Beneath a Moonless Sky - Book One (Moon Child Series)

Chapter Seventeen

Elaina POV

When I arrived at work Fergus and Connor were already there, arguing over something on the computer. They stopped as I entered and smirked, looking at me knowingly. Their fight forgotten they followed me into the break room where I began making tea. Silence surrounded me as I poured the boiling water into my cup. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I spun around and glared.

“What is with the looks, guys?” I snapped. Their faces were smug as they followed me back out to the reception desk where I sat and popped in my hard drive.

“Well, a little birdy told me that you were having Lucian over this afternoon to ‘chat’” Fergus’ air quotes made me roll my eyes.

“The ‘chat’ as you call it, is about telling our children that he is their father. So, get your head out of the gutter please.” I took a sip of my tea and began to feel irritated by his knowing smile.

“Ok, but it’s a start.” Fergus stated. “And don’t try and tell me you don’t want a little ‘daddy’ action yourself, missy. We saw you during your sparring session.” He ran his hands into his hair, mimicking what I’d done during my spar with Lucian. I picked up my stapler and threw it, missing him by an inch when he ducked.

“There will be no ‘daddy’ action thank you, not my style.” My attention turned to the computer as I looked over the proofs of the engagement shoot I’d done the other week. “Am I sexually attracted to him? No doubt. Do I want to jump his bones? Definitely. The mate bond is definitely taking good care of that. Am I still furious and upset at him? You betcha.” Opening my email, I turned back to the task at hand. I knew I was in for an earful when Fergus pulled up a chair and sat next to me.

“Listen, love. I will be the first to say that Lucian should have handled the whole ‘you’re human, I’m wolf’ situation better. And if he’d only waited, he would have saved you both a lot of heartache and time.” He took my hand from the mouse and held it tight, turning me towards him. “But he did what he did because he loved you.” I closed my eyes, fighting the tears that threatened to spill. “Take it from someone who has met the Shifter King in person, he has no mercy. And he would have turned you.” He squeezes my hand. “Lucian would not have been able to handle losing you to the shift, he would have died with you.” Yanking my hand from his I grabbed a tissue and turned back to the computer, wiping at my cheeks as I stared at the screen. “I’m not saying you should forget what he did. But he was young, he was in love and he thought that what he was doing was the only option he had where you didn’t die a horrific death before his eyes. You don’t have to forget, but for the sake of your future happiness and your children’s, learn to forgive him.” Tears were streaming freely down my cheeks now as I tried to focus on my work. “Whatever you choose, love, we will be her for you.” He kissed my head before heading into the studio where Connor was waiting with their next customer.

I swiped angrily at my cheek as I pushed all my thoughts of Lucian into the back of my mind and tried to focus on my work. I got stuck into my work; emailing, checking proofs, booking in customers. I was so consumed by work that I’d lost track of time and when I glanced at the clock I shot out of my chair as I dialled Magnus’ number.

“Magnus. Can you run to my house and let Lucian know I lost track of time and I’m on my way now?” Hanging up I jumped into the car and quickly messaged Fergus to grab my hard drive before he went home. I picked up the twins from the childcare and as I pulled into the driveway my heart skipped a beat, seeing Lucian sitting on my front step.

“Sorry I’m late, lost track of time.” I unlocked the door and the kids bolted inside. “no running inside!” they giggled as they jumped onto one of the beanbags in the sitting room in front of the kitchen. A soft chuckle behind me made a shiver shoot up my spine. Goddess I loved that chuckle. I made my way into the kitchen and busied myself with filling and turning on the kettle.

“Did you want a drink?” I ask, turning to Lucian seated at the island.

“Tea, please.” He replied politely, placing his joint hands in front of him on the island. I occupied myself with preparing the mugs and grabbing the tea bags, but it didn’t help distract me from the warm feeling of his gaze on my back. The twins were busying themselves with a game of leapfrog and I couldn’t help but smile at them, and I could see Lucian doing the same.

“Mia, Luca can you please give me and Lucian a minute please?” I hand Lucian his tea and watch as Mia and Luca leap-frogged down the hall to their bedroom, giggling the whole way.

I didn’t know where to start, or how to talk to him about this. They were his children and I wasn’t going to keep him from them, I wasn’t heartless

“They’re amazing, Elaina. You’ve done a wonderful job raising them.” My shock must have been apparent on my face as he reached out and took my hand in his. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for them. For you.” His eyes were full of regret and sorrow, making tears well up in my own. I couldn’t find it in me to forgive him yet, but I found with each moment I’m with him my resolve gets weaker and weaker. I coughed to clear the lump in my throat as I pulled my hand from his.

“I was thinking we tell them both at the same time, so depending on their reaction they can support each other.” He nodded in agreement as I took a sip of my tea, the knot still tightening my throat as tears threatened to spill.

