Hunter's Attraction

36.

Aiden shook his head. “We’ll get back to that. But you,”—he pointed at Sirena—“we need to talk. Now.”

“About what?” Sirena asked, frowning.

“Seriously?” Aiden’s scowl deepened before he turned on his heel and marched up the steps.

Sirena exchanged a look with Lily. “What’s up with him?” she asked.

“I’m as clueless as you are.” Lily shrugged.

Sirena shrugged before she followed Aiden upstairs, with Monte trailing close behind. When she reached their room, Sirena paused in the doorway. Aiden was pacing, raking his fingers through his blonde hair and muttering under his breath. Hesitantly, Sirena stepped inside. “H-Hey, what’s going on?”

Aiden turned to her, incredulous. “What’s going on? You texted me—accusing me of cheating, saying I failed to protect you and Lena, saying we should take a break, even blaming me for what happened to Lily! Why would you send that?”

“What are you talking about?” Sirena’s brow furrowed. “I didn’t text you.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“No, Aiden. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She pulled out her phone, staring at it as if it were a stranger’s. “I didn’t text…you.” The room spun, and Monte nudged her legs, grounding her. She sank onto the bed, struggling to speak. “I didn’t…t-text…”

But there it was, the message on her phone, a string of harsh, venomous words. She barely recognized her own speech patterns—rigid, angry, completely unlike her. “I don’t remember…” she whispered, the words thick on her tongue. “I don’t…”

Then fragments of memory returned. The voicemail. The wave of fear. Telling Christopher not to burn the place down. Then getting in her car, frantic, her mind racing through imaginary scenarios of Lena being exposed. Texting Aiden—furious, her anxiety spiraling with every word typed. She’d been so distracted that she’d driven recklessly, tearing through red lights and stop signs. She remembered it all now; the pieces slamming back into place.

“Aiden, I—I don’t remember doing this,” she stammered, looking up at him, wide-eyed. “I mean, I remember now, but before…I didn’t…” Her hand flew to her mouth. “I disassociated.”

She stood, pacing, wringing her hands. “It’s happening again,” she panicked, voice rising. “It’s happening again.”

Aiden crossed the room in an instant, pulling her into his arms. “Hey. Breathe,” he whispered, his voice a soft and steady support. “Just breathe. I’m here.”

“I blacked out,” Sirena choked out, tears filling her eyes. Monte pressed against her, and Aiden guided her back to their bed, keeping his arms wrapped around her.

“Focus on my voice,” he murmured, pressing his forehead to hers. “Stay here with me. Ground yourself.” She nodded, her fingers curling into Monte’s fur as she inhaled deeply, steadying herself.

“Aiden, I’m so sorry for what I texted. I just…don’t…”

“Shh.” He tucked a braid behind her ear, his hand lingering to cup her face. “We’ll deal with it later. Just talk to me about something else.” He paused, waiting for her to look up at him. “Why is Lena home?”

“She…she compelled some kids who were bullying a girl in her class. A teacher saw the whole thing.” Aiden’s face turned pale. “The girl’s name is Trixie,” Sirena continued, her voice softening. “And…I may have threatened her,” she admitted, feeling the fog in her brain start to lift.

Aiden’s jaw clenched. “Trixie? That’s Alpha Tenoch’s youngest sister.”

“Omigosh. What did I do? Should we be worried?”

“Not yet. Let’s wait and see if he makes a move.” He paused, then looked at her with quiet intensity. “How are you feeling? Really?”

“Better,” she said, exhaling. “Grounded. Present. My mind’s clearer. I can’t believe I did that.”

“Maybe…moving back to Virginia was a bad idea,” Aiden said, frowning as he watched her closely.

“No.” Sirena shook her head. “I can handle it.”

“This isn’t just about being strong. I know you’re resilient, but your peace of mind matters, too.”

