Loving the leech (Guardians of Red Moon city #4)
35. Burning anger

Kaylin’s POV

“Kaylin, you have to wake up!” Aleida says, stressed, and I quickly sit up in bed.

When the hell did I end up here? Without questioning my friend, I quickly get dressed and follow her into her office. The rest of the Everton clan are in the room, along with Aleida’s family and my mate. I look questioningly around, but no one says anything until Aleida opens her mouth.

“First of all, I want you to know that I had no choice, Kaylin. There was no reason for not approving it,” Aleida says in a sad tone, and I stare at her, waiting for the rest of the explanation that causes my heart to bulge. “I authorized William’s move with his entire clan to the outskirts of Red moon city.”

And there it is, the truth that scares me. All the window panes in the room explode into thousands of tiny pieces, and I don’t even notice that it’s happening until it’s too late. My gaze stays on Aleida, and I’m not mad at her; she’s just doing her job. No, I’m mad at myself because I feel the way I do and have no control over it. A tear falls from my eye, and Aleida’s gaze doesn’t leave mine.

“Kaylin, damn it!” Elijah mumbles, but I don’t react to it either.

“Where?” I ask in a cold tone.

“A few miles from Nathan’s territory.”

“Is he already there?” I wonder.

“Yes,” she responds gently, and I nod before leaving.

The cold in my soul disappears as soon as I see my little Aurora in the children’s room with Alexander and Elias beside him. I stand in the doorway and watch them in silence, happy to pretend that everything is okay one last time before the chaos takes over my life again.

“Aunt Kaylin?” a girl’s voice asks, and I turn around to watch Aleida’s triplets.

“Hey, honey,” I say, bending down to her level. “What’s up?”

“We want to go out and play in the woods. Can you come with us?” she asks, and I smile.

“One of your parents must come and talk to me about it first. I want to make sure they think it’s okay,” I reply, and she runs, giggling away from me.

I turn back towards the boys looking at me with smiles on their little lips. Elias walks up to me and takes my hand before leading me further into the room.

“Are you sad, aunt Kaylin?” he asks, and my heart warms up by his kindness.

“No, honey. I’m not sad. Sometimes adults get problems in their lives that complicate things more than they should be,” I explain, and he stares at me with big eyes.

“Can I do something?”

“I’ll be fine, thank you,” I answer, kissing his little forehead. “Keep being the sweet little boy you are and take care of your mate, and I’m happy.”

He smiles and hugs me. I sit on my knees to be able to hug his little body and gently caress his back. Elias lets go of me, and someone clears his throat behind me. I turn around and see Aleida’s mates next to mine.

“Elias, do I need to worry about you trying to take my mate?” Nathan asks with a mischievous voice, and instead of being embarrassed, Elias stands straight in the back.

“Aunt Kaylin is a beautiful woman, but I already have my mate. Take good care of her; I know where you live,” the little boy threatens, and I laugh loudly.

“You’re way too young for me, honey,” I say, ruffling his hair. “But I appreciate the gesture.”

“It’s noticeable that he’s your son,” Nathan sighs to his sister’s mates and walks up to me. “How are you, baby?”

“I’m okay,” I answer, looking at the men in the doorway. “Has Lucia asked you?”

“No, she demanded it,” Kian laughs. “It’s okay; just take care of them when you guys are out.”

A loud squeal comes from the hallway, and suddenly I have three overjoyed hybrid girls all over me on the floor.

“Come on, aunt Kaylin! We’ve been waiting forever,” Benita whines, and I laugh at her enthusiasm.

“Yeah, I’m coming,” I answer, picking up Aurora in my arms.

Elias and Alexander walk next to me on one side each. Aleida’s other seven puppies are waiting outside the room, and in the assembled squad, we walk out to the back. I’m surprised when the other adults don’t come with us but take it as a compliment that they trust that I can protect the children if necessary; in addition, there are certainly warriors circulating the forest we are walking towards. In the beginning, everything’s all right; the children are safe and play. Until a cold spreads around us, and I react immediately when I see Joseph move towards us.

“Children, run back to the packhouse immediately!” I say, putting Aurora in Alexander’s arms.

Gratefully, they do as I say, and I turn back to one of my enemies. He laughs loudly and walks towards me.

“That you never learn to follow orders, Kaylin,” he says in an icy voice. “Why did you have to go against what I said?”

“Because you didn’t want me for anything other than being your puppet to move the way you want,” I growl back. “The only thing you wanted me to be was to either create drama to then die in the arena or use as a weapon.”

“You’re wiser than I thought,” he mutters. “It’s just a pity that you’re an obstacle to my plans; let me show them to you.”

He throws himself at me, and just before his fist comes into contact with me, my surroundings change. I find myself on a burning battlefield where wolves lie dead everywhere. To the left of me, Aleida lies on the ground with her family, lifeless. On the right side is Nathan with my daughter in his arms; they both have taken their last breath. I fall to the ground and close my eyelids when thick tears fill them. It’s not until a hand touches my shoulder that I react and grab the person and throw them hard into a tree. Nathan releases a loud “oof” when his body strikes against the thick bark.

