Page 50

Leo

T he entire mansion is abuzz. I have never fucking seen it so alive. Marcel doesn’t really host parties, and those that do take place are usually in the Pack Hall.

“Leo, Corrado, ah, you are both ready,” Marcel says, coming over, wearing a pair of beige pants and a black shirt.

“Care to share what exactly this party is for?”

“For Azura!” Corrado adds.

“Yeah… I get that,” I say, tugging his cheek before looking at Marcel seriously, mind-linking him.

But the reason? She’s not a part of this pack, and neither are we… a couple.

No, seems not, or not officially, but she is still carrying your child. A part of this pack’s future, he replies through the link.

The pack knows that.

Exactly, and so we are celebrating that, Marcel says with a small smirk just as we hear the sound of heels running over.

“Alpha Marcel, I have the last of them. Sorry I’m late,” Winona’s breathless voice comes.

We both turn to see Winona holding a small box. She is wearing a one-sleeved fitted ruched black dress that reaches just below her knees, with her hair curled. She looks incredibly different than she usually does, and for a moment I don’t recognise her. Sure, her make-up is light, but I have never seen her in black since she always wears neutral colours, and she is always without make-up.

“Oh, wow, Winnie! You look so beautiful,” Corrado compliments her, making her blush.

“Thank you, Corrado,” she says, smiling gently at him before turning to Marcel, who seems to be even more surprised than me.

“Yes, you do… wow, I didn’t even recognise you. See, I told you you’d look great, although you exceeded even my expectations,” he murmurs, looking her over, which only makes her shy away. I raise an eyebrow, clearing my throat as I cough lightly, placing my fist in front of my mouth.

Marcel looks at me sharply before shaking his head and looking down at the box she is holding. “Thanks…” he says before Winona hurries away. “Ah… yes, I need to go put this away…” He frowns slightly, shaking his head, and walks off.

What the fuck was that? Corrado giggles before he runs out to the back garden. That was fucking weird… I need a drink. I look around, ready to head out to the back garden, when her scent suddenly hits me. Intoxicating, alluring, and so fucking seductive… Fuck .

I know if I turn, I am only going to fucking make it harder for myself.

Just turn. She looks incredible, Jax’s voice comes, and I glance back to see him walking down the hall towards me, dressed in navy pants and a white shirt.

I glance towards the steps, freezing when my eyes fall on her as my breath catches in my throat. My heart races in my chest, my eyes flashing as they trail over her, drinking up her appearance hungrily, from those red-soled black heels up her sexy legs that are glistening with a gold shimmer. She wears a two-toned, blood-red satin dress that is ruched from the middle, accentuating her killer curves. Her hand runs down her hip almost as if smoothening her dress or emphasising how fucking hot she looks. She wears a few rings, and her nails are painted the same shade as her dress. The neckline of her dress dips, showing off her sexy cleavage and every inch of her skin glistens just like her legs. Her breasts rise and fall, making me want to ravage her right now. I look up at her face, and if I wasn’t fucking gone before…

Her black hair is curled, falling over her one eye. Her make-up is sultry and dark, and those matte red lips are begging to be devoured. Our eyes meet, ice blue against bright, her heart pounding. No one else matters or exists as they all fade away. It is just the two of us… we are being pulled together by this fucking intense chemistry between us.

She doesn’t look like heaven because she is far too fucking hot for heaven to ever be able to handle. Only hell could handle this level of heat, temptation, and sin that she is exuding. She is the fucking epitome of sexiness, and I am ready to bend the knee if it means I can have her until my last breath...

She reaches the bottom, and although I see her eyes run over me and hear her erratic heartbeat, she doesn’t speak even a word to me and instead turns to Jax.

“Hi.”

“Hey, you look incredible. You both do,” Jax says to them both as Azura raises her hand, running her fingers through her curled locks. My eyes fall on her back, and I realise she is wearing a gold upper armband that looks fucking hot…

“Thanks,” Song says with a smile.

