Page 47

Leo

T wo hours have passed, and I am working with Ace, Jax, Dan, and Li Sheng. There is so much I fucking need to deal with, and although it feels like everything is fucking spiralling out of control, I will fix it.

Emmet had grabbed the chair when I was distracted by the sheer shock of his revelation. He had slammed it into my back with such force that the leg ripped through my clothes and back, but I was far too wrapped up in my thoughts to realise what had happened until he was dragged away to his cell, and my men had begun to worry over me. The dull ache remains in my back, but it is healing quickly enough. I have had it cleaned and bandaged by one of the guards, not wanting to waste time by going down to the hospital.

“Alright, I need to get going. Start the preparations. Ace, you need to get to Web. Dan, check Emmet’s laptop and office. See if you can find any bank statements or if he has any accounts that we don’t know of or in any other names. Li Sheng, have Emmet’s apartment searched. I’ll let Jackie know in advance, so hold up until I give you the order. Jax, try to find out exactly where he created these bullets. I want to know where he got the funding to create that much without me even fucking realising...” I order, frowning as I snap my laptop shut. “Get ready to execute both options.”

“Are you sure these are the only options?” Jax asks, frowning slightly. I had told the five of them about the bullets, having no other option but to bring in all the force I can and execute their retrieval.

“If Plan A fails, then yeah, this is the only way, but let’s focus on Plan A first. Send our buyer to him, offer him whatever he wants, but I want all of those bullets back at any price.”

“This is going to cost us a lot…” Ace frowns.

“It doesn’t matter, I’m not going to risk those bullets out there… if he refuses or doesn’t have answers, then we’ll do this via Plan B. Have everything prepared for that, too. I need to have a word with Marcel, but I’ll be available via the mind link throughout. Tonight, I’ll meet you all at Kingdom of Sin.” I stand up when Ace sits forward, sighing.

“What if you ask Alejandro Rossi for assistance?” He says quietly. I frown. Maybe I need to… I know I can deal with this shit myself, but the more manpower, the faster the job gets done…

“I need to talk to him anyway… I’ll see what happens. I’m still going to deal with this myself.” I turn and leave the office.

Mind-linking Jackie, I ask her to come to the large oak tree that isn’t far from Marcel’s mansion and isn’t too far from the hospital either. I have already been given a change of clothes after Emmet’s attack, and so I am going to head straight to Marcel’s after meeting Jackie. It is already late in the afternoon; work has taken fucking longer than I expected it to.

Eric, have you been keeping an eye on Azura?

Yes, I have. She went to Alpha Marcel’s around lunch, and since then, she hasn’t left the mansion. She has been on my mind, and although I know I fucking hurt her last night, there is nothing I plan to do about it. I don’t want her getting attached.

Okay, thanks. I’m headed over there myself, I’ll take over watching her.

Anytime, Alpha.

Marcel probably invited her over for dinner, too… why am I not fucking surprised.

“Leo.” I turn to see Jackie hurrying over.

“Hey,” I greet. Her eyes search mine before she looks me over, and I know she is assessing me.

“You need to take it easy,” she says quietly, glancing around.

“I’m fine. I called you because of something I learned about Emmet.” Her face falls, and I switch to mind-linking.

He stole a formula of mine and has sold a pretty large number to someone dangerous… I need to have a search of your apartment take place just to see if we can find out any more details. I’m really sorry it’s come to this, but it’s got to be done. You could move out for a night or two, just until we’ve covered the entire place. She looks down brokenly and shakes her head.

“You can go ahead and search…”

“Thanks… is there anything you can think of that could help? Any property he may have had that you know of, or anywhere he could have possibly had the facility to mass produce something?”

“No, there’s…” She frowns, and her heart thuds faster as she looks up at me sharply. “There isn’t anywhere I know, but he would often be gone for hours at a time…. And most often, it was when you weren’t around. Maybe I’m just being paranoid -”

“No, I don’t think you’re being paranoid. Thanks for sharing that. If you do remember anything else, let me know, alright?” She nods, and I give her shoulder a squeeze. “You aren’t alone,” I say quietly. She brushes her tears away as she tries not to cry.

“Yeah. I know… I… I heard from one of the boys at the hospital that Emmet attacked you today…” I don’t reply. I can’t deny it, but at the same time, I don’t want her to feel guilty for it. “I’ve… made my decision,” she says, twisting her shirt sleeve in her hand. I look at her sharply as she struggles to keep her tears at bay. I hook my thumbs into the pockets of my pants, waiting for her to speak. Deep down, I want her to reject him, but I know it isn’t an easy option… “I’ll… I’m ready to reject him,” she says quietly. “Will you accompany me when I do it?” Her words fill me with relief. With their bond broken, it will be far easier for her to move on and for me to deal with him.

