Melody is eating snacks with Ayrie as Ayrie brushes her hair and tells her all about school. She even asks her about how she’s learning, Melody tells her about her private tutors, and Ayrie thinks it’s a way cooler idea than going to school, where she has to wait for everyone to catch up with her.
I can’t stop looking at them because this is the first time Ayrie has a friend, and she’s being so sweet to her. Their conversation about art is the cutest thing ever. Ayrie even showed her the ugly painting Knight got for her back in California, along with the pictures of her growing Molly collection that Violetta is feeding.
“That little girl can eat,” Maria says, placing the lunch trays in the sink.
She’s been complaining about Melody being here since she arrived. Knight said I should tell her if I find it necessary, and I didn’t, but Midnight and I don’t like how she’s skeptical around her. Maybe if she knew the truth, she’d drop it.
“I’ve got it.” I stop her from washing the dishes.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile like that,” she says when I finish the dishes.
“Ayrie’s never gotten along with anyone. I love this for her.” I say, sneaking a glance over at them.
Melody says something that just lights up Ayrie’s face with a big smile. She hasn’t been well enough to laugh. She tries her best to smile for Knight, but that’s only to please him. The smile never really reaches her eyes like that. It’s been bothering us both this past week.
“I wanted to talk about your place with the Rizen family,” she clears her throat. I knew she didn’t stay to hang out.
I seal the doors and pull up the camera footage in the living room. Aizen is with Knight because he didn’t want to hang out with all the girls. I’m pretty sure that’s where Mr. Knightly also ran off to. I’ve been doing most of my work from my upstairs studio space. Ayrie finally got some sleep last night when Knight sang her to sleep in his arms.
I’m not sure where the nightmares are coming from. Midnight and Buddy have reassured us that their wolf spirits have no memories, but that there is something they’re picking up on. They’re just not sure what it is. Ayrie taps into it when she has to use her wolf strength, and Aizen does everything in his power to try to alleviate some of the stress. It’s why he’s always so quiet and sleepy.
“Alpha Rizen has been trying to make contact,” is the first thing she says.
“I know he is.” I nod. “I also know that he’s transferred a few things that belonged to my mother over to me and the twins. He also wants to sign over the rights to his pack to Ayrie.”
“Have you spoken to Knight about this?”
“Not yet. We’ve been really busy with everything. I don’t think this is as important to us as everything else going on. We’re still putting together the census and the protection grants for the kids getting kicked out of their packs. Alpha Rizen is at the bottom of all our problems at the moment.”
“I understand that you’re upset about what happened with your family, Phoebs, but if you don’t respond to him, he’ll be forced to forfeit the land.”
“Why do you care?” I ask. “It has nothing to do with you.”
“No, it does not. But you’re punishing this man for something he knew nothing about. He just wants to make a connection with you. You’re all that’s left of his bloodline. I relate that. All I have left are my three kids and the twins now. My family was wiped out as well.”
“I’m not all that’s left of his bloodline,” Isay before she lays on the guilt a little thicker.
“What does that mean?”
“It means that I’m not all that’s left and that his daughter might still be out there living her best life. That little girl over there is her daughter. The Alpha King is her son.”
“What?” she stares back at me with disbelief.
1/2
08:54 Mon, 26 May
Chapter 145
M
“Yeah, Perry thought that maybe he was our brother, so I gave him my DNA to check. When he came back, it turned out that we are related through our mother. He’s testing the other princes to ensure they’re also his siblings. The Queen Luna wasn’t their mother.
“That psycho might have been experimenting on them. What happened to Derek might have been her fault. This is what I’m trying to tell you. There are a whole lot more problems to work on than this man’s pack. We don’t have any information, so even if he wants to make a connection, none of us can answer any of our questions.
“Honestly, I’m scared of what that man will say to me and what he wants from us. I don’t have any good experiences with alphas and packs. Even your mate turned on us, and I don’t want to add more to the insane amount of stress Knight and I already have to deal with.”
Maria sits back, looking defeated. I mean, I don’t particularly want to talk about the Rizens. One of them tried to kill me. My mother abandoned me and had a brand new family somewhere else. Maybe that’s not what happened, but that’s exactly what it feels like right now. I just don’t want to touch it at the moment. It’s sore–a brand new punch to the eye sore.
“Okay,” she nods.
I look up at the monitors to see that the girls have moved to the twins‘ room. Melody’s eyes are big, and her smile says how much she loves the pretty colors the twins like to decorate their room with.
on his shoulders. That’s why she’s here.” I say “She’s my little sister, and she has no one else but this kid who had the weight of an entire race resting regarding all the jabs she’s been taking at the Alpha King and Melody. “He trusts me enough with her because he’s just as scared as we are. Obviously, someone is doing something messed up, and we seem to be the pawns on the board so far.”
She doesn’t say anything else to me until the guys get back. Aizen runs up to catch up with the girls. Mr. Knightly is brief with his greeting and quick to tell us that they have to leave. Knight, for the first time since I placed my mark on him, has his defenses up.
“What now?” I ask as soon as they’re out the door. He removes his blazer to reveal the protective armor underneath and the mess he is. “What the fuck?” I can’t help but reach for him. “Was Aizen with you when this happened?”
“No, he was with Roman and Baby. Angel, sit. I have to tell you something,”
“Just tell me. What the hell happened?” I demand.
“Okay,” he says, staring at me for a moment. “We went to see your grandfather. He asked us to meet him at the warehouse he gifted you. He said he had important information regarding your mother.”
“Knight.” I step away from him. Midnight’s senses explode. My skin rises in goosebumps.
“Whatever he was offering us must have been very valuable information. They were in the middle of a fight. He’s gone,” he whispers the last pa sorry.”
