Chapter 44

44 His Hatred KIARA Leo’s eyes seemed to turn even colder as he glanced at the girl in his arms.

“Your daughter…” A dangerous smirk crossed his face, making my own heart race.

“Come here, si.” Rayhan came down the stairs, walking towards Leo, only for the younger man to step back and hold up a finger warningly.

“What’s the rush, scared I’ll hurt her? I guess she is in my hold…” “Leo.” Rayhan’s voice was menacing and cold, his eyes flashing green as he glared at his cousin in a clear warning.

What was wrong with them? The thick tension in the air was scaring me, what do I do?

Suddenly, Leo threw the girl in the air, making me gasp, although it was only a foot in the air it was obvious he was trying to rile Rayhan up. Rayhan lunged to catch her, but Leo pushed him back, catching the girl, who now burst into tears. It hadn’t been a high throw, but it was obvious she was terrified and that Leo was taunting Rayhan.

‘Alejandro! We need you at the mansion! Now!’ I called through the link, unsure what else to do.

“B*****d!” Rayhan hissed, grabbing his daughter from Leo’s arms and shoving the younger man back roughly. “This is not a f*****g joke!” ‘Coming.’ I was relieved Alejandro didn’t question me and was coming. I heard footsteps behind me only to see Liam, Kataleya and Skyla approaching. “Go inside, girls.” I commanded, wondering if I should take the crying child from Rayhan, as Leo laughed sadistically.

Both girls hesitated before Skyla nodded and pulled Kataleya away. “Don’t worry, unlike you, I don’t target the innocent.” Leo replied coldly, his laughter vanishing as he stared at Rayhan with pure hatred.

“Don’t ever f*****g think you can do that again. Touch my kids one more time and I will f*****g.” “And you will what? If you want to kill me, you need to do it now whilst I’m still wolf-less,’ cos once I shift…” He left his threat hanging, raising his arms as if inviting Rayhan to attack him.

Mustering my courage together, I hurried over, hoping Rayhan trusted me and took the crying child from his arms. To my surprise, he let her go and I stroked her hair backing away from the two men.

“There, there, princess, it’s going to be ok.” I whispered, hurrying back to where Liam stood with a face full of make-up as he watched the two men sharply.

Come to think of it, his eyes weren’t the shade I remembered, weren’t they meant to be cerulean blue?

Why were they that dark, magnetic blue? And that scar… “Just a fake, he isn’t the real Liam.’ A voice whispered in my head, making my heart thunder as I pushed the terrifying through away.” “Don’t try me Leo-” The front door slammed open. “What the f**k is going on?” Alejandro’s cold voice came, and I had never been more relieved to see him.

He stood at the front door, his large frame filling it with his Beta Darien just behind him.

“Nothing at all.” Leo smirked. “Either he leaves from here or I do. I’m not keeping my family here unless he’s f*****g gone.” Rayhan’s voice was calm, yet the anger in it sent a chill down my spine. “What’s this, making Alejandro choose between blood? Well, that’s not a hard choice, of course he’ll choose the son of the oh-so-perfect Rafael Rossi.” Leo taunted.

“What happened?” Alejandro repeated, his eyes simmering red, ignoring Leo’s remark. “Your favourite will fill you the f**k in, whilst I’ll make it easier for you and leave. You don’t need to pretend to care.” Leo replied, ignoring Alejandro. I rocked the girl in my arm, relieved she had calmed down, her tiny heartbeat still rapid.

“Leo.” Marcel’s voice came from behind Alejandro and Darien.

“Come Dad, grovel at their feet.” Leo shot back before pushing past Alejandro roughly. “I won’t be joining you.” I looked at Liam, who if the situation hadn’t been so dire would have made me giggle. He looked concerned and when I turned to Alejandro, I didn’t miss the look of pain and torment in his eyes.

The urge to go over to him almost took over, but what was I meant to say?

“How about we sit down and talk this s**t out?” He suggested now, turning to glance at his nephew, who was almost out the door.

“How about you deal with that?” Leo countered, cocking a brow towards the ceiling.

He turned, throwing something incredibly fast, aiming it at the lighting fixture on the ceiling. I saw the flash of silver and I quickly turned my back, my every instinct telling me to protect the child in my arm just as the entire thing came crashing down with a huge clang, the glass shattering. I felt a srge of aura surround me and looked up to see Liam had raised some sort of blue force-field, stopping any of the glass from touching me. Once again, that sliver of doubt flittered through ‘me. Was this Liam?

I looked around at the hall; the anger in Rayhan’s eyes, the way Alejandro was frowning, the look on Marcel’s face… The family had appeared so perfect… but it was clear it wasn’t…

Once again, the terrifying doubt that this was all an illusion overcame me, I didn’t realise I had stepped back until Alejandro called me. “Amore Mio, are you ok?” My eyes snapped up to him and I nodded. Just then, Rayhan came over, taking his daughter from me.

