Page 48

Azura

I sense his struggle and know I have to do something, even if he was a total asshole to me last night. I mean, he has protected me from Judah and gotten rid of him.

Don’t be so stubborn. Forgive him, Leo, I say softly.

I want to do more… I want to cup his face and tell him he isn’t alone, but I can’t bring myself to do so when he doesn’t want me, and so I simply try to comfort him silently through the bond. He exhales sharply, taking another drag of his cigarette before he turns back to his father, his tattooed hand closing around my wrist just when I am about to remove it, not letting me move away.

“It’s in the past… you don’t need my forgiveness. I just needed it off my chest,” Leo says curtly, acting as arrogant as ever, but it is obvious that Marcel’s words had gotten to him.

“Thank you, son. I’m glad you told me,” Marcel says quietly, approaching us. The father and son look at one another, and I slowly tug my hand free. This is their moment.

Corrado’s eyes, which were glued to Leo’s grip on my hand, now flick to mine. Curiosity, happiness, and still a bit of confusion linger in those vibrant hazel eyes.

“I really am sorry, Leo, and it just shows that I was wrong… wrong to think of you like that, when I should have known you wouldn’t harm anyone innocent,” Marcel apologises, placing his hands on his son’s shoulders. I smile down at Corrado, stepping back and giving his hand a squeeze.

“Yeah, you should have, because if I wanted, we both know that I could have finished Rayhan years ago,” he says. His voice is equally icy as it is quiet, so Corrado doesn’t hear. I admire him. Even when his emotions are so intense, he is able to keep himself in check around his son.

“I know what he did was complicated, but he has apologised, Leo. You will be happier if you let it go.” If Marcel knew he was planning on talking to him, I know he’d be proud of him. Truly proud.

“Yeah, well, let’s not get ahead,” Leo replies coldly. Marcel smiles slightly and nods.

“Yes, you’re right. I lost my mate and a child I never knew of… but I’m so grateful that I still have you. You are my greatest blessing,” he says quietly, his voice thick with emotions. Goddess, it is too damn emotional! Marcel steps closer to Leo and embraces him. Leo stiffens almost as if he is not used to it… “If you have truly forgiven me… I wish you would try to bring yourself to call me Dad again,” he says so quietly that I only just caught it.

Urgh, I’m going to blame the pregnancy hormones, this is not meant to be emotional! How the hell is Leo so stiff and cool? I know both are hurting and it makes my heart ache to witness this... Life really is short, and looking at Marcel now, I realise in a way, he really is alone... no mate, and his own son has pushed him away. Even if he does have other family, it isn’t the same.

Damn it, hug him.

Slowly, Leo raises his arms, embracing his father, and I smile down at Corrado, who is watching with wide eyes. I am sure even he realised his father isn’t very close to Marcel. I hope that changes going forward…

“I have never seen Daddy hug Grandad,” he says in a loud whisper.

Marcel chuckles as Leo moves back. He is as stoic as ever, but when our eyes meet, he is unable to hide the fact that they are full of emotions. I know it wasn’t easy for him… but I truly am proud of him.

“Come on over here, son.” Marcel motions him over, his arm still around Leo’s shoulders as Leo simply takes a drag on the cigarette he is still holding.

“Group hug!” Corrado exclaims, running over to them.

“Yes, you, too, Azura.” Marcel smiles. My eyes widen slightly, not expecting that.

“I don’t think -”

“Come on, Azura, we are having a family hug!” Corrado says, turning and beckoning me over.

“ hug…” I place my hand on my stomach for a second, feeling Leo’s eyes on me, before I walk over to them as Marcel lifts Corrado into his arms.

“Yes, Azura is family, isn’t she?” He asks Corrado as I stop a little away, feeling awkward. Leo’s scent doesn’t help matters either…

With Marcel’s hands busy, does he expect me to hug Sexy Alpha Dickface? No, I’m so not going to do that. I’m still going to get that staple gun and execute my revenge…

“Yes, she is. We are going to keep her,” Corrado whispers into Marcel’s ear, making my eyebrow shoot up. He lets out a laugh before nodding.

