Chasing His Betrayed Luna by KiKi Jones

85. Damaged Heart

AURELIA

Sadly, | had to spend another night at the hospital but this time, with Katie. My daughter has refused to leave

Kyle's side even after Phoebe and the doctor taking care of Kyle had successfully put him to sleep.

Before Phoebe and the doctor left the room for us, | was told that Kyle was suffering due to the treatment he

received while in Larisa's captivity. That brought tears to my eyes and | could only imagine what staying in

Larisa's lair for almost two weeks would do to anyone... and Kyle was just a kid.

He was my sweet little boy.

"I'd kill that witch." Inara snarled within me, radiating with rage.

While | felt pity for my son since | was informed that he was being haunted by the dark memories Larisa

imprinted on his mind, Inara had been boiling with rage despite the fact that she was still weak from burning her

energy to find the invisible lair. "How do we help Kyle forget? | need him to be carefree and happy again, Ina." |

cried to my wolf, staring down at my kids.

Katie was holding Kyle tightly as they both escaped into dreamland. Gosh! | wondered what kind of dreams Kyle

was having at the moment. What if my son was still suffering even in his sleep?

"I don't know how but it's high twe speak to Tristan. He might be able to tell us something we don't know."

Inara retorted.

My fingers brushed Kyle's hair, detangling them as a wild thought popped into my head, "Something we don't

know? Like taking the bad memories off Kyle's mind? Can we achieve that?"

"I d-don't know, Relia and | won't want to give you the wrong impression," Inara responded, sounding unsure.

Although that was a slap on my cracked hope, | couldn't give up on Kyle. | made a mental note to ask Hazel to

bringthe cell phone Jessica passed tobefore- oh, will | ever get used to her being gone?

I shook my head, wiping off the stray tear on my face. Hazel had gone back to the apartment for the night and

she promised to return with breakfast in the morning. At the moment, | was alone in the room with the kids and

in the sbed.

My eyes shifted to Raiden's empty bed and a part ofwished he was still in his bed but | knew he was with

Iris. the last | heard, she was also admitted for care in the hospital and clearly, she needed her son by her side.

| have been taking care of the twins alone for almost six years of their lives, | can definitely survive another night

of many to come.

"You should rest as well, Relia. Finding the lair was no easy job and you're just as exhausted as | am. We did that

together." Inara kinda yawned through our bond.

As much as she was right, | muttered, "How can | sleep when Kyle can wake up any moment from now? I've to be

on watch."

Inara yawned again, "It's a good thing | sense Raiden coming towards the room then-"

"He wouldn't leave Iris just to chere." | snorted, knowing if | was in his shoe, I'd stay with my mom as well.

However, the door opened and Raiden's frslipped into the room, worry boldly written on his face. He

breathed as my wide eyes connected with his, "Hey. How are you holding up?"

| was speechless for a second or perhaps two. "Just fine," | muttered, holding back the urge to ask him why he

was here.

Rather than move to his bed, Raiden walked up towithout breaking eye contact. My breath hitched not

because of his undeniably fine features but because of the burning curiosity in me. What does he want from me

now? | got the answer to my question when Raiden went on his knees beside the bed, still holding my gaze.

"Thank you, Aurelia."

"F-for wh-what?" My mind went blank.

There was something in his eyes as he said those two words together with my name. Something | couldn't grasp

yet he maintained that look and his low tone as he answered, "For saving them.... For bringing them back to

me." And that was when | realized what was in his eyes. It was tears. Raiden had been trying to hold them back

but they betrayed him, rolled down his cheeks, and revealed his heart to me.

"I've always been a failure. A

disgrace for a son, a husband, a

mate, and a father. It's no longer surprising but | feel blessed to have | them back regardless of my

ooo

foolishness." Raiden couldn't stop his tears at this point. Each stroke

trickled down his chin as Stroke

he

murmured so as not to wake the kids. "My dad is dead but you still found him. | couldn't even do that when he

was alive and my mom-"

His voice broke and he sobbed quietly, causing my heartstrings to stretch in ways I didn't know my damaged

heart could handle.

I didn't know how to react or what to

say to him. I just watched him pour his heart out and cry without shielding himself from me. Raiden remained on

his knees for what seemed like forever and while he sobbed, | remained silent until

he

rose to his feet, cleaning his wet face.

"You must be tired after everything

you did today, Aurelia," Raiden

stated like he wasn't just crying a second ago. "You and Katie can have the other bed. It's bigger and I'll

stay with Kyle while you get some

rest.”

| was about to disagree but Raiden shook his head, "Please, Aurelia. Can we agree just this once and not argue?

You need the rest and rest you'll get."

"You won't get a wink of sleep though," | said as Raiden detangled the twins, carrying Katie to the bigger bed.

"I've slept enough these past few years." Raiden retorted, silently urgingto move to the other bed.

And | did just that after kissing Kyle's forehead. As | settled beside Katie, | found the strength to rub these words

in Raiden's face. "You did sleep through the years." His chuckle was the last sound that filled my ears before

fatigue claimed me.