“Ray, a word?” Alejandro called after him as he made to go upstairs.

“Not right now.” Came his quiet yet dangerous reply. Alejandro ran his hand through his hair and looked at Liam, sighing in frustration.

“The f**k you meant to be?” He asked, and I wasn’t able to stop the giggle.

“Spiderman.” Liam replied with a small sheepish smile.

“You mean Glitterman or some s**t?” Alejandro raised an eyebrow, whilst Darien hid a smirk. 3 “Yeah, sky got a little carried away.” Liam bunched his shirt up and began wiping his face, flinching when he saw the purple and pink make-up transferred onto it. Oh, if only he saw the nail polish… Some was in his eyebrows too…

Alejandro shook his head, “I will never get how the f**k you let these girls walk all over you.”

“I think you do too…” Darien remarked, earning a glare from Alejandro, who now turned to Marcel.

“Don’t let it bother you, they’re just kids, they’ll argue and s**t all the time. Come on, I’ll get Claire to bring us something to drink.” He said, slapping his brother’s shoulder. “It’s not a light matter, Alejandro. He must have done something to trigger Rayhan like that.” Marcel mused gravely. “Yeah…” Alejandro agreed. All eyes turned on me, and I felt a rush of nervousness as Alejandro approached me, reminding me of a predator advancing on his prey… “Care to share what exactly went down, Amore Mio?” I looked at the other three men, Liam gave me a small encouraging smile. Pushing that niggling doubt regarding him away, I turned to Aleajndro, taking a deep breath, ready to tell them what had happened..

—–

It was later in the day, I finally managed to get a moment alone and I was planning on speaking to Enrique as I had promised Kataleya. Alejandro’s mood had darkened when he learned that Leo had taunted Rayhan by throwing his daughter up in the air, even though it was clear he had no intention of harming her, yet he had scared her and succeeded in riling Rayhan up.

Marcel had been apologetic, but Alejandro had told him not to blame himself, Maria had tried to smooth things over. I felt dreadful for saying what happened in front of him, I didn’t know he’d feel so guilty.

Rayhan had avoided everyone, his mother said to give him some space.

My own doubt had eased, I could sense when someone lied and I had to remember Alejandro had not lied to me, not once had he hid anything from me or had I sensed him lying. I decided I would tell him about the voice I had heard in my head later. I knocked on the door to Enrique’s bedroom before opening the door and stepping inside. The boy was standing by the window, his arms behind his back, head straight up and shoulders squared. My heart ached for him. When his hazel eyes met mine, all I could see was a child who had suffered so much.

“Hey.” I said, smiling softly as I entered, leaving the door slightly ajar. “Can I help you, Queen Luna?” He asked, his voice sounding dead. Must he leave? Couldn’t I keep him and take care of him? He needed to be loved and nurtured…

I smiled, not wanting him to notice how I was feeling, knowing he hated pity.

“I have actually come with a request today.” I explained gently, taking a seat at the edge of the bed.

He waited for me to speak, I looked up at him. “It’s about Kataleya.” Instantly a frown flashed on his face.

“What now?”

“Before you leave, will you talk to her?”

His anger seemed to rise and he turned away from me, his heart beating fast as he glared out of the window.

“No. I never want to see her or speak to her ever again.”

“Please? Enrique, she really just wants to speak to you, just once?” I pleaded. “Will you force me to speak to her?” He asked icily.

I shook my head., “No, but I’m begging you, as a mother. Please, just speak to her once. You won’t see each other again.

Do you think you could find it inside of you to fulfil her one wish?” I whispered, joining my hands together in front of me, a sudden overwhelming sense of Deja Vu filled me and I brushed it away. 11 “I hate her.” He hissed. “If she comes before me, I won’t be nice to her, so it’s your choice.” I felt a sharp pang of pain, but I nodded, I couldn’t force him to. “Ok… Could you at least be patient with her?” I asked gently. “I can’t promise anything. The Chica should realise we are not friends. I don’t even want to see her. She’s just a useless Chica, one who annoys me!” ‘Luna, princess Kataleya, is outside.’ My heart thudded as I closed my eyes. I hadn’t sensed her… ‘Ok…’

LE ATTUTELLA, MUTTA THE “Ok, I will let her make the decision.” I replied defeated, standing up. “Thank you.” I left the room, shutting the door after me just in time to see her little head of sandy brown hair vanish around the corner.

I closed my eyes, leaning against the wall, not even noticing the guards who stood there. The only thought in my head was that she had heard his every word… Knowing that it only broke her pure little heart a little more…

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