Loving the leech (Guardians of Red Moon city #4)
32. Promise of a better tomorrow

Kaylin’s POV

After yesterday’s meeting with Aleida’s puppies, I feel strangely more peaceful inside. Everything no longer appears gray and dull, but the color begins to come back to my life. Maybe I just needed to get all the grief and pain out of me to focus again. I’ll probably never find out. At least I have a plan, and I’m going to take Aleida with me on it. She always knocks on my door in the morning, making it easier for me since I don’t have to look for her to travel away on a small pleasure trip to town. I move to the bathroom and get dressed while waiting for my new friend.

As usual, she knocks and opens the door without waiting for a reply. When she sees me, she smiles, and I smile back, which feels strange when I’m not usually in a good mood this early in the morning before I manage to cope with the anxiety.

“Kaylin! You seem up and about today. Is there any particular reason for that?” Aleida asks.

“What do you say about a trip into town? I want to get a new haircut and go shopping a little,” I reply, and she squeals with delight before hugging me hard.

“Finally! I used to hate shopping and doing all that girl stuff, but nowadays I like it. Assuming I’m with someone I cherish. It’s usually just Holly and me, but she’s pregnant now, so her energy levels are practically zero,” she babbles and pulls me along through the corridors.

When we get to the ground floor, my smile disappears, and I paste a cold facial expression. Aleida begins ordering warriors to prepare to guard Aurora while we’re away. William growls when he hears that we’re driving away from the place, which causes my mood to shift. I’m at him in a second and push him up against a wall with my fangs out.

“You have no fucking right to play like you care,” I growl. “I’m not your beloved anymore, so don’t test my patience.”

I let him go and walk out the door with a laughing Aleida behind me. Inside I’m boiling, but once I sit in the car with her, I’m starting to laugh, too. She starts the car and starts driving away.

“He-who-must-not-be-named looked scared shitless!” Aleida laughs.

“William isn’t Voldemort!” I exclaim in even more laughter than before.

“He might as well be, or no, Mr. Everton is worse. Regardless, he deserved it, and I think you’re on your way back if I’m not mistaken?” she asks in a more serious tone.

“I felt a great sadness yesterday, but now that I woke up, I feel anger. It’s time to grab the situation and build up something substantial to lean on,” I explain, and Aleida nods.

“Perfectly understandable. I’m surprised you got back so fast after everything; I didn’t. Instead, I was passive-aggressive for months; I admire that in you, your strength. The last time I broke down was after my best friend died, I didn’t think I’d find my way back to myself, but eventually, I realized that life doesn’t stop just because I do,” she says, smiling weakly at me. “We royalty must stay together and be strong. Together we’ll build an empire that can protect us all. It also gets easier when I can hand over the vampire part now that we finally have royalty from your race, given that I don’t count as a hybrid anymore after the power of the goddess.”

I slowly nod and think about how strong Aleida is. Of course, I know her story after Salazar requested that I learn contemporary politics within the supernatural races. She’s a great inspiration to me, and I hope to reach her level one day. It feels good that at least one person has my back, no matter what. Even though we haven’t known each other for a long time, I know we’ll be friends for the rest of our lives and protect our people until the last moment. I have someone who understands me and what I’m going through; it’s probably the most outstanding comfort of all.

After a few minutes, we arrive at the salon and climb out of the car to start our girl’s day. Two hairdressers hurry up when we walk inside and are quick to ensure that we get the best treatment possible. They’re werewolves and probably recognize Aleida’s scent, hence the benefits we’re now getting. I chose to cut off the majority of my hair and get a short layered haircut. In addition, the hairdresser dyes the tops dark blue while a manicurist takes care of my nails and gives them a french style. On top of that, I get a much-needed massage and face mask; I’m in heaven!

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and it’s time for us to move on. Given that the mall is on the other side of the street, we decided to walk there instead of driving and finding a parking lot in the underground garage. Aleida insists that I should choose a stylish dress for some reason and that we should also ask a stylist in the mall to do our makeup. She doesn’t tell me why, but I have a feeling she’s planning a party or something like that when we get back. When I finally refuse to move until she tells me why we’re doing all of this, I finally get my way.

“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you,” she sighs. “I thought that given everything that happened, it’s time for a party. We’re going to barbecue, dance, and have fun tonight!”

“Fine, let’s do it!” I exclaim and walk towards a clothing store, humoring her.

