AURELIA


    ~<>~


    "We''ve crossed the border, Relia." Inara''s worry was etched into each of those words as the car moved slowly along the bumpy road that connected Dark Moon Pack''s borders to its civilization.


    My guts twisted and I felt my heart beating rapidly as my eyes shifted from side to side, taking in the less familiarndscape of a ce I once called home. Clearly, a lot has changed since I left. For one, I had to travel for almost nine months on foot before I made it to ck Fur Pack five years ago but with the luxury of cars, it only took four days to make it back to where I started.


    Just four days!


    "But you aren''t alone this time. You''ve me, friends, lovely kids and I bet Alpha Tristan would kill anyone to keep you safe. That man adores you so you''ll be just fine-" Inara began to fill my head with encouraging words as we drew closer and closer to my past. But I''d to cut her off, "Adores me? Don''t start spewing nonsense about him, Ina. He''s simply being my Alpha." An Alpha I have been lying to for five years.


    My chest tightened because I knew Alpha Tristan would feel the brunt of my betrayal when he found out that I was once a member of Dark Moon Pack, once mated and married to Raiden who he detested, and-


    "He wants to be more than that. I can sense it. Plus why else would he provide a separate car for you and the kids? You could have joined the other warriors in the bus." Inara chimed to me and quickly added before I could counter her assumptions. "He doesn''t have to know, Relia. Focus on the games and return home as soon as possible."


    But how soon would that be?


    With Raiden ying games, how soon would I be able to escape again?


    I ignored Inara''sment not because I wasn''t curious to know why she''d think Alpha Tristan wanted more from me but because I needed to go over some ground rules with my kids who were sitting quietly beside each other. Their initial excitement had faded due to fatigue but I could still see their eyes sparkling as they looked out the windows.


    "Katie," I called for the most difficult child first and she looked at me with a tired smile. "What did we agree on before we left home?"


    My daughter rolled her stormy blue eyes, looking a whole lot like the intimidating version of me that I never got to unlock. "If I knew you''d be like that, I''d have rode with Tristan, Mom. You-"


    "She asked you not to call her mom, Katie and I also can''t call her mama as long as we are away from home. You''re breaking the rules." Kyle cautioned his sister who shook her head and facepalmed like the dramatic queen she was.


    Katie voiced, "I already promised not to call you mom or tell anyone I am your daughter. I also promised not to get into any trouble, Warrior Lia."


    Hazel who was the only one in the car with us aside from the driver Alpha Tristan provided,ughed heartily. "Are you sure you can stay out of trouble, Katie? You''re trouble yourself." Hazel said to Katie and looked my way, "I must say she doesn''t have to tell anyone she is your daughter for them to know, Lia. She is a replica of you."


    "Which is why I trust you wouldn''t let her out of your sight while we are here." I pleaded with Hazel with my eyes.


    "Of course, I''ll keep them safe from your opponents. I won''t let anyone harm the kids just to win some games." Hazel answered innocently, rubbing Katie''s shoulder and I felt an instant guilt in the depth of my stomach.


    Before we left ck Fur Pack, I had pleaded with Hazel to keep an eye on the twins and when she asked me why I was being overprotective and nervous about the trip, I lied to her again. What a friend I was.


    "It was a white lie, Relia. We can''t tell anyone the truth about Raiden and the kids. It''s better that way." Inara supported my lies but I didn''t feel any better. I was a liar and a bad friend to Hazel who had shown me nothing but love and true-


    Kyle''s voice cut off my thoughts when he muttered, "I''ll keep my mask on each time we are out and won''t call you mama even though I love calling you that." My son pulled out his handmade mask and put it over his face just like I had told him.


    That was the only way I could hide the fact that he shared the same facial features with Raiden. Although it might not be obvious to everyone, I couldn''t be careless, not with my kids.


    "Thank you, Kyle. I''ll make it up to you guys when we return home." I said to both of them and while Kyle nodded excitedly, Katie couldn''t be bothered.


    My heart was heavy with worry and fear sunk its icy fingers into my mind. Still, the car came to a stop and it was time for me to face my fear. Alpha Tristan alighted from the car in front of mine and Katie ran to him the second she was let out even though her twin chose to stay with me. Kyle put his mask on even before we left the safety of the car but I was still worried. A lot could go wrong in this pack.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    I mean, what if Raiden made mee back because he still wanted me dead?


    "He''ll be dead before I let him hurt you." Inara snarled, her rage booming in the back of my mind.


    My response died in my throat when Raiden stepped out of the unfamiliar building which I assumed was constructed after my escape, and beside him was his Luna... the woman he chose over me.


    Larisa''s famous fake smile lit up her fake ass face as she walked towards us. "Wee to Dark Moon Pack-" She began but froze when her gaze settled on me, blood draining from her face at an rming rate. Her mask of pretense fell in that instant as she blinked rapidly as if doing that would change the fact that she was seeing me... like I was an illusion or a ghost.


    It appears Raiden hasn''t told his Luna that he ran into me.


    "Y-you are h-he-here..." Larisa stuttered in disbelief,


    Perhaps I would have smirked at her loss ofposure If I wasn''t reliving a nightmare in my mind as memories of the past attacked my mind without an ounce of mercy. My legs wobbled and I stumbled backward, unable to stop myself from copsing.