Page 11

Leo

N ight has fallen, and I can’t sleep. Something about seeing her again is fucking with my mind…

It is one of the rare fucking days I’m able to get home before midnight and just crash, but yeah, that isn’t going to happen. I frown, pushing the thought away as I look down at the Sangue territory from my apartment window. The glittering lights in the windows of the building are a reminder of how far we have come from the caverns we once resided in. The mini-town is not only a sign of our prosperity, but it is proof of advancement. Not to mention it is pretty easy on the eyes, with modern buildings, high-tech security, and packed with everything my people need to thrive in this world.

The Sangue Pack… one would not think that we were once a pack of rogues who had been raised and forced to serve one of the most psychotic evil monsters of all time. Living in torment, fear, and abuse left its mark on us all, marks that don’t just vanish overnight. We have the highest number of people suffering from PTSD. Memories of torture and terror don’t just leave us. Even the few who agreed to have their memories removed didn’t feel as settled as they had had hoped. Some things just don’t go away...

The dreams that haunt my nights still remain; the abuse, the torture, the fear… they don’t just go away. I grew up thinking maybe I was fucking weak to not be able to deal with it… but then I realised it is part of who I am, what helped shape me into the man I am today, even if people can’t fucking stand me. I don’t care. My pack is my priority, and although we are one family, I still make sure that each one of them is able to fend for themselves and would be able to live alone if the need ever comes. We need no one else.

A pack that I run, yet I do not hold the official title… a title that Marcel, my father, holds. In fear of my views, he refuses to hand it over to me, instead taking the side of his family, staying true to his vow that until I yield to the council and find my mate, only then will he deem me worthy as the Alpha. I will never bow down to the King’s council like a coward. I won’t lie. That title will be mine. The last time we talked before he went on holiday, I had told him he needed to let me take over, but still, he refused. He wants me to find my mate, saying only she can guide me and get rid of the hatred within me.

Hatred… I don’t really know if I feel it anymore. I feel numb to it all. There are only a few things that make me feel anything. But soon… I am planning to force his hand until he passes that title to me. I have proven my fucking worth. I’m not a child who will obey his dictatorship.

As for a mate… fuck, I do not want to become a fucking slave to a woman, but when I saw her in that club... I had lost control. She had been so fucking appealing. I was in a meeting when I noticed her from one of the rooms. I was with Nikki, and I hadn’t planned on having fun. Didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy the view… but then that same sexy doll had turned out to be my fucking mate, and the sex… well, if the mark isn’t proof of how fucking good she felt and tasted, then I don’t know what is. At that moment, I wanted to make her mine forever. Meant to be mine fucking forever… but she turned out to be none other than a Westwood. Fuck that.

Her father is one of the Elite Eleven, a title that is unofficially given to the strongest Alphas in the country, and then they act like they aren’t fucking elite. Pricks.

When I found her last night, it was a fucking coincidence. We were heading home from a certain trade I had to take care of when I saw a wolf running through the trees, but it didn’t look normal, so we followed it. No matter how much I hate the elite, it doesn’t mean I will let someone die. Even if she isn’t my mate… I hate the odd pull of our broken bond. The fear for her wellbeing as I carried her to my car, driving as fast as I fucking could to get her back here, unnerved me. I hate the feeling…

She shouldn’t be here… I don’t need her to fuck anything up. I agreed to a few weeks, and I need her fucking gone fast, and whilst she is here, I will ignore her… but I still want to know exactly how she had ended up with that rabid wolf. Only she has the answers, and although I fucking don’t care, I still want to know. I am certain there was someone else there. I smelt no one… but there had been footprints, my men confirmed that. I even tried to get the data from her broken phone to see what she was up to out there, but the entire thing had been damaged in the fight. I’ll still get something out of it; it will just take a while longer since the acid from the WB12 has damaged the circuit board.

It didn’t happen on my territory, and I know it shouldn’t bother me, that I should just let it go, but the poison bothers me. A flare of anger and irritation rushes through me at the storm of emotions that run through me, and I light a cigarette, taking a long drag.

Just then, the sound of soft footsteps padding on the marble floors reaches me, and Nikki’s scent fills my nose, a smell that has always appealed to me, yet it doesn’t compare to hers…

“Hey, you have been working for three days straight. Today you’re home. Come on, let’s get to bed.” She wraps her arms around my waist, her hand caressing my abs as it dips down to the band of my pants. “Come on, Leo.” She kisses my neck as I smoke my cigarette, slipping her hand into my pants and massaging my cock.

