AEDION'S MOM'S COTTAGE IN THE ABOVE IMAGE
AEDION'S POV
I look over to my clock on my bed side. Its only 19:30, an hour ever since I came to my room to get some rest and process the circle information I got. To be honest, I am hurt by the deceit and lies but I cannot get angry at anyone. I know for a logical person, they would get angry at my stepmom but I can't because despite all the lies, she raised me like her own , she raised me well, she showed me love, she was even closer to me than my own father and mostly she never treated me different from my siblings. It felt like I was her son from the very beginning, and I would be a fool to not appreciate that.
I toss in my bed for the hundredth time now and I cannot close my eyes and let sleep engulf me. I think about the turn of events for the past months and my mind lands on Avyanna. I instantly wake up and get dressed in a grey sweatpant, white v neck t-shirt and a black plain thick hoodie.
I try and quietly sneak out of the castle because I do not want to face anyone just yet. Also if I come across Xanth, he will prevent me from leaving. Therefore my only option was to climb out of my window. I slowly do exactly that and land soundlessly on the ground.
I go to the back of the castle where the royal family's private garage is. We have two garages, one that is private and strictly for the royal family and the front one is for our body guards' SUV.
I got into the garage quietly and go to my car. It was a sleek BMW i8 matte black car but with the lights glowing a calm blue. I press the start button and my car roars to life as I drive off.
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I pack in the car park furthest from the hospital building, so I do not draw too much attention. I then walk to the hospital. I notice that Avy's grandparents are cuddled up on the left side of the hallway in the chairs, sleeping whereas Hunter and Rhysand is on the right doing the same. I am still bothered that Rhysand is always around her but who am I to say anything.
I walk to the other hallway with a longer distance to her room, to avoid confrontation. I quietly but quickly walk to her room. After about five minutes, I find myself standing in front of her door again. I had instructed the guards at her door to let me in for a short while and not tell anyone I'm here. I want to see her , somehow she brings out the calmness in me even though she is not my mate.
I then walk in and look at her sleeping. At this moment I wish I was her, just sleeping in that bed and not receiving a bombshell of news like I just had.
I walk over to her and sit beside the bed she is occupying. I push her hair aside, to the back of her ear, to reveal her beautiful face. She has regained her colour a bit and her lips have healed, only leaving a faint line of cracks. I smile as I take her hand into mine.
"You have no idea how good it feels to see you, my Reina. A lot has happened ever since you went into a coma." I sniff a bit. "Guess what? I just found out that my mother the Queen Mother of Asena is actually not my mother. But that is not the worst part, the worst part is I had met my real mother some months ago and I did not even know. To be honest, my life is messed up. But anyway, enough of the sad stories. I wish you would just open your eyes."
I stay silent for a while thinking about my life and how it turned out to be.
I sigh
"I should go look for her right?" I ask Avy as I debate whether to go see Cliodhna or not and hear her side of the story.
I keep looking to Avy for my answer as if she would wake up and answer me
"Okay then, I will go." I give her one last kiss on her forehead and leave quietly.
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I stare at the door of the little flowery cottage at the edge of the Kingdom. So this is where she lives, where she has been hiding the whole times. I had headed back to the castle quickly, in my office and looked for her address, so here I am. To my luck, everyone was sleeping. I am a bit nervous, who am I kidding? I am a lot nervous, I am scared of the answers I will get and also I need to find answers.
I do not know if I should knock or not but eventually my need for answers and security is stronger.
I knock on the door and wait. I hear light footsteps coming closer to the door. Then I hear the creeking of the door opening, revealing the old lady.
She looks shocked to see me and we continue to stare at each other for a while, one wondering if why I am here.
She then regains her posture
"Alpha King Aedion please come in!" She states as she moves out of the doorway, for me to step through.
I do as I am told. Her cottage was a cozy one with a feminine touch. It was a one story cottage. It had an antique type of vibe in it.
I am led to the lounge area and I take a seat.
"Do you want anything to eat or drink?" She asks
"No, please sit down." I suggest
"Is something wrong Alpha?" She questions as she settles down.
"I need for us to talk and clear out a few things." I say as I look straight into her eyes. They say a person's eyes are the windows to someone's soul. Therefore, I need to look at her for the next conversation we are going to have because I need to see if she is going to be completely honest or lie to me.
"Clear out what?"
I look at her and deserve her. Come to think of it she has the same eyes as mine.
"About my parents." I reply
She now looks a bit nervous and uneasy. I'm guessing she already knows where this is heading.
I sigh
"I don't know where to start from, so I suggest you just tell me everything about your past. Don't leave out everything."
She slowly nods her head as she looks down, suddenly taking an interest in her feet. She fidgets a little and starts playing with her fingers.