“Sure, I will. I know it’s not easy, but you got this. Things will be rough, but after a while, it will become easier. This isn’t the end, and who knows what the future might hold?” She looks up at me and nods slowly.

“Thanks…”

“Let me know when you want to do it, and we’ll go to see him.” She nods before we go our separate ways

I really hope she can move on from Emmet and rebuild her life. Mates… they are said to be a blessing, but at the same time, I feel like they are also a curse. You can’t live without them… and if something happens to one, the other will suffer, too…

I enter the mansion, hearing laughter, and silently make my way to the back lounge. The door is slightly ajar, and I stay silent, seeing Marcel sitting on the sofa whilst Corrado and Azura are painting. Corrado is a mess with paint on his face and clothes, whilst Azura is in a slightly better state with a huge piece of paper on the table as they both finger-paint on the shared paper.

She is wearing skinny jeans with a baggy top as she shows Corrado something. Her eyes sparkle, and the smile on her face is genuine as she speaks, but I am far too lost in how fucking good she looks to care about what she is saying.

“Oh, I get it!” Corrado adds, imitating what she is showing him.

“That looks like fun,” Marcel chuckles. I step back, unable to face her after how I hurt her last night…

Let’s talk, I say to Marcel through the link, walking away towards the front of the mansion. Noticing the boxes that are in the hallway, and the extra staff around, I raise an eyebrow, but I’m not really bothered with what is going on and take a seat, taking out a cigarette. I don’t fucking know how I am going to do this… but I need to get this shit over with.

Good luck. I freeze, frowning slightly as Azura’s voice comes into my head.

I don’t need luck, I reply coldly.

You sure do, now shut up. You got this, her curt reply comes.

Always so fucking charming, aren’t you?

Yeah, well, I don’t do charming when it comes to Little Alpha Dickface, her clipped reply comes. I raise an eyebrow. Just then Marcel enters the room, shutting the door behind him.

I’ll deal with you later.

Can’t wait, comes her sarcastic reply.

“Everything okay, Leo?” He asks, concerned as he takes a seat on the sofa opposite.

“Yeah, there is just something I want to tell you,” I say, smoking my cigarette. I sit forward, resting my elbows on my knees.

“Go for it,” he replies, clearly unsure of what to make of it. Yeah, maybe I need luck or some shit…

Just tell him everything you experienced… how you had to go through so much, and although you dealt with it, it didn’t mean it was easy or fair on you. You suffered, Leo, and it is time to tell him that. No matter how hard it is on him. Her voice is soothing and calmer.

Yeah, I know the damn deal, I reply. I won’t admit it, but I am fucking grateful for her words. I kinda don’t know where to start…

“What’s with the stuff in the hallway?” I ask, trying to stall.

“Oh, well, that’s for tonight,” he smirks, running his fingers through his hair.

“What’s happening tonight?”

“Ah, well, it’s just a little dinner for Azura. We haven’t really welcomed her into this pack since she got here, and there is something else…” He doesn’t want to talk about it, and I frown but don’t bother questioning him.

“Whatever. What I want to talk about is the past.”

“The past?” He frowns, becoming serious.

“About the caves, the life of hell that we lived down there. You were one of the luckiest because you were entirely under her control… but what about the rest of us who had to live and deal with the nightmares of that past?”

“Leo…”

“I don’t want to fucking sound like I’m whining, but my hatred of everything stems from back then… we went through hell down there.”

“I know, Leo, and I wish I could have done more… you were somewhat immune to her compulsion, and -”

“Yeah, I was, so I witnessed it all. You just standing there blankly whilst she tortured Mom. You know, Dad, she was expecting when she died? Endora not only killed Mom but your unborn child. And I was the one who was forced to stand there and watch it all. Unable to fucking do anything.” None of this is coming out like it was meant to. I just sound like someone being petty-as-fuck about an unchangeable past. What purpose will telling him bring? He can’t change the past. It is done…

I look at him. He has turned ashen. He stares at me while his heart is thundering. I can see the toll my words are having on him, and he stands up, clearly shaken.

“Why… why didn’t you tell me she was pregnant? I mean even after…”

“Why should I have? It would have only hurt you, right?” I reply, now standing up and turning my back on him, no longer able to handle the look on his face.

“But you kept it inside… suffered all by yourself…”

“Yeah, because I could handle it. Do you know how it felt having to watch you do whatever Endora wanted? And what fucking hurts the most is when you were given your free will back, you allowed Rayhan to come here and once again hurt our people. I get it, they weren’t all good, but you just stood there just like you always did. Doing nothing,” I say, hating how my voice is fucking strained and my emotions are showing in it.

