CHAPTER 60 : WHERE THE HEART ACHES

Kira walked between Bryan and Aiden, as they took her to her parent's grave. When they got there, they gave her some time and space, standing back while she took small steps forward.

Her hand trembled as she reached into the bundle of flowers she carried with her, placing them gently at the foot of the gravestones, and then proceeded to trace their names, which were carved on their gravestones.

By now, she was already kneeling in front of the gravestones, her hands rubbing her thighs as she tried to calm herself.

"Hi," she muttered with a soft smile, her eyes watering a bit. "I'm sorry it took me so long to visit. Have you both been good?" Kira asked them, trying hard not to break down and staying calm for the moment.

"I have been good, I'm getting stronger also," she said, wiping the tears that rolled down her cheeks. "I have so many things to say and tell you guys."

"Okay, first I will start with this," she spoke, wiping more tears that rolled down her cheeks with trembling hands. "Things had not been easy for me, but these past few months, it got much better than I expected. I survived a lot, and I wish you both could see me now. I wish you… umm... I wish you were here to see how far your little girl has come."

She glanced back at Aiden and Bryan, who waited silently, their eyes filled with love and patience. "These are my mates." She chuckled as more tears rolled down her face. "It's funny, is it not?" She asked her parents, turning back to face their graves.

"I got mated to two strong Alphas—an Omega like me, Mom. Trust me, I was so shocked." Kira laughed more. "And the same ones who banished me, but I have been treated like a princess ever since they found me and begged me to take them back," she said, bragging.

Bryan and Aiden just chuckled as they watched her. They knew she was breaking, but she needed this.

"I have forgiven them and everyone else. I have let go of the hate in my heart, and I know you would have wanted me to have peace," she continued, taking some breaths. "They brought me home. I didn't have one in a long time, but I'm home now."

Then she took some moments to process before she started speaking again. "I have also started training," Kira informed her parents with a proud smile as her eyes started filling up with tears again. "I will be a great warrior like you both or even more. The Valens won't be forgotten so easily."

"I'm sorry I could not protect you both that night, I just wish I could have done something." Her voice faltered as she let out a deep sigh. 

She tried to say more things, but no words were coming out, instead the tears started coming, hot and fast. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm so sorry... I should have been awake or something, anything at least. They took you from me, this is not what- i-" she sobbed, trying to find the right words.

"This was not the plan." Kira's voice cracked as she pressed a hand to her mouth, trying to hold in the sobs, but they spilled uncontrollably. "It was never the plan."

The sobs wracked through her body, her shoulders shaking violently as she cried and pressed her forehead against the cold stone, her hands rubbing them like she was trying to get a hug from her parents. "I can't lie and say I don't need you both, and I can take care of myself now, but even though I can and have people around me who can... I still need my Mom and Dad."

"I don't know how to keep going, but I won't give up," she said while sobbing. "I promise."

It was as if every emotion she had held inside for years finally broke free, crashing over her. She cried for the moments they had spent together, she cried for lost times, she cried for the moments she would never get back, and for the love she had lost too soon.

The memories were too many. Her mother's laugh, her father's gentle smile, and the advice they always gave her. The way they helped her confidence and loved her unconditionally. Kira let herself grieve, finally, after all these years of holding it in. 

Bryan and Aiden, who had been standing at a distance, slowly moved closer to her as her sobs became softer and more desperate. They could not stay away any longer, knowing the weight of her pain, and it made their hearts ache to see her that way.

It wasn't just her loss; it was theirs too, because her pain was their pain.

Bryan was the first to kneel beside her, his touch gentle as his hand rested on her trembling back. "Kira…"

"We are here with you." Aiden joined him, crouching down and placing a hand on her shoulder, his touch warm. "You don't have to carry it alone anymore." He whispered.

Kira didn't respond at first, the tears continued to flow. But now, with them beside her, it felt different—less like drowning and more like release. She immediately turned to them, and they wrapped their arms around her just as fast, pulling her gently in a hug. They let her cry as long as she needed.

"We know it hurts," Bryan murmured against her hair. "It's okay to cry, let it out."

"We are not going anywhere," Aiden said, kissing the top of her head, his voice soft. "Take all the time you need. We are here for you, always."

Time passed, though none of them knew how long. Eventually, Kira's sobs quieted. Her body was exhausted, her emotions wrung out as she laid in their arms, not moving. She felt drained, yet lighter.

Bryan and Aiden exchanged a look before Aiden spoke softly. "Do you want to head back inside now? You can stay as long as you want. Whatever you need, love."

"It's okay," she sniffed and nodded, her face flushed and her eyes red and swollen. "Let's go in."