I let her settle down and process how she is going to tell me. After all it's also not easy for her to talk about this. It's silent for a while until she takes a deep breath and looks up at me.
"My name is Cliodhna Black and I am your real mother." She takes a sharp intake of breath and continues. "It was some centuries before you were born, I was from the northern territory, B
Narah. I was the daughter of General Macon of Narah. My father was the Head warrior there and the Alpha's most trusted right hand man. He always used to go carry out duties for his Alpha, to the Alpha King here in Asena. But one day, he had a lot of work to do at the pack, so since I was the incoming general he sent me on my first mission to Asena, to sort out some rogue issues. And that was how your father and I met. When we met it was love at first sight." She says this with so much passion and gleam in her eyes. I could clearly see the feelings she has for my father have not faded even a bit.
"We started spending time together and getting to know each other and everyone was happy for us both his parents and mine. However, little did I know his ex was not over him. This woman started manipulating Lucien to the point that we were growing apart bit by bit. But since we were mates, she could not manage to separate us. Therefore, she used magic to separate your dad's royal advisor and his mate after he overheard her speaking to a witch to destroy me. After she did that, she could no longer do the same with me and your father because she heard I was now pregnant with you. Instead she changed her plan and told your father not to see me or talk to me, in exchange to not kill you." She states. She starts crying as she could no longer hold back her tears.
"I was forced to live a life without you and your dead, all because she wanted to be the Queen Mother. I missed out on your first walk, your first laugh, your first talk. Your father secretly sent me pictures and videos of you as you grow but it was never the same as being there with you. You have no idea how hard it was for me as a mother and as a mate. I lost the both of you but at least your father made sure you did not lack anything."
I feel so bad for her. I was so hurt with the truth and angry at both my parents but never stopped to consider the pain my parents were also going through especially my mother. I can imagine having a child so close to me but yet so far. That would be the the worst pain for both a mother and father, no wonder why my father is more tense , quiet and distances himself so much. I used to think that was just his character since he is an Alpha King. But now I see it's just because he is longing for his mate.
"I understand what you are going through but I need to ask. We are supernatural creatures and we don't she but why is it .... You know?" I trail off , I couldn't bring myself to say exactly how she looks, it sounds rude.
She gives me a sad smile.
"This is what happens when we live long without our mate, we start aging and eventually die. Our life cycle, without our mates becomes like the one of mortals." She elaborates
"But how come for dad, he has not aged."
"Well he has just a bit but this mate thing has more impact on the female than male."
The moment she said that, my mind went straight to Avyanna and how much the rejection impacted her. I bet she went through a lot of pain especially from the heat. I feel so bad, I really don't know if she can forgive me when she wakes up.
"She will forgive you." She states as if she read my mind.
"Mates always get back together but from what I have heard about her she is strong-willed, so I am guessing you will have to do a lot of grovelling before you are off the hook." She laughs a little.
"Yes, you are right on that one. But anyway, I am not comfortable with you here alone, so I am taking you home with me to the castle and we have to talk to Dad about-
I was cut off by the door banging open, only to review..
"Dad?"
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THIRD PERSON POV
She walked slowly and gracefully to the isolated cell that held Asteria. As she reached there, she saw two guards at the incubator's door. She opened a small glass bottle, that contained a position that would change her identity to any person she desires. She decided to go for the identity of General Conrad and walk up to the incubator.
"Good evening, General." Acknowledges one of the guards with a bow.
She simply nods as she says "I relieve you of your duty, I will stay guard here until the other shift."
"But sir, we are okay here. You don't need to worry about us, we can handle for the night." The other guard opposes.
"No, I want to. It's a slow night, I am looking for something to pass time with and what better way to do that , than to help my soldiers with guarding, the witch."
The two guards look at each other, trying to make sense of what is happening. They eventually agree as they don't want to upset their general by asking too many questions.
"Goodnight sir, here are the keys. Take care." They say as they take their leave.
She waves them off and looks back to the keys in her hands and she smiles in a sinister way.
She then quickly unlocks the incubator and rushes over to Asteria in chains and unlocks them.
"Ah, yes took you long enough." Asteria says as she rubs her painful wrists.
"I had some difficulties getting here." She replies
Asteria shrugs and stands. She then looks at the young lady who rescued her and smiles happily as she hugs her.
"We will finally get the recognition we deserve Aislian." Asteria states as her daughter hugs her tighter with excitement.
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Hello, another update.
NB: Reina is Spanish for Queen and that is Aedion's pet name for Avyanna.
Oh for those that have forgotten Aislian is Aedion's half sister.
Anyway , I hope you enjoy
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SEE YOU ON SATURDAY, LOVES ❤️