“Yes, I like the idea.” Leo frowns.

“Are we done yet?” He asks coldly.

“Oh no, Daddy, we have to have a group hug!” Corrado reminds him, holding his arm out to me.

At the same moment, Leo reaches out, his arm snaking around my waist as he pulls me close

My heart pounds, the electrifying sparks of the bond dizzying. Our eyes meet for a moment, and I can hear his heart deceive him. So close… yet so far away… I place my hand on his shoulder, placing my other hand on Marcel’s back. Forcing my gaze away from Leo’s, I rest my head against Corrado’s. He giggles, resting his hand on top of mine.

“I love you, Azura!” My heart thunders as I look up into that innocent face of his.

“I love you, too,” I whisper. Reaching up, I kiss his nose and smile at him. Somehow this little gem has made a special space inside of my heart. There are just too many emotions inside of me…

Deep down, past that stubborn ass exterior of mine, is it wrong that I want this? Want Leo… want to have Corrado in my life? Want Marcel to get to see his next grandchild grow up around him, too?

My breath hitches when I feel Leo’s fingers caress the side of my stomach. My heart pounds as I turn my eyes hesitantly to his. Those icy blues that I love so much stare back into mine with such intensity that I almost forget to breathe.

“I’ll put them…” We all turn to see Winona standing there holding some dress bags, freezing in her tracks as she realises the room isn’t empty. “I’m so sorry,” she says quickly, looking flustered, as Leo moves back first.

“Not at all,” Marcel says, smiling slightly. “We were just having a moment, and I appreciate all the help. You didn’t have to do any of this.” He walks over to her, and she smiles slightly, nodding.

“Thank you, Alpha,” she replies, looking down at the bags.

“I’ll take them,” Marcel offers. “We all need a change of clothes anyway.”

I watch curiously, wondering what those clothes are for. Marcel’s words make me realise I have put paint on Leo, and Corrado has put some in my hair and all over Marcel.

“Ah, this one is yours,” Marcel says, passing one of the bags back to her. Winona looks at him, surprised.

“Alpha, I can’t accept this…” She turns to Leo for help, looking confused.

“You are as much part of this family as the rest of us. You have taken care of my grandson, and that alone is enough. Since it’s of your choosing, you can’t really refuse,” Marcel says firmly.

“Alpha.” She looks at Leo, who simply raises an eyebrow.

“I don’t know what sh-is going on, but you agreed to help him,” he says, smoking his cigarette, smoothly stopping himself from swearing.

“And that should be enough of an answer to show you can’t refuse. Alpha’s orders,” Marcel says dismissively. Winona stares down at the dress, her cheeks burning as she tries her best to protest.

“I didn’t realise it was for me…” she mumbles.

“You will look great in it,” Marcel says confidently, making her blush deeper and become even more flustered. “Now, pass this one to Rosaline for me?” He adds, not even realising the flustered mess he has left the poor woman in as he passes her another bag. Well, even I have to admit Marcel is some fine wine, what woman wouldn’t get hot and bothered? I smirk, finding it rather amusing. She nods, looking at me for help, and although I kind of get what is going on, I’m not going to side with her when I feel she sure as hell deserves that dress.

“So, what are these dresses for?” I ask, going over.

“The party tonight,” Marcel explains, smirking slightly.

“Party?” Leo asks sharply.

“Oh yeah, a party! Me and Grandad planned it! It’s for Azura!” Corrado gushes. “I want you to look pretty in that dress, Winnie! You helped us, too!”

“Did she now?” Leo remarks, his voice sounding deep and rough, as Winona lowers her head apologetically. I can’t help but smirk.

“What’s wrong? Never been to a party before?” I taunt him.

“Only the ones I need to,” he shoots back.

“Well, you need to come to this one,” Marcel adds.

“It’s for Azura. I don’t need to. I agreed to come to dinner… not to a party.” Corrado turns, his smile vanishing as he stares at Leo.

