Chapter Sixteen

He was at a loss for words, Tristen took a step forward. He slowly approached wanting to make sure it was really Rina, she had been gone for so long. His chest ached as he stared at her. Golden irises roamed her body. Her thick wavy hair reached midback and her hips rounded in the high waisted jeans she wore. Hazel eyes stared back.

All the pent up feeling and betrayal reared its ugly head. Joy at seeing her again, pain for not understanding why she left him. How he missed her touch, her scent curled around him. He shuddered.

His body tensed when he noticed movement behind her legs. He saw a little boy-no a demon child step to the side to stand next to her.

Red tinged his eyes, his beast came roaring to the forefront of his mind. The child was a spitting image of his older brother Damien. A million scenarios went through his head. For so long he had imagined the perfect way to see her again, never did he imagine his love would show up with a child. A child that wasn't his.

His nostrils flared, Tristen tilted his head up and took a deep inhale. The child's scent was a mixture of Rina and Damien's. Suddenly the missing pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. Tristen's expression went from shock to anger and finally rage. She betrayed him.

"What the hell is going on Rina?! TELL ME NOW." he roared.

He was barely holding onto his beast, it clawed at its cage refusing to bow down. Sarah and Michael arrived to the scene only to witness Tristen's anger and confusion.

Everyone stared at the little boy standing next to Rina mid thigh holding on to her thin black sweater in caution. His silver hair reached his shoulders, demonic marking swept across his cheeks stating his rank in the demon society as a Tai. It was a rare sight to see any markings on a demon's face. It spoke of great potential and power.

Hazel's eyes with a hint of gold stared at them. His small body stiffened when a stream of growls fell from Tristen's clenched teeth. His lips pulled back into a snarl. Then they all snapped out of their thoughts in complete shock at Rina's words.

"He's my son…"

Everybody gasped as Nathaniel just stared curiously at their reaction.

"Tristen please calm down…" Rina whispered weakly.

"No! what the hell is going on?!" Tristen screamed.

"I'll explain everything in a moment." Rina pressed Nathaniel close to her side.

Exhaling she kneeled in front of her son. "Hey, you see that huge bed of flowers over there?" she pointed.

"Yeah?" he stared at where his mother pointed.

"Can you pick a big bouquet of flowers for mommy?"

Nathaniel turned and looked at the agitated male in front of them then stared at his mother."

"I'm fine don't worry I'll be there in a few minute."

"Okay," Nathaniel began to walk across the field but not before he turned to look at Tristen one last time then walked away.

Rina watched him run off into the fields once he was far enough she turned around towards her friends.

"Can we talk somewhere in private?"

"Feh, whatever…"

Rina made sure to sit with the group far enough so Nathaniel wouldn't hear their conversation, but close enough where she could keep an eye on him if any danger was near.

"Rina please tell us what happened, why did you leave? Was Nathaniel the reason you left in the first place?" Sarah's rushed questions bombarded Rina.

"Yes and no…I didn't leave because of Nathaniel I left because of what happened to me." Rina replied. Her eyes remained cast down, she fiddled with the hem of her sweater.

Everyone was quiet including Tristen anticipating her answer.

"I…I was involved in a situation. I'm not sure why, but I remember learning about demon males in heat particularly when their beast is out."

Tears welled up in Sarah's eyes as Michael's fists clenched in anger as he held Sarah's hand. But Tristen had the worst reaction of all.

"Why? Why you? What the fuck would he do this? He knew you were mine!"

Tristen's rage was unraveling. His fists clenched so tight, his claws sank into his skin. Blood started to seep out. Confusion began to take over, his brother never showed interest in Rina. Anytime they even talked it was because of a fight he had with his brother. It was more of Rina yelling at him than anything else. And now they had a child together. Where would that leave him?

"He's a spitting image of that bas-"

"He is still my son now calm down before I make you." Rina replied harshly.

"Nathaniel doesn't know anything about this, he is an innocent child. He didn't ask for this to happen. So keep your mouth shut Tristen."

Tristen growled but said nothing else. She took a deep breath and began to answer Sarah's questions again.

"I went home as soon as it happened, I couldn't think straight and home was the only place I could think of. I sealed the portals because I knew Tristen would come after me. Then…I found out I was pregnant and now here I am."

"How can you be so calm about all of this?!" Tristen raised his voice but was mindful of Nathaniel.

"Because Tristen…He didn't know what he was doing -"

"What do ya mean he didn't-"

"Shut up Tristen!" Rina practically growled.

She raked her fingers through her hair. Her posture slouched forward as she continued. "His beast was controlling him, like your beast does to you except your beast will go into a blood rage where as Damien's…you already know. That's why I can't blame him, he probably still doesn't even know what he did. If he did he would have been knocking on my door a long time ago. Tristen you never remembered what your beast did either."

Tristen looked to the side and scoffed.

"Are you going to stay here?" Michael asked the one question that had been on everyone's mind.

"Why do you think I brought that huge camper bag with me?" Rina laughed at his expression. "I was hoping you guys would be here this year like every other year. Figured it would be the best way to see you all again and explain my situation…"

It was the first time Rina laughed since facing her friends. The mood seemed to lighten up after that. Tristen's mood had yet to change, he was quiet but his mind was wailing at the thought of someone else touching Rina.

author note: Thank you for your support! As I see my views grow and votes increase it makes me want to write more.