9. Things I Wasn''t Expecting
WINONA.
I watch Sk kiss her chosen mate, feeling an odd sense of turmoil inside of me. His reaction when I
stepped out of the house… Was it a coincidence that Leo had asked me about my family this morning?
I know maybe it’s just my assumption, but I can’t deny he’s watched me more than he has Azura or
Kataleya and there’s a look in his eyes that he’s trying to hide.
I look down at my te, taking a bite as my mind wonders back to earlier…
(EARLIER ON)
“Mind if I have a word?” Leo says, entering the kitchen where I am busy preparing breakfast.
Last night had been amotion with a patient in critical condition being brought in and I knew Sk
hade too.
Of course, everything was kept quiet until this morning and when I heard who it was, I wanted to cook
for them. He had helped Leo when Azura was in trouble, and he had saved Sk’s life. It’s also the
way I cope with things. When I’m worried or concerned, I cook.
And the reason for my concern is who exactly he is. Royce Arden, the man we met at the hospital…
I don’t know why, but it makes me feel a little on edge. When we had shaken hands… there had been
this intense feeling of familiarity, although I have never met him in my life.
“Of course.” I say, almost saying Alpha, but he’s made it clear I needed to stop.
I know sometimes it still hurts him when he sees my mark on Marcel’s neck, but he’s getting more
ustomed to it and even then, he’s never changed towards me. He still treats me well, just as he
always has.
He nces towards the closed kitchen door, sighing as he takes out a cigarette and leans against the
opposite counter, watching as I carry on grating the potato for the hash browns.
“I know you said that you don’t want to ever learn of your past, or where you came from.” He begins.
His words make me freeze as my heart thuds.
With bated breath, I wait for him to continue. “But I wanted to ask… if I learned something about your
past, would you want to know?”
I frown slightly, looking up at him. “What do you mean by learned?” I ask, feeling worried.
“Not intentionally, however. Someone who may be rted to you has approached me and requested to
meet you.”
I drop the potato I’m holding, fear enveloping me, and I shake my head. “No, why would they? They
didn’t want me. They left me at an orphanage.” I whisper, knowing I sound crazy.
Leo takes a drag on his cigarette. “Honestly, yes, they fucking did. But not all of them. You have a
family out there Winona and although yes it was someone who ced you there… they are not all
alike. However, if you don’t fucking want to know anything, this person will walk away. They are willing
to respect whatever you decide.”
Deep down I had wished I was really an orphan who had nowhere to go… but to know they ced me
there…
But they aren’t all alike… I know I never wanted to look into it. Even when Alejandro had been curious
about my heritage, I was blissfully happy without knowing, but now that I know he knows something…
“What else do you know, and this person… how are they rted to me?” I whisper, looking up at him.
He’s conflicted too. I know he wouldn’t have approached me if this person was not good, but I can also
see that he fears I’ll get hurt… maybe I will…
“He’s your brother.” He says finally, making my heart skip a beat.
“Brother?”
“A few years younger than you.” He says.
“H-how are you sure?” I whisper.
“The facts match, and it’s not hard to miss.” He says, his voice short and cold, clearly not wanting to get
into that.
All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.
“My parents… are they… alive? Do they know he’s approached us?” I ask.
He takes a long drag on his cigarette. “Your mother thinks you were stillborn. It was your father who got
rid of you.”
A sharp sting of pain rushes through me.
One question burning in my mind.
Why?
Followed by a wave of relief that washes over me.
My mother didn’t get rid of me… I have a mother… one who thinks I’m dead.
From happy to confused to sad to uncertain, my emotions are havoc.
I have told you what I could Winona, if you want me to find out more… I can. If you want me to let you
think about it, I will. And… if you do wish to meet him, he’ll be more than willing and what I can say is,
he isn’t a bad person.”
That means a loting from Leo. I know Leo wouldn’t even mention it to me if he was.
“I know, you wouldn’t have told me if he isn’t a good person… I’ll… I’ll think it over.” I reply.