“Daddy…”

“You won’t come, Weo?” I ask, turning to him and giving him the best innocent face that I can muster. I so hope it works… Please do not be immune like Mama!

He looks at me as I stare back doe-eyed, my lips set in a downwards pout. His eyes flash as he narrows them.

That doesn’t fucking work on me, his arrogant voice comes through the link. Damnit.

Oh? That’s okay, because although I’m never enough for you, I seem to be enough for your body, I taunt, my innocent expression replaced by a seductive one. I slowly run my tongue along my lips, smirking when he swallows, his gaze dipping to my lips. His nostrils flare and his eyes flash. See? I turn my back on him before he can even reply. One point to me!

“Winona, show Azura to one of the rooms upstairs so she can get ready, too. We don’t have long, and I know women take pretty long.”

“Right away, Alpha.” Winona smiles before she takes my dress bag from Marcel and motions for me to follow.

I don’t bother looking back at Leo, feeling his gaze burn into me before I leave the room. I’m not sure why Marcel is throwing this dinner party, and although I had made it clear to him earlier that Leo wants nothing to do with me, he doesn’t seem to get it. Well, there is nothing I can do about that, I guess. I will just enjoy all the delicious food tonight and not think about anything else.

Winona instantly forces me to go shower, saying I have paint all over, which I do. Alone in the shower, my mind drifts to everything else that is going on. Judah is gone, Song is safe, although she is still recovering in the hospital. I feel light, relieved, and content. He will never be able to bother me again. I feel relieved that he is gone. Everything will be okay now, right?

I guess… after the visit to Alejandro’s pack, I will return home… which means before I leave, I will need to ask Leo what he wants to do regarding the baby. Will he want to set up a day every week or month that he wants to see him or her? Then again, he’s a busy man…

What should I do? I mean even though he doesn’t want me in his life, I want him in this child’s life. When I was younger, I always used to say that once you mess with the devil, there’s no escape… but it is obvious that if I want him, I am going to have to be the one to break down those walls. Do I want him?

He can go fuck himself. Ass.

I sigh, running my hand over my stomach. I can feel the slight curve to my stomach now. If it hasn’t already gotten out by now, I guess it will any day now…

I step out of the shower, drying my hair with a towel before I wrap it around myself and enter the bedroom. My face lights up when I see Song sitting on the bed as both she and Winona stop talking and turn to look at me.

“Song!” I rush over, pouncing on her and crushing her in a hug.

“Hey, ow, ow…”

“Shit, sorry, I forgot you’re hurt!” I quickly get off her, only for Winona to chuckle.

“Well, I’ll leave you two to it. Alpha Marcel needs me downstairs. Someone will pop in to do your hair and make-up soon,” she says with a small smile.

“My hair and make-up?” I ask. She pauses at the door and looks over her shoulder at me.

“Of course. Alpha Marcel insisted that you have everything you need.”

The door shuts and I look at Song, planting my hands on my hips.

“What were you two discussing?”

“I don’t know, but… check the dress out…” She tilts her head towards the bed next to her, and my gaze falls on the top dress bag.

Unzipping it, I stare at the stunning dress that is inside. Somehow… this doesn’t feel like just any ordinary dinner party. Hmm, what is Marcel planning? He and Corrado, together thrown in with Winona, mean trouble. And although the Westwood Devil can handle trouble... I’m not so sure about a cherub, an angel, and an Alpha with a wish… Goddess, these three really are trying to get Leo and me together…

I tilt my head, an idea popping into my head. Well, even if they are just hoping for something that will never happen, I can’t throw out the chance to torture Leo. I mean sure, I am not as hot as Nikki, but thanks to the mate bond, he is attracted to me.

“Oh, you’re up to something…” Song replies, smiling slightly.

“Hmm, maybe…”

“Tell me what’s going through that naughty brain of yours…”

“I’m just thinking I might take a note out of Mama’s book, and show Little Alpha exactly how a Westwood woman rocks the colour red…”

Tonight, I plan to be the devil in red, and I will make the most of the mate bond to mess with him.

Oh, Little Weo, you are so damn screwed.