King Alejandro: The Return of Her Cold-Hearted Alpha
Chapter 58

KIARA

"So how far along are you? Any chance it's twins?" Raven asked Raihana. We were all sitting around the table, eating and chatting. There were a huge variety of dishes, from grilled platters, wraps, enchiladas, and much more, spread across the huge table before us. "Oh, it's definitely one." Raihana replied, kissing Chris.

I smiled as I sat between my twins. Although I didn't remember anything about any of them, in the short time that I had spent with them, I already felt like I was one of them. I mean I was, but with no memories, it was daunting. I planted a soft kiss on top of my little Maleficent's head and then one on Kataleya, who wore a deep plum sequined dress. She was still holding her teddy bear tightly in one arm and had refused to put it down to eat. "Kat, want me to break the chicken for you?" I asked quietly, seeing her using just her fork and one-handedly trying to break it.

She shook her head, her right arm tightening around her teddy. She was doing it again... refusing to use both her hands.

"Ok" I replied softly, caressing her soft sandy locks. I kept my voice low, not wanting to draw too much attention, although obviously everyone could hear. Next to Kat was Azura, and then Mom and Dad. Alejandro was opposite me, with Dante next to him. Dante had stopped talking to me lately, and that unnerved me. Even now, when he looked up at me, I felt that rush of anger and fear rush through me. I broke eye contact, wondering what hold the Djinn had on me. Was it possible he was seeing everything through my eyes? Was he getting insight into everything going on around us? "Amore Mio." I was pulled from my thoughts by Alejandro calling me. I gave him a small smile before I turned to Skyla, who was adding salad to her plate. "Want some dearie? It is good for you, my pretty..." She asked me, giving me a small sly smirk. "Sky, that would be the evil witch from Snow White, not Maleficent." Azura decided to input. "Oh yeah... I'm a combination of villains!" Skyla decided, poking her fork at Azura. "Be careful, blue-eyed bat! I will have your heart and enjoy the beauty from devouring it!"

"Girls are so damn loud." Dante remarked, sipping his juice just as Renji knocked something over and Jayce pushed him, making the younger one begin to cry. "Jayce, behave." Raven warned as Liam comforted Renji.

"Renji is baby." Theo added, only for Mom to try to distract him from making matters worse, but Renji had heard and began crying louder.

"I take it back." Dante sighed as Sienna giggled from where she sat next to Maria She looked pretty in a cream sequin dress, the multi-coloured sequins creating a green-blue shine to it,

Delsanra was sitting back in the armchair that had been placed near the table, and Rayhan was feeding her. The love they had for one another was obvious in their eyes, I smiled as Rayhan raised Delsanra's hand to his lips, kissing her wrist. Even in the hardest of times, he was there for her.

I returned to my food, listening to the talking around me, when I felt a strong, intense rush of anger through me, one that was not mine. My heart skipped a beat and for a moment, it felt like an out-of-body experience. Everything faded, and when I looked around, I could hear nothing but the raging anger that was consuming me. A flare of pain rushed through me, and my eyes snapped to the knife on the table. What was going on? 'Alejandro. I called him through the link, my voice sounding panicked. I could feel my wolf's agitation and I stood up quickly.

He frowned, standing up instantly, and within seconds he was in front of me. His touch sent a wave of coolness through me and I smiled smoothly, noticing everyone watching us and not wanting anyone to get worried. 'What is it?' He asked, his dark eyes piercing into mine. 'I just felt emotions that weren't mine.' I replied, locking my arms around his waist tightly.

When he was close, those feelings were at bay... I could no longer hear the voice in my head since he had made me his once more, but something told me he still lingered within some part of my mind. Was that why every time Dante and I locked eyes I felt something, because the thing inside of me was afraid of him?

If that was so, then why did he want Dante? I wish we knew of a way to kill him; I just hoped Alejandro found the answer. I felt useless as it was. "Want to go for a walk or something to clear your mind?" He asked quietly, cupping my face. "Oh no, I'm fine."

I was not going to ruin this dinner.

"Alright." He pulled me close, kissing my neck. I bit my lip, stopping myself from moaning loudly. When he pulled away, I felt calmer, taking my seat once more.

It was much later, Alejandro, Maria, Mom, and the rest of the men were heading out to the packhouse for a meeting. I found it a little strange that they weren't using the home office or that I wasn't invited.

Did Alejandro not trust me? I mean, I don't blame him, because I was beginning to get scared of the sudden surges of emotions and feelings that consumed me.

"We won't be too long." He said, coming over to me. "Nothing important for me to know?" I couldn't help but ask. "It ain't nothing too important. Enjoy time with the ladies." He jerked his head towards the living room, and I nodded.

His black shirt stretched over his chest and arms, and I tried not to let my gaze linger on his pierced nipples. It wasn't too important... but it was important, I could sense that, and the slight hesitation behind his words. "Ok..." I said, "I'll keep an eye on the kiddies." He nodded, kissing me hard. His enticing scent made my heart skip a beat, and when he pulled away, I gave him a warm smile.

I wouldn't let on that I knew he didn't trust me, because if he was hiding something, it wasn't because of me but the evil presence that lingered in the corners of my mind. Like a thief in the night, I was unable to pinpoint it unless he showed his emotions. I watched them walk away. Mom gave me a small smile before I turned and walked back into the living room. The kids were happily playing, and as I watched Raven, I couldn't help but smile at the sight of her with her five little munchkins.

I could just picture them as these big alpha males with their tiny bite-sized mama. "Carter baby, stop." Raven said, watching him biting onto the edge of the table. "How old are they now?" I asked, taking a seat next to Delsanra, placing my hand on her leg and letting my healing pour into her. "They will be three in a few months." Raven replied, turning as she watched Azura scanning the curtains. "Zuzu..." "What? I'm not doing anything." Azura replied in a scandalised voice. "I swear." "No one trusts you." Dante remarked. "What's not to trust?" She replied, watching him unblinkingly, "Did you know psychotic killers tend not to blink?" Dante stated. "I'm no killer and that isn't true."

