The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

- KATALEYA ~

"Ahren!" Delsanra exclaims as Rayhan's eyes glimmer a brilliant bottle green.

"Is he for real?" he mutters, irritation laced in his voice.

Ahren yawns before he smirks. "Real as can be, and in the flesh." He winks.

"This boy..." Rayhan's jaw ticks and Dad shakes his head.

"Stop stressing your parents out. Now what the fuck are you doing here?" he asks, frowning at him.

"Not to mention the rules you have broken," Mama Mari adds, sighing.

"I'm here to volunteer to go to PR with Kataleya," he says, yawning again. He's teleported far... that's clear from how tired he suddenly is.

"I will go with you too, Kat," Skyla says, her eyes flicking back to Royce as she caresses his jaw before kissing him deeply.

"Sky, you don't need to," I say softly, knowing how often the two have to be apart for work and running their packs.

"I want to. And I know Zu would want to as well, but she does have the kiddies to think about," Skyla adds, glancing over at Azura, who nods. "That's true," she says, glancing at Leo. I'm sure she's also worried about Leo after Dad's sudden announcement.

"You can go with her if you want. The kids will be fine," Leo says to her.

"They will be, I'll be there," Winona adds, making Uncle Marcel nod in agreement.

"No, Zu. You need to take care of your family. They need you. I'm going to be fine. I will update you and Sky," I say firmly. Leo needs her.

"And really, I'm happy to give you all the deets when I return," Ahren inputs.

"If you even go, kid," Uncle Liam says to him.

"I will be," Ahren replies confidently, making Rayhan glare at him.

"Well, I think Skyla should go with you," Royce adds.

"So that's me and Sky so far," Ahren states.

"You are not finalised. You will go home," Delsanra says firmly. "We are going to have a talk."

"Sure thing," Ahren replies, unphased. "We can have the talk here or at home and THEN I'll go to PR."

"Ahren, you have to listen to your parents," I say softly.

He sighs dramatically as Rayhan stands up.

"Outside now," he commands, leading the way out. Ahren gets up and follows him out completely relaxed.

"That kid is fucking disobedient," Dad shakes his head.

"He's a Rossi," Leo remarks.

"Not all Rossis are stubborn fuckers. Actually, you're right, we fucking are." Dad sighs before he glances at me. "I get that you need to go, even if I f*****g hate it, so let's deal with what's what. We get a team together and then a plan. So, who else is up for the trip?" "I'll go," Leo says and Dad shakes his head.

"You know you have a lot of shit to do here."

"Yeah, which I could have done from anywhere if you hadn't made that announcement." Leo frowns.

"Well, it's too fucking late now. So s**k it up," Dad counters.

"I'll go," Uncle Liam says, glancing at Aunty Raven, who nods.

"So will I. And I mean, if Ray is ok with it, I'll take Ahren?" Raihana says, looking at Delsanra.

"Let's see what Rayhan says." Delsanra sighs. "I will come along too."

"I'd like that! We need some catch-up time!" Raihana says.

"This isn't a fucking holiday," Dad growls, making me smile.

"Sounds like a lovely team," Mama says. "What do you think, Kat?"

"I appreciate it, and I'm so grateful for you all."

"We wouldn't have it any other way," Aunty Raven adds.

"I now hope Ahren can come, I realise I'm the only guy," Uncle Liam says, making everyone chuckle.

"You should be used to it, Liam," Azura says. "You're patient, you'll be fine."

"Oh, don't worry, we won't bother you," Raihana reassures him as the door opens and Rayhan and Ahren re-enter.

"Ahren will go. One wrong move though, let me know," Rayhan says, his eyes glinting as he leaves his threat hanging.

"Well, I was thinking I should go too," Delsanra says to him as she takes his hand.

"Are you sure?" Rayhan asks her quietly. She nods and Rayhan touches his forehead to hers.

Dante sits forward. "I think that's an excellent team... I wish I could come, but I don't think that's wise. And I do have to leave soon."

"Must you?" Mama asks quietly. "Dante, you're going for longer periods of time..."

"You really have been gone ages," Sky adds, tugging a strand of his hair.

Dante smirks as he looks at her. "Did you miss me?"

"Nope!" she lies, making him chuckle. I smile faintly, their relationship has improved.

"I promise I'll be home for a month or two after the coming Blood Moon," he says, wrapping his arms around Mama.

Dad glances at them. "I hope by then all this shit blows over."

I nod. "I hope so too."

As everyone continues talking, Rayhan says he'll book the flight for tomorrow. I take a deep breath, my heart fluttering as I think of Enrique.

