Lunar Legacy: Rise Of The Beastlord-Chapter 215: H.I.M

Jayden stared deeply at Miss Kate, his eyes narrowing in awe and suspicion. "How did you know I’ve been looking for her?" he finally asked, his voice low, almost demanding

Miss Kate chuckled as if he’d just asked the most obvious question in the world. Her tone was light, almost teasing.

"Jayden... anyone in your shoes would do the same. Clinging to the hope of finding the one person they’ve lost. Believing.. knowing, that they’re still alive somewhere." she said. Her voice softening at the edges, carrying a weight of lived experience. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Jayden’s gaze hardened. He wasn’t buying it. "I refuse to believe you figured that out just by mere psychological assumptions. So are you going to tell me the truth... or keep feeding me philosophies?" he asked sharply.

That struck her. For a moment, Miss Kate looked genuinely stunned. Then she sighed, lips curling into a faint, defeated smile.

"Alright, fine. I’ll admit... I did have some other... methods of finding out." she muttered.

Jayden raised a brow, waiting to hear the rest of it.

"I don’t know if you’re aware," Miss Kate said carefully, "But I have ties to the person that has been ’watching’ you all these years."

Jayden wasn’t fazed. Of course he was aware. Principal Thompson had hinted at that in their last conversation, when he was talking about Miss Kate’s mother

"And sometimes," she continued. "I get access to the channel they use to monitor you."

Jayden scoffed, though his tone carried no real anger. "So you’ve been spying?"

Miss Kate chuckled softly, unabashed. "Call it whatever you want, Jayden. As long as it helps me protect you, I couldn’t care less." she retorted.

Jayden snickered, shaking his head. "You’re beginning to sound like him."

"Maybe," Miss Kate admitted with a shrug. "But the difference between us is that I’d step in if you were ever in danger. He would just sit back and watch... even if the world came crashing down on you."

Jayden exhaled slowly, knowing deep down she was right about that. Still, the thought of being watched made his skin crawl. "I still don’t like the fact that I’m being ’monitored’."

"Yes," Miss Kate admitted with a sigh, "It’s invasive, I get it. But it helps me know what you’re planning.. and stop you from making the wrong decisions." Her voice dipped knowingly. "Like... your plan of going to Geneva."

For a split second, Jayden froze. Shock flickered in his eyes. But then he realized he shouldn’t be surprised. Of course she knew. She’d been watching.

He turned to her, brow furrowed. "And what about it?" He didn’t bother denying it.

Miss Kate held his gaze. "Like I said, I’ve been doing my own findings about Jasmine. And I can assure you, she’s not on Geneva."

Jayden frowned, frustration pulling at him. "So where is she?"

Miss Kate sighed, her tone heavier now. "I... I don’t know. But I’m sure of one thing... the EVA still has her."

Jayden’s fist clenched, his nails biting into his palm. Rage flared inside him.. a rage he hadn’t felt in weeks. If the EVA still had Jasmine... who knows what horrors they could be putting her through.

Sensing the storm in him, Miss Kate rested a hand on his shoulder, her touch steady, her smile gentle. "Don’t worry, Jayden. We’ll find her. I promise."

Jayden’s breath shuddered out. He knew what they were up against. The EVA wasn’t some street gang. If Jasmine was in their grasp, finding, let alone saving her would be near impossible. He couldn’t do it alone. He needed help.

"Do you have any ideas?" he asked.

"I do," Miss Kate replied, pouring herself another glass of wine before taking a slow sip. "But the EVA isn’t your typical organization. They’re untouchable. But now that I’m a pioneer, I can use the authority that comes with it to poke around their business without raising suspicion."

Jayden nodded. Her plan wasn’t far from what he had once thought of... infiltrating the EVA by joining them. But he had tossed that goal aside after receiving the system.

Miss Kate set her glass down and turned to him with deliberate calm. "But I can’t do this alone, Jayden. I need your help too." she said.

Jayden chuckled. This was his sister they were talking about.. of course he’d help. But what amused him was her wording.

"I’m not as strong as you, and I don’t have any connections," he said. "How could I possibly help?"

Miss Kate’s smirk was sharp, knowing. "Jayden, you and I both know you’re not just some ordinary teenage boy with one ability. You’re something else entirely. One that will be even more powerful than me in no time."

Jayden fell quiet as Miss Kate went on.

Her eyes glimmered as she leaned in slightly. "I’ve been watching you, Jayden. I know what you can do. And I know you think you don’t need me... but the truth is, someone like you will attract a lot of attention from very powerful people."

Jayden furrowed his brow. Principal Thompson and Penelope had said the same thing.

"Which is why you still need protection for now, until you’re strong enough to defend yourself." Miss Kate added. Her voice softened, earnest now. "So I only ask that you trust me."

Jayden smiled faintly. "That’s funny. I was going to say the same thing."

He had already decided long ago that he could trust Miss Kate. She was his best chance at getting answers... and protection.

Miss Kate chuckled, warmth slipping into her voice. "I’m gonna take that as a good sign." she said.

Then her gaze grew serious. "But here’s how it’s gonna be. After tonight, I probably won’t be allowed to visit Alpha again. Which means we might not see each other for a while."

Her tone dipped, deliberate. "Which is why I’ve been thinking... why don’t you come school on Beta?"

Jayden blinked, genuinely stunned. "Beta? Like attend the university there?"

Miss Kate nodded. "Yes. You don’t have to participate in the global tournament coming up soon. I can easily help you get into the National University directly."

