Chapter 53
Felicity
POV
I couldn't believe it. My brother? After all these years?
As Kyle stood before me, my mind raced with confusion and disbelief. The idea that I had a brother had never crossed my mind. And yet, here he was, claiming to be such.
I couldn't help the tears that welled up in my eyes. "I don't know what to say," I whispered.
Kyle pulled me into a tight embrace, and I couldn't help but cling to him, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden rush of emotions. It was like a puzzle piece that I hadn't even known was missing had suddenly clicked into place.
"I don't understand," I said, my voice trembling. "How can you be my brother? Why have I never heard of you before?" I asked, feeling a mix of emotions.
Kyle looked at me, his eyes filling with sadness. "I've been with the organization for years, Felicity." He explained." The organization asked each parent to give at least one of their children, as I was the eldest and the boy, they preferred to give me at 4 years. I was devastated when our parents died. You were in the car during the accident. I thought I had lost you too, your body was nowhere to be found, but I never forgot about you."
I was shocked, so I was with them that damned day, and I had miraculously survived the accident.
"Why...why haven't you come to see me before now? I mean I have been here for two weeks?" I asked, still in shock.
"I was on a mission," Kyle explained. "I just got back yesterday and Ava told me you were here."
I couldn't believe it. Ava had been keeping secrets from me again. The liar. I made a mental note to settle that score later.
Adrian quickly took his leave, leaving me alone with Kyle. He wrapped me again in a tight embrace and I felt tears prick my eyes.
"I thought I was alone in the world," I whispered to him.
"You're not alone, Felicity," Kyle said softly. "I'm here for you now."
"I still can't believe that I have a brother, a brother." I said, my voice trembling.
"I know, it's a lot to take in," Kyle said, pulling back to look at me. "But we have a lot of time to catch up on and get to know each other."
I nodded, feeling overwhelmed but grateful at the same time. We left the room and went to his room.
Once there, Kyle sat down next to me on the bed and we began to talk.
I felt a mix of emotions wash over me as we talked. We laughed, we cried, and we reminisced about our childhood. He reminded me of some things from our childhood, although I do not remember, he continued. It was surreal, but it felt like we had never been apart.
"Tell me about your life. Short of everything." He asked me, curious.
"No you first." I prompted him to start.
Kyle leaned back against the headboard, a serious expression on his face. "Well, where do I start? I work for an organization that helps keep the supernatural world in check. We deal with some pretty dangerous situations and creatures, but it's all for the greater good."
I nodded, impressed by his bravery. "That sounds intense. What's the craziest thing you've ever faced?"
He chuckled. "I figured you'd ask that. Let's just say there was a group of rogue vampires who thought it would be fun to terrorize a small town. We had to take them down while trying to keep the werewolf population safe."
I gasped. "That's insane! You're like a real-life superhero."
He grinned. "I don't know about that, but it's definitely a thrilling job. Alright, now it's your turn. Tell me about your life."
I took a deep breath, feeling nervous about opening up to him. "Well, I was adopted by a man named Mr. Anderson. He was...not very kind to me. He made me do all the household chores and would yell at me if I didn't do them perfectly. But the worst part was when he sold me to the Lycan king as a Breeder. One years ago."
Kyle's eyes widened in shock and anger. "Sold you? That's despicable. How could someone do that to his child? Of course, you weren't his biological child, but he adopted you anyway." He said, his anger growing.
Tears pricked at my eyes as I continued. "The king was cruel and would hurt me if I didn't produce enough offspring for him. One day, when I realized I was pregnant, I couldn't take it anymore. I escaped with my unborn baby and never looked back... And," I looked at Kyle, and he prompted me with a gentle and encouraging gesture to continue telling him my story, what I did.
"And that was just the beginning of my suffering. I've escaped death many times, been captive to many Alpha's. I've been through hell, Kyle. Hell. " I repeated, as if to confirm it." Atrocities that even on my worst enemy I wouldn't wish that."
I couldn't help myself, I wanted to look strong. But it was stronger than me. I burst into tears, the memories were so fresh in my mind.
Kyle wrapped an arm around me, pulling me into a comforting embrace. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that. You're incredibly strong to survive it all."
I sniffled, wiping away my tears. "Thanks. It hasn't been easy, but I'm determined to keep fighting and protect my child."
He nodded, determination in his eyes. "You won't have to do it alone anymore. I'm here for you now, sister. And we'll make sure no one ever hurts you or your child again."
We talked for hours, catching up on lost time.
"How's motherhood treating you?" he asked with a smile.
"It's amazing," I answered, thinking directly of my little one. "It's the best feeling in the world."
Kyle nodded and then asked, "Can I see him?" he whispered.
I smiled and we made our way to my room. I opened the door slowly so as not to wake him.
I went to his crib and found him fast asleep. I carried him and carefully passed the baby into Kyle's arms. He held the child with such gentleness, as if he were holding the most fragile thing in the world. "Wow," Kyle breathed out. "He's beautiful." I couldn't agree more. "His name is Phoenix Hunter," I said, watching as Kyle's eyes never left the baby's face. "He's my little firebird." "That's what I can see !" he says while laughing softly.
"He looks like his father," I said. "He's got his father's eyes," I remarked, remembering the piercing blue hue that my love, the Lycan King, possessed.
Suddenly, Kyle turned to me with a serious face, which didn't bode well.
"You love him, don't you?" He asked.
I was taken aback by his question.
"No I don't love him" I said tick to tock, without hesitation.
"Yes, yes, you love him. If you didn't, you were going to ask who I was talking about, but you didn't, that's pure and simple proof." He said casually, then resumed "I'm going to ask the question again, "Do you like him?"
I felt my heart racing as Kyle's question hung in the air again. Did he really think I still had feelings for the man who had caused me so much pain?
I took a deep breath and met his gaze. "Kyle, I can't deny that I had feelings for the Lycan king before. But after everything he did to me, I can't say that I love him anymore. I just can't."
Kyle looked at me skeptically. "Are you sure about that?"
I nodded, feeling a surge of anger rising within me. Why couldn't he understand that I was done with the Lycan king and everything he represented?
"I'm sure, Kyle. I may have loved him once, but he betrayed me in the worst possible way. He hurt me and my baby. I will never forgive him for that."
Kyle seemed to consider my words, his eyes softening as he looked down at little Phoenix in my arms. "I'm sorry, sister. I just want to make sure you're okay and that you're safe. I don't want you to go through that kind of pain ever again."
I felt a pang of guilt at my harsh words. "I'm sorry, Kyle. I know you mean well. I'm just... I'm still healing, you know? It's hard for me to trust people, especially after everything that's happened."
Kyle sighed and took a step closer to me. "I understand. And I want you to know that you can trust me. I'll never hurt you, sister. I promise."
I looked up at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. Something about his words and his presence made me feel safe, protected. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I wasn't alone. "Thank you, Kyle. It means a lot to me," I said, smiling gratefully at him.
He grinned back at me. "Anytime, sister. So do you love him?" He asked with a pout. I couldn't help laughing.
"So you won't give up then, huh? I asked, exasperated by his insistence.
"You're getting to know me, I never give up until I get what I want." He laughed.
"That's what I see!" I said, laughing too, before taking it more seriously," I love him." I said in a low voice, looking at the ground to escape his gaze. I knew he was going to judge me. Finally, I said it, it was done. I confessed to myself that I loved him, Maximus, the Lycan king. I was relieved, it was as if a weight was lifted from my shoulders.