110. I Love Him

ALEJANDRO

"Ok before-"

"Stay out of it." Elijah growled at Rafael, cutting him off.

I stood up, smoking my cigarette as Elijah stood up, pure anger burning within his eyes.

I smirked coldly.

"What's wrong? Does it hurt your fucking ego that your daughter's not a baby anymore?" I taunted.

I knew it wasn't the best way of handling things. But I wasn't sorry for that night… It was the best fucking night I ever had, and I was not going to admit anything otherwise.

"She was here under your fucking care, and you-" He began

"I fucking took good care of her." I added mockingly.

That was all I needed to say when he lunged at me with a pure animalistic growl ripping from his throat. I blocked him, my eyes flashed red as his Alpha aura blazed around him. Well, I knew he was fucking strong… I pushed him away, my own aura filling the room like a heavy blanket.

"Watch who the fuck you're messing with." I growled. "She belongs to me, and I don't give a fuck what you think. Stop behaving like such a fucking hypocrite about it. She's eighteen. The attraction was fucking strong and we gave in to it, so fucking what?"

I was pissed off now.

"Yeah, and after that, you carried on planning your engagement to Jasmin!" Elijah thundered, this time he punched me square across the face. I heard something crack and clenched my fucking jaw.

So, the fucker wasn't angry that I slept with her… but that I hurt her by tossing her aside… The revelations stuck hard as I saw the pain in his eyes for his daughter. This time I didn't even block, when his fist struck my jaw. I deserved it… I did sleep with her and then… pretended it didn't happen.

"What's the matter? Going to play innocent?!" He growled, grabbing my collar.

I frowned, my red blazing eyes glaring into his dark blue ones.

"I'm far from innocent… I know I hurt her… I messed up and I fucking paid for it. But I love her, so do whatever the fuck you want, but if I were you, I'd keep my fucking voice down, because she's pregnant and does not need this fucking shit." I growled quietly.

His eyes flashed before he let go of me roughly, and I looked at him coldly.

"The only reason I'm letting you off, is because you're her father… Touch me again and I'll fucking tear you to shreds." I said coldly.

"You hurt her a lot more than I thought… I don't even know if I should forgive you." He spat.

"Don't forgive me, I don't fucking need it. But try to at least tolerate me, for her." I growled back, equally pissed. "There's enough shit going on in our lives to keep her fucking stressed out, at least think of our pup. Your grandchild."

He frowned, running his fingers through his hair, before he kicked the sofa in anger, his foot tearing through the leather. Fucker.

Rafael had just watched silently.

"You might find this a game… But Kiara is my child, and until you have a daughter, you won't know how precious they are… A lot of things make sense now… But I can't believe she was strong enough to handle it… I don't care if Kiara's accepted you, until I see it for myself, I won't believe it." Elijah said, now looking at me coldly.

"I have nothing to prove to you. I care for her and her alone." I replied coldly.

Our eyes met and I fucking didn't get it. We had nothing in common apart from our love for Kiara.

The door opened and Kiara stood there, her eyes wide as she looked between the two of us. I saw her gaze flicker to my cheek, I'm sure I was almost fucking healed… I turned my head away, not wanting her to see it.

Her heart thudded and from the corner of my eye, I saw her rush over, stumbling in the process. Both Elijah and I moved in a flash to catch her, I got there first, catching her by the elbows before she stumbled and I pulled her into my arms. Her scent hit me like a wave of pure bliss, calming my raging emotions.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

I had no idea what the fuck she was apologising for, but I simply held her tightly, inhaling her scent. I didn't care who the fuck accepted us and who didn't. She was all that mattered. She wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging me tightly.

I heard Elijah sigh but I didn't bother to look at the fucker.

Kiara moved back, looking at her father, her chest rising and falling in anger. I knew she was about to say something, and I knew she'd regret it later, I clamped my hand over her mouth to stop her.

"We've sorted our shit out, you don't need to say anything." I said, giving her a small smirk.

I saw Elijah turn sharply, but Kiara only looked at me with her large green eyes with those blue rims filling with tears.

"Lie." She whispered.

"Hey… Look, we have. Do you see us fucking crying?" I said.

She frowned, touching my jaw, which was still slightly sore from the fucking punches. Her touch sent a cool soothing tingle through me, healing me.

"Why did you hit him, Dad?" She asked quietly.

