THE HEIR'S MATE

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

After meeting with Cedric and Magnus, Althea walked toward the training area within the castle, hoping to encounter Luna. The path to the training grounds, lined with neatly trimmed hedges and flanked by ancient oak trees, seemed almost unchanged from years past. The field itself, though it had seen various updates over the years, still held the essence of countless training sessions, its grass a little more worn but still vibrant with the echoes of past efforts.

As she approached, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. The familiar scents of freshly cut grass and the distinct energy of the place stirred memories of rigorous training and camaraderie. The soft hum of distant drills and the muted sounds of combat training filled the air, bringing a bittersweet smile to Althea's lips.

"Althea, is that you?" A soft, trembling voice broke through her thoughts.

Althea turned, her heart quickening as she faced the source of the voice. A fragile-looking woman, with a pale complexion and weary eyes, stood a few paces away. Her appearance was delicate, her once vibrant presence now overshadowed by sorrow. Recognition sparked in Althea's eyes. "Triana?" she asked, her voice filled with surprise and curiosity.

"Oh, Althea," Triana said, her voice cracking as tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry for what Rafe did to your son. It's all my fault."

Althea's heart clenched at the mention of Rafe, the man who had kidnapped and tortured her son and his mate. Her anger flared again, directed not just at Rafe but at Cedric for his leniency. However, even amidst her fury, Althea knew that dealing with the pain of the past was secondary to addressing the more pressing matters at hand. "You know that kid?" Althea asked, her tone incredulous and tinged with disbelief.

Triana's face fell, and she averted her gaze, her shoulders hunched in defeat. "He's my son. I'm so sorry, Althea," she said, her voice barely a whisper, laden with guilt and regret. The weight of her admission hung heavy in the air, thickening the atmosphere between them.

"I..." Althea's words were slurred, but her mind was racing, calculating every piece of information she had. The implications of Triana's admission were overwhelming.

"How old is he?" Althea asked carefully, her eyes searching Triana's face for answers. She could feel the tension in the air as Triana prepared to respond.

Triana's eyes filled with a deep sadness, and she nodded, acknowledging the implication of Althea's question. "Yes, he is... if that's what you're thinking," she said, her voice carrying a faint, pained smile. The gravity of her words made Althea's expression shift from confusion to horror.

"You gave birth to him?" Althea asked, her voice rising in disbelief. She realized her question was too loud and quickly covered her mouth, her face flushing with shock.

Triana looked away, her gaze fixed on the ground as if it might swallow her whole. "Yes," she murmured, "but you said you weren't going to keep him, that you weren't ready to bring him into the world." Her tone carried a mixture of anguish and resignation, her voice barely a whisper in the stillness of the training field.

"Oh, God, Triana," Althea said, her voice breaking as she took in the weight of her friend's pain. Her shoulders slumped, and a wave of guilt washed over her. "I had no idea... I thought you'd..."

Triana tried to compose herself, taking a shaky breath. "I changed my mind after you left. I just couldn't bring myself to end it." Her voice was tinged with pain, and a faint smile formed on her sad face, an attempt to lighten the heavy atmosphere. "I don't think this is a good place for us to reminisce about what happened. Besides, it's already happened."

Althea nodded slowly, her heart aching for her friend. She knew they couldn't change the past, but it weighed heavily on both their hearts. Triana, trying to shift the conversation away from the painful memories, asked, "What are you doing here? Did you meet Cedric?"