I hurry up to him with anxiety in my chest over hurting my mate.

“Nate! Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” I exclaim while my full eyes pour over with salty tears.

“It’s all right, baby,” he replies, coughing. “The children came back to the packhouse and said that a man came to you, that you told them to run back.”

I help my mate up off the ground, and when I’m sure he’s okay, I realize that more are on the site—the Everton family, Aleida’s warriors, herself, and her mates.

“Blake, I need your help,” I say, and instead of feeling weak, an unfamiliar strength grows within me.

“What can I do, princess?” Blake asks.

“Summon your closest vampires and meet me at the lake in an hour,” I answer and start walking towards the packhouse with Nathan next to me.

“Sure, but why?” he asks, and I stop to look at him over my shoulder.

“Because someone in the council wants me dead.”

Nathan’s POV

I growl when I hear my mate’s words; how can anyone want Kaylin dead? There’s no kinder and more generous soul than hers. This is the first time she demonstrates some kind of leadership skill and gives orders to one of her minions. I’m proud of how strong she is and continue to be no matter what obstacles are in her path. Her enemies should prepare well; she’s a force to be reckoned with. Aleida chuckles at my facial expression and seems to like her friend’s new attitude.

“At last, the survivor queen appears!” she exclaims happily. “She can only move forward after this.”

“How can you be so sure about that?” Benjamin asks.

“Because we all saw her at her worst,” Kian replies without hesitation.

I realize they’re right. Kaylin has gone through terrible things that no one should have to suffer through, even though she comes out the other side more vital than ever. Elias and Alexander come up to us with proud smiles on their little faces.

“What have you done now?” Aleida asks with a sigh.

“Why do you think we’ve done something!?” Elias exclaims, outraged.

“Exactly!” Alexander continues. “You’re our mother; why do you always think the worst about us?”

“Because I know who your fathers are,” she replies, and my sister’s mates growl playfully.

“Careful, mate,” Kian says low.

“Seriously though, your mother is right. What have you done?” Miliano asks his sons.

The twins look at me with big smirks on their faces, and I feel they’ll use sass against me.

“Aunt Kaylin kissed us,” Elias replies.

“And there’s nothing you can do about it,” Alexander continues, and Aleida begins to guffaw.

“Oh, really? I can’t?” I ask in a low tone and start chasing the little boys.

The twins split up and run in different directions and then unite in the middle again. It doesn’t take long for me, who’s alpha, to figure out their patterns. My mate’s scent spreads in the air near me. The boys run towards her with all the speed they have.

“Aunt Kaylin, protect us!” Alexander exclaims.

My mate swings her hand in the air, and I run into a transparent wall. Damn it! It’s unfair that she has powers she can use; when did she become a witch? I know the difference between witches and vampires. I’m not stupid! My knowledge of different beings is no secret; I’ve dedicated my life to know these things. You may also be curious what the difference is? Kaylin can’t use her powers for long periods, and besides, they’re not as powerful as a witch’s. A witch can use spells to basically anything and make potions; a vampire can’t.

In addition, it isn’t all vampires who get any powers at all but have to settle for the thorough as increased speed, strength, scent, and night vision. Unlike a witch, who’s born with her powers, and can’t be created as a vampire, you must be born as a witch. All witches are purebloods.

“Boys, you don’t need my protection,” Kaylin giggles and gives them a theatrical whisper. “You’re princes and stand above your uncle in who’s in charge.”

Alexander and Elias look at each other in surprise before they make a high five. I look at my mate with a “really?” look, and she keeps giggling at me.

“Uncle,” Alexander says in a bratty voice. “Get me a glass of juice.”

I just stare at my nephew while the others laugh loudly. Aleida and Kaylin are the only ones who don’t laugh; I can’t do more than be speechless. In the end, it’s my mate who sits down on her knees next to Alexander.

“Just because you’re his superior doesn’t mean he’s your servant,” Kaylin says softly, caressing the boy’s hair. “As heir to the throne, it’s your and Elias’s responsibility to protect those under you. It’s your job in the future to save those who can’t save themselves, feed those who have nothing, love those who have no one else left. Instead of commanding, work together towards a solution to the problem.”

Aleida smiles big, and I look at my mate with pride. The others also smile at their conversation.

“Why do we have to do that?” Elias asks, tilting his head.

“You don’t have to do anything. But if you want to be loved by your race and help others, then that’s a requirement,” Kaylin explains.

She’s a born leader.

Aleida’s voice echoes in my head, and I look at my little sister, who is absolutely right. It’s almost scary what a natural superior my mate is; it seems to come to her as hunger. Not even Aleida had these leadership skills before she went along a dark path to find out who she wanted to be.

I can do nothing but agree with you, dear sister.

She looks smiling at me, and my focus lands on my nephew coming up to me to take my hand. I look down at the little boy inquiring and wait for what he’ll say next.