Elijah frowned,

"He wasn't wrong, Amore Mio…"

Yeah, I can't believe I'm saying this shit, but I know she's daddy"s little girl and I did not want her upset if she wasn't on good terms with her father. And the fucker wasn't wrong… I was in the wrong.

"What he said… I did hurt you, a lot." I said quietly.

She now frowned, her eyes flashing.

"Dad, here's a news flash for you. I hurt him too. A lot. I love him."

The conviction in her voice as she said those words, sent my own fucking heart racing.

Scarlett sighed.

"Ok look… Kia… Raven, go get your stuff ready for tonight… Elijah take a breather…" She said quietly.

Kiara kissed me softly before she walked off reluctantly, looking over her shoulder at me. I just fucking wanted to just pull her close and kiss her all over again. Her sweet taste lingered on my lips. When the door shut, Scarlett looked at her mate, glaring icily.

"She's pregnant. She doesn't need this stress." She growled.

"He-"

"I knew!" She said. Elijah frowned, his alpha aura rolling off him.

"Yeah, I got that from the conversation earlier, so you kept it a secret?" He said coldly.

"Yes, because this is how you were going to behave. Elijah… they love each other, please for Kiara and for me just…" She ran her hands through her hair and frowned at Rafael for help.

I simply shrugged and sat down, lighting another cigarette. I had no idea where the fucker knocked the other one… I scanned the floor, spotting it, and reached out with my foot to snuff it out.

"Elijah, when have you ever seen Alejandro care for anyone the way he does Kiara?" Rafael said.

"You know I'm right fucking here?" I remarked.

"Yeah, you're hard to miss." Scarlett shot back with a frown, before placing her hands on Elijah's arms. "He's perfect for her baby… There's no one stronger, more able who could be her mate."

Elijah looked at me, frowning coldly, before he looked at Scarlett.

"Jasmin shouldn't be pardoned. If she's been helping Endora, she should be killed." He said.

I agree with that.

Scarlett sighed and nodded, "Let's see how far involved she is… We all know what Zidane was capable of... Maybe she's a victim… We can't jump to conclusions."

I said nothing. Let's see if they managed to get more out of her than I did or Darien. I felt Elijah's anger swirling around me, this was surely going to be fun…

"Rafael, you can take them to Jasmin's apartment, I'm going to see if I can sniff anything out that my men may have missed." I said coldly.

I wanted to keep busy, because with each passing fucking hour, I was getting nervous about tonight. For an Alpha, this was like a fucking wedding in a way…

I knew that Serena and the Omegas were most likely already working on the setup in the training grounds. I was told to avoid the damn area, so I didn't find out what colour Kiara was going to wear.

The food was being prepped and the few Alpha's or Beta's that were coming would begin to arrive in the evening.

Did I care? I'd like to say no… But like a fucking weirdo I was… kinda interested. I mean, she looked fucking good in anything, so I wanted to know what she was going to wear… Ok, fuck that's plain weird. I was now taking an interest in women"s clothing.

-----

KIARA

"You ok? You seem distracted?" I asked Raven as we both sat there applying our makeup. It was later in the evening, and we had both showered so were getting ready for the event. We were in the old room I had previously been staying at. I was nervous, yet at the same time, it felt completely surreal.

"Hmm, yeah, of course." She said,

"Liar."

"It's just… My birthday's soon… At the next mating ceremony, I can find my mate…"

"And, we all know who you want as your mate." I smiled, applying some more highlighter to my cheekbones.

When I was met with silence, I looked at her sharply, to see her pausing, her lipstick in her hands. Confusion and guilt consumed her.

"Raven…?" I asked.

She gave me a small smile.

"Kia… Is it possible to have feelings for more than one person?" She whispered.

I blinked, my mind instantly going to Liam and Damon as I was sure she meant them.

"No, it is completely normal for some." I said quietly.

"I feel… I don't know… since you've been here… Damon's... I'm sorry. Is this awkward? First I'm crushing on your brother and now your friend with benefits?"

"Not really, it's cool. I'm sure we can talk about anything." I said, smiling slightly.

"I feel awful, like recently, since you're not there, I feel Damon notices me too, and I won"t lie… The other day they were both sparring and I was drooling over them both." She groaned.

I burst out laughing,

"Well since they don't match up to my sexy mate, I guess together they might be on par for you?" I giggled.

She smacked my arm.

