Page 60

Leo

M orning has arrived, and usually, I’d be out of bed by now… but just getting to hold her and watch her sleep is fucking incredible. I can’t describe it, but despite all the shit going on, I feel at peace. Is this the power of the mate bond? No wonder people yearn for this…

Letting it go, the stubbornness, and trying to fight my emotions has been exhausting. Acceptance... that feels better.

Last night when her eyes had flashed… for a moment, they looked different, but it was far too fucking fast to see… maybe I had imagined it.

Her lips are now pressed together in a pout, her chest rising and falling with plenty of cleavage on show. Strands of her hair are falling in front of her face, and, reaching up, I slowly brush them off her face. She moans slightly, rolling onto her back, making me suck in a breath when her leg brushes my cock. I am already rock-hard…

Her top rides up slightly, and I run my hand down her waist. So fucking sexy….

I place my hand on her stomach, hearing her heart skip a beat, and I look up into her eyes which are now open. She sure has gorgeous big eyes.

“When did you wake up?” She asks sleepily.

“Not long ago…” I reply, my voice huskier, and begin tracing circles on her stomach. She bites her lip, her body reacting to my touch. Our eyes meet before my gaze flickers to her lips, and she slowly licks them in response.

“Do I need to ask you to kiss me?” She asks, raising an eyebrow and making me smirk slightly.

“I don’t mind you begging a little,” I murmur, brushing her hair back. I twist it between my fingers and tug her head up slightly. I flip over so I am straddling her.

“Fuck…” she murmurs, biting her lip, and the moment my dick presses against her stomach, she lets out a soft sigh. I lace my hands with hers, claiming her lips in a deep passionate kiss…

Yeah, we ended up fucking all over again. By the time I get to shower, I’m having four different conversations via the mind link in my fucking head. I wish I didn’t have to do this shit right here… but I do.

They had tracked some of the buyers, but we are no closer to contacting Web. The dinner party I am hosting in celebration of our new drug deals is coming up, and I told Li Sheng to send him an invitation. To start anew… sure, I know he won’t buy that shit, but I need to get to him. Somehow. He’ll come if the incentive is high enough, and so I have decided to say there will be something special up for auction at this dinner. I just need his fucking greed to come into play and cloud his judgement.

Jin has found several bank accounts Emmet had abroad and under different names, two of which are in Jackie’s name, and she has no idea of them.

Dan has begun running some tests on Judah’s body. He wasn’t a werewolf. That has been confirmed.

Then we have Eric, who reported on Emmet acting fucking crazy and playing up in prison, demanding to be let out.

We get dressed before we head up to have breakfast with Corrado. He is already sitting at the table when we step out of my office. The table is laden with a pretty extravagant breakfast, and I hear the door click shut, signalling Winona has slipped out. She really is far slyer than she lets on… the clothes she purchased for Azura said a lot, too. She, Marcel, and Corrado are a trio that should not be together.

But it is Corrado’s smile that makes me smile back. He is practically radiating happiness.

“We are going to have breakfast together!” He exclaims, jumping off his seat and running over, straight into Azura’s arms. She crouches down, hugging him back tightly.

“Hey, kiddo! Yes, we are, and I’m very, very hungry!” She says as they part, and he quickly wraps his arms around my legs. I lift him up, carrying him to the table.

“I’m so happy, Daddy!” He whispers to me before turning to look at Azura. “See? I told you, Azura Mommy, if you stay, we will have nice food. You won’t have to have lumpy sandwiches.” I smirk, glancing at her. She pauses, and for a moment, I almost chuckle, thinking she is offended, only to see her looking at him with emotions in her eyes.

“Azura Mommy… I love that,” she says, softly ruffling his hair. “But my sandwiches are so good!”

“No, they’re not.” He giggles as I place him down.

Azura Mommy… I won’t say it, but seeing them have that bond is… perfect.

“Yes, they are!”

I sit down, and we’re all tucked in. This feels pretty good.

It’s now after breakfast, and we are getting ready to leave. Azura’s friend, Song, will be coming along, too, and from there, she’ll head home.

“So why is he here?” I ask, seeing Corrado carrying a small backpack as he holds Azura’s hand.

“Azura Mommy said I can come to visit our family too,” he says proudly. She looks at me challengingly, and I simply give her a cold glare. Am I really not going to fucking argue?

I am about to say something, looking at the defiant duo who are staring at me, and I fucking swear they are double of one another with those expressions, but, hearing footsteps, I turn.

“Hey! I’m glad I caught you guys before you leave… I baked some cookies. Definitely have them on the journey,” she says, handing the tin to Azura.

“Oh, thanks, Jackie.”

“I will miss you.”

“Oh, I’ll be back.” Azura smiles, surprising her, and Jackie suddenly hugs her.

“Thank the goddess!” Azura smiles.

“Yeah, see, Leo? Everyone likes me but you.” She gives me a dirty look.