“We can’t just leave. That wouldn’t be fair to Lena. And with all these wolf attacks and bodies turning up…”

“You’re right,” he conceded softly, threading his fingers through hers. “But I’m still worried about you.”

“I’m fine,” Sirena sniffled. She hesitated before speaking again. “Just to be clear—you don’t want to break up, right?”

Aiden’s expression softened as he pulled her into his arms, his warmth steadying her. “Of course not,” he whispered against her hair. “You’re the one I want, Sirena. You scared me, that’s all. I just want you safe.”

She relaxed into him, closing her eyes as he wrapped her tighter, both of them sinking into the comfort of each other. But then footsteps pounded down the hall, shattering the stillness. Lena raced past the door, her face tight with panic.

“Lena?” Sirena called, but the girl darted into her room and slammed the door.

“What’s going on?” Aiden asked, as they heard more footsteps. Lily appeared breathless and pale.

“Alpha Tenoch is here,” she said, her voice shaking. “And he’s saying that Lena is his daughter.”

***

Jean-Pierre stared hard at the young werewolf as Sirena followed Aiden upstairs. Trying to ease the tension, Lily offered Lena a reassuring smile. “Lena, why don’t you head into the kitchen?” As Lena wandered off, Lily turned to JP. “Why were you staring at her so hard?” she asked with a hint of amusement.

Jean-Pierre’s gaze lingered. “I don’t mean to—it’s just… she looks exactly like Elena.”

Lily blinked, caught off guard. “Elena? Oh, right—your alpha’s daughter.”

Jean-Pierre nodded, his brow furrowed. “I’m serious. How did she come into your lives?”

Lily repeated the story their family had agreed upon. “Adoption. We took her in a couple of years ago.”

Jean-Pierre’s expression softened as he accepted the answer, but his wariness didn’t fade entirely. Changing the subject, he said, “I’m not comfortable leaving you here defenseless with Roderick out there.”

“Defenseless?” Lily raised an eyebrow. “I saved both our butts the other day, remember?”

Jean-Pierre sighed. “True, but you don’t know Roderick like I do. Now that he’s rogue, without an alpha to control him, he’ll be vicious.”

Lily met his gaze, undeterred. “Thanks for the concern, but we can handle ourselves. If Roderick shows up again, he’ll regret it. We don’t need your help.”

Jean-Pierre seemed about to reply but suddenly stiffened, his nostrils flaring. “No way,” he muttered, almost to himself. “Alpha?”

Lily mirrored his surprise just as a hard knock sounded on the front door. Together, they rushed to open it, and Alpha Tenoch swept in before they could say a word. His usually composed demeanor was gone—his body trembled, his eyes wild with rage as he looked around the room. “Where is she?” he demanded, his gaze snapping to Lily.

Lily stared at him, confused. “Alpha Tenoch, what’s going on?”

“Where is my daughter?” His eyes flashed with desperation and barely kept rage.

“Alpha, please,” JP tried to intervene, but Tenoch’s focus was laser-sharp. His eyes flashed red, compelling JP to answer. “She’s… in the kitchen,” JP answered automatically -robotically.

Alpha Tenoch pushed past them both, striding toward the kitchen as if in a trance. “Excuse me?” Lily chased after him, her voice rising in frustration. “You can’t just barge in like this! Alpha Tenoch!” Her voice sharpened as he reached the kitchen doorway, freezing at the sight of Lena, who was staring at him, her face pale with fear.

“Elena,” he whispered, reaching out slowly, his voice thick with emotion.

“Lena, go upstairs,” Lily said firmly. Lena shot her a grateful look and skirted around Alpha Tenoch, disappearing up the stairs.

“She’s my daughter.” The alpha’s eyes returned to Lily, blazing with a raw intensity. “That’s my daughter. Why do you have my daughter?”

“Alpha,” JP stepped between them, holding a hand up as if to steady his leader.

Lily swallowed, her pulse racing. “I’m getting my brother.” She darted up the stairs without waiting for a reply.