As the snowstorm intensifies, what began as a gentle flurry quickly morphs into a relentless, blinding blizzard. Flakes that once drifted gracefully now slam down with a ferocious intensity, driven by howling winds that whip through the air like icy daggers.
Kieran and Diana took in on their bed Valerio, not that the baby needed more warmth but because his parents felt the need to cuddle him, fearful that the storm may sweep the boy away.
Sonia, on the other hand, needed the warmth and sense of security. She fought her sleepiness fearing the thought of sleeping alone in a strange house. Without hesitation, Pietro laid Sonia on his bed. The poor girl cuddled close to the only person in the castle she felt safe with and went right to sleep. Her sleeping face is the epitome of innocence.
It felt strange to feel this close and concerned over someone again, Pietro realized. The more he thinks of tomorrow, the more wounded he feels. He does not want to part from Sonia, but as Diana said, she belongs to a family. However, if his gut instinct is correct, and this toddler is indeed his child, Iya could still be alive and well. Or, Sonia was raised by other people when Iya left this world. By moon goddess he prayed that those who raised Sonia are good people.
Pietro massaged his temples. He wanted it all. Iya and Sonia. He closed his eyes and fervently wished the moon goddess to end his suffering, to return his happiness, his life.
On the other end, Ana is distraught. There will be no sleep for her, only tears and prayers. With the darkness that enveloped the province and with the relentless blizzard, she never felt more helpless than this dreadful night. No one in his right mind will help her search for Sonia at this circumstance. And what can she do on her own?
Ana pounded on her chest. She is grappling with feelings of inadequacy due to her flaws. She should have never allowed Sonia to go out and play in front of their house. She very well knows how adventurous the child is, that little things pique her interest. She may have wandered far and lost her way home. Ana wept again.
She could sense Sonia is alive but she knows the child is scared. She kept calling Sonia's name on and on as an odd feeling of warmth shrouded her. Ana is glowing orange.
Pietro was dreaming and in that dream he is hearing a voice calling out for Sonia. He awoken and rubbed his eyes and turned to see Sonia who is still fast asleep. His conscience is inflicting guilt because he knows Sonia's Mama is out there yearning for her daughter.
******************
With the first cackling of the hen, Ana took her cloak and decided to go out to search for Sonia. She needs Aunt Lale's help and so she went out and slowly approached her house. Aunt Lale was equally alarmed at the news and without hesitation, agreed to help Ana.
Their efforts were paid off when someone in the hospital told them that a female child of age three was indeed brought there before the storm. Ana could not breathe when she learnt that Sonia got hit by a motor bike and was hurt. The urgency to find Sonia intensified.
The doctor was able to describe the man who took Sonia to the hospital. His name was Peter Vlad. So it seems, Pietro signed the hospital forms with a pseudo name.
Aunt Lale made the sign of the cross when she heard the last name Vlad. The doctor understood her fears because the history of the Vlad family is an urban legend in their country, though no proof was ever produced about it, about them being allegedly vampires.
"I will not encourage you, Ana, to go to the territory of the Vlad family, but this is Sonia we are talking about. We have no choice but to dare go there." Aunt Lale said.
"What is it about that family? Is Sonia in danger being with them?" Ana worries.
"That, I cannot answer. Come, girl, we have to ask Stefan to drive us there, quick."
Ana nodded and reached for Aunt Lale's arm.
******************
"Mama is coming!" Sonia happily announce at the breakfast table to the surprise of Pietro, Kieran, and Diana.
"Princess, how do you know," Kieran asked.
"Smell." Sonia said as she hands Valerio a carrot stick. Valerio grabbed it with a giggle.
"You can smell you Mama?" Diana cleared up.
"Uh-hmmm." Sonia threw Diana the sweetest smile. Diana touched her chest. She is starting to believe this is Iya's child.
"Sonia, sweetie, can you smell Pietro?" Diana tested as both Kieran and Pietro paid full attention to her response.
Sonia gave a thumbs up gesture.
Pietro suddenly stood making his chair make a scraping sound. He started to walk to and from. His wolf is uneasy, excited, and basically just going crazy.
"What if it is Iya who is coming?" Pietro anxiously asked. "What if she is mad at me for not being able to protect her? For not looking hard enough? For not sensing our pup?" He gave Kieran and Diana a devastated look.
"If it is Iya, isn't it a great joy? Don't we all want to be reunited with her? Do not overthink things. Nothing is for sure yet. From hoping to see Iya, now you are dreading it. Pull yourself together." Kieran sternly advised.
Pietro signed heavily when the butler came to speak to the vampire king.
"Your highness, there are women by the gate asking if they could speak with you about a lost female child," he stated.
"Let them in!" Diana shouted startling everyone.
******************
Ana released a breath when the guard said Mr. Kieran Vlad will see them. She could not shake the feeling that something is about to happen. It's in the air. It felt different, still cold, but there was like a promise of something. Ana thought she is just elated to embrace Sonia again. She is entirely sure Sonia is here in this very place. Her heart could tell.
Ana and Aunt Lale were escorted to a car. The estate was massive they have been told and so they accepted the offer with gratitude and a tang of nervousness.
They car parked as they pulled off from the cobble stone pavement. A man introduced himself as the butler and assisted them in going to the drawing room. The butler opened the door of the drawing room and every creek is attuned to the beat of Ana's heart.
"Sonia?" Ana immediately sought for her child.
"Mama..." Sonia sounded relieved but with tearful eyes.
Pietro, Kieran, and Diana stood and were paralyzed with shock as they watch things unfold before their very eyes.
Mother and daughter aimed to run to each other; however, Ana tripped badly on an ottoman directly in her path.
"Mama!" Sonia shrieked in horror.
"Iya!" Pietro howled in distress.
Everything froze from that moment until Aunt Lale voiced out what they all could not believed to be.
"Please bear with us, she cannot see."
YOU ARE READING
Iya's Blind Alpha
WerewolfAn Alpha King is expected to be powerful, strong, valiant, wise, decisive, and perfect. Alpha King Pietro is all that except the part being perfect. He was the most awaited heir of the royal family but he was born blind. And so they thought. Iya...