“Uncle, do you want to work together to solve the problem of my thirst?” he asks, and I nod laughingly while his eyes light up with joy. “I can take the juice out of the fridge and pour it if you can bring me a glass.”

“It would be an honor, your highness,” I answer and bow dramatically, causing my nephew to giggle hysterically.

I lift Alexander and throw him over my shoulder. He laughs all the way into the kitchen, and we solve the problem together, just as he suggested. When I look at my nephew, I start thinking about my future children; I would like to have some with Kaylin. With her beauty, they’ll be legendary.

Claim mate, make her round and swollen with our puppies.

Oh, my gosh, Zac is up and running. Horny wolf! Even though I’d gladly follow his idea of marking my mate, she has issues that she needs to work through first. She has a beloved who declared his love for his ex in her presence and has additionally moved here to do god knows what. The last thing she needs is a horny mate. However, it’s highly tempting to taste her until she creams down her legs.

We have to wait, and you know that. Kayin isn’t ready; we need to let her lead the situation.

Zac growls in my head out of frustration, but I know he understands me too. It’s a shitload to take on yourself as Kaylin has and far from simple to solve.

“Are you going to marry aunt Kaylin?” Alexander suddenly asks and breaks me away from my thoughts.

“Why? Do you think I should do that?” I ask with a smile that grows when he nods violently.

“She’s nice, and then we can meet our mate all the time!” he exclaims. “Mom said that she’s in pain and needs to heal. You always help me put on patches when I scratch my knee; you can fix Kaylin too!”

I chuckle at my nephew, who’s incredibly sweet with his solutions. If it were that easy just to give my mate a band-aid for everything to be okay again, then I’d be more than happy to do it. Unfortunately, the world isn’t as simple as it seems in a child’s mind, no matter how desirable it may be.

“If I could do it, then I would,” I respond with a sigh and a sad smile on my lips.

“But why can’t you?” Alexander asks.

“It’s not that simple, baby,” Aleida says from the doorway and enters the kitchen. “You’re very cute trying to think of a way to help others, but aunt Kaylin’s pain isn’t sitting on the outside but inside. She’s been through many things that are heavy to think about.”

“Like what?” Elias asks, who suddenly also enters the room.

“Her mother died many years ago and her father recently,” Aleida sadly replies. “Imagine how you would feel if mommy and your daddies disappeared. How would you feel then?”

The boys look sad at each other and whimper before hugging their mother in a way only they can. She hugs them and kisses their heads. Aleida and Kaylin are very similar to each other, strong women with dark stories. My sister managed to get out of the darkness; the question is whether my mate will also succeed or wither away on the way. As if she feels like I’m thinking about her, Kaylin comes into the room with a phone against her ear.

“It doesn’t matter!” she growls. “You owe me this! Oh, really? You were about to execute me for crimes I didn’t commit. Isn’t that enough reason to you? Solve the problem, or I’ll get there and do it for you!”

She throws her cell phone on the table and looks around as if she only now notices us. My mate is angry, and I’m curious why, but at the same time, I’m not going to force her to talk about it if she doesn’t feel ready. Instead, I choose to hug her and hear her exhale heavily against my chest.

“It was Salazar,” she says, not continuing the explanation.

“What’s going on?” I ask and caress her shoulder tenderly.

“I demand from him that he investigate the threat from the council, and if he doesn’t, then I’ll go there to end it,” she explains, and her aura pulsates with the anger within her. “Someone in the council doesn’t want me to exist; I intend to find out why and I already know that one of the council members is involved. The only thing I need to find out is how far down the hierarchy the betrayal goes.”

“Do you need my help?” Aleida asks, and my mate shakes her head with a smile on her plump lips.

“No, this is something I have to learn to manage on my own. Thanks, though,“ Kaylin replies, hugging my sister. “I have other plans to complete before I can dissolve the council anyway.”

“What are you going to do?” I ask curiously.

“I’ve instructed Blake what to do. You and I are going to visit my ex-beloved now,” she replies, heading towards the stairs to pick up Aurora, I guess.

I growl at the thought of having to be around him after what he has done while understanding that my mate needs to have me with her. In situations like this, she knows she doesn’t have to ask; I’ll follow her to the end of the world and back if she requires it of me. All I can do is pray a silent prayer to the moon goddess that I’ll have the strength not to let Zac take control because he’ll rip William to pieces if he gets the chance.

A/N:

Hello everyone!

Kaylin teaches Aleida’s sons a thing or two about being royalty, which also teaches Nathan how she works. Now it’s time to take hold of all the threats that exist aimed at Kaylin, both dangerous and harmless!

❀ Why does Joseph do this to her, and does he work alone?

✿ How will William react when he meets Kaylin and Aurora after their last meeting?

❀ Do you think Kaylin will forgive William and that he’ll start to behave himself?

✿ Can they create a relationship between all three that’s as stable as Aleida’s?

Please tell me what you think of the chapter. Your feedback helps me develop, and I aim to be as good a writer as I can become <3

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