Tatum ignores her and turns to Kelvin, his eyes completely calm and confident as he takes his seat. “You understand this is standard procedure for your return?” “Yes Alpha,” Kelvin replies in a calm voice and Tatum's eyes shift from him to the little girl he is holding, his attention drawn to her distinct eyes. They look a bit like Leila’s father’s eyes, only his were a golden brown, not fully golden as hers. “You have very beautiful eyes, little one,” He says to Amara, flashing her a small smile but she frowns at him. “I may be little but I’m not little one, my name is Amara,” she replies in her tiny curt voice, pointing her little index finger at him. “Are you the bad uncle that sent uncle bully to bring us here? If you give my mama any trouble, I will give it back to you,” she issues him a stern warning, glancing at Theo whose eyes are keen on her. Tatum hides his smile, keeping his face stoic. “And how do you plan to do that? I am the Alpha and you’re in my territory.” “W
Leila sits with a deep frown on her face, watching as Kelvin pushes Amara on the swing from a bench at the playground.Tatum barely said another word to her, leaving his threat hanging. If he wasn’t going to try and punish her, the least he could have done was apologise to her for a start instead of throwing his stupid Alpha weight around with his stupid ego, threatening her with her mother.She scoffs internally.How arrogant of him, he even dared to call her a prodigal Luna like she just left and returned on her own accord, like it wasn’t his fault she left in the first place.For a moment, she imagines Tatum as Kelvin pushing Amara on the swing. If he wasn’t so gullible to let himself be deceived so easily by Carmela, they could have been a happy family, maybe Amara would even have a sibling by now.She catches herself and immediately shakes the image out of her head, feeling repulsed and disgusted at herself for even having such thoughts.Kelvin is the perfect father for Amara an
Carmela glances around and she can see the eyes starting to peer at them and as Kelvin comes to take Amara away, he smirks slyly at her.Everyone saw Leila slap her but she is so scared she cannot even dare to throw a tantrum and manipulate the event to her favour but Leila is making her look weak in front of her subjects, she cannot just back down so easily. She adjusts herself, massaging her cheek as she gives Leila a cold look.“Getting your wolf back doesn’t mean anything, he already thinks I’m his mate and we’re engaged,” she says, flashing her ringed finger in front of Leila.Leila scoffs and shakes her head in disappointment, completely unaffected by Carmela’s show off.“You know, it baffles me how it was so easy for you to fool him when you are so dumb. It took him five years to give you that ring and he can’t actually marry you, unless I divorce him. Confess your sins and I may grant you that wish, or maybe not,” Leila shrugs, a sly smirk curling her lips. “You don’t deserve
No matter how hard she is trying to stick to Kelvin’s advice of using logic over emotion, Tatum’s hypocrisy is something she cannot stand and the bitter words slip from her tongue in annoyance before she can hold it back.She suddenly realises he hasn’t asked about Amara’s paternity, does he suspect something? Is that why he is keen on providing safe accommodation for them?Amara doesn’t look her age, she looks way smaller, no thanks to the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy and all. She is a four year old child who looks like she is going to three, Amanda believes her growth deficiency comes from having to heal Leila a lot while she was in the womb.The mere thought of it makes Leila sad and bitter, her anger towards Tatum filling her heart to a climax but when she looks back at his eyes, the grey orbs hold the same stoic calmness to them, her words seeming like they had no effect on him.There is neither pain, nor regret or remorse in his eyes and she hates how unreadable he is
“You would do well to stop calling me that,” Leila sneers at him. Theo was one of Carmela’s staunch supporters. She doesn’t know if he calls her Luna out of mockery or out of respect but either way, she doesn’t want to be labelled as what she is not. “The truth is bitter, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t say it,” Theo replies in a cold tone. “You know what, while I’m here, I’ll officially divorce and reject your Alpha, that should put this matter to bed,” Leila replies as Amara gets to them and she picks her up. Theo scoffs and says in a voice that Leila barely hears as he leads the way out of the playground. “You can try.” “I will do more than try and I’m sure you all will be pleased about it,” Leila replies. “I personally have no reservations about the outcome of that event and I will speak no further on it. If it bothers you so much, the Alpha is your neighbour, you can sneak into his house at night and batter your grievances,” Theo replies and Leila halts, taken back by his words.
