Chapter 44- Arabella

“Daddy.” I barged into the meeting house whining.

"What? What's wrong? Are you hurt?” Dad asked as I jumped in his lap.

My stomach chose the exact time to make its discomfort known. Ben snickered and Dad chuckled. I

could feel my cheeks heating up.

"Are you hungry princess?” he asked softly.

I nodded puffing my cheeks. I haven't had any food today. It's not my fault that my stomach is

being so vocal about it.

“Let's get you home then.”

“What about Ethan?”

“Ben will stay with him.”

“Go home sis or your stomach will end up eating you.” Ben joked. “We will be home soon.

Like he has a right to laugh. He had already devoured everything we brought earlier.

“Uncle Ryder took mom home. She was feeling weak.” I told dad.

"What? Is she alright?”

Dad looked like he was about to start panicking.

“Yup. She is just tired from all this. She said she wants to rest. We will have to cook today dad.”

He looked more horrified at the idea of cooking than he looked relieved from hearing that mom

was okay. Then his face lit up.

“Nahh. Cassidy will cook for us.” He said grinning.

“When did she arrive?” I asked.

"Yesterday. When you were fast asleep. Grayson is also with her and ..."” He hesitated. I looked at him

with eyes. Is uncle Austin here too? I haven't seen Zahra for months. “The Knights came with her.” I

gasped in shock. Ben growled lightly behind me. “Alexander is with them.”

Dad looked down, avoiding my eyes. He looked downcast.

It doesn't matter if he or they all came back now. This is my family now and I am not going

anywhere.

“The house must be full then.” I said hugging him close.

“Aria...um... your father is back.” He said hesitating on the last part.

“Where did you went to come back dad?” I asked looking at dad pointedly. He just pulled me into a

hug. “l am not going anywhere dad... um... unless you want me to.”

“Don’t go anywhere then. I was already getting antsy thinking about you going to college and now

Alex came back. The demons are going to attack us soon. This is just too overwhelming. I don't

want to lose any of you.”

“Dad...” Ben started but we were interrupted by a scowling figure standing in the hallway.

"Who is going to college? Who is Alex? Is he your boyfriend?” Zeno growled out.

"What if he is? It's none of your business. Don't poke your nose where doesn't belong.” I snapped

ignoring his first question.

Dad groaned, massaging his temple.

"How the heck is it not my business? You are my mate and you are not supposed to be with

someone else. Break up with him right this instant.” Zeno said growling lowly.

Ben was dying with laughter behind me as I looked at Zeno with a blank face.

"Are you done?” Zeno looked at me confused. “Well I am going home. I don't think I am obliged to

listen to you rant about your supposed claim which isn't actually true.” I hoped off of Dad's lap and

turned towards Ben who looked red faced from all the laughing. “Come home soon Ben and look

after Ethan. He was a little out of it before shifting.”

Ben nodded biting his lip but he still burst into fits of laughter looking at where Zeno stood. I turned

to look at what Ben was laughing so much at to find a very upset Zeno frozen in his place. He

looked downright hurt.

What did he thought I would do? Run into his arms and kiss his boo boos. Ha! Like I would. I don't

forgive that easily. He made a mistake, might as well own it and apologize. That doesn't seem to be

Zeno's forte though. Well I think I will be alone forever then.

Zeno gaped at me, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. He didn’t seem to believe what was

happening or rather what I said.

“Come on dad. Mom must be waiting for us back home.” I said turning towards the door.

I was almost out of the door when a palm closed around my hand and I felt sparks where our skin

touched. I heard two very angry growls but Zeno didn't let go.

"Wait. Can we talk please?” He more like begged.

A pleading Zeno. Well this is new. What does he want anyways? He must be wanting to make it

clear about not wanting to be together. Oh well, let's get this over with then. Sooner the better. I

will be able to move on easily like this. Only if Ajax was here. I wouldn't even have had to think

about moving on over my mate.

“Sure.” I replied trying to get my hand out of his grip but he laced our fingers together, grinning at

me.

He looked utterly gorgeous. I mean handsome.

Huh! Wait a minute. No! He is none of that. He is a bad person. This stupid bond is just messing

with my head. This wasn't making it any better.

Uhhhh! I got to get everything under control. I can't go swooning over someone who is clearly

going to hurt me every opportunity he gets.

I squared my shoulders and gave my hand one more unsuccessful tug as Zeno marched to the trail

with me in tow.

“I will be back soon.” I shouted over my shoulder to my utterly angry father and equally mad

brother.

I am glad they didn't interfere. I have a really bad feeling about this though.