I do fucking like you. I just didn’t want to admit it, I say through the link pointedly. She simply gives me a haughty look.

Well, you have the rest of our lives to make it up to me… she trails off, and I know what came to her mind.

Yeah, guess I’m going to have to figure shit out so I can make it up to you, I say, masking my emotions. Our eyes lock.

We will.

Jackie now turns to me, giving me a small smile. She speaks, drawing me from my thoughts.

“Leo, when you return, I want to reject Emmet,” she says quietly, twisting her hands in front of her as she comes over to me. I nod, giving her a one-armed hug. I can sense her fear, feeling her shaking slightly.

“I’m proud of you, Jackie,” I say quietly.

“Well… I’m glad. You’ve always been like that older brother to me, Leo. Thanks… I won’t be tied to an abuser and a traitor. I won’t stop living either… so you don’t either, okay?” I smirk glancing over at Azura and Corrado.

“I tried and failed… but no, I won’t give up,” I say quietly.

“Good. She makes you happy Leo, and you need someone who is willing to challenge you.”

I raise an eyebrow. I am not that fucking stubborn. Who the fuck am I kidding? I fucking am. I hear footsteps approaching and know it’s Jax and Nikki before they even come into sight.

“Jax, take Song and Corrado to the car,” I command. My mood instantly darkens as I glance at Azura, who is looking at Nikki without even a glimmer of warmth on her face.

“Got it, Alpha. Nice to see you again, Luna.” Jax says.

“You, too. You’ll be seeing me more often, don’t worry,” Azura replies. Something tells me that is more directed at Nikki. Jax smirks.

Good going, he says through the link before motioning for Song to follow him. Song takes Corrado’s hand, glancing at Azura before following Jax.

“Come on, Corrado, let’s go get in the car first!” She exclaims brightly.

“Yes!”

I can feel Nikki trying to mind-link, but I keep her blocked out.

“Are you really going to make me apologise?” She asks me out loud after Jax is out of sight.

I close the gap between Azura and myself, and wrap one arm around her shoulders from behind, resting my chin on top of her head.

“Yeah. You insulted my Luna, and that’s not something I’m going to fucking let slide,” I say coldly as Azura leans back against me. Nikki stares at me, clearly shocked before she looks at Azura.

“Luna… so, you, like, made up?” She asks almost accusingly.

“Are you dumb, Nikki? Seriously, I’m sure that’s clear enough. Get a move on with it, we have to go,” Azura replies in a clipped tone. Nikki looks humiliated as she looks at us.

“Now,” I growl.

“I’m sorry for what I said.” She says it as if it were the hardest fucking thing to say.

With a little more regret,” I warn dangerously.

She looks at me with a hurt expression, but I really don’t fucking care. I apologised the first time when I fucking ended it with her, although she knew once we find our fucking mates, it’s totally fucking okay for it to be over. I owe her nothing.

“I’m getting bored,” Azura yawns. I press my lips to the back of my feisty girl’s head. She sure doesn’t hold back, but Nikki deserves it.

“I’m sorry… Luna,” Nikki says in a softer tone, and when she lowers her gaze in submission, I decide it is near enough the best we are going to fucking get from her.

“Cool. I get that it’s not nice when someone comes in, and you lose the man you love, but I won’t apologise for it. He was made to be mine, and I plan to keep him… even if he is a stubborn ass. I hope you can find your mate soon, too,” Azura says quietly. In her own way, she is offering Nikki an olive branch. That alone shows she is by far the better person.

Nikki doesn’t reply, simply nodding.

“You can go,” I say coldly. She looks at me before nodding and leaving. A little too calm for my liking…

Eric, keep an eye on Nikki, I command before Azura tilts her head up.

“Shall we get going?” She asks.

“Yeah, let’s do this shit.”

Our eyes meet, both knowing what is to come. It is time for us both to face our issues head-on… I lean down, kissing her lips softly, not caring if anyone sees us, before we both head to the car.

The Nightwalker Pack , home of the Lycan King, Alejandro Rossi, and his family. It has been a decade since I have entered these pack grounds. There are many changes, and it is obvious it has expanded a lot. We drive through the streets that are no longer dirt paths, despite the trees that surround vast parts of the grounds. The gates to Alejandro’s mansion swing open, and I can feel the excitement from Corrado in the back of the car as he stares out through the tinted windows.

Azura’s hand rests on top of mine, calming my conflicted emotions. I turn to her, lacing my fingers with hers. Our eyes meet, and she doesn’t need to say anything for me to understand. We got this…

Marcel had been pretty impressed to hear that we were coming here; it seems Alejandro had told him. He had called earlier on the drive here, and when Azura had said we’d be back soon, he had instantly picked up on the ‘we’ and did nothing to hide his happiness.

Alejandro has his hand in his pocket, and a young girl with black hair is standing on the steps next to him with her arms crossed. I am certain it is Alessandra; you can see the similarities between her and her father. She would be around ten now, the youngest of Alejandro’s four kids.

