79. Her Truth

KIARA

I almost burst out laughing at the way he struggled. I pressed my lips together to stifle the giggle but I still had a huge smile on my face. He was actually trying? That was cute... Let's see how long it lasts.

He began speaking again and I ignored all the looks we were getting. More so, Alejandro was receiving. After all, the man listened to no one. I felt a fuzzy warmth inside me. He was trying, and in return, I wasn't going to press his buttons just to see how far he would go. We both had a long way to go and just acting on our emotions was not going to be enough.

"I want to go with you." I said suddenly. All eyes snapped towards me and I saw both Dad and Alejandro frown.

"Kia, it's really dangerous." Aunty Indy said, concerned.

"Doesn"t matter. I"m strong and Alejandro will be with me." I said, my heart hammering at the thought of going anywhere alone with him… Shit, maybe this was a bad idea.

"I don't know if that's even smart…" Dad said frowning.

"You're not going. It's dangerous." Alejandro said firmly.

"I can handle myself. I"m in danger no matter where I am… and I'd rather be away from a pack if I have a target on my back." I said quietly.

"She has a point." Mom said, crossing her arms.

"We can protect you here." Aunty Indy said, concerned.

Fred simply frowned, remaining silent.

I had half a mind to say she couldn"t even protect herself but I wasn't going to call her out like that. I looked at her, noticing she looked paler than normal. Was she ok? I focused on her, letting my aura spread towards her, feeling and sensing her emotions.

Pain. She was in pain? Was it physical or emotional?

"It isn"t safe, Angel." Dad said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"That's an insult to the Lycan King himself, is it not Dad?" I replied, trying to focus on the present.

Attempting to keep my heart steady just saying that, made me realise exactly how powerful and important Alejandro was.

"Kiara… It's going to be only the two of you. If you are attacked-"

"I can handle myself. You all seem to forget that I am not an ordinary wolf." I said, frowning.

"Powers you don't really know how to deal with yet." Alejandro added.

That was not fair, I was doing pretty well!

"Hey, I have only let my emotions out of control twice and both of those were instigated." I said defiantly.

"Ok, how about we settle this with a vote?" Mom said.

Rafael looked between my parents, seemingly torn as to who he'd side with if it came down to a vote. Darien and Carmen simply stayed silent, watching.

"You're ok for her to go?" Dad asked Mom.

Their eyes met and I knew they were mind linking. Dad frowned, hesitating. I looked at Alejandro. He had gone quiet, a deep frown on his face.

"Alejandro can decide." Dad said after a moment, looking displeased.

Well, seems like Mom at least got through to him somewhat. I turned towards Alejandro, who was frowning deeply.

"Fine." He said coldly.

I smiled in relief, despite the crazy storm within me. Not only was I able to contribute… I was also going to be spending time alone with Alejandro… Maybe we could use it to work on stuff… I wasn't sure…

"We leave in an hour. Pack." Alejandro said. Now looking directly at me and sending my heart racing once again. I nodded before he finished off a few smaller things.

The meeting was signalled as over and we were all about to leave when Alejandro spoke.

"Indigo. A word."

I stopped along with Mom, Dad, Aunty and Fred.

"Everything ok, Alpha?" Fred asked, his eyes narrowing.

"I'm talking to Indigo, not you." Alejandro said coldly. His dark aura swirled around him.

"She's my mate and I have a right to know why." Fred said, as he looked away under his Alpha's aura.

"Frederick, I"m sure things are going to be fine." Mom said concerned.

"Indigo." Fred said, looking at his mate.

I sensed the silent warning in his gaze and frowned.

"Alpha Alejandro is her Alpha. Let's leave." I said suddenly.

Fred looked at me and I didn't miss the irritation rolling off him, making Aunty pale.

"Kiara, please." She said.

"Get out." Alejandro said, his eyes now flashing red and no one was able to disobey. Mom and Dad frowned as they walked out and Fred followed. I glanced at Aunty and Alejandro, wondering what that was about. I had seen Alejandro show concern before for Aunty… I still wanted to know what that was about…

"Kiara, stay with me." Aunty Indy said suddenly as I stopped at the door.

I turned surprised, not missing the murderous look on Alejandro's face. His eyes now flashed as he glared at Aunty.

"Don't think her presence will stop me." He growled.

I looked back at Mom, who was down the hall. She simply nodded, so I closed the door and turned back to Aunty and Alejandro.

He looked angry and I knew he was hesitating to say what he wanted.

"Why did you want me here?" I asked Aunty instead.

