Alpha’s Rue: His Shunned Luna (Athena Enchanted) novel Chapter 354

AELIANA

I spent all of yesterday wallowing in guilt and sobbing all night. Kingston didn't come home last night, and Noah and Danielle felt obligated to babysit me, so I went to bed early. However, I couldn’t sleep because I kept hearing Seraphine’s screams. I had to fake being asleep when Noah came to check on me, and that was my night.

I kept waiting for Kingston to come home, but he didn’t come, only Maddox and Rowan came home, and both arrived at different times. Both times I hopped Kingston was home too, but he didn't show up. Not until this morning when I’d finally started to go to sleep. He crawled into bed with me, and I just lay there, he seemed very tired, so we didn’t speak much.

When I woke up again, he was gone, and now, as I finish getting ready, he appears again, shirtless and in his shorts. “Sleep well?”

“Yeah,” I nod. “Where were you?”

“Downstairs,” he quietly says. “I had a few things to take care of, but I’m all yours now.”

“How is Seraphine doing?” I swallow, “I couldn’t ask the others because it was late.”

“She’ll live,” he smirks.

“And her baby?” I bite out, the words wrong and heavy. My heart sinks when Kingston doesn’t respond, I was hoping she would be alright. I said some hurtful things, but I didn’t want her to lose her baby, I just wanted no part in anything to do with them both.

“She’ll be okay,” he says, watching me. “Don’t beat yourself up, I know this must be hard for you as well, but–”

“I didn’t do it,” I blurt out. I’ve replayed that scene a hundred times in my head since yesterday, and each time it gets clearer. I didn’t push Seraphine enough for her to fall, it was her hand that I shoved away, not her.

Kingston nods, “I believe you.” He says, but the way he is looking at me contradicts his statement.

“I did not, I just...” I sigh. “She was trying to make me feel her baby, and I said no, but she wasn’t listening, so I pulled my arm away and shoved her lightly.”

“You pushed her,” he lowly grumbles.

I shake my head, regardless of who it was up there, I’d never push anyone, pregnant or not. It was purely an accident, one that we could have avoided had Seraphine left my house or kept her distance from me when I asked her to.

“You said you hated her?” He frowns.

“I was annoyed.” I huff, “Why are you interrogating me?!”

“I’m sorry,” he sighs, dropping his face in his hands. “This is a very big mess, Siren. Seraphine will be in the hospital for days, not only did she miscarry, but she also sustained a few injuries.”

“I swear I didn’t want to push her, I didn’t do it.”

He nods.

“Kingston!”

“I’m thinking,” he groans. “Of course, I believe you, I just need to—” his gaze lifts. “I’m thinking, Ellie.”

“I’m going to see Seraphine, and King suggested I take her.”

“Oh,” he nods. “You should take Danielle instead. Noah didn’t sleep all night, I think she’ll be out for a while.”

“Is she okay?” I frown. It’s very unlike her to be asleep at this time of day. Noah could easily function on two hours of sleep and still be the most energetic in the room.

“She is,” he quietly says. “But can we talk?” He asks, closing the door behind him. “I know it’s not the best time, but...”

“What?” I blink, trying to read his expression. “You’re scaring me.”

He hesitates for a moment, his lips parting and closing a few times before he actually lets the words out. “I think I’m in love with her.”

I gasp, slapping a hand over my mouth. “Rowan.” I choke out, waiting for him to say it's a joke, but he doesn’t. I wonder when their affair got so serious, but it feels heavy, the words are too much to stomach, and yet he stares at me like it’s something that I should have already moved past.

“I know you’re going through some shit right now, but I need someone to talk to,” he says, his voice low and nervous. “Not someone really, just you.”

“Me?” My eyes widen.

“Yeah,” he says with a gentle nod. “You’re the only one who can help me.”

“How can I help you?” I almost yell, my tone scolding. “It seems like you’ve touched something you shouldn’t have, Rowan. You’re married, you have a mate,” I remind him. “How on earth do you go falling for someone else? I mean is that even possible?”