Enigma novel Chapter 26

“I don’t want to hear anything. Aria was going through so much already after losing her parents and you had to go and make it even more difficult for her. I am ashamed of you. Do not call me mother till you get your act together and apologize sincerely for what you did. If I were in Amara’s place, I would have killed you for torturing my child to the extent of her going into a panic attack and you have been doing this for years?” Stela was in tears by now.

“What did that girl even do to you guys for you to act like this? Is this how pack leaders act? Have you ever seen your fathers act like this? How could you even willingly torture someone from your own pack? Are you not even slightly ashamed of yourself?” Mia asked looking at the three like they were a particularly nasty piece of filth under her shoes.

“IT IS ALL HER DAMNED FAULT.” Zeno shouted. I almost slashed his throat hearing that. If it wasn’t for Steven holding me back, he would be lying in the pool of his own blood by now. “SHE MADE ME FEEL DIFFERENT. SHE IS THE ONLY CURE TO THE EMPTINESS AND DARKNESS I FEEL. WHY DOES SHE HAVE TO HAVE SO MUCH CONTROL OVER ME? SHE IS JUST A PUNY AND DEFESELESS HUMAN. SHE HAS NO RIGHT TO HAVE CONTROL OVER ME.”

A punch landed on Zeno’s face and he fell a few feet away. It wasn’t me who hit him though. To my surprise, Lucas had left his seat and sucker punched Zeno straight in his jaw. No one objected. I wish he was Aria’s mate. Things would have been so much better.

What came as more of a surprise was Zeno’s reaction. He didn’t get up or fight back. He just laid on the ground and started crying. No one made any effort to confront him. He slowly got on his knees and looked at me.

“Please let me see her.” The expressions on his face were maddening. “Please I am begging you. I don’t want this pain. It hurts so much. Please take it away. IT HURTS LIKE HELL. TAKE IT AWAY. I DON’T WANT TO FEEL LIKE THIS ANYMORRREEEE.”

He started thrashing on the ground and scratching his chest. The scene was similar but back then it was me in his position, writhing and moaning in pain because of my mate’s infidelity. I don’t know what to feel about him anymore. That kid is clearly in pain for several years but what he did to ease the pain does not make his acceptable.

“Mom what’s going on? We heard someone scream.” Aria came running out of the trail with Beth, Val and Eros in tow.

As soon as Zeno saw her, he leapt to his feet and ran towards Aria with a twisted expression on his face. He crushed her in a bear hug. His screaming ceased and whimpering sounds could be heard coming from him while Aria was struggling to get out of his hold. He pulled her down and into his lap as he buried his face in her hairs.

We were about to take actions to get Zeno away from Aria when a feral snarl ripped through the air and a very angry Ajax came out of the tree line followed by equally vexed Ryder and Xander.

Oh shit! We are in a huge trouble.

Aria finally freed herself and leapt backwards towards the spirit wolves. Zeno looked up to protest, but his mouth hung open in shock and fear. Aria stepped backwards and stood behind Ajax who was growling lowly.

“HOW DARE YOU TOUCH MY MATE AFTER HURTING HER FOR SO LONG?” Ajax growled.

Oh no. This is not right. We are super screwed.

I could see the shock on Aria’s face at the declaration.

“You do not deserve a wolf nor do you deserve a mate. You are an utter scumbag. Stay away from my niece or I will make sure to tear you into pieces.” Ryder spat.