disbelief nor did she attempt to argue. I also didn't correct her about how Larisa felt about me.

She settled on the grass, resting her back against a tree. To my surprise, she mumbled, "I'm sorry for hitting you and-"

"You don't have to apologize." I countered and made gestures to the dark bruises on my face, mouthing, "This is nothing compared to the pain and injury that I inflicted on your soul six years ago." "True." Aurelia chipped in.

A chuckle escaped my lips for the

first time in days and I sat on the grass with her, staring at nothing in particular. Although Aurelia was close to me, I'd be a fool to think this moment changed how she felt about forgiving me.

Aurelia broke the silence when she announced, "Can you do me a favor?"

"I'll do anything for you, Aurelia. Just name it." I answered, meaning every word.