“I’m not tired,” I reply quietly. Despite the pleasure that rushes through me at her touch, I am far too preoccupied.

“Then how about some fun?” She kisses my neck sensually.

“Not in the mood.”

She sighs and lets go of me. “Leo.” She has my attention, but she doesn’t speak. Instead, she sighs in frustration. “Leo!”

“What?”

“Can you look at me when I’m talking to you? What is going on? You’ve been so distracted for the last few weeks; it’s getting to me. Don’t tell me it’s that same woman you cheated on me with!” Her brown eyes fill with irritation and accusation. Pain is clear in her voice.

My eyes flash dangerously, and I glare coldly at her. I had showered that night, washing away every memory of Azura, but it didn’t take away the marks that she had left on my body. Marks she had seen.

“Do not fucking question me! What I do has nothing to do with you. As for your petty worries, I haven’t seen her again, nor is she on my mind. It was one fucking mistake. I won’t see her again. She’s fucking no one.” My anger is rising, and I glare out of the window.

“You better be telling the truth. Since then, I feel we don’t even have sex as often as before!”

“We fucked yesterday,” I growl.

“Three days ago. Not yesterday,” she corrects me.

“I’m not fucking counting,” I reply dangerously, turning and grabbing her throat. Her eyes flash gold, but her heart is pounding as she stares at me with a flicker of fear and desire.

“I just mean it’s not the same… it hurt knowing you cheated on me, Leo. I’m trying my best to keep us together. To get over this…” she whispers, her gaze turning to my lips. I take a drag on my cigarette, letting go of her.

“I’ve been busy. If you want to walk, Nikki, walk. I won’t hold it against you.”

“We’ve been together for over two years, Leo… this change is scaring me,” she exclaims in frustration and desperation. “I forgave you for cheating on me -”

“Forgave me?” My eyes flash dangerously as I glare at her.

Dressed in nothing but a red satin gown, she looks perfect, and I know exactly what hides behind that tiny piece of fabric. With black hair, light brown eyes, sexy curves, and slightly on the petite side, Nikki is a piece of candy that only a fool would deny. She is only three years younger than me, the ideal age gap. She is smart, level-headed, and she is fucking good in bed, or so I thought until I had the taste of something I should never have had.

If Nikki is good… the fucking psycho on the floor beneath us is fucking euphoric. I hate her, from her large dazzling blue eyes, those plump lips that are so fuckable, and glossy black hair which looks unreal. She is -

“Leo! You’re doing it again. Can you even hear what I’m saying?” Nikki yells, cutting off the train of thought that I fucking hate. “Leo, I am so fucking -”

The sounds of a door opening and small feet reach my ears. I clamp my hand over Nikki’s mouth, warning her to stay silent. I turn just as Corrado comes into view, removing my hand. His brown hair is a tousled mess, and his hazel eyes are full of sleep.

“Daddy?” He rubs his eyes. “Why are you shouting?”

I warned you, do not give me fucking shit when he’s around. Get the fuck out of my sight.

She looks at me before nodding tersely and walking back towards my bedroom, and I stride over to my five-year-old.

“What’s wrong with Nikki?” He asks me innocently. I crouch down, ruffling his hair.

“Women. They are pretty crazy. We were just having a debate over football. You know, she’s a Man U fan,” I reply quietly. I don’t want his life to ever have problems…. He chuckles before hugging me.

“Oh, no, wrong team! So when did Daddy come home?” He asks. I wrap my arms around him.

“Not long ago. You were asleep, so I didn’t disturb you,” I reply, standing up and lifting him onto my shoulder. He grins, holding on tight. I pause to stub out my cigarette before heading to his room.

“I tried to stay awake, but Jackie said I should sleep. I want Grandad to come home. I get bored. Will you have a day off soon?”

I have something I need to take care of that doesn’t involve pack work, and I have been swamped for the last few months with it, but after tonight, I’ll have a bit more time. Revenge sure is fucking sweet.

“I can’t promise that, kid, but I’ll try,” I reply quietly, frowning as I push the door to his bedroom open wider and crouch down as we enter so as not to bump his head. I place him on his bed, and the look of disappointment in his eyes makes me feel the need to explain myself. “I have a lot going on, Corrado. Things I need to take care of.”

“But you always have things going on… I want you to be here with me.”

