Page 6 of Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire (The Rossi Legacies #1)

Azura

P regnant. I slide to the floor against the stall wall, not caring about the germs that probably fill this place, and stare unblinkingly at the stick, my mind blank.

Pregnant.

With his child.

“I’m fine,” I say, taking a shuddering breath.

I am not fine.

I’m pregnant. I’m only nineteen, and I’m pregnant.

Pregnant with the child of someone who wants nothing to do with me.

I know I will have to tell my parents, but the thought makes my stomach sink. The hurt in Dad’s eyes when I told him I had been rejected… I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle telling them I am pregnant, too. What do I do?

My mind is reeling, and the pain in my chest is becoming suffocating. As much as I want to crush Leo for what he has done, I can’t, not without making this hard for Alejandro. I can’t do that to them. I’ve already caused problems for everyone without meaning to.

There was a time I dreamt of a love like my parents, but who am I kidding? My mate ripped that from me when he marked me, only to reject me. A true mate’s mark… it can only be removed if he marks another or if he dies and someone else marks me… but unless that happens, I am stuck with this. I clutch my neck, letting my nails dig into it as I slowly look down at my stomach. I drop the stick, placing my hand over it.

It is not this baby’s fault… it is not at fault…

I was meant to have died before I was born… there is no chance on earth that I would do anything to this baby. I close my eyes, taking deep, steadying breaths.

I’m fine.

I guess it is time to tell Mama and Dad about the pregnancy. I just hope they don’t try to push for a name. Standing up, I gather the rubbish, binning the pregnancy test before I wash my hands and leave the washroom. Time to tell them and get this over with.

Night has fallen , and I am sitting in the lounge with Mama and Dad. I am curled up between them. Mama has her head resting on my shoulder whilst Dad is running his fingers through Mama’s hair. His head is resting on top of mine. We are watching a movie, and although I have a lot of chances to drop the bomb, I am unable to tell them.

“What’s wrong, baby? You’re really quiet,” Mama asks, lifting her head and looking at me with concern in her gorgeous sage-green eyes.

“I’m fine.”

“Is this about the run-in with Olson earlier?” Dad asks. So they know about my run-in with that old penis.

“You heard about that? Were you just going to pretend it never happened?” I ask, feeling upset for no reason. Are they going to just walk around on eggshells now because I have been rejected?

“It’s not like that. Liam will deal with him. Gemma Kingston told us what happened. Rest assured, they will be questioned about it and dealt with. There is no tolerance in these packs for that behaviour,” Dad’s icy reply comes. It is obvious he is pretty pissed.

I get up from the sofa, running my fingers through my hair, only for it to fall back in my face again.

“I don’t need anyone to be dealt with. I just want to be left alone! I can handle my battles,” I say, feeling frustrated. I can feel my emotions rising, knowing I’m going to lose it soon.

“Azura, this isn’t just about you, it’s about everything, and their attitude is not right. What’s wrong, baby? Tell me,” Mama asks, coming over to me as she places her hands on my arms. She is a lot shorter than me, and I am wearing heels whilst she is barefooted, making her look even smaller.

Do I tell them? How, when I know they already want to kill him for rejecting me? I don’t want to see that pain in Dad’s eyes again…

“It’s nothing,” I say, trying to pull away, but Mama refuses to let me go.

“Azura. Something is wrong. What is it?” She asks, her eyes flashing silver and her voice holding a quiet warning, a tone that tells me she is not going to back down.

“I said it’s nothing! Leave me alone, for the love of the goddess!” I shout in frustration, my eyes flashing the very same colour as hers. I see the flash of hurt in her eyes, but along with it is the determination that she never lost.

“Now, Azura,” she growls.

“Please,” Liam’s quiet voice comes.

I look up to see him standing with his Bite-Sized Luna by his side. Her long black hair with blue tips is pulled into a high ponytail as she looks at me with concern in her unique eyes. One blue, one green.

I close my eyes, my head pounding as I gather the courage to speak up.

“I’m pregnant. There,” I declare before I push past Liam and Raven, leaving all four of them stunned.

“Zu!” Liam’s voice comes, and I hear him on the steps.

Fuck, he is fast.

I speed up, reaching my bedroom and slamming the door shut behind me just as he catches up. I hear him swear as he taps lightly on it.

“Come on, Azura, talk to us,” his voice calls.

I stay silent, pushing myself away from the door, walking over to the bed, and dropping onto it on my stomach. I just want the ground to split open and swallow me whole.

