Page 133 of My Only Luna

“Them two argue too much…” I hear Maria say as she arranges the sandwich platter and sets it down.

“Bromance at its finest!” Indigo calls as she walks out from the villa. Sometimes I forget she’s not just that kid who loves her older brother, but a grown woman, and I don’t like it.

Today is Rafael’s second child’s birthday, and he rented a villa for some of our friends to get together and celebrate thisoccasion with his little princess.

“Look, she’s not wearing one…” I say, giving Rafael a look as I point at Indigo.

“Okay, fine. You and Alejandro are such party poopers,” he grumbles, glancing at his brother, who I’m certain he was shocked even showed up for the party. The rest came the day before, but Alejandro only turned up ten minutes ago.

The twenty-year-old sits on the ground away from the area that we have lit up with solar-powered lanterns and fairy lights, busy scrolling through his phone. Rafael’s smile vanishes as he watches him, concerned. There’s something more in his eyes, something that has grown over the years. I’ve been in contact with Rafael and although he never tells me what is going on when it comes to his brother, I know the bastard has placed a lot of stress and burden on his brother and his mate.

I glance at the woman who has an incredible mask on, but I don’t miss the way her eyes are constantly on Alejandro since he’s arrived, as if fearing he might do something.

It makes me wonder, why does she react like that?

The younger man now looks up, his cold, dark eyes meeting his brother’s warm ones, but before either can say anything, the sound of children’s laughter and excitement fills the air. The doors open and out pour the gang of children, drawing all our attention to them.

At the front are Liam and Rayhan, both boys racing dangerously fast towards us.

“I won!” Liam says, grabbing my leg.

“No, I did!” Rayhan retorts. Rafael sighs.

“I think it was a draw. Don’t you agree, Elijah?”

“Yeah, maybe,” I grin, sensing Scarlett’s displeasure and I glance at her as she frowns at me.

Don’t make the kids compete.

Friendly alpha competition, no harm done.I wink at her and she rolls her eyes, looking away. Rayhan is only a week younger than our twins, who are four. Monica and Aaron’s son, Damon, who turned five a month ago, strolls out lazily, staring at the moon that has just peeked out from behind the trees. Rafael’s Beta’s family is also here. The boys run off, joining the rest, whilst one child stands on the steps, not moving. Her soft, sandy blonde hair frames her face as she looks out into the brightly lit garden.

My smile fades as I walk over to my daughter, Kiara, with concern clear on my face. Unlike her headstrong brother, she is the opposite. I crouch down, looking into her eyes and cup her face, and she gives me the purest smile I have ever seen.

“What’s wrong, cutie patootie?” I ask softly. “Can you see alright?” She nods.

“I can see all this, Daddy,” she says, pointing to the brightly lit area. I smile, kissing her forehead.

“That’s good.” My heart aches a little. I scoop her up in my arms, kissing her cheeks. I’ll always be there to take care of her.

“Look my dress.” I look down at the demanding voice of the two-year-old Rossi Princess. She looks the part with a crown on top of her glossy curls and a pretty, pink dress that I’m sure all little girls would love.

“Oh hey there, wow look at you. Happy birthday, princess.” She smiles proudly at my words as I crouch down and does a twirl for me, making Kiara smile.

“You look beautiful, Raihana, I love your dress.”

“Thank you,” she replies, satisfied before she toddles off in search of more compliments. And Raf is quick to hurry over to her, picking her up and spinning her in his arms as he showers her with affection.

He deserves all the happiness he can get. He’s had a shit life and the tattooed punk over there still makes it hard for him. He senses me watching and his eyes snap to mine, cold and callous before they flick to Kiara for a second. And then he scoffs, looking away, and I find myself shielding her from his gaze.

“Daddy?”

“Yes?” I answer Kiara.

“Can I go play?”

I blink and put her down, nodding. “Of course.”

I hear the women laugh softly but ignore it, watching her as she goes over to the boys, where Raihana has disturbed their game and is demanding compliments over her dress.

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