Book 2 - Chapter 41

Book 2 - Chapter 41
Chapter 41- Awkward Reunion

Serena

The ease of which we found Aero’s real mother, I could deem lucky, but I never thought it would all lead us back to Earth. For a daughter of the Alpha and Luna of the Bastion Pack, why would she hide on Earth? Or was this where she was banished by King Gideon?

High Elder Geraden never spoke of the reasons after he gave us her address. Said that it was hers to share. He wanted to let Aurora accompany us though, for safety reasons he said, but I had a feeling the reason was far deeper than this. He was too secretive, too vague. I sensed something odd that instant.

This was verified when we finally saw Donna.

I was ecstatic to meet her, but I didn’t expect this kind of twist. Aero had a half-sister, and this time, it wasn’t some made-up truth. By blood, they were truly related.

For a mother who was supposed to sense her son, Donna looked surprised. Her frantic movement as she made a bow in front of Aero looked awkward. The three of them looked awkward and to think they share the same blood. It was pitiful to watch. My heart truly bled for my husband.

Elijah and I exchanged glances.

‘Well, damn me,’ he said, giving me a half smile, half worried look. He felt the same way.

‘I know, Elijah. I know.’ I watched my husband stiffen. It was my first time seeing him like this guarded. The first time seeing him in this situation at all. ‘Let’s support Aero,’ I continued.

‘Yes, sister-in-law,’ was his thoughtful reply.

“Let me invite you inside the house,” Donna said while gesturing to the white-painted, three-story house. It was the first house in this cul-de-sac if one prefers to count first on the right.

We all followed her as she led us past the porch and into the inner room. The whole time this happened, I interlaced my fingers with my husband’s. He gave me a smile to assure me he was fine with this revelation, but it was so quick I knew he was lying.

‘Aurora will be a great half-sister like Elijah as a half-brother, Aero,’ I told him through mind-link.

He grumbled first and replied while giving Aurora’s back a glare, ‘I don’t want a half-sister.’

His answer gave me the chills, but I still pressed on, trying to make him see sense past the increasing cloud of vision in his mind.

‘Think about your children. They will have an additional family to rely on. I’m sure Aurora will be a great aunt.’

‘My children doesn’t need her, or a grandmother,’ was his sharp reply. I wasn’t even sure if he was aware he was talking to me.

Aero looked like a volcano ready to explode. I figured this was an improper place and time for a family reunion, but I doubt he would let me stir him back to the safety of the car. To the safety of Phanteon, for that matter.

“Honey? You didn’t tell me you have guests.” A man’s voice captured our attention as soon as we claimed our seats inside the living room. The house had an open-space set-up, so he was easily visible as he entered the back door of the kitchen. He was a tall, handsome man with a jolly aura and wearing reading glasses. I could immediately see the similarities he and Aurora shared.

Donna neared him, spoke something in a hushed tone, and then the man nodded and left.

Aurora helped with preparing refreshments and biscuits, silently might I add. The four of us waited silently too, and it was driving me crazy.

“This is a beautiful house, Mrs. Peters,” I started, just to break the terse atmosphere around us.

“Yes, dear, uh... Grady and I designed the interior,” she answered while trying to hide her nervous smile. She hurried to one corner of the kitchen, then rushed to another area all the while looking lost, confused on what to do.

I tried to ignore it. “That’s so cool. Are you designers, then?”

“Oh, no,” she paused and waved her hands. “Just a hobby we picked up during our travels around the world.”

Beside me, I heard Aero grumble. The idea of her traveling the world with her beloved meant she was enjoying her life. She was being carefree. She wasn’t thinking of a certain someone at all that was left behind and craving for a mother. I felt gutted for Aero, but I pressed on.

“Can I ask how many years have you been married to Mr. Peters, Ma’am?”

She finally settled when Aurora finished the preparations of the refreshments.

“Oh, please just call me Donna,” she suggested.

Aurora, who stood beside her next to the counter, spoke something out of my earshot. Then I saw the poor woman blush and widen her eyes even more.

“Oh my goodness, Luna—Your Highness.” She frantically bowed. Aurora encouraged her to move forward with the trays of refreshments. Donna did so, but even more flustered now.

I stood up and helped them set the coffee table.

“Please, Donna, just call me Serena. My luna status means nothing on Earth.”

Her eyes flitted to Aero, and her demeanor suddenly changed. Changed to that of an embarrassed mother. Of a woman who simply surrendered to her fate. I glanced at Aero too and saw how his eyes burned with heavy accusation.

“I know...I know why you came here.” She straightened her spine, claimed her seat on a single-seater sofa and landed her eyes on Aero again who was just an arm’s reach away from her. “I know you seek the truth, Your Majesty.”

“The truth had long become unnecessary when I found out you had a daughter,” was his sharp, insensitive reply. I gulped. Elijah and Adamar held their breaths. “You replaced me like a dirty rag. You abandoned your firstborn son, and that’s that. I don’t know why I remain seated here looking at your unworthy face.”

He stood up and judging from his stance, he would have stormed out of the room if not for Aurora’s sudden interruption.

With a force that could break a jaw, she slapped his face.