"It is."

"Isn't" "Is."

"Isn't!"

"Guys, stop. Seriously, positive energy!" Raven reprimanded. "Zuzu, you're a big girl right. Behave, ok?"

"Oh yes, I forgot that he's my baby nephew."

Dante rolled his eyes.

"We both know who acts more childish.". "Ok, smart guy." Raihana added before the argument blew up even more. "Dante isn't feeling well." Kataleya said softly as she sat down next to her brother. "Be nice to him, please."

She was still holding that teddy tightly and I wondered if she needed extra comfort. I would have gone over, but with Dante right there, something deep within me was telling me to stay away, for his safety.

"I'm always nice Kat." Azura turned around, not sounding very convincing.

"I

I hope the meeting goes well." Raihana sighed, "I was meant to attend, but they told me I wasn't needed."

"Well, maybe you just need a break, babe." Raven replied. "I agree, plus you are pregnant, you need to take it easy." Delsanra reminded her. "I'm totally fine, I don't need to be bubble-wrapped." "But Chris would want you all wrapped up." Delsanra replied weakly. "No trust me, he'll prefer me unwrap-" "Kids!" I coughed, making the other women laugh.

"Oopsie." Raven smiled.

"Hey, you're one to talk We saw Uncle get all handsy." Raihana replied, smirking. "I'm sure most aren't paying attention..." Raven added, watching the kids suspiciously as I tried not to blush.

"Of course, we aren't." Skyla remarked from where she was building something from Legos." Oi, Theo! Stop."

"Careful that the kids don't take the Legos, Sky." I said, getting up and instead sitting down on the floor next to her, brushing a small piece away from Tatum. "Why do babies put everything in their mouths?" Sky rolled her eyes as she continued to work on her creation.

"Because it's how they explore, I'm sure you did it too." I replied with a smile, ruffling her dark hair.

"Maybe." She shrugged.

"You know, when everything calms down, we need to take a family holiday abroad." Raihana mused as she stretched, patting her stomach.

"I think that would be a lovely idea." I agreed. "Somewhere with a beach..."

Just the image of Alejandro in swimming trunks with water dripping down his body made my stomach flutter and that familiar ache settle into his core once more.

"Oh, I'm all for it! A beach would be amazing." Raihana agreed.

"I can imagine us chasing after the kiddies." Raven said, with an amused smile. "Oh, don't worry, me and Del will keep them in check with our magic, we won't even need any nannies!"

It was something I think we would all love to do once things were better again. Even though we didn't know when that would be, just discussing something and making plans seemed to lighten the mood considerably. A reminder that times won't always be so dark and trying.

We talked for a while longer, from the plans of a holiday to just general things that they had planned for the coming months, before we finally began putting the kids to bed. Kataleya had sat silently, and even when Delsanra and I tried to talk to her, she gave short replies, clutching her teddy tightly.

We had all settled the younger kids to bed and I had kissed all the little kiddies good night, apart from Dante, whom I had just told to get some rest and wished him good night from afar before coming to the kitchen. I had a headache coming on, which was kind of weird, and decided to make myself some tea after asking the girls if they wanted any. Rayhan, Mom and Dad had returned from the meeting, but Alejandro wasn't back yet. I wondered if he had other things to tend to. I had just poured the hot water into my mug when I heard footsteps behind me. By the scent, I knew who it was before I even turned, spotting Dante going to the fridge. He took the six-pint bottle of milk, and I hurried over, seeing how he was struggling and using both arms to carry the bottle. "Here, let me get it." I said, but the moment my hand brushed his, a searing pain shot through my arm, and it felt like I had just been burned.

I jerked away from him, looking down at my hand, which looked perfectly normal. I felt a sharp pain rip through my head and arm, making me stumble as I clutched my shoulder, my eyes stinging as I tried to breathe. Once the pain became slightly more bearable, I exhaled. "You should really be careful." Dante remarked, taking the milk to the counter. "Dante..." I whispered softly.

He looked at me, his eyes hard, and I felt my heart squeeze with sadness. Memories or not, this was my son, but the hostility in his eyes hurt. So much....

I remained silent, watching him as he got a glass and poured himself milk. The sound of the milk sploshing into the glass, the thudding of our hearts, it all seemed to intensify. Then suddenly I felt an influx of emotions course through me, but this time they weren't mine. The hatred within me was terrifying, a level I had never felt. The strong, intense urge to grab the biggest knife I could overcame me and my blazing purple eyes skimmed the worktops before it fell on the knife block.

I walked over to it as if my legs had a mind of their own, before reality hit me hard and I willed myself to stop. Grabbing onto the counter to control myself.

My heart was pounding as I tried to regain use of my senses. The glaring hatred within me felt so foreign. I had never felt such hate for anyone...

I turned towards Dante, feeling his eyes on me, and to my surprise, they were soft. The usual calculating look in them was gone.

"Dante, go to bed now." I commanded breathlessly, trying to battle the foreign emotions within me. "Please." I begged

He drank his milk slowly, his eyes not leaving my face as I fought this with everything I had. Just when I felt like I might not be able to do anything more, he put the glass down and once again he looked like just a young boy. He gave me a nod, as he walked off to the door and paused to look back at me, he gave me a small smile.

"I love you, Mama."

His words shattered something inside, and I clamped my hand over my mouth to stifle the sob that threatened to escape. The door shut behind him, and I felt a wave of guilt overcome me. I had almost hurt him. I needed to stay away, I was a danger to everyone around me.