Chasing His Betrayed Luna by KiKi Jones

structure. It was never here."

It was clear tothat Andrew was still trying to wrap his mind around the very existence of this place and he

further confirmed it when he said, "What the hell is this place?"

Iris's weak voice broke out, beatingto respond, "A dark place Larisa created to keep innocent people... just to

use them as leverage."

Andrew's brows furrowed and he stepped closer, tilting his head to the side to have a better view of the people

behind me. He gasped audibly, "I-iris?" That was more of a question than a statement.

"In the flesh. Wrinkled and smelly but still me, Drew." Iris answered with familiarity and fondness.

"How is this possible? You left the pack and cut any means of communication-" Andrew began.

But Iris shook her head and corrected, "Larisa cut any means of communication, Drew and Ronald and | never

made it out of the pack. We fell into Larisa's trap and she has been keeping us here for the past-" Iris's voice

broke and she seemed to be lost in thought. "She lost track of time, Relia." Inara chimed within me.

Iris didn't get to complete her statement as Andrew crouched before her and pulled her into his arms, saying,

"Goddess, I've missed you. We all have."

"I would say the same, child, but anyone would miss the outside world if they have been stuck here for years,"

Iris answered but she hugged Andrew back.

While the duo had a moment, the others appeared scared and impatient. If | was in their shoes, I'd want to

escape this place as soon as possible. Realizing this, | voiced to Andrew, "We need more hands to get everyone

out of here and return them to their families."

"The warriors are on their way, Aurelia," Andrew responded, breaking away from Iris's arms with tears in his

eyes. It'd be inhuman not to feel sad after discovering a place as soulless as this. "Thank you. We can't thank

you enough, Aurelia."

"I was chasing after my own-" | was about to tell Andrew about my desire to peel Larisa's skin off her body but I

changed my mind as this wasn't the place. "Let's just get out of here."

Andrew nodded and he took his gaze off me, walking to the cells. He stretched out his fingers to access the

metals before | could warn him about the silver. "Ouch." He hissed. His head snapped toand he blurted,

"How did you get them out of the cell? It's laced with silver-"

"I know Andrew and that is why we need more hands. | believe more people need to be let out and Iris

mentioned that Ronald is here." | quickly babbled to divert Andrew's attention. Fortunately, my efforts paid off.

Andrew forgot about the cell as he remembered that Ronald was indeed mentioned by Iris. He exclaimed, "Oh,

Ronald..."

On clue, five warriors made their

way to the basement of Larisa's lair, holding tools like chainsaws and blankets for the people. More people were

let out and the total number overwhelmed me. | couldn't believe Larisa would go to these lengths just to enact

control.

Iris offered to be the last person to leave even though the warriors wanted her to be the first. She sat quietly on

the floor beside my legs and | pondered on the thoughts that were zapping through her mind. "There's no one

here but there are rotting pieces of flesh and bones." A warrior announced from down the corridor.

"Ronald." Iris's muffled cry caused my chest to tighten and seeing her struggle to get to her mate's remains was

torture.

"Hey hey." | tried to calm her. "Stay put. He'll be brought to you."

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she blinked. | was curious about the rest of the cells because I'd been asking

myself if Kyle was also kept here but | sacrificed my needs to stay with Iris while Andrew oversaw the extraction

of Ronald's remains. "Please take Iris out, Aurelia. This is not a good sight." Andrew pleaded.

Iris didn't bother to resist as | carried

her on my back and took the stairs back to the ground level. Upon exiting Larisa's liar, | was met with a large

crowd. | saw people crying and hugging. | saw broken family members struggling to get in the arms of those who

had been left behind and tortured by their absence.

"Andrew must have asked their families to cfor them," Inara mumbled into my head, each word carved out

of pure emotions.

"What the pack has becafter you left." Iris whimpered, resting her head on my upper back.

I held back my tongue as these words threatened to roll off it, "It was like this seven when | was the

unrecognized Luna. Worse now but started way back."

Iris didn't need to hear those words fromnot when she just escaped a dark hole. | didn't fail to notice how

she closed her eyes and let the sun hit her face or even how she inhaled fresh sweet air deeply.

Iris remained on my back even after Andrew and the men cout of the lair. Andrew explained the situation to

Iris, telling her that she would see Ronald's remains after they had been cremated. Iris agreed but | still felt her

tears soaking my blouse. "Thank you." Iris sniffled.

Andrew nodded before he faced me, "Ah! | forgot to mention. Alpha Raiden asked you to return to the hospital.

Something about Kyle breaking down."

"Kyle..." I suddenly felt guilty for leaving my son's side just to chase after revenge but on another thought, | was

grateful. If I hadn't left the hospital, | wouldn't have found all these people.

Families were complete because of

that decision and | was certain

Larisa would be losing her shits wherever she was hiding herself, the news get to her. A small smile gracedr my

lips despite my worries about my son's well-being as | raced back to the hospital with fris on my back.