The Lycan Princess and the Temptation of Sin novel Chapter 29

KIARA.

My lips quiver as Alejandro pulls me into his arms. His intoxicating scent and his warmth are the greatest comfort for me, but it doesn’t take away the pain that has settled into my heart. When your child is suffering…

‘We’re here for her.’ He says through the link.

I’ve failed as a mother. I’m trying not to let my pain show as I gaze at the door to her bedroom.

My Angel…

The smell of breakfast that I’m almost done cooking fills the cottage, and despite the pleasant warmth of the morning ray of sunshine that makes the small hallway glow, I’m struggling to remain strong.

Last night replays in my mind and I close my eyes, taking a choked breath. It’s hard…

(FLASHBACK – LAST NIGHT)

“Hello?” I answer Alejandro’s incoming call, licking my finger clean of the brownie batter.

It’s extremely late. He must have just finished off with work. Kataleya had sent pictures of their meal earlier. I’m glad they had some time together.

“You need to get to Sky’s cottage as soon as you can, I’ll send you the address.” His voice is thick with emotions and my heart clamours as I almost drop the brownie tray.

“What happened?” I ask, turning around. I switch the cooker off, hurrying from the room.

‘Serena! Can you come over and watch Alessandra? I need to head out somewhere.’ I call through the link as I quickly rush from the kitchen.

‘Coming, is everything ok?’ Serena’s voice comes.

‘Finding out.’ I reply quickly, grateful for her fast response.

“What happened?” I ask Alejandro, trying to calm my racing heart, a million thoughts rushing through my head.

“You don’t need to get anyone to teleport or anything… but as soon as you can, drive down. I’ll explain when you get here…”

I close my eyes, his words relaxing me a little. Even if it’s not an instant emergency, something has still happened.

“I’ll be there soon.” I murmur before filling Serena in.

‘Darien is sending you two guards. Grab your stuff Kiara, the car will be ready.’ Serena replies.

‘Thanks, hun.’

-

Two hours later, the guards park up alongside Alejandro’s car, and I rush out before the car even comes to a stop, shutting the door behind me. Before I even reach the door, Alejandro opens it. My heart’s racing as I scan the cottage, about to rush past him, but he grabs hold of me.

“What is it?” I ask, as he pulls me against him and wraps his muscular arms around me.

“Calm down.” He says quietly, burying his nose in my hair.

“I can’t, please tell me…” I whisper, trying to control my worry, but I trail off, realising he needs this.

I hug him tightly, despite my thumping heart. Did they argue? Did things get really bad? Did she say something that hurt him?

He shuts the front door, and I see he’s mind linked the guards who drive off. Once the doors shut, he loosens his hold a little.

“What happened?” I press, pulling away slowly so I can look up at him before I look around. I need to see her. “Skyla?”

“She’s asleep.” His voice is strained as he closes his eyes. “She’s been using a concoction of poisons to control her Lycan.”

I freeze, my heart thudding as I feel a heavy pressure settle on me, my head snapping back to him.

No, that can’t be true…

I open my mouth, but I’m unable to speak.

His eyes are glinting, heavy with emotions as he tries to stay strong, but I know this is hurting him as much as me, if not more. He’s been there…

He’s done this to himself too…

Something that comes rushing back, squeezing my heart painfully.

“H-how…” I whisper. I thought she was doing ok.

How could I have been so blind?

He shakes his head as he leads me to her bedroom door and switches the light on.

There she lies on her side, her eyes closed and her chest rising and falling with every breath she takes. She’s tucked into bed, and my gaze falls to the empty bottle that stands on her bedside table.

“After dinner, we came back here, we got into an argument, and she stormed off to bed. I fixed the bathroom window, and tried to talk to her, she didn’t reply and then I dropped Kat off, but I wasn’t done with our conversation and thought it was enough time for her to cool off and since I took her key, I came back… I was trying to talk to her through the bedroom door and that’s when the faint smell of wolfsbane reached my nose. I wasn’t sure what it was and because she wasn’t answering, I broke in.”

I glance at the door, seeing that he’s ripped part of the frame right off.

He releases my wrist and walks over to the bed, sitting down on it. My heart breaks as he reaches over and brushes her hair back.

“That’s when I saw the vial on the floor. She had broken out in a sweat and was unconscious…” He says quietly glancing at the chest of drawers where I see several bottles sitting on top of the draw that is pulled open.

A clear sign this wasn’t a one-off…

Walking around the bed, I sit down on the other side and place my hand on my baby girl's shoulder, pouring my healing into her.

She’s in pain… I can feel it. Silent tears trickle down my cheeks, my vision blurring as I take away her pain… but the thing is, I’m only taking away this physical pain… what about everything else?

Alejandro caresses her hair, her head looking so small in his large hand.

“She’s not… she’s not coping… This is my fucking fault.” He says quietly.

I look at him sharply. “Al… how is this your fault?” I ask softly.

“She’s a Lycan because I am.” He says, turning his head away.

I lean over, cupping his face and forcing him to look at me. “This is not your fault.” I say firmly, my eyes flashing determinedly.

“Life was hell back then Amore Mio… I didn’t let anyone in… I don’t want to push her too fucking far, that she ends up shutting me out as I did Raf… History is fucking repeating itself and this time I’m the one watching… helplessly.” His voice is low, but I can feel the pain and regret in it.

“I know Baby… but we’re going to help her. This is not your fault, the goddess blessed her with a Lycan, not you. We are going to help her.” I promise, looking into his dark eyes.

“If she lets us.” He replies quietly. He pulls away and stands up. “I’m going for a smoke.”

Switching the lamp on, he turns and leaves the room, pausing at the door as he looks back at our fiery princess for a few moments, before he sighs heavily, turning the ceiling light off and walks away.