Page 37 of Forever My Siren Luna
“It was your mother’s, Elelira. Now it’s yours. Keep it.”
I tried to ignore the warmth I felt from his hand over mine. It’s tingly in a different way than Lachlan’s touch. It reminds me of my mother. The reassuring bond with a parent. It almost chokes me, but I swallow the feeling back down, not wanting to give into it.
“Lachlan said the same this morning. I don’t remember my mother having this, though.”
“That’s because I had to alter more things from the past to give you a future. I had to repurpose the necklace meant for your mother so I could give it to you.”
I narrowed my eyes, not understanding. “What else did you alter? Will I have more to worry about later?”
He smiled sadly. “I tried two ways to save you, my daughter. This was my second attempt. The first was too tragic, so I tried again, and as much as I tried to protect you from the outcome of the first, I didn’t realize I was hurting you more in the end. That is my mistake.” He pressed his other hand lightly against my face. “More than anything, I just wanted you to have a happy life. Me and your mother both wished for that. We-”
He looked away, his eyes shining as he pressed his lips together. A single tear-drop fell from the corner of his eye. My heart beats loudly in my chest seeing the anguish in him. Without meaning to, I stepped forward, placing a hand on his arm. It hurt me at that moment to see him in pain, even if he was a complete stranger to me.
A choking sound left him, then he stared up at the ceiling, before looking down at me, his green eyes shining with his magic and unshed tears.
“Please, my daughter. Give me the chance to explain. I…I am unsure what else to do other than to tell you everything. The whole truth. Not even your husband or Cedric know the full extent of it.”
I looked over my shoulder at Lachlan, who looks just as confused as I feel. His eyes are trained on me and the Siren King, giving me a gentle nod to let me know he is still there. The action would have annoyed me before entering this room and meeting the man before me, but it is reassuring now.
Cherum is not far behind his Alpha, his entire body tense. I know he is anxious for me, ready to jump in and help me if need be.
My eyes moved over Jack, who seems curious and tense for different reasons, giving Lachlan the side-eye every few seconds, even though Lachlan isn’t paying any attention to him. When he sees me staring, he offers me a crooked smile before his eyes dart at Lachlan again for half a second.
Cedric looked anxious, still with that same tense expression, wanting to interject in some way, I’m sure. Meldec’s hand on his shoulder seemed more like a restraint to keep his mate in line than a reassuring gesture. It almost made me smile. I think Cedric needed someone more grounded to reign in his misbehaving tendencies.
Yes, my father and the contract caused some horrible misunderstandings, but seeing all the support I have behind me, I can’t entirely resent the man for giving me this second life. I have people who love me, and I love them. Some more than others.
I eyed Lachlan one more time, and the emotions I see reflecting back at me make my heart tinge. I was so mad at him this morning, but now….I’m happy he is here.
“He still loves us,”Val whispers, “No matter what, I’m sure about that now.”
I am too. He killed to bring us back, and the look in his eyes right now tells me he will do it again. He would take his own life for my sake. I can feel it in the bond, no matter how much I try to fight it.
“Okay,” I whispered, turning back to stare up at the man I was still reluctant to call my father. “But I want Lachlan there with me.”
The bulking man’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Did the two of you….make up?”
“Does that matter?” I asked. “I don’t want any more misunderstandings or secrets with anything. If there is more to what happened than what my mate knows, after all the sacrifice he and his pack made, I think he has the right to hear everything too.”
And a part of me still wants my mate there for support, even though I would never admit that. I would feel better if Lachlan knew everything too and….if I end up needing someone, I know the bond would react stronger to him than Cherum’s comfort. After this morning, I realized that I still miss his touch, even if I try to deny it.
I still miss and long for him.
If I am about to have an emotional moment with the man that had a part in bringing me into this world, which I very much sense I might, I would feel reassured having Lachlan with me. I don’t trust Lachlan entirely, but I do trust him enough for that.
King Brennus looked up at Lachlan, then sighed deeply, nodding. “Okay, Elelira. If that is what you wish.”
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King Brennus
I was hoping for a moment alone with my daughter; a chance to finally bond with her, or at least share this most personal information with her without being bogged down by anyone else.
Personal time with her is what I felt I have been robbed of repeatedly, and I thought it was what fate wanted to keep her safe. A relationship with her is what I was fighting for at first, but that quickly changed. As much as I still want that personal bonding, my only goal now is her happiness.
I can see the connection Elelira and the young Alpha have, even if they fought. Even though I missed out on a moment with her, it makes me happy to know that in the future….in the future she won’t be alone.
I had plans in place for Cedric to bring her to the kingdom if need be, and the orders to hand over the reign to her, but maybe that is a bit premeditated. She may still yet be the Luna of Hidden Coven Pack before she is the reigning Queen over my kingdom.