He nods, “Whatever your decision may be, I’ll stand by it and make sure he fucking honours it.” He
says.
I nod, and he turns to leave the kitchen. He’s at the door when I speak up.
“If it was you! Wh-what would you do?” I ask the man who has been a master, idol, and a saviour to
me.
He may be Marcel’s son, but to me, he will always be the person who saved me when I was lost and
scared. The person who offered me protection and a home when I had nowhere to go.
He paused, his hand on the door frame.
“if you asked mest year, I’d have said fuck ''em all. But now, I would give them a chance because
who knows what wille of it. Things aren’t always what they seem and sometimes to get to a better
ce we have to ovee the pain too. Maybe facing the demons that haunt you might finally get you
the closure and peace you wish to attain.”
(END OF FLASHBACK)
‘Are you ok Bellissima?’ Marcel asks me.
I look up into his rugged face and my heart skips a beat, my cheeks tinging pink under his smouldering
gaze.
‘I’m not sure…’ I say.
I had told him what Leo had told me and although he had frowned; he had simply told me to think
carefully, but whatever decision I make he would fully support me.
‘What is worrying you?’ He asks through the mind link, reaching over as he tucks a strand of my hair
back.
‘Nothing much.’ I reply, but he knows better than that, caressing my waist, a move that sends intense
sparks through me.
Corrado is talking away, and I try to focus on his words and ce a smile on my face as I nce at the
man across from us.
Perhaps I am being silly…
-
Brunch is soon over, and Sk will be leaving with Alejandro, who is on his way, because a date for the
hearing regarding the attack on the school girls has been finalised.
Leo had informed them, and I felt sorry for the new couple who would now have to part ways as Royce
has to remain hidden and it is obvious Alejandro is very angry.
And he is on his way.
I don’t want to be around when he loses his temper. The Rossi temper is terrifying.
“It shouldn’t be for long.” I hear Royce say as they approach, their footsteps getting closer. I’m putting
Phoenix to sleep as I stand on the open balcony in the first-floor hallway. Letting the warmth of the sun
envelope us.
They are a little away and I’m trying not to listen, but they aren’t really talking privately either.
From the gist of things, Sk doesn’t want to go and I can’t me her. They are young and in love.
“I’m getting a bad feeling with all of this.” She mutters, her frustration clear in her voice.
I turn, seeing Sk lean against the wall. I don’t think they’ve noticed me.
“I know, Love, but there are things we both need to do… and shoot, I didn’t realise…” he runs his
fingers through his hair, clearly frustrated, and I can’t help but wonder what he means.
“What is it?” Sk asks.
“I was supposed to testify at the hearing.” He says, wrapping his hand around her waist. “And now I
went and did this. I will still find a way-”
“It doesn’t matter, they can’t pin anything on me. The truth is in my mind. I did nothing.” She says,
hugging him, whispering into his ear. “Tell me, My Ice Prince, are you going to leave? I mean, what
about finding your sister? You said Leo can help you with that.”
I freeze, my heart thudding as I try to calm myself.
Sister?
“Roy-”
I can’t help but look up sharply, my eyes on the blond man several metres away. Just in time to witness
Royce shake his head, his hand over her mouth and clearly say something through the mind link, his
head turned slightly.
Wait, did he notice me?
Sk’s heart pounds, her eyes widen and that doubt I had now intensifies.
Why are they looking at me like that?
The way he was looking at me at brunch, the way he’d look away whenever I looked up… the way he
had instantly moved to help me with the fruit tter…
Sk’s eyes turn on me, shock clear on her face, but Royce cups her face turning it towards him. His
eyes flicker to me but it’s toote, I already know.
My heart is thudding as I look at him.
He…
He’s my brother?
He is…
Which means… My father, who got rid of me, is Alpha Keh Arden?
My head feels light, and I feel dizzy.
It’s too much to take in.
I slowly turn away, my vision swaying. My only thought is to put our little princess on the ground and
make sure she’s safe. I manage to do so, cing her on the rug, before I feel myself falling…
I think someone shouts my name and I feel someone holding me before it all turns dark.