Page 40 of Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire (The Rossi Legacies #1)

Leo

I agreed… I don’t know why I fucking did… I just know that she won’t betray my trust or mention it to others. She might be crazy, but she’s my type of crazy, and one I know won’t do anything to hurt anyone on purpose, in serious matters anyway. I mean, I wouldn’t put it past her to try to slit my throat in my sleep if I pissed her off, but at the same time, I know the type of things she’d keep quiet… I know if she knew about the fact that I’m dying, she would try to do shit even if it meant breaking a promise, but something like Corrado’s truth… she wouldn’t tell anyone.

Even Marcel doesn’t know, and regardless of that truth, it changes nothing. I clear the table off, taking a bottle of whiskey and two glasses to the lounge area. As a werewolf, I know drinking does nothing to a pregnant woman, so a glass or two won’t fucking hurt.

Why does this feel too intimate?

I sigh, remembering the vague memory from long ago. “Thank you, Weo” back at Alejandro’s wedding… her shoe had slipped off, and I remember slipping it on for her. I remember thinking she was cute... who would have thought the confused little she-wolf would turn out to be mine.

I look at the bottle in my hand, considering putting it away, only for the sound of a door shutting to reach my ears, followed by the sound of her heels on the floor, making me look up. She comes into view, stretching her arms and making her top ride up slightly, showing off a little more skin. Damn, she looks so fucking good…

Her eyes meet mine, and she seems to become more serious as she lowers them slowly. I am fucking forgetting my own rules… all I can see is her…

I was right. We should never be in a room alone together.

“Whiskey? Hmm, maybe Corrado was right; it wasn’t just him who wanted to spend time with me,” she smirks as she comes over before sitting on the sofa and crossing those sexy legs of hers. I pour two glasses, giving her an emotionless look.

“Don’t kid yourself. I just need a drink if I’m going to spend another couple of hours with you,” I mock arrogantly. She raises an eyebrow challengingly.

“And here I was under the impression that you were super smart. I never knew whiskey could help take the edge off anything for a werewolf. If this was absinthe, I’d get it,” she counters.

Am I fucking losing my brain cells? She isn’t fucking wrong… but I blame her. She is the one who fucks with my head.

“It’ll keep me occupied,” I reply, sitting down. I make sure to leave a gap between us and try not to stare at her legs.

She reaches for the whiskey glass, and my gaze falls to the tattoo on her wrist—the word ‘Strength’. It is as sexy as the rest of her. What I like best is that she doesn’t need to try to capture my attention. Just like at the club, even with the strippers swinging on those poles, it is her who had caught my attention before I even knew who the fuck she was.

“Occupied by what? You aren’t scared to be around me all alone, right?” She looks at me with those big eyes of hers, and I know that she is fucking aware of the effect she has on me… just the way I have an effect on her.

“Careful there, little she-wolf. You don’t want to play with fire,” I warn, picking up my own glass and sitting back. I know she fucking loves to play with fire… I look away, downing half my glass as she sips on hers slowly.

“So, tell me about Corrado’s mama,” she says softly, turning so she is facing me, one of her legs now hooked behind the other. Corrado’s mother… it is obvious what she is thinking.

“There isn’t really much to tell... it doesn’t change anything.” She doesn’t respond, and I frown deeply, remembering the past… “I was in Germany, making allies and building relationships regarding work, when I tracked down and found my mother’s pack, or at least what remained of it. She had actually come to England to study, ended up meeting Dad, and her family never heard from her again. She was an Alpha’s daughter… they had come to look for her, but they assumed she was dead, feeling the pack link break. Her parents and brother were killed years ago when their pack was destroyed. Her nephew, Stefan Herrmann, a cousin of mine, he was the one I ended up finding, but they were living like humans. There was only a handful of them left. His father had made an enemy of a neighbouring pack, and unlike here, where Alejandro does keep the rest of the packs under control, it was a fucking mess over there. This enemy of theirs had murdered the rest of the pack, and he told me he wouldn’t stop until they were all dead.” I down the rest of the glass, remembering that time. Once again, I failed…

“I told him I’d help deal with the bastard, and they were welcome to come to England and join our pack or at least reside here until they were safe. He agreed as his mate was pregnant, too.”

I look at her, and it is obvious she wasn’t expecting this. What did she think, that I had gotten some random woman pregnant? I was fucking careful. Well, I was until it came to her. My gaze dips to her stomach. It still feels fucking surreal that she is pregnant.

“I was getting the necessary preparations made for their travel. The men and I would track down Karl, but then Stefan rang and told me that Adele had gone into labour. The phone was suddenly cut off, and I knew something was wrong. I got back there just in time to witness that bastard killing them all… he didn’t even spare the children.” I still remember the dead bodies... but it was nothing new. I was used to seeing the dead...

I’m glad she’s silent because now that I had fucking started this... I want to just say it at once.