What he did... I'm trying not to let it drown me. I want to stay strong but there are moments where I feel like I'm not in my own body. Like I'm looking in at all my family through a window. I'm not alone. I have them, and Enrique has them. But until we sort this all out, I won't be able to focus on anything.

Sensing that someone is watching me, I glance at Dante, who smiles at me. 'What's on your mind, Kat?'

'Enrique... You don't like him... do you?' I ask softly.

'Does my opinion matter? I mean, it doesn't affect your opinion of him.'

'No... but why?' I ask.

'I don't know, I only remember an arrogant little a*****e of an alpha. Maybe my opinion will change," he says airily, reminding me of the younger Dante.

I suppress a giggle. These alphas.

'Arrogant asshole? Wouldn't that apply to some other people I know, too?' I ask with a pout. His smirk only grows.

'Already so defensive of him, little sister?' he chuckles, and I tilt my head.

'I always have been,' I remind him cheekily.

He nods, "That's true...you have. So, I know that regardless of my opinion, you will do what is needed and what's right for you. I don't know everything, Kataleya, but what I do know is that fate has made you both cross paths more than once. That speaks for itself. But he has hurt you and that gets to me." His smirk fades. 'He has, but he also makes me very happy. When I'm with him...' I blush, hoping he understands how much Enrique means to me. But he simply tilts his head, observing me.

'Well, he has to be good for something or I would think it's a waste to even help him,' he remarks.

"If you two are done conversing, shall we all turn in for the night?" Dad asks.

"It's getting late," Uncle Marcel says with a smile as he glances between Dante and me, knowingly.

"I don't think we're getting much sleep tonight, not after everything that's happened," Mama Mari sighs.

"Well, I think one of us is." Winona smiles, motioning towards Ahren, who is fast asleep, his head resting against his mother's knee.

We all chuckle as Delsanra runs her fingers through his hair. "He means well," she says, looking at Rayhan, who kisses her softly.To avoid an incomplete reading experience, visit Jobn'i'b.com. "I know, but he's only going to put himself in danger if he continues to break rules like this," he remarks.

"Well, sometimes kids learn the hard way," Uncle Marcel reasons.

"In other words, he's saying don't be too hard on the little fucker," Dad adds.

"I don't think he's too bad, you should see three of my boys and Katara." Uncle Liam grimaces.

Aunty Raven laughs. "Katara, oh she's not one who goes easy on anyone!"

"Well, they're smart kids, give them some credit," Sky intervenes as everyone begins getting up.

"You would say that, of course," Azura snickers and I nod in agreement.

"Sky and her minions."

"Actually, the Westwood boys are my minions," Azura reminds me before we all burst out laughing.

"They wouldn't like to be called minions," I whisper before giggling, and the other two nod in agreement.

"Well, tomorrow is going to be another long day, and you all leave before noon. So I think it's best everyone heads to bed," Aunty Raven says.

"I agree, it's late," Royce says, looking at his watch as he wraps his arm around Skyla.

"And that's Magic Finger's way of saying he wants to spend the night with his woman before she leaves tomorrow. Pack it up folks, get to bed!" Azura says as Dad groans, muttering something.

"You're not wrong," Royce murmurs and Skyla locks her arms around his neck, and they begin kissing.

"Dante, you can share a room with your father as we weren't expecting you. I will spend the night with Kataleya. Is that ok, darling?" Mama asks, looking at me and I smile.

"I'd like that," I admit. I don't want to be alone tonight.

Dad snorts. "You're getting the floor," he says to Dante, who smirks as he stands up, towering over Dad.

"How about the one who can kick the other one off gets the bed?" he suggests slyly,

"I don't fucking think so. I'm your Dad, so I get the damn bed or you can go find somewhere else to sleep." "Alejandro..." Mama says as she walks out of the room with him. Dante chuckles as he looks down at me.

"Are you ready for tomorrow and your return to Puerto Rico?"

"I think I am," I say thoughtfully.

He nods as he puts his arm around me. "I think you are too."

I smile up at him. "Will you come to Puerto Rico at all?"

He tilts his head as if pondering if he should reply before he smirks. "I think I might, for the Blood Moon." He winks at me before he gives my shoulders a squeeze. "Well, I better go get that bed before Dad tries to claim it. Got to make him work for it," he says arrogantly before he walks off.

I tilt my head, watching him, pondering over his words. Casually spoken or not, this is Dante.

For the Blood Moon... why do I feel like it is going to be a special one, or at the very least an eventful one?

With the Crawlers, the lady with red hair, the prophecy, and my coming into power, I'm absolutely certain it will be one to remember.

And I'm ready for it.