"Hey! Do you know, I showed them the picture of me fighting that thing and they mocked me, saying I looked like a monkey…" She pouted.

"Seems like you're enjoying all their attention." I teased.

She blushed,

"Well… I hope…One of them is my mate…" She said, I didn't miss the torn look in her eyes.

"Or they might both be." I said without thinking. I smiled, I was sure it was a possibility.

Her eyes widened and she shook her head.

"That is a rarity." She said.

"It happens." I said. "Besides, you are too hyper for one man to handle."

"Oh yeah? What about you?"

"Well, I have the Alpha king to tame me…" I said, batting my eyelids.

She smirked.

"Tame you or punish you if you're a naughty girl?"

"Both." I replied blushing lightly.

"So, you done it again?"

"No… I think tomorrow is the night… Sadly, not even today." I said, with a pout.

"Wow, why?" She applied some lipstick.

"He wants to make it up to me and take me out on a date."

"Oh, check our big bad Alpha king out." She giggled, her eyes sparkling.

"He is so… perfect…" I whispered, playing with the chain of the necklace.

I had already told Raven about the witch and the necklace, and it was something I would be keeping on no matter what.

"I'm sure he is. Come on, let's get your hair done." She said as I came to the present, I sprayed some makeup setting spray on my face.

"Ok, let's do this." I said, looking in the mirror.

I watched as she began to style it in an intricate up-do.

"Are you wearing a tiara?"

"No, I don't need a crown to be a queen." I said, smiling as I picked up the pearl and flower filigree hair vine. "Just this."

"Beautiful." She approved.

Whilst she did my hair, I applied body shimmer to my legs and arms. Watching as my hair came together beautifully, a few curled strands loosely framed my face. She did a low bun in the back. She added the hair vine to my hair as I applied a bit of gloss to my lips.

"Wow… You look like a bride…" Raven whispered.

I looked in the mirror at my shimmering subtle eye shadow with my black eyeliner. My soft pinky lips. The dewy glow on my face… I picked up my matching earrings and put them on along with the few bracelets and a few delicate gold rings to match.

"Just the dress now…" I said.

"Where is it?"

"Right here." Serena said from the open door.

I smiled when I saw her and Mom enter. Both looked beautiful in their dresses.

"This dress is gorgeous." Mom said. As she and Serena wrestled with the plastic bag covering it.

"Thank you. Mom, did you get anything out of Jasmin?"

"She didn't say anything new; she was sent here… but her purpose, we have no idea. Did you sense any magic from her?"

"No…"

"Well, we will figure it out. I told Alejandro she's best moved to the dungeons." Mom said, sighing. I knew she was probably feeling guilty but we had no option. "Now go get dressed."

"Yes, the boys want to see you." Raven added, waving her phone as Serena helped me into a pair of ivory shoes with a gold heel.

I nodded, before I slipped out of my gown, keeping my arms over my breasts as I stepped into my gorgeous large dress.

Mom gave me a small smile as she zipped me up. The dress was stunning. It had two straps from one shoulder with a cutout showing the middle of my breasts. With a wrap waist and a heavy skirt with a slit down one thigh. It was made of the most beautiful soft ivory fabric that melted flawlessly into a blush pink. It was embellished with embroidery, sequins, and small fine 3D flowers. From the back of my shoulder strap, there was a beaded cape that trailed the ground.

"Wow…" Serena said. Mom nodded her agreement.

"I don't cry often, but I want to now… You look beautiful…." Mom said quietly.

I looked in the mirror, not recognising the woman before me. Yes it was me, but at the same time, I looked like someone who knew what I wanted.

"A true queen." Serena replied softly.

"One who will claim her king in front of everyone." Raven said with confidence.

"You should go change. It"s almost time to head outside." Mom told her as she smoothed out her red dress.

"Got it!" Raven said, rushing off to the bathroom with her purple tulle skirted dress in hand.

I looked in the mirror, my heart pounding, thinking of Alejandro... This was it... He was going to become mine… fully... It also meant I'd be breaking the pack link to my old pack.

"My baby girl"s all grown up." Mom said softly as she hugged me.

"I"ll always be your baby girl." I whispered, fighting the tears.

"Ok, Alejandro's already out, as are our men. Once Raven's-"

"Here!" Raven said as she rushed out of the bathroom, zipping up her strapless dress. "Let's get going!"

I took a deep breath, this was it… My marking ceremony.