“Do you like dolls? I bought you a doll house,” Tatum says and an omega appears with a box beside him.Amara squints at him before she carefully observes the box and looks back at him.“Will you help me build it? Mama doesn’t know how to,” she replies innocently.“Well, I live just opposite you,” Tatum points to the identical building behind him. “Helping you build it won’t be a problem.”“Really?!” Amara’s excitement shines, “Will you take me to the playground too? Mama has refused to let me go.”Tatum rolls his hand and curtsies to her. “Alpha Tatum at your service, Lady Amara.”Amara holds her gown up and returns his gesture in a cute way. “Thank you Alpha.”“I’m here!” Leila’s voice reaches them before she appears and the small smile on her face morphs into a scowl when she sees Tatum, her heart betraying her once again and pounding at the sight of him.“Tatum.”“Hi.”Amara looks between the both of them, squinting her eyes. “Mama, why don’t you like Uncle Alpha? You like everybod
Four days have passed since Tatum came bearing gifts but everyday for those four days, Leia finds herself staring at the house opposite her whenever she comes out from or goes into her house, wondering when he’s going to spring up on her again but fortunately he has never shown up. She really doesn’t want to see him again and hopes he will take the hint and stay away from her and their child, no. Her child. “Mama, why can’t I go with you?” Amara asks Leila as Leila touches her face with some light makeup at her dresser. It’s the first day of her mother’s case in court and she cannot take Amara with her. Three days ago, her mother was moved from house arrest and placed under custody. She wants to think Tatum has nothing to do with it but then, it’s his pack that has accused an innocent woman of murdering her mate and husband. “Because….kids are not allowed where we are going,” Kelvin answers from behind Leila, sitting on her bed and going through his files. Amara frowns. “Well, c
How does he know that? Leila half sneers at him.“Did you like your doll house and have you built it?” Tatum turns to Amara with a broad smile on his lips.“Papa Kev has been busy and Mama can’t help with it,” Amara replies in a somewhat wry tone, her little face holding a look of disappointment.“Yeah…your mama has always been more brains than brawn, doesn’t care for all that physical stuff but tell you what, how about we build it together while I babysit you, like the idea?” Tatum smiles at her.“Really?!” Amara replies excitedly, “You’re awesome!”She hugs Tatum and he chuckles, softly rubbing down her back.Something tugs Leila’s heart seeing the seamless interaction between the both of them, just so natural and she feels her eyes becoming wet, so she looks away quickly, a stabbing pain she doesn’t want to feel striking her heart.This is what she wanted, this is what she saw, this…..Tatum being a good father to their kids, loving them, doting on them, it’s why she held on, why sh
“Welcome to my humble and temporary abode Angel,” Leo smiles at Leila, opening his arms for a hug. Leila keeps her face grim, her feet rooted to the spot, barely any amusement in her eyes as she stares at Leo blankly. “My bad,” he chuckles and drops his hands, “we’re not friends yet, according to you. I’m glad you took up my offer. Come, I’ll introduce you to everyone.” Leila narrows her eyes at him as she walks in behind him. His men do not bow or show any sign of respect or anything like that as Leo walks past them. Everyone is just going about their normal duty and activities as if they cannot even see him. Even Tatum who doesn’t force anyone to respect him will not have his men just lazing about when he walks in with a guest. Is Leo really this jovial with his men or is this all an act for her to drop her guard? Make her feel like he is a warm and homely person? She only has one mission here today and that is to find her daughter. Whatever theatrics and schemes Leo has up hi
“I think you should go Leila,” Jenny says later that evening after Leila tells her of her encounter with Leo and how he both directly and indirectly gave her an invitation to his camp. Leila looks at Jenny with shock, not expecting her to say that, “can you even hear yourself? It’s an obvious trap. He already has Amara, if he kidnaps me too, then what happens?” Jenny frowns, “you’re both invitees of the king and I know where you’re going, he can’t actually kidnap you if you walk in there with your feet. This may be our only chance to confirm if he really has Amara in there or not.” Leila sighs, a sad and conflicted look on her face. Jenny has a point but it is also risky too. The Leo she met is a far cry from what she thought him to be but of course, that too might just be pretense. “I have an idea,” Jenny’s face lights up as Leila raises her head to face her, “to ensure Leo cannot do anything silly when you get to the camp, we just have to make the king aware of your visit to Leo’
What does he want with her? Is he going to— “I thought I told you boys to back off, are you trying to scare the lady?” Leo’s voice breaks into her thoughts and she looks at him with eyes agape in shock, then squinted in suspicion. “Alpha, we’re only doing our duty, it’s not safe for you to roam these streets alone, considering our current standing with the king,”one of his men replies. “The angel here knows a thing or two about standings with the king and she’s roaming, is she not? Unless you boys think a woman can handle what your Alpha can’t.” “Of course not Alpha,” the guy immediately goes on one knee and bows to Leo. Leo rolls his eyes and frowns, “you’re always too serious Dexter, I meant that as a joke but if you thought so, you wouldn’t be wrong, this lady here is a special one.” The discomfort in Leila’s heart grows and a tinge of fear rises in her from the words of Leo. He was somehow able to find out that Amara is Tatum’s daughter, what else does he know? Does he know h
