Page 12

Azura

H e steps forward, raising his eyebrow as he takes a drag on the cigarette. Why does that look so damn fine…? Something about a man smoking always looks sexy. My mind is messed up…

He is shirtless, that drool-worthy body of his making my stomach flutter like crazy. His black jeans sit low on his hips, and from this angle, I can see the curve of that sexy ass of his, too.

“Keep wishing for that. You ain’t all that,” he replies, his sharp blue eyes meeting mine.

“Oh, yeah, right, it’s my dream to have you drooling over me. How can I forget? I’m head over heels,” I shoot back mockingly, not missing the way his eyes trail over me smoothly before he looks back into my eyes.

Although I want to ask about his son, I’m not sure if I should. To hell with it, I’m asking.

“I never knew you had a son. Like, no one has ever mentioned it.”

“Why should they? My business is no one else’s.”

“He’s cute, unlike you.”

I shrug, turning my back to him. I don’t want him to look at me with those eyes that are so intense that I feel that he is peering into my soul. He has already done so, took it all, and then tossed me aside.

“He’s a good kid.”

At least you treat him well.

“Definitely not like you,” I say, turning back to him.

His eyes meet mine, and, to my surprise, he jumps down, landing a foot away from me. My heart skips, and I almost smile. Now that is something I would do. I am about to speak when his gaze flickers over me, and I suddenly realise what I am wearing.

“I have some questions regarding that dead wolf,” he says, hooking the thumb of his free hand into his jeans as he smokes his cigarette. My stomach sinks. How did I think that would never come up?

“I was just… there’s nothing to say.”

What was I doing in the middle of nowhere…

“You weren’t alone. Care to share exactly who you were there with?”

“I don’t know who that wolf was. He came out of nowhere and attacked me,” I reply defensively, suddenly feeling as if I am being interrogated. Leo steps closer, his eyes on me as he blows out a string of smoke.

“You weren’t alone. There were others who vanished. So, let’s do this again. Who were you meeting out there? Because as far as I’m concerned, your parents think you are in Sweden. What are you running from?” My stomach sinks, but I look at him emotionlessly.

“You.”

His eyes flash, and he grabs hold of my hair, twisting his hand into my locks as he yanks me closer, tilting my head up. My breath hitches as his scent invades my senses.

“I know when I’m being lied to, little she-wolf, so don’t test me,” he growls.

My heart is thumping, and I hear his speed up slightly. Chest to chest, the bond between us sparks… an emotion I don’t want… a pull I don’t need… pain I don’t deserve… but the moment I feel his package brush my stomach, reality hits me with a slap. I place my hands on his chest and force him away.

“First of all, I don’t owe you any answers. Secondly, be a bit respectful to the woman in your life and stay the fuck away from me,” I say coldly. “Damn Rossi.”

I don’t wait for a reply. Pushing past him, I enter the apartment and lock the door. His eyes meet mine for a moment through the glass, glowing steely blue, before I pull the curtains shut and close my eyes.

I need to stay away from him, physically, at least. The moment he got in my personal space, it became hard… I will not let him play with my emotions.

I press my legs together, hating how he has fixed himself in my mind, the image of him in just those black jeans… even if I am never going to approach him, it is definitely okay to masturbate to him. Yup, I’ll assault him in my thoughts. I chuckle at the thought, dropping onto the bed and rolling onto my stomach, imagining Leo in hot pink boxers. I cackle at that image. Aww, he would look cute! No, wait, imagine those plush lips covered in hot pink lipstick. So cute!

I wish I could speak to Sky about this, she would have fun mocking him with me, but I can’t tell anyone anything. Especially not who my mate is.

I grab the tablet and open one of the two chat apps I use. I sign in and text Mama and the others, not wanting them to worry about me, before going to sleep…

The sound of someone knocking on the door wakes me, and I sit up.

“What time is it?”

Another knock. I drag myself out of bed and grab my discarded pants from the night before. I slip them on as I walk through to the main room and open the door.

Oh, it is a good thing I put some pants on. There stands Nikki, carrying some breakfast. The girl is fine. I don’t blame Leo for choosing her. Plus, those breasts are sexy. Some women are just blessed with cantaloupe melons, then there are some who have big honeydew melons, and then there is me with my mango-sized ones. Shame.

“Good morning. Did you sleep well?” She asks.

“Morning. Yes, I did, thank you.” I smile at her, ignoring the pang inside of me as the image of her kissing Leo returns. He’s hers.

“Great.” She saunters past me and places the bag on the kitchen counter. “I brought breakfast. You are welcome to cook if you want, but I know you have nothing for today.”