My phone beeps, and I stare at the glow from it as it sits on my bedside table. I dread every incoming message these days…

“Azura, open up, come on.”

“I’m tired, Liam,” I reply.

“Please?” Dad’s voice makes me close my eyes in frustration. How do I say no to him?

I get to my feet and unlock the door, only for Dad to envelope me in his warm embrace. My heart squeezes, feeling guilty for causing him to worry. I look up at him.

Dad may be sixty, but he looks as if he is in his mid-forties. Werewolf genes at its finest, and on top of that, he is one of the most handsome men I have seen. Even if not by blood… he is my dad.

“Why did you run?” He asks, raising an eyebrow. I look away, wondering where Mama and Raven are. Is Mama angry?

“I messed up…” I say, turning my back to him and dropping onto my bed.

“He was your mate, and things happened… besides, it kind of reminds me of Kiara and Alejandro.” He gives me a small smirk, although it doesn’t take away the concern in his eyes, and my heart thuds at the mention of them. I have heard their story… but this is different…

Liam comes over and drops onto my bed, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

“Trust me, you are definitely getting off easier,” he whispers, making me smile.

Of course I am. Everyone knows I am spoiled in comparison to Kia and Liam.

“Scooch over. Make some space for me,” Dad says. Liam and I shuffle over, allowing him enough space to sit down on the bed. He runs his fingers through my hair. “I don’t know why, but I feel like there’s a reason you aren’t sharing his identity.” I tense, but with Liam holding me in a tight bear hug, I am unable to escape.

“Do we know him?” Mama asks as she enters along with Raven, holding a tray of hot drinks for the four of them and a glass of milk for me. She places it down on my cabinet near my bed, right next to my phone, which sits silently for now.

“You guys know everyone,” I reply smoothly as Raven sits down cross-legged on the end of the bed, giving me a vibrant smile.

“How are you feeling?” She asks as Mama sits next to her.

How do I feel? A mess.

“I don’t know.”

“Whatever you decide to do, we are here. As for that bastard… if I ever find out his name…” Dad leaves his threat hanging, his eyes flashing a cobalt blue. And that’s exactly why I will never tell you.

“So, where’s Katara? With the boys?” I ask, referring to Raven and Liam’s youngest child. She is seven years old and their only daughter after five boys.

“Yes. Jayce isn’t happy, but they have no choice,” Raven replies.

Their house is not far from ours. From my bedroom window, I can see the side of their house. They begin talking, and although I know they are just there for moral support, I am unable to join in with the conversation. Even when Dad passes me my glass of milk, I am unable to think of anything but my own turmoil. No one mentions the pregnancy until everyone finally leaves my room after I tell them I want to rest. Mama looks at me as she picks up the tray of empty cups.

“We’ll go to the doctor tomorrow, or would you prefer Kiara to come down?” She asks quietly.

“I don’t want anyone to know yet… just… for a little while. I just want to process it all,” I mutter, trying to sound nonchalant. Mama nods before she kisses my cheek and leaves the room.

I lock the door after them and drop onto my bed once more, staring at the ceiling, my mind a storm…

I awake with a start, looking around my room. The light is still on, and I realise I fell asleep without even showering or changing.

What has awoken me? I rub my head as my phone screen lights up once again. I reach for it and unlock it, seeing the message from an unrecognised number. That same sickening feeling settles into the pit of my stomach as I look at the message.

‘Congratulations on the new addition. We both know we can’t have you carrying anyone else’s pup but mine.’

Fear envelops me, and my hand goes to my stomach. I may not have heard a heartbeat nor seen the tiny blimp on a sonography screen, but there is a life within me… I look over at the window, wondering how he found out.

I need to keep this baby safe.

For the first time, I decide to reply. I take a deep shuddering breath and type a message.

‘What do you want?’

‘You know what I want. Let’s speak in person.’ His response comes almost instantly.

‘Yeah, let’s meet and get this over with once and for all.’ I text back, feeling my anger rising. I want to kill him.

‘Now that’s more like it… I miss you. Meet me at our favourite place tomorrow at midnight.’

‘No. Let’s meet somewhere more public,’ I reply. I am not going to risk this pup’s life.

‘Scared?’ I frown, about to text when another message comes. ‘We meet where I say, my pet.’

I am not his fucking pet.

‘Fine.’

I grit my teeth, feeling so damn pissed.

I toss my phone down and stand up. Going to my wardrobe, I take a small suitcase out from the top shelf and begin filling it with clothes. I need to leave, at least until I have had this baby. I am not going to stick around, nor am I going to risk its life. I am getting out of here.