Page 239 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos
This is it… the deal Sienna made with Helios… He may have had double incentives, but she must have agreed to swap herself for Uncle. Jayce is right, it makes sense. A life for a life.
But was it the right decision? I hate that I think it wasn’t. We mourned Uncle, but now we will have to mourn Sienna. And Jayce… I feel ashamed to meet his gaze. He asked for my help, and I didn’t help him.
“Daddy!”
I move back and turn to see Mama carrying Kaden. Uncle looks up to where Kaden is pointing in our direction, and his eyes widen in shock. “That Daddy!” Kaden exclaims, staring back wide-eyed.
“Ray?” Mama whispers, her face pale.
“I think you might want to take a seat. You died in Puerto Rico nearly three years ago,” Uncle Leo says, his sharp voice cutting through the emotion-filled silence.
“Dead? He… he called me Daddy…” Uncle says, looking at Kaden.
“Three years is a long time,” Ahren murmurs.
“So come give me a hug then,” Uncle says quietly, looking at Ahren. Ahren walks over to him and they hug. Ahren’s face is full of emotion, and for the first time in years, he looks young. Vulnerable. Not the hardened Alpha he was forced to become.
I step back as Aunty Del hugs me tightly. Si… what have you done?
The pain and loss mixed with happiness is confusing…
What happened inside that room, the words said, wasn’t right. If Sienna knew- but she’s not here!
Uncle then meets Tatum before he looks at Jaddati, who hasn’t moved from her spot.
“Mom…” he says, walking over to her and pulling her into his arms. He caresses her hair as she holds him, her hands shaking. “What’s wrong?”
She looks up at him and shakes her head. “Ya Hayati… your return has brought me happiness I never knew possible, but how do I face you? How do I tell you that today is a day of great sadness, too?”
Uncle’s smile vanishes. “What?” he asks, as Mama comes over. Aunty Del takes Kaden, and Uncle Rayhan looks for answers.
“Like the fucker said, let’s take a seat,” Grandpa Alejandro says, his face pale. He must have realised what Sienna’s done… but what he said inside, words can’t be taken back.
Uncle Rayhan nods as he gives Mama a hug and a kiss on the forehead before meeting everyone else, and then he finally turns to Kaden, still looking stunned, before he holds his hands out to him. Kaden, who knows his father despite him not being around, springs into his arms and hugs him.
“Daddy!”
“We will take our leave,” Uncle Liam says quietly as he looks at Uncle Rayhan, who frowns.
“Why? Come sit, is everything alright?”
“We’re not so welcome here, Rayhan. Right, Alejandro?” Azura says icily.
He deserves that. He shouldn’t have said all he did, especially not to his mate’s family. I know Allie’s hurt, too.
“Let’s go inside,” Grandpa Alejandro says, but Uncle Liam shakes his head.
Uncle Rayhan is more understanding, and he nods. “I will speak to you soon, then, Liam, Azura, Jayce. It’s good to see you. You got big,” he says, the last part directed at Jayce.
Jayce doesn’t say much as Azura looks at Uncle Leo.
“I’ll catch up with you guys soon,” Uncle Leo says. Azura nods, kissing him before the three head to the door.
“I’m coming with you,” Allie speaks up suddenly. She looks at me, and I mask my hurt. I wanted her here…
I nod. “Go,” I say, I’m strong enough to handle this.
Strong enough.
