All Chapters of Rising From the Ashes of Her Past ( A Lunas Tale): Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

From Arina's POV As he sat there watching me play with Kiara, I couldn’t help but feel something stir inside me. I couldn’t tell what it was, but it felt warm, loving, and caring. The silence was peaceful; there was no pressure on either of us to speak, and there was an unspoken level of comfort between us in each other's presence. A few minutes later, Alexandre stood and walked to the door. It was clear to me that I needed to say something. After placing Kiara in the puppy pen, I called him. “Alexandre,” I called softly. Suddenly, my mouth felt dry as he turned to look at me, clearing my throat. I mustered the minuscule courage I had. “Thank you so much. It must get boring to hear me repeat this. However, I would like you to know how grateful I am for everything, from opening your home to me to providing a bed and for her." I said, turning to Kiara, who was fast asleep in her bed. As I returned my gaze to Alexandre, I said, "I've not been treated so nice not since my father, and I

From Arina’s POV Everyone remained pensive the rest of the night. Their facial expressions told me they had questions. The only neutral person was Maribelle, and I knew she had the answers we all sought. As Alexandre walked me to my room, I couldn’t help but wonder what this meant for him and me. He opened the bedroom door and walked in; I watched him take Kiara to her bed. Making my way to the couch at the foot of the bed, I sat down and took a deep breath. “Are you alright? You seem like there’s something on your mind,” Alexandre asked. I looked at him; he was so handsome. As much as I wanted to be in his arms, a sudden wave of fear came over me. But this wasn't a fear I had; it seemed like a feeling that manifested out of the blue. I was confused by this change. I had nothing to fear and was sure I hadn't felt this earlier today. “Ask him to stay with us tonight,” Zakara's voice rang through my mind. “Why?” I replied. “Something is not right.” She said before quickly retreati

From Alexandre’s POV I decided to drive into town to grab a bite. It was the perfect way to get one-on-one time with Arina, more like on two, since the little Frenchie had to come with us. I was starting to think I had made a mistake in getting her the little dog since it constantly had to be with her. As we drove into town, I realized I didn't know much about Arina besides that she was Zeno's daughter. As I glanced at her, I noticed her head leaning against the window with a thoughtful expression on her olive-colored face. She was beautiful, as fresh and new as the early morning light. Clearing my throat, I asked. “So, do you have a favorite food or preference?” A shy smile spread across Arina's lips as she sat up. “Umm, well, it's not food, but I love brownies with a side of vanilla bean ice cream,” she replied, lowering her eyes. “What is it?” I asked. Arina looked up. “My dad was the one who would always take me after training to this little ice cream place. We would go to t

From Arina’s POV|It wasn't easy to listen to everything Maribelle said about my father. The betrayal did not only come from Maribelle but also from my father. It felt like I was no longer a priority in my father's life. I was confused and hurt and didn't understand why he would do this to me. If that's what the Mate Bond did, I could understand why Alexandre was reluctant to find a mate in the first place. It was difficult to accept that he had neglected me in favor of fulfilling his desires. It made me question whether the mate bond was worth the struggles and sacrifices it brought. The more I thought about it, the more questions that arose: Was I not worth fighting for? If I'm not worth it, who is? That thought made me ponder the concept of self-worth and whether I held a valid place in the universe. I knew there was more to this, but right now, I couldn’t see past the fact that Maribelle was the one who carried out my father's final day. She helped him. I could hear them talki

From Arina’a POV After breakfast, Alexandre and Thiago excused themselves to attend to pack business. This left me to think about the coming day's events. I was feeling anxious, but I knew I had to remain focused and be prepared for whatever might come. I took a few deep breaths and reminded myself I was ready to take on whatever was in store. I was worried about what was to come. What would my mother say once she found out I was here? Could I still consider her my mother? I took a deep breath, realizing that these were questions I may never have an answer to. Wanting to clear my thoughts, I headed to the pool, deciding that going for a swim might help clear my mind. I slowly submerged myself in the cool water. The feeling of the water surrounding me was calming and I felt my worries drift away. Taking a few strokes, I focused on the calming rhythm of my arms and legs and let my mind wander. The first thought I had was my father. I thought about the stories he would tell me. Cl