“Oh, Daddy! Who is that man?” Corrado asks as we park up.

“That’s Alejandro Rossi… your grandad’s brother,” I explain emotionlessly.

“Oh, King Rossi!” Yeah, I am sure Dad told him about that…

“Maybe I shouldn’t have come,” Song says, staring out as Alejandro approaches.

“Too late for that. Come on, you have seen Alejandro before.”

“Yes, and I wanted to run,” Song murmurs.

“Hey, don’t get doubtful. You wanted to see you-know-who, remember?” Azura whispers with a smirk on her lips. From the corner of my eyes, I see her blush but don’t bother thinking much of it as Alejandro opens the passenger door for Azura.

“Hey, Alejandro,” Azura says, hugging him as I get out, too.

“Hey, Firework. You okay?” He replies, giving her a squeeze before letting go of her as she nods.

“Perfectly,” she replies before she rushes over to Alessandra. “Hey, brat!” She hugs the younger girl, who frowns.

“Don’t call me that. You’re so loud…” she grumbles. Definitely Alejandro’s pup.

“Azura!” Kiara’s voice comes as she hurries out of the mansion and runs over to her sister, hugging her tightly. Didn’t they just fucking see each other not so fucking long ago?

“Kia!” Azura smiles.

My eyes meet Alejandro’s as I open the back door for Corrado and Song since the child locks are on.

“Thank you,” she says, getting out.

“It’s good to see you here”, Alejandro says to me, a tiny smirk on his face as he approaches.

“Not so sure it is,” I mutter as Corrado climbs out. Alejandro’s attention instantly goes to him, and he crouches down in front of him.

“So, this is your pup,” he says, observing him with that small smirk.

“Obviously,” I retort.

I can feel him pulling back his aura as much as possible, not to scare Corrado. It is still powerful, and I can tell Corrado looks daunted for a few seconds.

“Hello, King Rossi. I’m Corrado Herrmann Rossi,” Corrado introduces himself, puffing out his chest as he holds his hand out to Alejandro.

“Now that’s confidence I like,” Alejandro says, taking his hand and giving it a shake. “But we don’t greet family with a handshake, now do we?” Corrado smiles and shakes his head.

“No, we give them hugs!” He answers.

“So, are you going to give Grandad Al a hug?” Alejandro asks. Corrado looks up at me, his eyes widening.

“Can I?” He whispers as if Alejandro can’t hear him.

“Sure,” I agree. Not going to fucking stop a kid from doing whatever he wants.

It is fucking weird seeing those two together… I’m not fucking stupid, I can see Alejandro is fucking genuine, but that is a fact I like to ignore. I’m the king of being fucking hypocritical, and I don’t really give a shit.

I turn to see Song talking to Kiara and Azura as Alessandra simply stands there frowning, her eyes now fixed on Corrado.

“Corrado, come here! Look, this is my sister, Kiara,” Azura calls. Alejandro stands up, lifting Corrado in his arms as he walks around to the women.

“I see you’re here. I’m sure the girls will be fucking disappointed that they ain’t here,” Alejandro says to Song.

“Yeah, nice to be here...” Song says, smiling politely whilst Kiara gushes over how cute Corrado is.

“Aww, you are such a cutie.”

“You are very cute, too,” Corrado replies, making Kiara laugh.

“I dislike kids,” Alessandra grumbles.

“Ain’t you one yourself?” I ask.

She gives me a scathing glare before her gaze softens, and she frowns, looking at her palm before she turns and looks at the sky. Weird little pup.

“Leo, how are you?” Kiara asks, drawing my attention away from the girl. I feel Azura’s eyes on me as the older woman turns her attention to me.

“Good,” I say. The urge to step away from her is almost tempting.

I can almost see her observing me. Her smile falters, but before she can say anything, the mansion doors open once again, and a man steps out dressed in a white shirt and black pants. His Alpha aura is radiating off of him, yet even I know it isn’t at its fullest. He runs a hand through his curly black shoulder-length hair that looks more unruly than I remember it from a decade ago. His face looks sharper, too, and you can tell he looks older. He was my age back then…

He comes to a stop when his grey eyes meet mine. A sharp wind blows around us. Suddenly, it feels colder, and it’s like it is just the two of us. My own aura is swirling around me, and a storm of emotions rushes through me. A small frown crosses his face, but despite my own hostile hatred towards him, he remains calm.

Ten years have passed since I saw him. Ten years of hating him for everything he had fucking done. Time seems to fucking stand still as our gazes remain locked.

I once vowed I never wanted to see him again, but that vow was broken because right in front of me is none other than the richest Alpha in the country. The man who owns the majority of the Rossi assets and several multi-billionaire companies around the globe. The man that I fucking hate to the core.

Rayhan Rossi, the Alpha of the Black Storm Pack himself.