“Aww, thank you, Jax,” Azura adds, her voice holding a hint of seduction.

So, she is going to play like that? With my own fucking men? Irritation seeps through me, and the urge to hide her from the fucking world tempts me. I don’t fucking think so. I am about to speak when the sounds of footsteps reach my ears. The front door opens, and three familiar scents fill my nose, one of them only making my irritation heighten.

Azura looks behind me, her eyes shadowing before she looks away.

“Hey, guys,” Eric greets us, and I turn to see him with both Jackie and Nikki. Jackie is dressed in a simple dress, whilst Nikki has obviously tried her hardest. She is now watching me, her heart racing.

Like what I’m wearing? She asks suggestively through the link. I frown, about to reply, when Jackie walks over to Azura.

“Azura, can I have a word?” She whispers just as Azura is turning to leave with Song.

“Sure,” Azura agrees, drawing my attention back to her. Fuck, does she have to look so fucking good? They walk to the side, my eyes on Azura’s ass. Damn, I fucking need to get laid.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything he did to you. Forgive me?” Jackie whispers. She is speaking silently, but I can hear her still despite the music. Azura tilts her head, her glossy locks just itching to be played with.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s fine,” she says, smiling gently. “It’s really okay. Please don’t worry.”

“Thank you,” Jackie replies as both women embrace.

“Stay strong,” Azura whispers just as a sudden wave of heat washes over me, but it vanishes as soon as it comes.

“I won’t forgive him. I will reject him,” Jackie whispers, her voice breaking.

“Rejections won’t break us. We will come out of this stronger,” Azura replies as she moves back.

“Thanks,” Jackie says, smiling at her. I frown, wondering what had happened to me moments earlier.

“Come on, let’s go outside,” Azura tells Jackie, motioning Song over. She doesn’t spare any of us a further glance as she leaves, hand in hand with Song, her other hand on Jackie’s back.

“Wow, the Luna is angry with me?” Eric asks quietly.

“She isn’t the Luna, Eric,” Nikki says sharply.

“She bears our Alpha’s mark, so she is,” he replies firmly. For someone who was always welcoming, he seems a little hostile towards her, not that I fucking care. Either something is in the fucking air, or my senses are on overdrive.

I turn, leading the way out back, not wanting to spend an extra minute in Nikki’s presence. She really fucking doesn’t get the damn fucking hint.

You know, I’m glad you dumped her, although it took you two years, Jax remarks through the link.

Yeah, and just so we’re clear, stay away from Azura. She’s mine, I growl back. I frown in shock at my words as my eyes meet Jax’s, who simply smirks. What the actual fuck is going on with my mood?

My eyes find her, her scent reaching my nose, and I inhale deeply, watching her talking to Winona and Corrado. Is it just me, or is it too fucking hot out here?

“Leo -” Nikki’s hand touches my shoulder, and, in a flash, I grab it, ripping it off me.

“I have been fucking patient with you, so before I have you thrown out of here… get the fuck away from me,” I growl.

Silence seems to fall over the garden of people, and I can feel all eyes on me, but I don’t really fucking care. The hatred that is coursing through me feels stronger than ever. Nikki’s eyes fill with tears as she tries to tug free.

“You’re hurting me, Leo.”

“Then don’t fucking touch me,” I reply venomously, letting go of her.

I turn away only for my eyes to meet with Azura’s. She is frowning slightly as she watches me with concern, her eyes a blinding silver. The predatorial growl of my wolf fills my head as I look at her. I need her… no. I fucking want her.

My mind feels murky.

Claim her so the world fucking knows she is mine…

Suddenly, time that had seemed to slow down returns to normal, and the rush of sound surrounding me returns; chattering, laughing, and music.

“Leo?” Jax asks quietly, now concerned. I glance at him, frowning before motioning a member of staff over and taking a glass of wine from the tray.

“Since we’re at a party… drink up,” I say casually, downing my glass in one. My eyes once again find Azura…