He is fighting back tears, and I stroke his hair. He needs someone who can take care of him. The only problem is although Nikki treats him well, he doesn’t warm up to her. Plus, he is mine. I can’t expect it of her. What the fuck do I do?

“Well, how about I sleep with you tonight?” I suggest, looking at the tiny car bed.

“Yes!” His excitement lights up his eyes, and I give him the tiniest of smiles as he moves right to the edge. This pup would sacrifice his own space and everything for me. I get onto the tiny bed, my legs dangling off just as they always do, and I hold my arm out to him, allowing him to pounce back into my arms. “Now I’m happy,” he declares, staring up at me with pure happiness in his eyes.

“Yeah? Now sleep.”

“Will you please take a day off, Daddy?” I look into his eyes. This pup is the thing I really fucking care for. Sure, Nikki and the pack are close seconds, but nothing beats him.

“I’ll try,” I reply after a moment, making his heart skip a beat.

“Yes! Thank you!”

“Now, sleep,” I order seriously.

He nods, and, despite his excitement, he soon becomes drowsy. His breathing becomes steady, and shortly after, he is fast asleep. I pull my phone from my back pocket, looking at the time. I’m sure the news will have reached him by now…

I turn on a news channel, keeping the volume low as I stare at the short clip of a plane that had exploded mid-flight.

“… currently debating if the explosion was due to a technical issue or if this was a targeted attack. On board was twenty-seven-year-old…” I smirk coldly.

“That’s what happens when you mess with me,” I mutter, switching it off.

I take out a small burner phone from my back pocket and dial a number. I wait for someone to pick it up. The moment it is answered, I don’t wait for anyone to speak.

“I hope you enjoyed your gift. Courtesy of The Heimtückische Wolfe Cartel.” My voice is low, but the power that is in it shows I mean business. A roar of pure rage rings through the phone.

“How dare you kill my son! I made the mistake, not him! I asked for forgiveness!” My smirk fades, and I stare at the phone.

“There is no space for mistakes in this business, Web. Take it as a warning. Try to double-cross me again, and I will fucking kill each and every person that you love. Schurke Wolf forgives no one.”

Another roar of anger follows, and I cut the call. My message has reached him loud and clear. No one messes with me and gets away with it. I dial another number and sit up, slowly easing Corrado off my arm. Sorry, kid. I got some work to handle, but I’ll be back before you wake up.

I leave the apartment, stepping out into the hall. Only the lift and a flight of stairs lead off from here, with the entire top floor being mine.

Is she asleep? Not that I fucking care.

I crush the burner phone and take out my usual one, calling Eric.

“Hi, Alpha.”

“Any updates?” I ask.

“No, there was no scent to catch onto. Whoever was with her, they just vanished… I’m back now, but the team is still out there.”

“Good. Keep looking. I want to know exactly who else was there.”

I hang up, frowning as my mind wanders to Azura. There is definitely a reason she wants to stay here. She had tickets to Sweden, which means she was leaving. Is it the rejection that is making her want to run? I know the emptiness inside doesn’t go away… is it that, or is there more? No. There is definitely more. Her staying here is the biggest sign of that. I had seen her cogs working before she suddenly wanted to stay. She is up to something…

I step back inside the apartment, walking through to the huge balcony and staring down at the pack. My gaze dips to the room to the left on the lower floor. The lights are on, and the balcony doors are open. I rein in my aura, my eyes fixed on the balcony, and that’s when I see her, clad in nothing but a sports bra and a tiny pair of briefs, running her fingers through her hair as she steps out.

I lick my lips, my gaze raking over her ass as she leans on the rail for a moment. Her silky hair slides over her shoulder, and I can see her injuries are almost gone. Good.

My gaze falls on her ass. Thinking back, it is fucking crazy that she is that psycho kid who I had once made cry before we went to fight that Djinn. She sure has grown up fucking fine….

I’m so lost in checking out that ass that I don’t realise she is leaning pretty far out, and, for a second, I think she’ll fall. Moving forward, I am ready to jump, but then she moves back, turning and bracing her hands on the rail as she dips her head back, staring at the sky. What the fuck was I about to do?

Her breasts are pushed together, the perfect fucking size that fits nicely in my hand. Not tiny, not huge. Enough to wrap around my dick perfectly whilst she sucked me off.

Fuck, Leo, focus.

I move back slightly, making sure she can’t see me, when her eyes suddenly snap toward me. I know she can’t see me. Had she sensed me watching? But it is her words that fucking grate on my nerves.

“Stop perving, you old man. I can sense you.”