Page 17

Azura

“ L ater.” Leo’s quiet, cold voice comes as I walk over to Marcel.

“Babe…”

Conceal how you feel. You got this, girl.

“It smells so good,” I say, smiling as I look at the flames.

“Be careful, Azura, it’s very hot,” Marcel warns. The heat of the grill is nothing compared to the burning pain in my chest.

“I don’t mind getting burned,” I reply quietly before giving him a smile. “So, where did you go on holiday?”

“Well, I was in Scotland for the most part, and then I stopped at a few places before my visit to Alejandro was cut short.” I can feel Leo’s irritation, but I don’t bother paying him any attention.

“I’m sorry about that,” I reply as I pick up the platter of cooked meat and carry it to the round table, where everything is already set up. I don’t want to sit at the table with him, but I have no choice.

When Corrado jumps into the seat between Marcel and me, I expect Leo to take the seat next to his father, but instead, he takes the seat on my left. I clench my jaw but don’t even spare him a glance as I begin filling my plate. Nikki sits down last, placing her hand on Leo’s bulging bicep before she moves back, a small smile on her face.

“It’s tasty!” Corrado declares, and I smile as I carry on building my tower burger.

“That’s so big!”

“Well, she’s got a big gob,” Leo remarks.

I clench my jaw. Yeah, I fucking do, or I wouldn’t have been able to take your damn dick! I should have bitten it off when I had the fucking chance...

“Leo, be nice,” Nikki says, despite the small, amused smile on her face.

“Oh, it’s okay. I get a lot of people jealous of my big mouth. Are you jealous, Little Alpha?” I ask sweetly, turning my attention to Leo. He raises his eyebrow as he looks at me.

“No. How about you? Jealous?”

We aren’t talking about my lips anymore.

“Keep talking,” I challenge him with a dangerous smirk, satisfied when his confidence falters. “Oh, yes, Marcel, what is the law against marking someone without permission?” Leo’s hand shoots out under the table, grabbing my thigh as he gives it a squeeze in a warning. Marcel frowns as he stares at my neck before his eyes meet mine.

“It’s a serious crime, one that would be taken to the court of Selene.”

Leo scoffs, “No one from this pack is going to ever be trialled at the court.”

“Why not, Daddy?” Corrado asks. I discreetly try to push Leo’s hand off me. His fingers on my inner thigh are driving me nuts, with equal desire and anger.

“Because -”

“We follow the council, Leo. We are part of this country and its rules.”

“I follow no rules.”

Right. If he’s not going to remove his fucking hand… then I’m just going to have to remove it for him. One last chance, fucker.

I glare at him, but he simply gives me another one of his cold, emotionless glares that ooze power and dominance. Nope? Okay.

I pick up the knife and cut my burger down the middle before slipping my hand under the table, knife in hand. Everyone is too busy eating, or, in Marcel’s case, trying to get Leo to acknowledge the court. Leo is arrogantly ignoring him, drinking some Coca-Cola, so I take the chance, slamming the knife into his hand that grips my thigh and clench my teeth as I feel the blade dig into my leg.

Good. It means I went right through his fucking hand.

“The fuck!” Leo growls, his knee hitting the table and jolting the entire thing as he almost spills his coke. Sitting up straight, he turns sharply, glaring at me with steely blue eyes. That’s what you get for fucking touching me! His murderous aura swirls around him, but I am not going to get fucking intimidated by him.

“What?” I snap, yanking the knife from his hand and my leg before quickly wiping the blade clean on my pants.

“What happened?” Nikki exclaims.

“I can smell blood,” Marcel says, getting up as Leo smoothly shoves his hand into his pocket, his eyes flashing.

“Sorry, I just accidentally cut myself. I didn’t realise how sharp the knife was,” I reassure him, blinking at him innocently before waving my hand. “It’s nothing at all.”

“Oh, do you need a band-aid?” Nikki asks, concerned.

“No, not at all.” The dickface might. Oh, wait, a band-aid won’t cover that. I almost snicker.

“Babe, what happened to you? Why did you swear?” Nikki asks, confused as she now turns to Leo. Leo clenches his jaw, turning his cold glare toward me.

“She’s just fucking crazy. She almost cut me,” he hisses icily, suddenly standing up.

Almost? LOL Blue-Eyes, I fucking impaled you, and next time it will be your dick.

“Daddy isn’t scared of a knife…” Corrado mumbles, but he looks scared, too, and remains silent. I feel bad for that, but Leo had pissed me off.

Without a glance back, Leo storms off. Nikki stands up, but after a moment she sits down, frowning deeply, and I’m sure Leo had told her not to follow.

“He just needs space, dear,” Marcel sighs. I place the knife down.

Poor little Alpha has no fucking idea who he’s messing with. I pick my burger up, and I see Nikki watching me as I bite into my triple stack with ease. Yeah, this big mouth comes in damn good use.

After lunch, I play with Corrado for a bit before thanking Marcel for the food and telling him I’ll be heading back. He asks me once more if I’m sure I don’t want my parents to know, how he feels bad for me and he can talk to them himself, but I don’t want them to know and make that clear. Time to get out of here…

I’ll get a taxi once I’m in the city close by, then, from there, I’ll go straight to Kiara’s pack. I don’t have any other option. Surely they won’t put me forward to the court of Selene…

“Daughter of an Elite.”

