Chasing His Betrayed Luna by KiKi Jones

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, |

wasn't scared of Raiden neither was | bothered about the killer glare that Larisa sent my way before Alpha

Tristan ledaway from the couple. However, | was scared I'd break down before them like | almost did earlier.

| felt weak. | felt trapped, in fact.

And it was all because of the traumatizing memories that had been flooding my brain ever since | stepped out of

the car. Inhaling the almost familiar air of the pack that broke me, hadgasping for my breath, and seeing

Raiden with Larisa remindedof the cruel things those two did to me.

My memories were fighting against the composure | 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 hadjumping back to reality. | took a few seconds to inspect my

appearance in the bathroom mirror, noticing that | 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 sconcern when | unlocked the door, letting her in. | tried to smile and

assure her. "Fatigue, Hazel. I've participated in more duels than ever this past few days and | have more to-"

"I understand but I'm still worried. You're suddenly so close off and anxious." Hazel looked atlike she could

tell that | had been lying to her since the very beginning of our friendship. "You know you can talk toright?

I'm here for you, Lia."

"I know, babe, and I'm grateful," | 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. | could tell that this building was built recently as | couldn't recall

its existence and the space seemed untouched by anyone.

Since the room was big enough, Hazel, the kids, and | decided to stay together. Thankfully, we could all fit in the

king-size bed.

| found Katie and Kyle snoring softly in bed when | 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. | felt a pinch of relief just by staring at them yet | 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...

| will never forget that name-

My quiet thoughts were cut off when a knock resounded from the bedroom door. Hazel and | were just about to

settle into the room but a feminine voice cafter the knock, announcing, "You've been invited to have dinner

with the Alpha in the pack's dining hall." By Alpha, | knew she was referring to Raiden and the pack's dining hall

was a big hall dedicated to feasting. At least that was how | remembered it.

"Thank you. We'll be there soon." Hazel answered.

The voice cagain, "I've been sent to help you get ready. If you'll letin and-"

"We'll get ready ourselves. Thank you." | 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 gavea suspicious look but | shrugged, "It's not like we're royalty. We can get ready for dinner

ourselves."

| 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 tto sleep. It broke my heart to interrupt their sleep but

| couldn't leave them alone in the room just to honor

Raiden's invitation to dinner.

"| hate that dress, Mom. I'd rather wear my leather pants." Katie complained about looking like a weak princess,

staring at the purple dress | 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.

| cautioned her attitude immediately, ignoring the fact that she calledmom 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 tand | handed the

kids to Hazel after Kyle making sure Kyle's

mask was in place.

| 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 ledto the front of the hall. | could feel eyes onas Raiden's pack

members began to murmur and in fact, sfrom 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 andto his table

where he was sitting with Larisa and a few other Alphas.

"He doesn't." | 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