Jayden’s jaw slackened slightly. The National University of Beta. The most prestigious higher institution across all five planets. Renowned. Elite. And nearly impossible to get into.

But Miss Kate was offering him a backdoor entry... no tests, no competition, no global tournament. This was a golden ticket.

It was the most easy and convenient offer out there. But Jayden had never been a fan of convenience.

"No." His answer was casual, almost offhand.

Miss Kate blinked in disbelief. "W–What?"

Jayden turned to her, calm but resolute. "I appreciate your offer, Aunt Kate. Truly. But I prefer doing this my way," he stated.

"I will listen to you and come to Beta to study," he continued firmly. "But I want to participate in the global tournament first. And earn my enrollment the normal way."

Miss Kate stared at him, speechless. She had given him the easiest way forward, and he refused it outright. She didn’t know whether to be impressed... or worried.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked quietly, hoping for a change of heart.

Jayden’s reply was steady. "Yes. I am."

Miss Kate sighed, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "Fine. If that’s what you want." She placed her glass down with finality. "I trust you."

Jayden smiled back. "Thanks, Aunt Kate. I won’t let you down."

Miss Kate chuckled softly, her eyes softening in a way few ever saw. "I know you won’t," she whispered, her voice trembling with pride. "And Cyllene... she would be so proud of you."

Jayden smiled at that, warmth pooling in his chest, but he said nothing. His gaze drifted across the hall, scanning the masked crowd with dragon eye, their hidden identities flickering faintly at the edge of his sight.

But then a thought struck him. His head turned back toward Miss Kate.

"You’re part of the Lunaria family, right?"

She nodded casually. "Yeah."

Jayden exhaled, steady. "So that means Castor Lunaria is your dad. Right?"

Miss Kate chuckled, amused. "Yes, he is." Then she arched a brow, curious. "I didn’t know you were familiar with my father."

Jayden shrugged coolly. "I make sure to do my research on the leaders and ruling families of all five planets."

"In fact," he added, "I knew Katherine Lunaria was the only daughter of the leader of Beta. I just didn’t think that was you."

Miss Kate smirked smugly. "What can I say? Confidentiality is one of my many talents."

Jayden chuckled, though his mind was already turning. He was onto something. Piece by piece, the truth was forming.

And then it clicked.

Kate was the reason this entire gathering existed. She was the celebrant. The one everyone had come to honor. Yet instead of mingling with her guests, basking in her appointment, she was here. With him.

It was obvious now.

Kate didn’t care about the party. She didn’t care about the guests. This entire masquerade had been discreetly arranged for their meeting.

But he needed to be sure.

He fixed her with a stern expression. "You hosted this party because you wanted to see me, didn’t you?"

Miss Kate turned to him with feigned innocence. "Huh? Why would you think that?"

Jayden’s gaze didn’t waver. "You held this party in honor of your appointment as a pioneer. But that’s not the real reason, because if it were... why would you host the party here on Earth, when you could’ve conveniently held it on Beta, your home planet?"

His tone sharpened, his eyes narrowing. "And it wasn’t just any party. You themed it as a masquerade, so that way.. you could talk to me without him knowing. Am I right?"

Miss Kate’s lips parted slightly, astonishment flickering across her face. Then, slowly, slyly, her expression shifted into a grin. "Yes, Jayden. You’re right. I set up this whole event just to meet you." she admitted.

Then she chuckled softly. "But I have to admit, I’m impressed you figured it out. I didn’t think you’d suspect a thing."

Jayden shrugged smugly. "What can I say? Figuring things out is one of my many talents."

That made Kate burst into laughter. Real laughter.

The sound rippled through the hall, soft but so unusual that every head turned.

Jayden froze. Everyone froze.

Kate was laughing. Not chuckling politely, not smirking. She was actually laughing. She never laughed. Never.

But the laughter wasn’t loud, it was light, melodic, beautiful. The cutest sound Jayden had ever heard.

When she realized the room’s eyes were on her, Kate gasped faintly and straightened, quickly composing herself. She cleared her throat and returned to her usual elegance, though faint color still lingered in her cheeks.

"Why were they all staring?" she asked, slightly embarrassed.

Jayden chuckled. "Maybe because they were surprised you’re actually capable of laughter."

Miss Kate giggled. "What do you mean? I laugh all the time." she claimed.

Jayden scoffed. "Yeah, sure you do."

Kate caught the sarcasm and pretended to be offended, jabbing his arm lightly. "Watch it, Jayden. I might be your aunt, but I’m still older than you."

Jayden smiled wryly, rubbing his arm. "Yes, of course, Aunt Kate. I meant no disrespect." he said, his tone etched with mirth.

Miss Kate shook her head with a laugh. "You’re a menace."

Jayden smiled, though inside, his mind was spinning. He had just made an interesting discovery. One that was so plausible, yet unlikely.

Earlier, when he deduced that Miss Kate held the party so she could speak with him, he was right.

But that wasn’t what intrigued him. It was the fact that she had to go to the extent of hosting a masquerade party on earth just to meet with him.

That made Jayden curious as to how much Miss Kate feared or respected this person that was watching him.

So he began to make assumptions, and eventually... he pieced it all together.

Miss Kate admitted she’d been punished for helping him. And that her punishment was becoming a pioneer for the Lunaria family. But who had the power to punish her that way? Who could possess the power to literally ground her? Who had the authority to name pioneers, and call the shots within the Lunaria family?

There was only one person it could be.

Her father. Castor Lunaria.

It was him all along. The mysterious figure who had been watching Jayden from the shadows.

Castor Lunaria is ’him’.