Leo’s words return to me, and I sigh. Trying to hide my crimes… wanting to be pardoned by those in power, aren’t I proving to him that it is exactly what I am?

I pick up my phone, staring at it. Kataleya had texted, asking to let her know what I need from Dante. She had also attached his number, telling me Dante and they would always be there for me. She really is a gem.

What have I gotten myself into?

I look at the number Leo had texted me from. Would he even agree to get me out of here when I had stabbed him just hours ago? I have nothing to lose.

‘I’m going to be leaving. With Marcel here, I don’t think it’s smart for me to linger.’ I pause, wondering how to word the next part. See me out? Let me out? Can I get a ride?

I put my phone down, musing over what to write, and grab the voodoo doll from the bedside table. I had placed the bloody thread picker inside of it and stitched it up. Now it contains the perfect part of Leo to make this shit work. I had stuck two pins in it earlier, but I think I’m the only one doing any damage to the real dude. Maybe if had a staple gun… or maybe I should soak him in boiling water...

I smirk at my thoughts before picking up my phone to finish my text.

‘Arrange me a car, or at least let your security know to let me out.’

I hit send, thinking I should stop at Marcel’s and tell him it isn’t working, so I would reject my mate and leave. If I leave like this, it isn’t going to help anyone’s case.

It is at least five minutes later when his reply comes.

‘Fine. I will come get you shortly. Stay in your apartment until then.’

‘Give me an hour.’

‘Fine.’

I know he’s probably pissed, but at least he replied. Time to get this over with.

I stand up, grabbing the Voodoo doll. I fill a bowl with water and place the doll’s head downwards in it. Suffocate and drown. I don’t know why I feel gloomy but something about the entire atmosphere feels dark…

It doesn’t take long to get back to Marcel’s, and when I ring the door, a member of staff opens it, giving me a smile.

“The Alpha saw you arrive. He’s right through here.”

“Thanks,” I say, flashing the man a smile before entering the living room. Marcel is standing by the window, and he turns, giving me a smile.

“I had a feeling you might come back,” he says, making my heart race a little. Why did he think that? Is he on to something?

“Oh, great, I just came to let you know that I’m leaving soon. Me and my… mate... just won’t work, so I’m going to end it and leave,” I say, feeling a wave of pain wash through me. How the fuck is this hurting me? Marcel smiles slightly, but his eyes hold emotions I can’t read.

“I see.”

Not what I was expecting but okay.

“Well, goodbye. I know my visit was super short, but I did get a look around the pack, and it’s incredible. I think as a member of the Blood Moon Alpha family, I am lucky to even have a chance to see this place. Thank you for the delicious barbeque.” I don’t know what else to say, and turn to leave.

“Is it selfish of me to wish that you tried harder?” His voice is quiet, but the words scream in alarm within my head. My heart thuds, and I freeze, turning back sharply to the man that stands by the window, a few strands of my hair fall in front of my face. A wave of panic washes through me.

Calm down, he doesn’t know.

“He has a good heart… he has simply let it harden with bitterness and hatred. When he loves, he loves deeply.”

Leo, He is talking about Leo.

Shit.

He sighs, and looks at the sky.

“My brother, Rafael, once told me the story of Alejandro in his younger days. He was consumed by his own demons, and no matter what Rafael did, nothing brought him out from that darkness… until Kiara Westwood stepped into his life. She pulled him from the darkness and became his light. Without her, the Lycan King would not be the man he is today. There is only so much that a father or brother can do… but a mate, it’s a mate who is given that power and connection to guide their other halves.” Marcel now looks at me as I stand there, my chest heaving as I stare at him.

He knows the truth. I don’t know how, but he does. His words get to me. I know the story of Kiara and Alejandro. They are an epic couple, and their story will never be forgotten, but it is his next words that really hit home.

“When you were transferred into Scarlett’s womb, I was there. I saw Amelia perform that spell, and I knew from that day that you were destined for great things. You were destined to live because you were a survivor, you were strong enough to hold on after your mother’s heartbeat faded… perhaps it is only a Westwood woman who can tame a Rossi, who is so far gone that even I have lost faith.”

It isn’t just a statement. It is a silent plea for me to not leave. I look out into the hallway and step inside, closing the door silently behind me. I turn and look at him.

“He has a family already. He has Nikki. I am not going to take anyone’s man from them. I’m sorry, but if he was single, it would have been an entirely different story, but he isn’t,” I say, trying my best not to let my emotions show.

“But he marked you.”

“In a momentary lapse of judgement. A mistake. I’m sorry, Marcel, but that ship has sailed.” I open the door, pausing, my hand lingering on the oak door. “How did you figure it out?” He lets out a small chuckle, and I look at him.

“The boy can’t keep his eyes off you. He may have thought I’d buy it but putting you in the closest apartment to him is the first red flag, and the rest all fell into place. However, the one thing that determined the truth is your mark. A lotus before a crescent moon… so similar to my mark that once adorned his mother’s neck.” His voice is deep, yet the emotions in it are powerful, and I realise for him, I am the hope he has waited for, to bring change to Leo…

But the thing is, he is not Alejandro, and I am not Kia.

“I’m sorry… but I will never be the cause of a relationship being destroyed. Goodbye, Alpha Marcel.”

He doesn’t reply, and as I close the door behind me, I realise that me being pregnant with Marcel’s second grandchild means I will never truly be free from Leo... from this connection.

That’s why you will reject him, Azura. Before you leave.