Page 153 of King Alejandro

“Oh, don’t worry, Del and I will keep them in check with our magic. We won’t even need any nannies!”

It was something I thought we would all love to do once things were better again. Even though we didn’t know when that would be, just discussing something and making plans seemed to lighten the mood considerably. A reminder that times won’t always be so dark and trying.

We talked for a while longer, from the plans of a holiday to just general things that they had planned for the coming months, before we finally began putting the kids to bed. Kataleya had sat silently, and even when Delsanra and I tried to talk to her, she gave short replies, clutching her teddy tightly.

We all settled the younger kids to bed, and I kissed all the little kiddies good night, apart from Dante, whom I had just told to get some rest and wished him good night from afar before going to the kitchen. I had a headache coming on, which was kind of weird, and decided to make myself some tea after asking the girls if they wanted any.

Rayhan, Mom and Dad had returned from the meeting, but Alejandro wasn’t back yet. I wondered if he had other things to tend to.

I had just poured the hot water into my mug when I heard footsteps behind me. By the scent, I knew who it was before I even turned, spotting Dante going to the fridge. He took the six-pint bottle of milk, and I hurried over, seeing how he was struggling and using both arms to carry the bottle.

“Here, let me get it,” I said, but the moment my hand brushed his, a searing pain shot through my arm, and it felt like I had just been burned. I jerked away from him, looking down at my hand, which looked perfectly normal. I felt a sharp pain rip through my head and arm, making me stumble as I clutched my shoulder, my eyes stinging as I tried to breathe. Once the pain became slightly more bearable, I exhaled.

“You should really be careful,” Dante remarked, taking the milk to the counter.

“Dante…” I whispered softly. He looked at me, his eyes hard, and I felt my heart squeeze with sadness. Memories or not, he was my son, but the hostility in his eyes hurt. So much….

I remained silent, watching him as he got a glass and poured himself milk. The sound of the milk sploshing into the glass, the thudding of our hearts, it all seemed to intensify. Then, suddenly, I felt an influx of emotions course through me, but they weren’t mine. The hatred within me was terrifying, of a level I had never felt. The strong, intense urge to grab the biggest knife I could overcame me, and my blazing purple eyes skimmed the worktops before they fell on the knife block. I walked over to it as if my legs had a mind of their own before reality hit me hard, and I willed myself to stop, grabbing onto the counter to control myself. My heart was pounding as I tried to regain use of my senses. The glaring hatred within me felt so foreign. I had never felt such hate for anyone…

I turned towards Dante, feeling his eyes on me, and, to my surprise, they were soft. The usual calculating look in them was gone.

“Dante, go to bed now,” I commanded breathlessly, trying to battle the foreign emotions within me. “Please,” I begged.

He drank his milk slowly, his eyes not leaving my face as I fought with everything I had. Just when I felt like I might not be able to do anything more, he put the glass down, and, once again, he looked like just a young boy. He gave me a nod as he walked to the door and paused to look back at me. He gave me a small smile.

“I love you, Mama.”

His words shattered something inside of me, and I clamped my hand over my mouth to stifle the sob that threatened to escape. The door shut behind him, and I felt a wave of guilt overcome me.

I had almost hurt him. I needed to stay away. I was a danger to everyone around me.

This Emptiness

Alejandro

“We’ve found a location, but we haven’t pinpointed it. Last time he fucking knew Kiara was around, but I don’t think they were banking on the pup knowing those locations,” Darien said as we gathered around my desk. Both of my Deltas were there, as well as Carmen.

“But if the Djinn does try to probe Enrique’s mind, there are chances he’ll learn of it. Either way, I have a plan,” I said, lighting a cigarette.

“What plan?” Maria asked, doing her best not to wrinkle her nose. Got to love how she wasn’t able to hide her dislike for things like smoking, no matter how much she tried.

“Kiara…” I said, hating that I was going to resort to this. Not everyone in this room knew what Dante had hinted at me, and as much as I fucking hated it, I trusted everyone in this room and would share the truth with them.

“What about her?” Scarlett asked sharply.

“The Djinn still has a hold on her, and she’s feeling emotions that aren’t hers,” I told them quietly. It fucking hurt, but there was nothing I could fucking do about it. Even the plan I had, I didn’t like it, not one fucking bit.

“Really… fuck…” Liam frowned.

“And what exactly is your plan?” Scarlett asked, frowning as she glanced at Elijah.

“I’ll make her learn of our plan indirectly, and the Djinn will most like hear it… I’m sure of it. Obviously, itwon’t be our real plan, but if it comes off that she hears it by accident, the chances are they’ll believe it. If played out properly, she’ll eat it up, and in turn, the Djinn will, so when we actually carry out our fucking plan, they won’t know what fucking hit them.”

“Kiara can tell when someone’s lying,” Elijah added with a frown.

“I know, that’s why I’m telling half of you one plan and the other half another plan. Then I’m having two of you have a conversation, and I’ll handle the rest,” I explained confidently. Rayhan frowned, running his hand through his hair.

“So, if she can hear it all, see it all… then she knows most of what’s been going on?” He asked. “Is she safe around the kids?” A flash of irritation rushed through me; I knew he was just fucking worried, but I also knew Kiara was fucking strong. She would not hurt them.