The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon (Celine and Bastian) novel Chapter 180

Chapter 180

Valeria Duval

76

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Avalon is a safe place, and so far, my children and I have remained here, in Zamira and Killian’s castle. Everything would be easier if time passed at the same rate in Avalon and Lemuria, but it doesn’t. It has been exactly one month since my mates and their men took up their weapons and left to escort Celine to her kingdom. Since then, we have received only one fire message from Vladimir, assuring us that everyone was safe, that there had been no battles, and that they were helping rebuild the kingdom from the ruins. It has been one month in which my little ones have not stopped asking about their fathers, and in which I have needed to keep them close more than ever.

“Lady Valeria, when is my father coming to see me? I heard he was here last time, but I didn’t see him.”

Derek Dubois, the only son of the former Silver Order hunter, is now under our care, and although quite some time has passed, there is something about him that has not changed. I feel that he is still afraid of us, although that distrust almost completely disappears when he is with Darien. Right now, he remains standing in the doorway while I finish changing Jasper’s diaper. Once I am done, I carefully lay him down and turn my attention back to the boy.

“Soon, sweetheart. Your father came last time to bring us some important information.”

“And Mr. Darien?”

The blond-haired boy with sky-blue eyes remains still, his hands clasped together in front of him. I extend a hand toward him, inviting him to come closer, but Derek doesn’t take it.

“How long have you been living with us? You still don’t trust me?”

The boy slowly shakes his head. His gaze moves from me to my baby and then returns to mine.

“I’m not your son, ma’am. I’m only a hostage of your pack because of my father’s crimes when he was human.”

His words shake me completely. I straighten after settling Jasper in his crib and walk toward him. This time, I am the one who takes his hand and gently pulls him into the bedroom.

“Where did you get the idea that you’re a hostage, Derek? Haven’t we treated you well all this time?”

Derek nods at first, but immediately shakes his head when I point toward the armchair by the window for him to sit down.

“In my world, when a person is somewhere against their will, they become a hostage, a prisoner. That’s exactly what I am, ma’am. A human living among supernatural beings against my will. I should be in my world, with my father or my grandparents.”

Derek is almost twelve years old, and for his age, he is intelligent, well-mannered, and an excellent warrior. Darien has been responsible for training him while Stephan Dubois serves his sentence, and although at first I thought that training would only keep him occupied, I now understand that the boy has learned much more than I ever imagined.

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The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon

76

55 vouchers

“The human world isn’t safe. It hasn’t been for a long time, and I think you’ve seen that with your own eyes. Your father has a mission to complete, and while he is carrying it out, you have to stay with us. Do you understand?”

Derek lowers his gaze.

“They’re keeping me here because they’re afraid that when I grow up, I’ll become a hunter, right? That’s why they won’t let me leave and force me to stay here.”

“Your father asked us to take care of you while he handles his business outside. He can’t take you with him. You would be in constant danger.”

Derek turns his gaze toward the window. His small hands slowly clench into fists.

“One week every three months is not enough time, ma’am. I need my father, just like your children need theirs. My mother was murdered by strigoi, my uncle suffered the same fate, and my paternal grandparents are the only ones still alive in Rome.”

I feel something tighten in my chest. I know the boy is right about one thing: he has lost too much for someone his age. But I also know that sending him back to the human world is not as simple as he thinks.

“Your grandparents were hunters, Derek.” I try to reason with him. “They aren’t good people. What do you think Darien will do if he comes back and doesn’t find you here? And what about my son Edgard? We all care about you very much. You’re part of our family.”

Derek looks up at me.

“I’m not. I’m human, and I’m the only human here. Mr. Darien will understand.”

I remain silent for a few seconds. There is a sadness in his voice that I have never heard before.

“Do you really want to leave? What do you think your grandparents will do when they take you back? They’ll send you to a hunter academy.”

“I can refuse.” His answer is immediate. “I just need to be around normal people, humans, stupid kids my age. I feel like I’m suffocating here.”

The honesty in his words leaves me speechless. I look toward Jasper, sleeping peacefully in his crib, and then back at the boy standing in front of me. To me, Avalon is a refuge. To him, it seems to be a prison.

“When your father comes back, talk to him about it. I can’t make that decision, and you’re too young.”

Derek gets to his feet, visibly upset, and leaves the bedroom without saying anything else. I watch the door close behind him and remain motionless for a few seconds, trying to understand when we stopped being a home and became a cage in his eyes.

I had no idea he felt this way about us. The first few months were good. Derek adapted quite well, learned to live with everyone else, and even seemed to enjoy his new life. I never imagined that while we thought he was safe, he felt trapped.

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