7. Cracks in an Alpha’s Armor.

Aurelia’s POV

A sense of relief washed over me as Kael’s Cadillac drove out of sight. We were safe for now. I knew that Kael wasn’t going to stop. Now that he knew of Asher’s existence he was going to keep coming until he finally got what he wanted—him. My nightmare had come to life. And I was scared. Not just for me and my son, but for my pack as well. Kael could be ruthless when pushed over the edge.

Rune turned around and walked back into the house without saying a word. Today I’d seen a different side of him. And it made me wonder, how many sides of Rune has he hidden from me? He’d stepped in when Kael got closer and had called himself my fiancé. That had been the biggest surprise. He was ready to do anything to protect me.

I was too afraid to speak or stand up against Kael. I was a fool, an Alpha that still felt threatened by her past. I’d always said that the past wouldn’t affect me any longer, but it’d just been a facade and a stupid excuse to bury them deep instead of helping properly. And they were back like zombies to hunt me. I was terrified.

“I’m so sorry, mummy,” Asher said, letting go of me. “I didn’t mean any trouble.”

I wasn’t furious with him, but I was upset.

“It’s not your fault, my boy,” I said, going on one knee and holding his cheeks. “But you’re going to give me a good reason for skipping classes.”

“Uh….” he dragged before darting into the house. I chuckled and shook my head.

“Is my bath still hot?” I asked one of the maids.

“I will heat it again, my lady,” she replied with a bow before leaving. I sighed and walked into the house.

Thirty minutes later, I was out of the shower feeling fresh and relieved. And I was starving. Lunch was set for me, and I was headed towards the dining hall when I found Rune’s study open.

I peeked inside and found him staring at a book with a glass of liquor beside him. This surprised me. I never knew Rune as one to drink. With curiosity gnawing at me constantly, I opened the door and stepped into the room. The creaking of the door made him snap, and he hid the glass of liquor at the door of his desk.

“I didn’t know you drank,” I taunted, folding my arms as I stood at the center of his little study. The room was small, cramped with bookshelves eating up the space in the room. At the end of the room was his desk which was littered with books and a window behind it that flooded the room with the warm evening sun. The room smelled of fresh wood, dust, and old paper.

Rune was hunched over his desk, rubbing his chin as he stared at the book in his hand. He didn’t look excited to see me like he always did. Those icy blue eyes seemed to have lost their spark.

“I don’t,” he said, his voice icy.

I scoffed and walked towards the desk, the wood creaking beneath my feet.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“What are you talking about?” He asked without looking up at me.

I rolled my eyes.

“I know there’s something on your mind. Spill,” I ordered.

Rune was silent for a moment. But then, he sighed and dropped the book down, looking up at me. The evening sun made his eyes sparkle, but the exuberance in them was still lost.

“Kael Riverstone? Really?” He asked coldly. “You didn’t tell me he was the father of your child.

So that’s what this was about. I should have seen it coming. There were times I wanted to tell him, but felt like it wasn’t right. He’d looked after Asher like his own son and I was grateful for that. Maybe I shouldn’t hand-gatekeep the truth from him.

“I’m sorry, Rune. I wanted to tell you, but….” My voice trailed off before I could finish.

“You didn’t trust me,” he completed.

I gulped hard. There was no denying that. It was partially true. His icy blue eyes pierced through my soul as he gazed at me. It stung that I’d hurt him without knowing. He was pissed and had every right to be.

“So that’s it, Aurelia?” He asked. “You didn’t trust me. Even after I looked after Asher.”

My head was spinning and I clutched the desk for support. My chest knotted as the guilt weighed me down. He was right.

“Rune. Just hear me out,” I pleaded but he didn’t listen. Instead, he rose from his desk and headed towards the door.

“I’m not hungry for lunch or dinner,” he said with his back to me as he clutched the doorknob. “I’ll be back before it’s dark.”

“Rune…” I called but he was already gone.

***

Kael’s POV

“Daddy!” Eliana, my daughter yelled as she rushed towards me in excitement. I grabbed her, lifting her off her feet after hugging her.

“That’s my girl!” I teased as I held her too high in the air. She giggled as she touched my cheeks, her dark brown hair brushing my face as her movements became erratic.

“I thought you’d come home much sooner,” a voice said.

I looked up and found Liora standing before me with her arms folded. There was a smile on her face which complemented her dark brown hair which was pulled back neatly into a ponytail. It was already twilight when I returned and even though I was with my family, I couldn’t help but think of Asher and Aurelia.

“What’s wrong?” Liora asked stepping forward.

She’d spotted the hint in my eyes already. Liora wasn’t someone you could hide from easily. She was smarter than she looked which made her powerful as my Luna.

“Nothing. I’m just tired,” I replied letting go of Eliana. Eliana rushed to Liora who lifted her.

“Are you hungry?” Liora asked. “Dinner’s about to be served.”

My stomach grumbled and I smiled.

“Yes. But I’ll be there in a minute,” I assured her.

Liora nodded turning around with Liora.

“Alright. But don’t stay out too long,” she said.

I watched them as they walked through the hallway heading for the dining room. This was a little family I’d built for myself, but there was another one out there. And that one was more powerful, more vital to my plan. I needed them too.

It didn’t look right, but I didn’t have a choice. This didn’t feel right. It was Aurelia who was supposed to be here and not Liora. Liora at first was just a means to push Aurelia to do better. But my impatience had gotten the better of me and I drove her away.

My stomach churned as the guilt plagued me. There was a strange feeling that lingered inside me—it was regret.