Aleida smiles and hurries after me. We try everything possible, and I finally pick a knee-length black dress with lace on the skirt edge. However, I realize that it’s probably for the best to buy other clothes I need. Aleida hasn’t said anything about me leaving her home within a specific time frame, but I want to prepare since it’s not easy to bulk-shop clothes while needing to carry a baby around with me. I’m glad to be in her territory, but I can’t stay here forever; I’ll have to sooner or later take hold of my life. We change in the bathrooms and walk to the store’s stylists that immediately start their missions on making us pretty.

Or yes, at least me. They just make Aleida even more beautiful, but I need all the help I can get. My mood swings have to confuse you and make you think I’m weird, right? If it’s any consolation, it confuses me too. According to Aleida, it often becomes like this when humanity is turned off and put on. Emotions pushed aside are bound to come back and cause chaos when you haven’t processed the experiences in the way that would be best. In time, I can hopefully make my way back, and this is at least a start.

It’s dark when we get back, and I look at Aleida, inquiring why it’s so quiet. She laughs at me, and the music starts right when we walk inside. “Cry for you” with September is playing, and everyone is watching us as we walk side by side. William stares at me with an open mouth, but I choose to ignore him and move toward Nathan. I smile when I stand in front of him.

“Do you want to dance?” I ask, and that seems to make him get out of his fog.

“More than anything else,” Nathan replies, kissing my hand before leading me to the dance floor.

I put my arms around his neck and move my hips to the beat of the music. He smiles at me, and the beautiful eyes sparkle with love as I stare into them. We laugh together and have fun. Nathan spins me around the dance floor, and when “you’ll never see me again” comes, I look straight at William, who backs away. The song ends, and the Dj asks if there are any requests. I grin and walk forward to ask if I can sing, which I can. The werewolf who belongs to Aleida’s pack smiles at my rudeness. “Bird set free” by Sia begins, and I sing loudly for everyone to hear.

“Clipped wings, I was a broken thing

Had a voice, had a voice, but I could not sing

You would wind me down

I struggled on the ground, oh

So lost, the line had been crossed

Had a voice, had a voice, but I could not talk

You held me down

I struggle to fly now, oh

But there’s a scream inside that we all try to hide

We hold on so tight, we cannot deny

Eats us alive, oh it eats us alive, oh

Yes, there’s a scream inside that we all try to hide

“We hold on so tight, but I don’t wanna die, no

I don’t wanna die, I don’t wanna die, yeah

And I don’t care if I sing off-key

I find myself in my melodies

I sing for love, I sing for me

I shout it out like a bird set free

No, I don’t care if I sing off-key

I find myself in my melodies

I sing for love, I sing for me

I’ll shout it out like a bird set free

I’ll shout it out like a bird set free

I’ll shout it out like a bird set free

Now I fly, hit the high notes

I have a voice, have a voice, hear me roar tonight

“You held me down

But I fought back loud, oh

There’s a scream inside that we all try to hide

We hold on so tight, we cannot deny

Eats us alive, oh it eats us alive, oh

Yes, there’s a scream inside that we all try to hide

We hold on so tight, but I don’t wanna die, no

I don’t wanna die, I don’t wanna die, yeah

And I don’t care if I sing off-key

I find myself in my melodies

I sing for love, I sing for me

“I shout it out like a bird set free

No, I don’t care if I sing off-key

I find myself in my melodies

I sing for love, I sing for me

I’ll shout it out like a bird set free

I’ll shout it out like a bird set free

I’ll shout it out like a bird set free

I’ll shout it out like a bird set free

I’ll shout it out like a bird set free

I’ll shout it out like a bird set free.”

Everyone looks astoundingly at me that I show so openly what I think of my ex, and I don’t give a shit. William deserves it, and I’ll enjoy it as long as it lasts. Good thing no kids are here, then I wouldn’t be able to do this, and believe me when I say I need it! The song ends, and the applause spreads. Benjamin laughs loudly next to a grouchy William, and I don’t care in the least. Nathan meets me, and the next song starts.

“You, my dear mate, are amazing!” Nathan exclaims and kisses my hand.

I smile big and let him lead me to the buffet table. Aleida gives me thumbs up from the other side of the garden, and I grin back. Do you think I’m mean and petty? It’s all right because I am, and that’s the point. William broke my heart; this was the least painful thing I could think of doing back. He may be a good father to my little Aurora, but he’s anything but a good beloved. My daughter shouldn’t have to grow up without him, but beyond the fact that we share her, I’m not going to have any relationship with William. He doesn’t deserve it, and I’m not sure I’d make it either, for that matter.

The scars are too deep for that to be possible. I’d rather try to build something nice with Nathan, who hasn’t done anything to hurt or damage me.

“Was that really necessary?” a voice asks behind me, and I slowly turn around to meet William’s sour face.