“I got there just in time to see him kill Stefan. Adele was curled up on the floor, losing so much blood. I still remember the numerous stab wounds they supported. It wasn’t just any blade, but a Jagdkommando tri-dagger, a weapon that’s fucking difficult to heal from due to its fucking shape. I killed him, but I was too late to save them. I was about to leave the scene, the fire was spreading, but then I heard a heartbeat…”

“Corrado…” she whispers. I nod, remembering how I had run to Adele, rolling her onto her back to see the bundle in her arms, still connected to her by the umbilical cord.

“She had just given birth to their son, and he killed them. She had been covering his mouth to keep him silent, but I’m sure if I hadn’t killed Karl, he would have killed the baby, too. So, I brought him back, named him, and told everyone he was mine. He is mine, and that’s how it will always be. I don’t want him to ever think otherwise because, as far as I’m concerned, he was always meant to be mine.”

My eyes flash dangerously as our eyes meet. I know she won’t tell anyone, but I can see that she wasn’t expecting that. Her shock and sadness are clear through the bond.

“He is yours,” she says, placing her hand on my thigh and giving it a squeeze, sending a wave of calmness and pleasure through me. “And I think your decision is perfect. Maybe when he’s an adult, and if you never wanted to tell him, that’s okay, but I don’t think he needs to know as a child… sometimes I wish I had never known about Indigo and Fred. I don’t get my parents’ love for her… I know it’s nasty of me, and Corrado’s situation is different, but all Corrado needs is you, and he loves you. You are an amazing father, and I’m sure you’ll be an amazing father to this one, too…”

I look at her, my emotions a storm, and see the sadness in her eyes. I never expected her to say that. Sure, her dad was a fucking idiot, but what about her biological mom?

“I don’t want anyone to know. I trust you will keep it a secret,” I say quietly.

“One hundred percent. You don’t need to worry about that. There’s more of a chance for me to rip your dick off than spill your secrets. I mean, I didn’t even tell anyone about your dick piercings...” She pulls a face and shuts up.

“Got it,” I smirk, and silence settles between us. I swallow, pouring another glass of whiskey for myself and down it at once. “So… you got some issues with your past, too, huh, and I don’t mean your fucking ex.” She sighs heavily and stares at her hand, removing it from my thigh. Wish she hadn’t.

“Yeah… I guess so. Maybe it’s selfish of me, but I always felt like everyone loved her. Sure, maybe they did, but to me... I feel like she only cared for Fred, not me. Like she didn’t really care if I died as long as she had him.” The pain and bitterness are clear in her voice. “Mama and Dad love her; they always try to talk about her and incorporate her into things. I hate that. I don’t like her. I wish I could tell them that. They are my parents, not her. She was far more worried about her mate. I’m glad Alejandro sent him away to his death. I bet if he was alive, I’d be dead, too…” I frown slightly. I can tell she hasn’t told anyone about this.

“You need to tell your parents that. Otherwise, it’s just going to keep on eating you up inside,” I say, placing my glass down. She raises an eyebrow.

“You’re pretty good at giving advice. Do you ever take it yourself?”

“I’m too smart to take advice. I know when I’m being an ass or stubborn, but I’m a hypocrite like that, and I don’t really fucking care,” I reply arrogantly. I see her bite her lip, and I almost smirk. She sure loves a dickhead.

“Still,” she says, resting her elbow on the back of the sofa as she looks at me. Does she realise that her top is just about covering her boobs? Any higher, and I’ll be able to see her underboobs. Not that I’d mind…

“Talk to them. It’s the only way they will get it, and I’m fucking certain they will respect your wishes. Elijah and Scarlett are not unreasonable people.”

“Yet you dislike them.” I frown.

“I dislike all packs who grew up differently than mine.”

“Yet did you know that Mama went through a lot of abuse at the hands of her father? She was so young, and he realised she healed fast, so she became his punching bag, or should I say target for torture… I don’t know the extent, but she suffered a lot. You know, Leo… look around. There are many people who could probably relate to you.”

“Yeah probably… I just…”

I just what? Why does letting it go suddenly feel like it would be easier? I’m tired of the bitterness, the hatred… the distrust… I know what my issue is, and I don’t want to risk it. She moves closer, running her fingers through her hair.

“Leo… I understand that what happened was wrong… but Rayhan regrets what happened. I know it’s not okay and that the damage done will never be reversed, but holding onto that hatred... is it helping?” She asks, her leg brushing mine. I tilt my head, looking at her for a second before staring ahead, refusing to answer. “What are you afraid of?” She whispers, making me tense. A wave of coldness rushes through me, and I frown, reality hitting me hard.

I opened up too much.

“Nothing. I’m afraid of nothing,” I growl coldly, only for her to place her hand on my shoulder, refusing to allow me to move away.

“You just proved that you are by denying it.” I turn my glare on her.

“Don’t push it,” I warn, standing up and turning my back on her. I had gotten too relaxed… what the fuck am I doing?

I walk to the window, staring out at the glittering lights of the pack below. Her scent is fucking intoxicating, clouding my judgement, and I am beginning to regret even telling her about Corrado. That was a secret I should have taken to my fucking grave… but it is too late. I have already told her.