92. A Private Dinner
AURELIA
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Despite being back in the apartment, I still didn't feel at peace. Yes, I was happy to have my son with me, hale and healthy. It gladdens my heart to see Kyle and Katie playing together again.
I was happy my daughter didn't have to worry and my son didn't have to deal with trauma.
But a lot doesn't seem right.
There was a void in the depth of my soul.Content is property of NôvelDrama.Org.
"Are you yearning to kill Larisa?" Inara asked, trying to understand the void in our soul.
She could feel it as well.
"I do but that's not all. I have tons of questions, Inara." I responded, confusion oozing off my pores.
Fortunately, Hazel entered the bedroom, saving me from myself as she uttered, "So when do we start packing?"
"Packing?" I asked, blinking my confusion away.
"Packing to go home, Aurelia. We have to return, right?" Hazel clarified.
I nodded quickly, "Yes, of course. We are going home. Jessica needs to be buried properly and in her homeland."
Mentioning Jessica stirred buried emotions in both Hazel and me. I didn't miss how her eyes fell in an attempt to hide her sadness from me. Kyle and Katie have been asking about Jessica and I couldn't bring myself to tell them that she was gone.
I couldn't break their little fragile heart. After all, I knew too well how that felt. Nothing compares to the pain of losing one's loved one to death. "So when can we leave?" Hazel muttered, her voice dropping.
I didn't know how to answer that question. Left to me, I'd move out of the pack this instance but I wasn't certain Kyle was fit to travel that far, and selfishly, I still wanted to hear more of Iris's tale. If only I could get my hands on the journal she mentioned two days ago.
"Don't let that keep you here. You can get answers from Tristan. He'll willingly and happily help us out?" Inara's words were meant to help me clear my mind.
But I found myself feeling angry after she mentioned Tristan. "You mean the same man I've been trying to reach but to no avail? The same man I called for help about five days ago and still haven't heard a word from? He fucking ghosted me."
I was mad at Tristan for the first time since we met.
I felt abandoned by him and I hated the feeling that accompanied that.
"He must have a valid reason, Relia. Don't make assumptions." Inara defended Tristan in a way that made me speechless.
She should be on my side in this case. Why was she always so defensive when it came to Alpha Tristan?
"I'm not always defensive, Relia. I'm just being logical. Your mind is clouded by emotions and I-"
"My mind is clouded by emotions
you should be feeling as well. How buys could he have been? He could have picked up his cell phone and answered the damn calls. I'm going home to him but I'm angry and that's okay. Don't make me feel bad about my emotions." I snapped at Inara, transferring aggression to her.
She was unbelievable... Or perhaps I was overreacting.
I was just sick of her taking his side when she should be on my side.
"I'm always on your side-" Inara began to defend herself but I was too angry to listen to her.
I put a mental wall between us, keeping her out of my head. With Inara's voice gone, I finally noticed Hazel who was sitting quietly and expectantly in front of me. Heck, she'd think I zoned out again.
"I'm sorry, Hazel. I just have a lot on my mind-"
Hazel cut in, “I understand. Does it have anything to do with Alpha Raiden? Are you falling for him or do you wish to stay here with him?"
"Fuck no!" I countered without hesitation, cursing even though my kids could be within earshot. "I'm not falling for anyone."
"Not even Alpha Tristan?" Hazel asked, coming off a bit more inquisitive than usual.
I frowned as I tried to make sense of
her inquiries. Alpha Tristan is the man I'd be marrying when we get back home. I'm currently mad at him because he ghosted me but rest assured that we're going home." I answered, hoping that would be enough for Hazel.
Fortunately, Hazel nodded. "I guess I should start packing then." "Yes," I answered, ignoring the small twitch in my heart.
I wondered if Hazel could sense the unknown feeling but a knock from the door distracted us both. I quickly left Haze on the bed to answer the door. sighed before pulling it open and raised a brow when I saw a servant standing outside the bedroom.
“Good afternoon, Lady Aurelia.” She chimed.
Lady Aurelia? That was new but I didn't complain.
The servant continued after I responded to her greeting, "Lady Iris asked me to inform and invite you all to a private dinner that would be happening in the Alpha's mansion tonight."
Private dinner in that house?
Nah... I didn't want to be in that house again.
As if the servant could read my mind, she etched, "Lady Iris also said she'd be happy if you could accept the invitation."
Of course, she would. She didn't know how her son abused and traumatized me in that same house.
"What will it be, Lady Aurelia?" The servant asked for my response which she'd probably relay to Iris.
I guess I could let her enjoy some time with the twins and take the chance to ask her if I could go through her journal before we leave in a few days. I exhaled sharply but muttered, "We'll be there."
It's just dinner, right?
What could go wrong during a private dinner?
I returned to Hazel and the twins, broke the news to them, and started preparing to honor the invitation.