Chasing His Betrayed Luna by KiKi Jones

59. Into My Arms

ALPHA RAIDEN

| saw Aurelia walking out of the apartment for the first tin days that night and I followed her, careful not to

spook her as she mindlessly navigated the forest. I've made it my duty to stand guard of the building for the past

few days even though | had men stationed around the building.

If Kyle was kidnapped under my nose and Katie bullied to near death, it was only right to strengthen the security

around the building. | have also begun to look into the kids that almost killed my daughter. I'd use them as

examples to others when | get to punish them. The search for Kyle had taken over my tbut finding the bullies

was also important. | need to make my pack a better and safer place for anyone to reside.

After watching Aurelia sit by the still water, moving her hands around and eventually burst into tears, |

apparached her. "You have a thing for crying in the middle of the forest at an ungodly hour, Aurelia," I announced

my presence.

Aurelia's eyes were swollen and she had huge dark bags under them.

The truth was she looked like shit-

"Have you taken a minute to look at yourself in the mirror?" Lex countered not to insultbut to make fun of

me.

My wolf and | had been on edge these past few days. | was sleep-deprived and starving as well. | tried eating a

couple of times but | couldn't bring myself to stomach anything. How could I?

"Do you have any news for me?" Aurelia asked expectantly.

Her swollen eyes looked like they were about to pop out which madecurse myself. How | wished | had Kyle

withright now. How | wished the boy had been found so she could be happy. Fuck, it's been three days and

my pack has been turned upside down... yet, Kyle has not been sighted.

| shook my head, avoiding Aurelia's gaze, "I'm sorry, Aurelia. | have failed you once again and-"

Her muffled sobs disrupt my words. Aurelia's body shook visibly despite the darkness around us as she cried

harder. | stood there for minutes as | didn't know what to do. | contemplated pulling her into my arms to console

her but | knew she wouldn't want that- "Are you sure about that?" Lex asked me, pointing out, "She needs to be

held right now, Raiden. No selfish intention just hold her. Be here for her. It's the least we can do."

With Lex's words ringing in my head, | close the distance between Aurelia and I. Carefully and slowly, | wrap my

arms around her, giving her enough tto pushaway if she wanted to but she didn't. Aurelia didn't resist

not even when | pulled her flush against my chest.

No selfish intention... just be here for her.

Lex's words resonated in my head while Aurelia sobbed into my chest. She cried her eyes out without minding

my presence. She also didn't react to my arm around her for the first three minutes.

Afterward, her arms slowly crept over my back, her sobs becoming louder.

"What do we do, Raiden? Kyle... My ba-baby-" She cried loudly.

As | didn't know what to say, | just nodded, patting her back gently.

After a while, Aurelia pulled back, breaking the hug. | immediately missed the feeling of having her in my arms

because as much as the hug was to offer Aurelia comfort, it also helpedrelax for the first day in many days.

"I'm not trying to talk down on your efforts but it's so strange that we haven't found him. He's in the pack. Why

can't we get to him?" Aurelia sniffled, shaking her head as she spoke.

I nodded, "I agree with you. This is a strange case and it makeswish my mom was around. She would be of

great help."

"How?" Aurelia asked, letting her guard down aroundfor the first time.

"Oddly, my mom used to have these unexplained powers. She once toldit has something to do with her

mom's lineage." | explained to Aurelia despite not knowing the full story myself. "Perhaps we can call her back to

the pack. I'm sure she will be willing to help if we tell her Kyle is her grandchild." Aurelia voiced hastily.

"I wish we could, Aurelia but my

parents cut ties withafter they found out that you left the pack and | held a mating ceremony for Larisa

Although the ceremony didn't go through because you rejected me

just in tto put an end to it,

my parents have refused to speak toever since. | don't know where they are."

"Oh..." That was all Aurelia said.

However, | perceived her shock briefly and it madewonder if she was stunned that | haven't officially mated

with Larisa or if her surprise was as a result of my parent's reaction to our separation.

| thought the conversation would end there but Aurelia chimed, "Is there anyone you suspect? Having a list of

suspects will help us track Kyle-"

"If you are askingto make a list of those that hate me, you'd be on that long list, Aurelia." I interrupted her

question with the best response | could give.

"But | won't kidnap my own son-" Aurelia rolled her eyes before she suddenly paused. Her face twisted into a

deep form as she asked, "How about Larisa? | know she doesn't hate you but she hatesand-"

"And you hate her too but trust me

when | say Larisa has been helpful during this search. Just like you, she hasn't been speaking to or seeingbut

she has been helping." Aurelia didn't hide her disbelief nor did she attempt to argue. | also didn't correct her

about how Larisa felt about me.

She settled on the grass, resting her back against a tree. To my surprise, she mumbled, "I'm sorry for hitting you

and-"

"You don't have to apologize." | countered and made gestures to the dark bruises on my face, mouthing, "This is

nothing compared to the pain and injury that I inflicted on your soul six years ago." "True." Aurelia chipped in.

A chuckle escaped my lips for the

first tin days and | sat on the grass with her, staring at nothing in particular. Although Aurelia was close to

me, I'd be a fool to think this moment changed how she felt about forgiving me.

Aurelia broke the silence when she announced, "Can you doa favor?"

"I'll do anything for you, Aurelia. Just nit." | answered, meaning every word.