“I can’t cook, trust me, but thanks, and don’t worry about me. I’ll find something to eat, I always do. You guys got mice or rats running around here? I could just grab one of them.”

Her smile vanishes, and she looks disgusted. I guess my humour doesn’t go down well with her.

“Kidding,” I add.

“Oh, yeah, of course!” She tosses her hair back and shakes her head. “So, anyway, breakfast is here. You are free to roam around town, permission from Leo.” She emphasises his name, leaning on the counter.

“That’s nice of him,” I reply, opening the bag.

“Yeah, it’s not like Leo to even allow anyone from another pack here, especially if they aren’t mated to someone from our pack… so, how did you get into his good graces?”

Thanks to Selene’s weird humour, I guess?

“You should ask him, it’s a mystery to me, too. He isn’t very likeable, is he? I mean, apart from being handsome, he’s quite mean. Don’t tell him I said that! But if it helps, he let me come here because he knows my mate,” I say, placing my fingers on my neck as I give her a playful wink. It isn’t a lie.

“Oh, yeah, sorry. I forgot you’re mated,” she says, her gaze dipping to my neck, and she frowns.

“Is something worrying you?” I ask, taking out the sandwich. Ah, tuna crunch! Nice.

“I just, I don’t want to sound like I’m possessive or anything, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t hang around my boyfriend in nothing but your underwear.” She purses her lips, looking at me defiantly. Last night… she must have seen Leo and me from one of the windows. I look at her and raise my eyebrow.

“Are you actually worried? Seriously, Leo hates my guts. Besides, I’m a little psycho and am not as sexy as you, my girl, so don’t worry. You’re the one Leo wants.” I place the best grin I can summon onto my face, despite the crushing pain inside of me.

Yeah, I don’t compare. She is sexy, polite, with no loose screws, and she is calm… Leo and I would just knock heads constantly. We are a match the goddess made whilst she was drunk on moon wine or something weird like that. Do they have wine up there? Hmm, I’m sure they probably do. Damn, she should stop working when she’s so damn drunk. Are you listening, Selene?

“Yeah, I guess it is just me being possessive.” She forces a smile. Guess she no longer likes me…

“He kind of intruded on my balcony. You need to whip his ass into behaving.” I shrug, biting into the sandwich. She lets out a laugh.

“Oh, I miss the days I was a careless teenager. You’ll grow up, and you’ll realise nothing is so easy,” she replies in her sweet tone. “Well, have fun.” Nice dig. She waves her fingers at me before she struts out, and I sigh.

“I will definitely have fun…”

That fucker. Damn Rossi.

Once I pull on some ripped denim skinnies, a black crossover halter top, and a pair of sneakers, I leave the apartment. I will go to the shops, get some groceries, order a sim card, grab a phone…

I walk through the streets, feeling so many eyes on me, but no one says anything until I am busy looking at a window display.

“Whose mate is she?”

“She is marked…”

“She’s hot.”

I look over at the two men who are talking quietly and give them a withering look.

“I burn, too,” I reply sweetly, turning towards them. “You do know it’s rude to talk about someone when they’re within hearing distance?”

The two blond men exchange looks, and I realise the big, muscular one is the one I had seen with the dogs last night. He has a beard and dark blue eyes, whilst the other has quite a lean build and grey eyes.

“Emmet, Delta of this pack,” the leaner one says, walking over to me and holding his hand out.

“Azura,” I reply, taking his hand. Jackie’s mate?

“Ah, Azura. Now it makes sense. Jackie, the pretty little doctor who treated you, is -”

“Your mate. Nice to meet you.” He smirks and nods.

“Eric, Emmett’s older brother,” the bearded bear replies, his eyes wrinkling as he smiles.

“I like you,” I reply, shaking his hand. Emmet cocks a brow as Eric grins.

“I like you, too.”

“Don’t let his words get to you. He’s just a thirty-four-year-old who hasn’t found his mate,” Emmet mocks.

“Jealous that he is living the single life?” I reply, automatically going into defensive mode. Emmet’s smirk vanishes as Eric lets out a loud laugh. He raises his hand for a fist bump.

“I’m being real now, I like you.” I wink at him, fist-bumping him.

“So, care to point me in the direction where I can buy some sewing stuff?” The boys exchange looks.

“Yeah, no one really has that kind of shop here.”

“Hmm, shame,” I sigh. I really want to make a voodoo doll to pass my time.

“If you write me a list, I’ll be going out to the city later. I could maybe grab what you want?” Eric offers. I think I definitely like him.

“Oh, yes, please, that would be great!” I exclaim.

Eric takes his phone out of his pocket before unlocking it and holding it out to me. He has opened the note app, and I begin writing my list quickly. I skim it over and type in the last item. Ice blue buttons at least 1 cm in size.

