New Leaf

~Nikki~

Well, that went about as expected. I have to say, though, they took it better than I figured they would. How else should someone react when told their tormentor has escaped from the hospital and no one can find her?

I expected Lincoln to tear stuff up, and I was mentally planning how I would clean our place after his outburst. Gladly, it isn’t needed, but I should file it away as a just in case. Paul has no real skin in this game, but his anger and frustration are because his loved ones are dealing with a ball of mess.

Paul squeezes my knee, and I turn to look at him. Are you okay?

Uh, I guess so. I mean, how ‘okay’ can I be? My daughter is on the loose right now. I’m her mother and worried about her safety, yet I know that she’s dangerous and probably means my family harm. How twisted is that?

Babe, it’s okay to feel for your daughter…..for both of your daughters. That doesn’t make you a bad person. I’m here; lean on me if you need to. I smile and pat Paul’s hand. This is an absolute clusterfuck, and I just can’t wrap my head around it. I don’t know how I should feel or what I should do.

“Why don’t we find her ourselves?”

“Uh, that won’t be necessary, Landon.” He turns to look at Lynn, and I swear there’s murder in his eyes.

“You just told us that the person who’s obsessed with my brother, kidnapped him and wanted to run away with him…..you just told us that she has escaped her prison, and no one knows where she is. Now you’re telling me not to go after her, not to keep my family safe?!” Kian starts to fuss, and I watch Stuart stand up with him, patting his back while walking back and forth.

“I didn’t get to all the news. The royal Beta called me and told me they are on the case. He said they will be sending some people to us to help us locate her and provide extra support for our pack.” Landon sighs and flops down next to Tia. She rubs his back, and Lincoln leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

“We need to double……no triple patrols. We need to make sure everyone is aware of what’s going on and have everyone keep an eye out. We need to contact our allied packs an-”

“And let them know that Aida escaped. Ask them to keep an eye out and report anything suspicious. Yes, I’ve already handled all of that. I am the Beta, after all.” Lincoln nods and sits back on the couch. Tia still hasn’t said anything, and that worries me. “Tia, are you okay? I hate this for you, bestie! I wish you could just live and be left alone.” Tia continues to rub Landon’s back.

“I guess being Luna comes with its trials. I have the support of my mates and my family. We have the pack, and it looks like the royals as well. I refuse to change my life. I refuse to live in fear. I will continue to do what I’ve been doing, and that bitch can come for me if she wants. I will do anything and everything to protect my family and this pack.” Tia looks up and directly into my eyes. “I’m not worried.” No one says anything, everyone seeming to be lost in thought.

Tia gets up and walks over to Stuart. He hands her the baby, and she kisses him on the cheek. Tia walks to Paul and me to say goodbye. We kiss her and our grandpup and watch her walk out with her mates and Lynn behind her. I look at Paul, and he nods, knowing what I need without me having to say anything.

Stuart is sitting in the armchair with his head in his hands. I sit on the coffee table in front of him and just watch him. “This is all my fault.”

“What do you mean?” Stuart pulls his head up and looks at me. The pain and sorrow in his eyes are almost too much to bear.

“If I’d never been the way I was…..if I hadn’t raised the twins the way I did……” Stuart stands and starts to pace back and forth. “If I had been a better man, this wouldn’t be happening.” I lean back on the table, using a hand to balance me.

“If this is your fault, then it’s equally my fault.”

“How do you figure that?” I place my other hand behind me and lean back further.

“I never stopped you from doing what you did. I didn’t try to interfere when the girls were little. I sat back and let everything happen. I could have spoken up, I could have changed things.” Stuart scoffs.

“You talk as if I ever gave you an opportunity to do anything other than follow me.”

“That may be, but I still could have done something.” I sit up and really look at Stuart.

“Ask.” I don’t say anything, the butterflies starting to move in my stomach. “Ask the question, Nikki. Just do it.”

“Wha……” I close my eyes and clear my throat. “What are you going to do? What happens when you’re faced with Aida and even Adela? What about……what about Tia?” I have to know. Yes, Tia and Stuart have gotten close these past few months, and that has been amazing. That doesn’t erase the previous 10+ years of hatred and resentment that followed Stuart around like a lost puppy. It doesn’t deaden the love he showered on our twins. What happens to Tia when they’re back in play?

“I love my girls, all three of them. I messed up so much over the years, and I can’t make it all up. I’m so grateful that I’ve been given the chance to get to know Tia and spend time with her. What a fool I was to push her away.” Stuart sighs and plops into the armchair. “Tia gave me a beautiful grandson that I live for. Even if she hadn’t….I….I can’t hurt Tia! I just….I can’t hurt her. Hurting her is hurting him, and I’d die before I let that happen. I owe Tia so much that I can’t give her, so the very least I can do is protect her, even if that’s from my own flesh and blood. Tia doesn’t need to worry about me or her place in my heart with the twins around. She will always have her spot, and no one can change that.”

“I needed to hear that, dad.” We both turn to see Tia standing there with tears running down her face. “I was scared. I didn’t know if everything we had gained together would be gone with the idea of the twins returning. You helped them against me once, and I couldn’t take it if you did it again.” Stuart rushes to Tia and pulls her into his arms.

“I swear to the Moon Goddess, that man is gone, forever. I’m your father just as much as I’m theirs. What they did to you…. What I did to you was wrong, and I won’t repeat the past. I will protect you and protect Kian with my last breath, no matter who’s coming after you.” I stand up and wipe my tears. I walk to the kitchen and am immediately engulfed in Paul’s arms. I think we can weather whatever is making its way to us.