“Oh yeah, it certainly was. It’s about time, too, for that matter,” I answer and take a sip of my wine.

“You have no right to humiliate me that way!” he exclaims in annoyance.

“And you had no right to humiliate me by leaving me down in the cell, but here we are after all,” I answer, making a dramatic gesture with my hand. “Don’t come and talk to me about humiliation. I could’ve done so incredibly much more things that would’ve hurt, all the way into the cold void where your heart is supposed to sit if you would have one. If you’ll excuse me, it’s a party, and I plan to have fun now that my heart no longer belongs or wishes for you.”

William looks hurt, but in all honesty, I don’t care in the least. He doesn’t deserve me, and I’m not going to submit like all those weak women in regular fantasy books. I’m a princess who’ll one day rule over my people, and a queen won’t bow to anyone. Nathan is my future, and I’m going to focus on that. I can’t let my past experiences with William create obstacles for my mate. He deserves a chance, and I’m going to give him one. But if Nathan destroys his chance as William did, then I’m going to do the same to him and leave him. I’m tired of pleasing others. It’s enough.

“I’ll just check on Aurora and be back soon. Maybe we can talk a little bit?” I propose to Nathan, who smiles big at me.

“Well, I’ll gladly tag along; she’s my stepdaughter after all,” he replies, and it makes my heart swell.

Hand in hand, we walk toward the room Aurora for the day has shared with her mates. She’s in a baby cot, and the boys are on mattresses on the floor right next to her. Their nanny sits in a rocking chair and knits. She smiles big at me, and I smile back before focusing on my little girl. Carefully I pick up my precious princess and watch her while Nathan caresses her little cheek. I look at him, and he stares at my daughter with so much love that it seems like he’s about to explode at any moment. When she starts to turn, I gently put her back in bed and get out of the room.

“You certainly did a great job creating that beautiful little girl,” Nathan suddenly says, and my cheeks heat from his words.

“It was cooperation,” I answer silently, and Nathan nods, smiling.

My mate takes my hand in his and leads me to the garden, but not where the party is. We walk in silence, listening to the crickets’ soft melodies and observing the fireflies circulating us. Eventually, we arrive at a small lake with a beach. Nathan takes off his jacket and shoes before putting the coat down on the sand. He indicates that I can sit down, and I smile at his humility before sitting down. My heel shoes leave behind red marks when I slowly take them off. The stinging feeling of a chafing wound makes me let out a hiss of pain.

Nathan reacts at once and looks at my feet with concern before putting them in his lap. Gently and with just the correct pressure, he begins to massage my feet. His hands are excellent, and I have to make an effort not to moan. The moaning thought makes me start thinking dirty ideas about both night and morning sex, which makes me curious about whether he’s a morning or evening person. I’m not a morning person but can sleep until late afternoon if I get the opportunity.

“Are you a morning person?” I ask when I realize that my curiosity won’t calm down until I know.

“Certainly not. If I may choose, I’ll sleep as long as I can,” Nathan laughs, and I smile at his response. “What did you do before becoming a vampire?”

His question makes my smile slip a little. Not because it’s a stupid or unpleasant question, but because it reminds me of simpler times in another life I no longer have. My gaze falls on my hands, and Nathan immediately notices my difference in behavior. Instead of pushing me to answer, he stands up and stretches out his hand to me. I look questioningly at him and let him help me up from my seat.

“How about dipping your feet a little?” he asks and looks at the lake.

I chuckle at him and nod hastily. We stroll the short distance, and when the cold water touches my feet, I jump. Nathan laughs at me soundly, and I don’t know what makes me do it, but I suddenly push him into the water. Let’s see if you’re as cocky now. My mate comes up to the surface again and looks at my laughing face with an outrageous expression. I think to myself that maybe he took it the wrong way and now is mad at me. However, my concern quickly disappears when Nathan starts laughing and runs towards me. I laughingly run away with him chasing behind me.

In the end, he grabs me, and we both fall on the ground in a pile, with him above me. We laugh soundly together as we stare into each other’s eyes, and as our gazes make contact, the laughter gradually disappears. I caress his cheek with my hand, and slowly he bends his head down toward me. Our lips meet in a gentle dance with a promise of a better future than I previously dared to wish for.

A/N:

Hello dear readers!

Kaylin is putting her big girl’s panties on and is starting to become stronger.

❀ Is her anger toward William justified?

✿ Did she overreact when she “forced” him to accept her rejection?

❀ Will Nathan be able to mend Kaylin’s, broken heart?

Would you mind giving me your feedback in the comment section? Your thoughts mean the world to me, and I always love to see what you think. <3

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