“Leo… I failed you, your mother, and…”

I close my eyes, hating that, despite his flaws, I am causing him pain. I get it… we all make mistakes… I get that Marcel’s hands were tied, too…

“No, but you failed my trust. You always say you won’t hand over the Alpha title because you fear what I’ll do if I am Alpha, but are you really a better Alpha than me? I mean, you were never able to protect this pack. Nor your mate… nor your children.” I hate hurting him. It fucking hurts me too, but I feel lighter getting it off my chest.

“No, Leo, I was just worried that you wanted to break away from Alejandro’s coun-”

“I’m already running this pack the way I want but, once again, you keep on putting others first!” I snap, turning and glaring at him, my eyes a magnetic steely blue, my aura filling the room.

“No, Leo, I want to give you the -”

“What? The Alpha title?” I ask. He nods.

“Yes, you are ready -”

“No,” I cut in, raising my finger. “Nah, the only reason you want to pass me that title is because Azura’s here, right? Not because you have faith in me but because of her, right?” My anger is raging around me.

“Leo… no, I just, you misunderstand me. You were always so cold and heartless and -”

“Yeah, I sure am, you sure know your own son. I told you what I needed to, so I’m fucking done,” I say, turning to leave the room when he blocks my path.

“Not until you hear me out,” he says firmly, his eyes flashing. I don’t speak, my eyes cold as I wait for him to just say whatever the fuck he wants. I want this conversation to be over and done with here. “Leo, I love you, and I know you feel I chose them over you, but I didn’t. I love my family, but you are my son. How can I not love you?” His voice is thick with pain as he looks at me with such emotion that I am forced to look away. “I didn’t want you to do anything wrong… but know I alone am the one who has withheld that title from you. Alejandro keeps telling me to pass it on to you. Rayhan did, too, the last time I met him, saying you are capable. They care for you, Leo, as do I. Azura or no Azura you deserve this title. As your father, no one will be happier when you become Alpha than I will be. To see you take the title that belongs to you, to come into that position that you have worked on for so long.”

“Yeah, well… It’s too fucking late. You can keep it,” I shoot back coldly. “I didn’t come here to beg for that fucking title.” I’m fucking dying anyway.

“Leo, let’s put aside our differences.” There’s too many… and no time.

“It’s a little too late for that,” I reply, quietly brushing past him. He grabs my arm, stopping me with incredible strength. I am still stronger, and if I want, I can pull away.

“Leo. Don’t do this. Please,” he says quietly, his eyes full of emotions. “I’m begging you for forgiveness for not being the father and Alpha you needed. I’m sorry. Forgive me, son.” It is too late… but then life is short… “I will hand that title over to you, not because of anyone, but because you deserve it. You suffered so much, and the fact that I didn’t know… I’m sorry. I wish I could turn back time, take your pain, and make it my own. I wish I had been able to protect you from the truth. No son should have to protect his father like that… yet you did.” I look away, refusing to answer… refusing to give in to the pain and emotions inside of me. “At least I know my son cares for me.” I look at him sharply.

“I always fucking did. You were just too blind to see it,” I say quietly, pulling free from his hold and heading to the door. I have just opened it when he speaks.

“Then, one last time, forgive this old man of yours, son. Please.” His voice is breaking my resolve, and I am about to refuse him when I stop in my tracks, seeing Azura and Corrado standing there, a few meters from the door, covered in paint, but both have their eyes on me.

Forgive him, Leo. Everyone deserves a chance, Azura says softly as Corrado watches me, his eyes glistening with unshed tears of confusion. Let it go, Blue-Eyes.

Our eyes meet, and I know the choice is mine, forgive Marcel and move on… or continue with my bitterness, and let it eat me up until I die. I look down at my own son before my gaze flickers to her stomach. If I made a mistake… I’d want my children to forgive me.

I have made mistakes too, just like Marcel, like Rayhan… do I want forgiveness?

I exhale before taking a long drag of my cigarette. I look back at Azura, her gorgeous eyes baring into mine. I need the strength to do this… almost as if understanding, she walks over to me, and, uncaring about the paint on her hands, she places them on my chest, sending intense sparks coursing through me and making Corrado gasp, but we are both too consumed in one another’s gaze to realise. It is almost as if she is giving me strength… her scent soothes me, and the urge to pull her close and bury my nose in her neck tempts me, but… I should stay away from her…

Don’t be so stubborn. Her voice through the link makes me come back to reality. Forgive him, Leo. I pull away, blowing out slowly, my mind made up…