Her eyes softened, clearly noticing my annoyance.

"Kia…"

"Don't. I"m still upset." I said quietly.

She knew what I meant. She looked down, ashamed, and I shook my head, feeling a spasm of guilt.

"You know you're pregnant?" Alejandro said to Aunty. Taking us both by surprise.

Aunty paled and I could feel her fear and worry.

"No…"

"Thought so. Stop training and take care of yourself and the pup. I was going to say let Kiara take a look… She's a healer, if there's a problem with you, maybe she could fix it. Since she's here, it seems even more befitting." He said quietly. Like always, my name rolled off his tongue sensually, sending my heart racing.

Aunty Indy tensed at this, and I looked at her.

"That's a good idea, I'd be happy to." I said smiling.

"No… It's not necessary. I don't want you to feel the pressure if something can't be fixed." Aunty Indy mumbled.

Alejandro frowned and our eyes met.

"There's no harm in getting it checked." I said, now looking back at Aunty.

"Good. I'll leave you two to it. I need to check on something." He said, his eyes lingered on me and for a moment I felt he wanted to say something, but instead he turned and left the room.

"Well, shouldn't you go get packing?" Aunty asked.

"I'll do what Alejandro said first." I said.

"Mates huh?" She said with a small smile.

"Mates… but there's a lot to work on before I can consider accepting him. He hurt me… and I've messed up too…" I said, now crouching down. She stepped back, her heart thudding. "Aunty this doesn"t hurt."

"Kiara. Please, I"m fine. It"s just-"

My brows furrowed; something was wrong here.

"Aunty, relax… Is there something else bothering you?"

"No, it's just… I"m fine, really, this isn"t necessary." She replied, looking like a cat caught in the headlights.

I ignored her placing my hand on her stomach. She jumped back.

"Kiara please!"

"What is wrong with me trying to help?! Don't you want the child?" I asked confused.

"No… Of course I do." She said, her eyes looked pained.

"Then… why don't you want me to check what"s wrong?" I asked.

A sudden thought struck me and I looked at her seriously. My stomach sank at the very thought that now crossed my mind.

"IS there anything wrong with you Aunty?"

"I… yes of course… but-"

(MENTIONS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND MISCARRIAGES AHEAD – PLEASE SKIP THE REST OF THE CHAPTER IF THIS CAN DISTRESS YOU)

I remembered the bruise I had seen on her when Raven and I had visited… A bruise that was surprisingly fresh for a day old attack. Was Fred abusing her?

"Aunty. Are your miscarriages due to physical injuries rather than natural causes?" I asked, my voice so calm and dangerous that it made her heart race and eyes widen.

I felt my emotions growing and that fire building within me. I closed my eyes trying to count to ten. Goddess, if I wasn't focusing on my emotions I would have snapped under that revelation but I couldn"t afford to let my abilities out.

"And you are allowing it?" I asked quietly.

"Kia… The mate bond is strong-"

"Yes! But not so much that he can cheat and abuse you! You shouldn't just take that shit! Aunty, after what Grandma has gone through, do not let history repeat itself. Granddad raised you and Mom to become strong women! We are not weak! YOU are not weak! How can you let him kill your children?!"

I wished I hadn't say the last part, seeing the pain in Auntie's eyes as she flinched at my words.

"Shit… I"m sorry… but you know what I mean. You are allowing this." I said, feeling unsure if I was handling this right, but what more could I do? How did I get through to her?

"It's only when he"s drunk! He can't help it." Aunty whispered.

"He can"t? Fuck, he can stop drinking! How can you not condone his actions?!" I said, with frustration clearly laced in my tone.

"Shush Kia! Someone will hear." She whispered, "If Fred-"

"If he touches you, I swear I'll kill him myself." I hissed, my anger burning within me.

Calm down Kia… I took deep breaths, trying to calm myself.

"Kia please don't make this into a big deal! I am fine!" She said, now taking my hands.

"No. Mom and Dad won't forgive you if you deal with this alone." I said. She needed help and she needed to get this out of her system. She was not the spunky, feisty Indigo I knew… She had become a shell of her former self and seeing that hurt.

"Goddess Kia! Can you just stop!" She said, clearly annoyed.

A sudden thought came to my head and I felt my stomach plummet. Oh, Goddess…

"Aunty… Does Alejandro know he's hurting you?" I asked, my stomach sank at the very thought. Deep down, I felt he didn"t, Alejandro stood for so much and abuse was one thing he didn"t tolerate... But I still wanted to hear it. My heart thumped erratically as I awaited her reply…