Hard Feelings

TALIA'S POV

Mother shakes her head in denial for the hundredth time. She refuses to believe that Evan wasn't part of his mother's plan to destroy our family. I didn't want to believe it either at the start. Letting go of the hate is hard when you have been through the hell each of us has been through.

"He told you that he didn't know and you believed it?" She questions, looking disappointed.

We didn't tell her much last night because I wanted her to finally have a peaceful night as a free woman. She is eager to know everything before we head back home. We have an escort of Miles's ten soldiers to go with us. Not that we needed them but Miles insisted that it will be the perfect show of our alliance. Good Alphas like him are rare, I am glad we ended up allies even though I have not been exactly looking forward to being a Queen.

Alpha Owen earnestly apologized for having hosted Miles's father together with his hostage in his palace. He offered Miles five good horses as a show of goodwill and swore vehemently that he holds no grudge against my mate.

It may have been his fear of speaking at that time, but the right thing was to give him the chance to make up for his mistake like he said he would.

"Evan wouldn't have tortured and locked his mother up if he was part of her plan, would he?" I point.

Mother looks too baffled to speak for a whole minute. "He actually punished her?! I thought he loved her too much for that. She was like the Queen of his heart."

"That's what she made it look like. But I wouldn't have found you or Michael if he didn't force her to confess where she had sold you." I answer and she once again goes silent for a long moment, her eyes glowing with emotion.

"You rescued Michael? Is he okay?"

"Evan rescued him. And yes, he totally fine. Except that he misses you, a lot."

She slowly nods her head, seeming overwhelmed with opposing emotions. "What about Tylor? You haven't talked about her."

"I had to leave him searching for her and come rescue you. Your life was in more danger and Evan is more likely to find Taylor sooner than if I did it." I explain.

She sets down her cup of tea and jumps to her feet. "Taylor is with the Luna of Fire Moon pack, we were both slaves there before I got sold to Jason. Let's go get her!" She smacks the table hard to insist on her demand.

"She is not there anymore. Our father Kidnapped her and made her his prisoner. I left before we could find out where exactly he locked her up."

Mother stumbles back a little as if she has been physically hit. She takes in several deep breaths as tears fill her eyes and she blinks several times to clear them. After several seconds of fighting shock, she sinks back into her seat and takes a huge sip of the tea.

"What went wrong with our father? Was he crazy?" I ask but she shakes her head.

"I can't talk about that man now." She repeats the answer she used to give us three years ago. I shrug my shoulders because she doesn't need to confirm that he is a madman. His actions have already been spoken. I really hope we find him soon because Taylor's condition must obviously be worsening. Seeing her face again will be a great relief.

"Let's go find your sister. I can't rest anymore knowing she is in the hands of that monster." Mother sets down her tea again and rises after crying silently for several minutes. I follow her out of red moon Palace and join the entourage heading home.

TAYLOR'S POV

The underworld can't be this beautiful. And I wouldn't be laying on a plush bed unless I came straight to heaven. I remember someone reporting that I am alive, but I felt like I was slipping away, falling into the dark pit of death.

Now I have woken up in paradise. I glance around the room I am in, my eyes widening in utter delight as I take in the beauty of every refined piece of furniture.

I wonder why I am still feeling pain and extremely hungry. Am I not in heaven?

I hear footsteps approaching before the door clicks open. Two maids in uniform stroll in carrying clean sheets, towels and a bucket full of warm, steaming water.

They gossip and laugh freely, probably unaware that I am conscious and listening. Panic takes over my mind and body when I hear them mention the name of the person I fear most, King Evan. I wasn't exactly listening to their gossip because my body still hurts too much to allow my mind to focus on anything else. But my heart literally missed a beat when I heard that name.

The sound of his voice sent chills down my spine when I was still locked up in the dark room. I was afraid of him just as I was of death.

"Oh, God! She is awake!" The youngest of the servants' gasps, pointing a finger at me. Her shocked friend almost drops the bucket of water in her hands.

She sets the bucket down and rushes to the side of the big bed with a huge smile on. "How are you feeling dear? The doctor just left to have breakfast, I can ask her to come back if you're feeling pain."

I shake my head. I would rather endure my pain until I know what kind of earthly paradise I am.

"Where am I?"

"In a palace. Our King rescued you from your wicked father and brought you back here. You were very sick when you arrived." The servant answers, my heart pounding harder with every word.

The joy I had completely faded away as fear and anger set in again. This

must be a nightmare, the worst I have ever had.

So I am in my enemy's palace? Did he confuse me with somebody else? Because I am sure I would be dead if he actually knows who I am.

"Did I hear you mention the word 'father'?" I ask.

"Yes. He is locked up in the palace cell together with the former Queen. King Evan and the soldiers punished him mercilessly for what he had done to you. He will still get sentenced by the King's council once your sister returns with your mother." She answers and I get even more confused.

"That man isn't my father. And my sister would never come here." I state firmly. Definitely, they don't know exactly who I am.

"He is your father, you just don't remember him." The younger servant replies, looking quite sure of what she is saying. "And your sister is of course coming back. She is the future Queen of our Kingdom and this is her room. His Majesty said you are brought here since we haven't prepared yours yet and he didn't want you laying in the palace's crammed infirmary with other patients." She adds and my heart sinks.

Talia accepted being the mate of that devil?! After all the horror we have been through because of him and his hideous parents? How can she be so stupid and selfish? She betrayed her own family so she can become Queen?

She used to be the most selfless person and I used to look up to her. Did she change when she got reborn? I have a feeling that I will not like her.

"Can I leave?" I ask.

"You're not well yet. You just regained your consciousness and you must be hungry. I will get you food so you will be feeling better when the King comes to see you." The servant standing near the bed answers.

I want to scream at them that that is the last being I want to see. But I see no need to be rude to servants. Let him come so I can yell it out loud in his beautiful face. I don't care if he kills me for it. Talia was my role model and she would have done it. Too bad she is no longer the tough, selfless sister I used to look up to.