Chasing His Betrayed Luna by KiKi Jones

96. In Your Heart

AURELIA

| didn't let my gaze off my kids even though | could sense Raiden's men around the house. To me, his men were

useless and it has becclear tothat Larisa's parents' escape could only have been possible if someone

from the inside let them out. Exactly, there was someone on the inside pulling the string for Larisa and her

family.

Raiden must have realized this by now, | supposed... but he could only be too livid to use his senses and put two

and two together.

Tale of a proud and arrogant Alpha.

"I don't like this." Inara chimed into my mind. She was on high alert even though we were sitting in Raiden's

sitting room.

| responded, "I don't as well. | wish we could just have dinner and leave immediately or after | speak with Iris. |

hate being stuck within these walls." My eyes scanned the living room and | had to force myself to not think

about the past for the thousandth tthis night. That was what staying in Raiden's mansion did to me.

I hate it here.

"I know how you feel about this place and we can always leave for the apartment," Inara said to me, in an

attempt to helprelax.

| recalled Raiden asking everyone to stay put while he chased after Larisa's parents but | wasn't staying here

because of his words. | was still here because | was waiting for the right moment to approach Iris and lay out my

questions.

In fact, | was hoping Hazel or anyone else, aside from my kids, wouldn't be around to hear Iris and | talk.

Like a miracle, the opportunity was presented towhen Iris excused herself and walked towards the stairs. It

was difficult to seize the opportunity because | didn't want to leave the kids alone even if it was for a second.

But Inara muttered to me, "They'll be fine with Hazel and just like you said, I'm on high alert. Go find answers so

we can leave here."

| appreciated my wolf but with that out of the way, | began to worry about taking the stairs just like | saw Iris did.

| was worried | couldn't handle the surge of memories that would flood my mind as soon as | stepped toward the

first floor. Despite my struggles, | also excused myself but before | could reach the top of the stairs, | ran into

Nina, and the sgenuine smile that | saw on her face earlier reappeared.

"Luna Aurelia." She muttered emotionally.

"Don't callthat." | wanted to say or snap but | held my tongue in my cheek. The emotions in her eyes had me

swallowing my words.

Nina continued, tears rolling down her cheeks, "I've been meaning to talk to you. To express my gratitude but

thasn't permitted me. Thank you for making it possible forto see my daughter again and alive. You

saved my Maya-" Her voice broke as she broke into tears. My heart cried for her. | knew that feeling too well. |

had been in her shoes and I could tell that it wasn't a comfortable one.

| thought of saying something to ease the pain in Nina's heart despite the toxic history between us, but she also

began mumbling her apology. "I was so bad to you. | had no reason to be wicked yet | was and | made life even

more difficult for you-" "It's alright, Nina. It's all in the past and I'm happy your daughter has returned. No mother

deserves to feel the loss of a child."

Nina countered, "It's not alright,

Luna. Even before Maya was taken |

was a good person. | misused her powers. | didn't realize how bad | was until Larisa misused her powers,

kidnapped my daughter so she could haveunder hen control, and usedto subdue other servants in the

pack. She is a tyrant. She abused her power-"

"She abused you too and everyone she took." | was surprisingly calm as | said those words to one of the people

who made my teenage years a living hell.

"Just like | abused you when you

were working forand even after you becthe Luna. I'm not any different from Larisa." Nina shook her

head, her words sticking toas soon as they left her lips. She didn't bother to hide her tears fromas she

continued, "I don't deserve to be forgiven but I ask you to find a place in your heart, Luna.

Please."

| exhaled audibly, taking two steps closer to Nina. I held her shoulders gently and whispered to her, "You are

forgiven and you're a hero despite the odds. You once savedfrom two men." Nina chuckled amid tears,

causingto chuckle as well.

"Those pricks." Nina laughed, sniffling back tears. "Thank you for everything, Luna and I'm sorry | couldn't

protect your boy from Larisa even after she sentto threaten you the other day. | couldn't even protect my

own child." "Bygones are bygones. We can only move on with our lives now and try not to repeat the same

mistakes." | responded, squeezing Nina's hands.

My own words kept ringing in my ears even after | let Nina and continue my search for Iris. Bygone are

bygones... but that didn't apply to Raiden. His past actions were still fresh in my memory. Although I've tried, it's

hard to let go of those memories- "Looking for me?" Iris's voice distracted my thoughts. | blinked rapidly,

catching my breath as my eyes quickly racked the corridor.

Iris smiled, "Cwith me. | know you've questions and | might be able to provide answers."

"Well, that's good enough." | thought to myself and slipped into one of the rooms in Raiden's mansion, following

Iris.

She sat on the edge of the bed and

pointed at the couch closer to her. | relaxed my nerves as | sat down but Iris unnervedwhen she said, "Before

you ask your questions, I've one of my own, Aurelia." Iris didn't wait for my permission before she asked, "Care

to tellhow you ripped the silver-coated cells open with your bare hands?"

Instantly, cat got my tongue. This cat stole my tongue, in fact.