“Go to your room, Ophelia,” Opal commanded her, and the girl obeyed.
“Can we have a quick word?” I asked, doing my fucking best to sound calm. I was already trying to suppress my aura entirely.
They nodded as the man wrapped his arm around his mate. I could smell their fear and feel their distrust. It showed they only agreed because they felt they had no choice.
“Please, sit, Alpha King,” the woman murmured. We all sat down, and it felt too fucking small in here. The man remained standing as his mate sat down, her heart thundering with fear as she gripped her mate’s hand that rested on her shoulder.
“The reason we are here is to apologise,” I said quietly.
“I’ll take it from here,” Rayhan added, looking at the man. “Years ago, I came here, blinded by my pain and rage. My only goal was to hurt all those who had hurt my mate, but without even realising… I did the very same thing that I was punishing others for. I hurt you, but indirectly, I also harmed your mate. A woman who was innocent… you lost a child for refusing to beat the very species you hated. I can’t imagine losing a child… I, too, would do anything to protect them, so I’m sorry. It won’t take back what I have done, and it won’t change the past, but I apologise.” He lowered his head to the man, who looked surprised. The woman looked up at her mate, her eyes glittering with unshed tears of surprise.
“It’s fine… it’s in the past,” the man replied curtly. Rayhan shook his head.
“No. Whether it’s in the past or present, I still made a mistake.” The man smiled slightly and nodded.
“We all did, but we are beings, we are made to make mistakes. It’s fine, you need not worry about it. Thank you for your apology.”
“Thank you for accepting it. I’m sorry for the loss of your child at the hands of Endora,” Rayhan said quietly. Silence fell in the room, but somehow, I fucking knew the small gesture would help the couple in their healing.
“There is always light,” Kiara said warmly. Leaning over, she placed a hand on the woman’s knee, and I sensed her healing aura flowing into the woman, no doubt, healing whatever internal damage there was. The woman visibly relaxed, and Kiara simply smiled at her.
I think I will start going around to every pack in the country and offer to heal what I can. Although we have always made it clear that everyone is welcome to come to us, it’s obvious not everyone does or can.
Sounds like a fucking plan. Proud of you, Amore Mio.
Our eyes met, and she smiled softly at me. She was my fucking life.
We left after a short while, going on to the other houses. There were a few who refused to see us, but that was understandable. Those who had had their mates killed were more hostile, but still, Rayhan did his best. I knew he didn’t regret killing those men, but he did feel for those who suffered because of it. Once we were done and seated at Marcel’s having some refreshments, I looked across at my brother. It was my fucking turn.
“I also owe the Sangue Pack an apology. I promised you all a fresh start but didn’t hold true to my fucking word. Going forward, that’s going to change. The files I created on this pack have been destroyed, and, as for those who were orphaned back then, those children will have funds created for them so they can have a good start to life and a good education,” I said. Marcel smiled.
“You don’t owe us an apology, Alejandro; you have done so much, and we appreciate it. You have given me my share of the Rossi Empire, and it is more than enough for me to cater for those orphans, although the number is extremely high.”
“And that’s why I’m fucking helping, don’t fucking argue with me,” I growled.
“Alright, I won’t. You know this life we have is because you gave us the chance. Going forward, I, too, hope that we can carry on stronger than ever. I’m sure Leo will come around. This action from you, Rayhan, was truly admirable, no matter how hard it was. Our mates mean the world to us, and you only did a mate’s duty, yet you were man and alpha enough to admit the damage it did to others. It’s not something easy for us of Alpha blood to admit, but you did it. Humbly and earnestly. You are a son that anyone would be proud of, and I know that Rafael will be proud of you,” he said in a voice so similar to Rafael’s that it fucking tugged at something inside. Rayhan smiled slightly.
“Thank you,” he said quietly.
“Yeah, he fucking would be…” I said as I leaned forward, picking up my cup of tea from the table.
A ray of sunshine fell over my hand, illuminating the room in a warm glow, and I turned towards the window.I hope you are proud Raf… are you watching over us?
Kiara placed her hand on my thigh, sending sparks of warmth through me. I turned, smiling at her.
“To bonds of every kind,” Marcel said, raising his teacup. Rayhan smirked as he raised his own and we all followed suit, clinking our cups together.
To family, friendship, honesty, loyalty, and to fucking equality.
I downed my cup, giving them a cold smirk as the hot liquid ran down my throat.
Yeah, to better times.
Enrique
I walked throughthe empty halls of the Escarra mansion, a place that had remained empty for the last few years. The sun shone through the window, and I was able to see the dust particles that hung in the air.
Hugo walked behind me. Over the last few weeks, he had become my shadow. He had been our family butler before Father had refused to allow him to come along to take care of my mother and me when we left Puerto Rico. He was the one who had saved me the day I almost died, the day that Mother was killed.