“Mia, Luca, can you come out here please?” Little feet could be heard running from their bedrooms and my heart swelled with joy like it always did when I saw their faces. I picked them up one at a time and placed them on the island, facing me and gestured to Lucian to come stand next to me. The heat from his body so close to mine was doing things to me and I cursed the mate bond at that moment for making me want to grab that man and kiss him hard. Internally shaking my head, I turned back to the situation at hand.

“Ok, so mummy has something really important to say so I need you to listen very carefully ok?” Their little heads bobbed up and down. I took a deep breath and dove straight in. “Well, Lucian is your daddy. He had to go away for some really important beta business, but he is back now. And he would really love to be your daddy. If you want some time to think about it, we won’t be mad. Ok? You two are so, so important to us and we only want you to be happy.” I stroked their little cheeks as they looked between Lucian and I with wide eyes. Mia jumped off of the island and ran to Lucian, throwing her arms around his knees.

“Daddy!” She cried, rubbing her snot on his pants. He unwrapped her arms from his knees and knelt down to scoop her into his arms. Mia’s little arms flung around his neck and squeezed tight as she stuck her head into his neck. Luca still sat on the island, his little mind working away a million miles a minute.

“Luca, honey? Are you ok?” I stroked his cheek again and he swivelled a hard stare on to Lucian, making him freeze in place.

“Are you really my daddy?” His little voice was serious and left no room for nonsense. Lucian nodded and squeezed Mia tighter to him, her cries gone silent and replaced by small sniffles as she clutched to his shirt for dear life. Luca also dropped down from the bench, much calmer than Mia and wrapped his arms around Lucians knees as Mia had minus the snot and tears. Lucian dropped down for the second time and scooped Luca into his other arm and held them both tight, kissing both their head as tears welled in his eyes. I felt the lump in my throat grow bigger and tears threatened to spill. I rushed past them and ran to the bathroom saying as I walked past “I’ll be back in a moment.” I locked the door behind me and slid down the door, letting the tears stream down my face. I didn’t even know why I was crying. I was so happy that the twins had accepted him, and they would now have a daddy to cherish and love them as they grew up. They were my life, and I only wanted them to be happy.

I could hear Lucians muffled voice through the door as he spoke with Mia and Luca, probably answering a million questions and getting shown all their favourite toys. I stood from the door and stared at myself in the mirror.

“Suck it up girl. Get it together.” I splashed water on my face and dried it off before taking a few more deep breaths. Opening the door, I headed back into the kitchen where Luca was showing Lucian all of his ‘cool trucks’, Mia sitting on his lap as she plays with his fingers. She looks up as I walk in and leaps from Lucians lap and runs to me, bouncing up and down happily.

“Mummy! Mummy! Can daddy stay for dinner?” Lucian watches me carefully from the side of his eye, while still paying attention to Luca as he holds up a red truck. “Please mummy.” She begged, giving me her signature puppy dog eyes that I could never say no to. I sigh dramatically and pinch her cheeks.

“Fine. I guess he can stay.” She squealed with happiness and ran back to Lucian to tell him the good news. “How about mac and cheese with veggies?” the only response I get are quick nods before they turned all their attention back to Lucian. I guess they’re making up for lost time I thought to myself and chuckled, walking into the kitchen.

“How about you go set the movie up, my little princess? And I go help mummy with dinner?” my back turned to them with my head in the fridge I could hear little feet exiting into the lounge room and the tv turn on. His scent hit me before his presence did. Peppermint.

I closed my eyes as memories hit me hard. Lips meeting lips, moans filling the night, nails digging into skin. The fridges beeping snapped me back to reality and I grabbed the milk, butter, and cheese before closing the door. Lucian had already grabbed out the macaroni and a saucepan for me to use.

I measured out the macaroni and milk and switched on the stove, waiting for the milk to heat up. I turned to Lucian who was leaning against the counter.

“I want to thank you for letting me be in their lives. You didn’t have to, but you did, and I am so grateful.” A stray tear slid down his cheek and I spun around quickly to stir the macaroni before I could reach out and wipe his tear away and kiss him.

“I couldn’t keep them from you, I wouldn’t do that to them… they deserve to have a father who cares for them like you will.” My body stiffens as Lucian stands behind me, his hands on either side of me on the bench, his head resting on my shoulder. His scent overwhelmed me, breaking my resilience bit by bit.

“I will do everything I can to earn your forgiveness. Even if it kills me. I love you, Ell.” And then he was gone, my back cold as his heat disappears. I spin around and see him walking away into the lounge room. My heart was pounding, rattling against my ribs. My body ached for his to return, for his warmth to surround me. His scent still lingered in the air and I breathed it in greedily. My resolve was thin and cracking. I wanted to punish him for everything he did, but was I really just punishing myself?