“This mysterious savior of yours seems to be one of a kind,” Jenny says after Leila recounts her ordeal at Leo’s camp to her. “I guess he is,” Leila replies, her eyes holding a conflicted look, her thoughts still unsettled about the probable identity of the man and his proximity when her life is in danger. “Jenny.” “Yeah.” “Is it possible for one’s wolf to change, maybe by magic or a spell?” “Why do you ask?” Jenny squints, her face becoming doused with scrutiny and a hint of sudden realisation, “wait. You don’t think it’s Tatum, do you?” “I don’t know…” Leila replies, her voice sullen and dry, her heart soaked in grief, “if such a spell was possible, I suppose I would think so. I mean, who else would come to my rescue like that but him and his choice to stay mute too. Plus Tatum has a habit of doing things and keeping me in the dark. I’m just so confused.” Jenny heaves a deep sigh, pity covering her eyes. She sits beside Leila on the mattress and drapes her hand around her. “D
Leila immediately takes off in the direction through which she came, the guard at the post takes a swing at her with the silver spear clutched in his arms but she ducks underneath it, her heart pounding hard and fast as more guards join in the chase. She reaches the fence and in one swift move, she leaps over it but the barbed wire tears into her back and the side of her arm as she lands but the pain doesn’t deter or slow her down. Leo already has Amara, no doubt to have an edge over Tatum, if she gets caughts too, it will only make things worse and judging from what she has heard about Leo, he could do much worse than just capture her. The sound of the dogs barking and men yelling gets louder as she takes off into the deep of the woods. She almost shifts so she can gain more ground on the dogs who she can see closing in on her from her peripheral vision when she remembers the dangerous spell cast on the capital, way before Antonio even became king. It is a tale every child growing
“If your mind's made up, give me a few hours, I’ll do a cloaking spell to keep you hidden when you get there, go get our little warrior and bring her back,” Jenny replies, giving Leila a hug. Leila feels a bit of relief hearing that. With a cloaking spell, she can easily move in and out of the camp undetected and hopefully, she can get Amara out. Armed with Jenny’s cloaking spell which Jenny channeled into a bracelet around Leila’s wrist, Leila heads to Leo’s camp. As long as she keeps the bracelet around her wrist and avoids water getting on it, the ordinary eyes of men will not be able to see her. Her eyes scan the camp’s walls—high wooden fences reinforced with barbed wire and guarded by sentries, their sharp eyes scanning the darkness for any movement. She can see their figures in the distance, shifting in and out of view as they pace. She holds her breath, listening for any noise that might betray her presence. Even with the cloaking spell, she still has to be very careful, o
The next day, Leila makes her way to the palace to officially answer Antonio’s summon. She would rather be looking for Amara or Tatum right now but it’s important that she sees Antonio too. The last thing she wants to do is give him an excuse to legally place any kind of punishment on her or pack using her disobedience as an excuse. “State your business,” a rough looking guard, a guy as tall as a mountain, confronts her at the gate. “I’m here to see the king by his summon. I’m Leila Cromwell, Luna of the blood oak pack,” she replies, staring at the gates that stand tall and imposing. The guard grunts and they his eyes change colours, showing he is mindlinking, possibly confirming if she was truly summoned by the king. “Wait here,” the guard frowns, before walking through the gates and into the gate house. Leila’s heart thuds nervously as she waits aside. A lot depends on the outcome of her meeting with Antonio but what would she even say to him when she sees him? The man singl
Leila’s heart races, her breath becoming unstable from Jenny’s revelation as she tries to make sense of it. “If it wasn’t for Amara’s power that caught him off guard, he would have captured us right there and then but she bought us enough time to escape and stay hidden until Tatum and his men arrived and the moment Tatum left with Amara, Leo and his men stopped their onslaught and went after him,” Jenny concludes. Leila sighs sadly and massages her temple. This endless cycle of torment and confusion just seems to never want to stop revolving around her. She knows Amara is alive but she still cannot ascertain her safety from what Jenny is saying. It makes no logical sense for Tatum to bring Amara to the last place that she should be and another thing is how far the North Star pack is from the capital. It’s a very long journey that would take travelling through different packs and despite the measures she put in place and people she had sent to different packs in search of Tatum and A
A terrific sigh of relief escapes Leila, her eyes going wide in shock and she hugs Jenny again, tears falling out of her eyes, a rush of relief filling her heart. For many nights and days she has prayed and hoped that Amara would be safe, that no harm should befall her but why the capital, why did Tatum choose here of all places to bring her, right under Antonio’s nose. What is his plan? She breaks the hug and tugs Jenny by her arms, “do you know where she is, can you take me to her?” She asks, her heart pounding wildly, nothing would bring her more joy right now than seeing her little girl again, seeing those shiny pretty eyes, her bubbly personality. The last time they saw Amara was withdrawing into a shell because of how different she was from kids her age and how they treated her. Will she still be the same or will spending time with her father have that effect removed? “Leila , calm down,” Jenny replies, a bit of a sullen look in her eyes, “I know where she is but it’s not t