6. HURT

Someone approached him and hugged him tightly, causing him to tear his gaze off his mother who stood very far from him. He turned rigid and the person hugging him laughed at his behavior.

    "Welcome back Reginald."

He stared down at her because he was taller than her. When their eyes met, his smile stretched.

"Never thought you'd be the first to welcome me Angelina, did you miss me this much?"

    Angelina punched his arm and threw a glare at him, they turned and went to meet the others. They knew he hated people touching him but they couldn't hold back, after all it's been years since they last saw him.

    "How rude of you to not let us hug you Regi," it was Desmond who spoke next, he had an annoyed look.

    "Oh Reginald." Phoebe ogled at his handsome face.

"Now I know why you didn't pick our calls," Spencer came to his side, he had a satisfied smile.

    "Surprise, surprise, the head of the mansion is finally home," Radolf teased. Reginald smiled back at every one of them, he shook Desmond's hand and patted him on the back, shocking everyone.

"Now that's how to greet your elders." Desmond had a wide grin, he was pleased to finally see Reginald.

    He embraced Amelia's mother and joined knuckles with Radolf who smiled heartily. It was a sweet family reunion and everyone was present except Everand, Amelia and his step brother.

      After greeting everyone in their own special way, he went to meet his mother who also approached him with a warm smile. She was young and alluring like a goddess.

Reginald sighed when he stood some inches from her, she never aged. Not even a bit.

"Ever glowing," he complimented her and the smile on her face stretched.

"Like my son." She complimented back and he grinned, making her speechless for a while. He reminded her of his late father, Alpha Allen.

She inched closer and embraced him and he also embraced back.

    "I miss you so much Reginald, it's been so long..."

To Reginald and Connery's surprise, she broke down and tightened her hold around her son as if he would disappear if she let go.

      "Don't leave again...please."

Valeria pleaded and Reginald felt conflicted because his mother was always strong, she hardly showed any weakness until now. He had always leaned on her, now she was leaning on him.

    Reginald sighed and leaned forward, picking his mother up in his arms. Everyone's eyes widened while Connery grinned widely and patted him on the back...he had changed.

    "I'm here now mom, I'll always be here from now on...for your sake." His heart felt warm when she kept crying, it pricked his heart. He never thought she'd miss him this much...but come to think of it, he missed her more even though they had their difficulties.

    He climbed the stairs one by one carefully with her in his arms, it was a beautiful sight to everyone present.

    "Don't let Everand see you with his beloved...he'll kill you." Connery joked and everyone laughed, they knew how Everand was very possessive of her, he loved her unconditionally.

.

In a large expensive room, Reginald carefully placed his mom in a comfy throne-like chair. Her wet lashes fluttered and she stared at her son's handsome face as a breezy sigh escaped her lips...he was too charming.

    They stared at each other for a long time, imprinting each other's face in their mind. Their bond was so strong, they could feel each other's emotions.

    "Where is Everand?"

Reginald asked about his step dad because it was unusual for him to just leave his mother's side.

"With your grandparents"

"They're here?"

      This information surprised him, it seemed like Lewis' coronation brought everyone back to reunite once again.

He suddenly recalled something and a flicker of emotion passed his eyes which his mother caught onto. He looked away and went to sit on another chair opposite her.

"I know how you feel dear, he feels the same way too." Valeria explained and Reginald nodded his head slightly.

      "Where is he?"

"He's in the field with Amelia," came his mother's reply and Reginald's eyes narrowed.

    "What's he doing with her?"

Reginald couldn't help but get curious and jealous over what he just heard...did Amelia fall for his brother?

    He stood up and was about to walk out of the room but his mother held him back with a worried and concerned look.

"It would be bad if both of you fought on your first meeting...over a lady."

      When she added the last line his head whipped around to face her, he was bewildered for a brief moment before a frown marred his forehead.

    "Let me guess, you knew about my history with her." It was more of a sentence than a question. Valeria didn't say a word, she didn't want to spoil this moment.

    "Sometimes I wonder if you're god, you're always ahead of everyone in knowing what the future holds."

    His voice was laced with annoyance. Valeria knew he was still hurting over the loss of his father but she was not to be blamed for it, she had no clue back then.

    "Please Reginald, I didn't give myself this gift so don't blame me."

    She had no energy to argue with her son on a beautiful day. They gazed deeply into each other's eyes and Reginald carefully pulled his arm out of her grip and headed out of the room to Valeria's displeasure. She didn't bother going after him, rather she went back to the chair she sat on earlier, and sat on it.

    If only the devil wasn't her soulmate, none of this would've happened. Valeria thought to herself sadly.

.

Reginald jogged down the stairs and elegantly walked around the spacious corridor with ease.

   He was annoyed, how could he not get angry?

His mother had enough power, powerful enough to have stopped his father's death but she did nothing.

To top it all she knew what was going to happen but she did absolutely nothing to save lives that were lost that day.

     "Alpha."

Reginald slowed down when he heard someone call him, he gritted his teeth and turned around to face her.

When her eyes met his, a frown settled on her face and she came closer.

     "What's the matter Reginald? Did you quarrel with your mother?"

But Reginald just stared at her, she always appeared when he was angry or confused and she knew the right words to use on him to make him calm down...but today he didn't need it.

     "Not now Angelina."

He shooed her away and wanted to walk away but she appeared right in front of him.

"What did she do this time?" Angelina pestered him but he ignored her.

"Nothing," saying that he vanished into thin air, leaving her behind.

He appeared at a far corner with a smirk on his face. He loved getting on her nerves.

     Angelina had helped him when he was growing up. It was mostly her who helped him uncover most of his hidden powers. She played a part of an elder sister in his life, when he was little she had a way of making him open up to her...how cunning, Reginald thought out loud.

    And just as his mother said, there they were. In the field...holding...holding hands together!

Reginald froze. It was unexpected, how were they together all of a sudden?

     Unless...they were mates...

Something broke, something shattered. His heart and mind did something to him which couldn't be explained.

     He felt deeply hurt

He never knew he would hurt this way once he saw his beloved Amelia with her mate...and not just any random mate but his own BROTHER!

     Reginald gritted his teeth and looked away. He didn't want to dwell on it, he didn't want to think. Was this how much he fell for her?

God! It hurt real bad to see her happy with someone else, HIS STEPBROTHER!

     Why does it have to be his stepbrother of all people?

He felt someone's presence behind him but he didn't move or say anything, after all she knew but never said a word to anyone or questioned him about it back when he was a teenager.

     "It was bound to happen."

Angelina spoke in a low tone, it was laced with genuine concern and worry.

Reginald shut his eyes tightly and his jaw clenched, causing veins to appear at the side of his temples.

     She was about to place her open palm on his back but he disappeared again. Angelina sighed and let her hand fall to her side.

Her eyes lingered on the couple and she smiled, she was happy and worried at the same time.

     "What's the matter Angelina? Why are you staring at them like that?"

Desmond suddenly appeared out of nowhere, shocking her. She narrowed her eyes at him and walked away. Desmond had always been so disturbing ever since the day Luna Valeria brought him out of an evil witch's coven.

     "Get lost Desmond, stop pestering me."

He smirked and stubbornly followed her even after her warning.

     At a distance, someone silently watched and observed the lady. His eyes followed her like a predator who just found its prey.

His eyes darkened when he noticed the clingy demon warlock who always followed her like a bodyguard...how annoying, he thought to himself. He was greatly infuriated.

He transformed into a black bird and flew in the air, following her...but at a good distance.