“Thanks so much,” I say, taking my wallet out of my pocket and passing him forty pounds.

“That won’t be necessary, it’s just a few -”

“I’m paying,” I cut in firmly, ending the conversation with one glare.

“So, how are your injuries now?” Emmet asks, watching me keenly. He seems too sharp for my liking, and I give him a thumbs-up casually.

“They’re healed. I can’t even tell anymore,” I reply, turning so they can see my back, where all that is left is some slight bruising which should hopefully be gone soon enough.

“Cool. Welcome to the Sangue Pack, home to the most fearless wolves in the country. I’m sure your pack doesn’t compare,” Emmet smirks. Is it just me being paranoid, or is he trying to find out where I’m from?

“Nice, well it’s great to stop by here… I’ll be on my way, bye.”

I walk off, slipping my hands into my back pockets as I walk away, feeling their eyes on me. Why is everyone so curious to find out where I am from?

Two hours later , I have walked around the entire town, and I have even done some shopping. The pack is impressive and of a good size, but it is the training section that is to die for. Not only do they have the latest state-of-the-art gym hall, but the training facility, which is a computerised hall with built-in automated firearms and machinery that will attack the training wolves, is something right out of a movie. I am in awe. Sure, the academy and even our packs have similar things, but this… this is an entirely new level. The entire ground in the room moves, giving the effect of an earthquake. The illusions created by the computers make real-life situations appear in the room down below. Right now, they are in a forest setting, being attacked by some kind of monster. This shit is right out of a zombie apocalypse movie! A few men and women are watching.

“It’s impressive, isn’t it?”

I turn away from the indestructible display window and look at the man who seems to be in his thirties. He is in a suit, well built, tall, with black hair and hazel eyes.

“Raj Kapoor, the Sangue Pack Beta,” he introduces himself.

“Azura,” I reply with a small smile as we shake hands. “And yes, very impressive, the technology is so advanced. We have rooms with firearms and stuff, but the life-like illusion without any eyewear? Plus the fact that they are actually using their sense of smell, although it’s all machinery?”

“The younger Alpha is impressive with anything to do with technology. He actually came up with this when he was abroad at the tender age of twenty. He had the blueprints and a vision. His father is the one who put the idea forth to the council, and… well, everyone started something similar, but it is our young Alpha who is the mastermind behind it. You have to admit, even with all the impressive magic and technology of the Academies for the Gifted, none will be as fine as this.”

I stare at the screen above the glass, a view that shows us exactly what those below are seeing, and shake my head.

“No, we see a metal room, one that will often be filled with magic, but this... it’s a whole new game change… Alpha Leo is smart. I’m impressed.”

“He is a good man, too,” Raj says with a nod before he points at a woman who has been thrown to the ground. “There’s a system that also assesses teamwork and strategy.”

“No wonder no one from this pack even needs to go to the academy,” I murmur. Raj smiles slightly.

“Well, that’s another story. I haven’t seen you before. I thought all the new mates had arrived a few weeks ago.”

“Oh, no, I’m not mated to anyone here, I’m just visiting. The Little Alpha knows my mate,” I reply, internally smug at my newfound name for Leo.

“Ah, I see.” Raj nods and after chatting for a bit, I take my leave. It is obvious, unlike my pack, anyone who enters this one is strictly watched. Did the Beta talk to me to evaluate me?

I enter the block of apartments, and the first thing I notice is Corrado sitting forlornly on the floor whilst a woman is crouched over him, trying to cheer him.

“Would you like to go play outside, Corrado?” She asks.

“No.”

“Ice cream?”

“No.”

I head to the lift, looking at the boy who now turns, watching me curiously.

“Hey, kiddo.” I flash him a smile. “You alright?”

“I’m… bored,” he says after a moment. That wasn’t the word he was going to use. He had changed his mind mid-sentence.

“Now you shouldn’t be bored. Kids your age should be up to some mischief! Want to come to my place? I’m going to cook,” I offer before I can stop myself.

“I don’t know if Alpha Leo will be okay with that,” the woman says hesitantly.

“He’s bored, and besides, you will be there with him,” I reassure her, pressing the lift button.

“Ah, of course. That can work,” she smiles, obviously relieved.

We enter the lift, and Corrado hurries in excitedly. Are there no other children around for him to play with?

“What are we going to cook?” He asks.

We?

“Well… I’m thinking, sandwiches.”

“Oh, I love sandwiches!”

“Perfect. When will his dad be back again?” I ask the woman.

“Late, I’m afraid,” she replies.

That works. I do not want Leo showing up and giving me shit. I guess I will be having company for dinner tonight.