Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire

Chapter 26

26. Coming Clean AZURA. I stayed in the apartment not wanting to run into anyone else, andit was so boring with nothing to do.

Winona had come with lunch, and then again for dinner.

It was obvious from the way she was looking around that no one knew I was here.

Guess dickface wanted no one to know.

I was tempted to ask her if I could see Corrado, but after last time…

I wasn’t sure Leo would appreciate it.

So here I was…

wondering what I should do…

Marcel.

knew who my mate was, and it had come to a point where I knew I couldn’t keep lying to my family…

I stared at the tablet that sat on the bed, then glanced at the time.

Just past ten…

Katara would be put to bed by now…

Should I video call? My fingers itched before I took a deep breath, thinking to just go ahead with it.

Marcel knew, and Leo didn't want anyone here knowing, didn't mean my parents couldn’t know.

If he pushed for the X-ray, then he'd find out about the baby too…

Before I ended up changing my mind, I quickly set up a video call between Kiara, Raven and Mama, knowing their mates would be there too.

Goddess…

here goes nothing.

Kiara was the first to accept the call.

“Hey Azura! It’s been a while.

How are you?" She asked with a smile on her face.

Kia, my sister, was the younger twin with Liam being older.

She had shoulder-length sandy blond hair, with gorgeous eyes that were sage green with a blue ring around them.

Plump lips and a gorgeous curvy figure to complete her goddess-like looks.

She was a blessed wolf with healing abilities as well as the queen.

"I'm ok, how are you guys?" I asked as a shirtless Alejandro came into view.

Even though he was now in his fifties, he was still as hot as ever ifnot getting hotter with age.

4 Alejandro Rossi, the tattooed Lycan king who was also Leo’s uncle.

This was going to be fun.

"Good until you decided to fucking interrupt." Alejandro remarked, sitting behind Kiara with ease, his legs oneach side of her and wrapping his arms around her tightly.

6 "I swear Alejandro, with age you are getting crankier by the second.

Poor Kia, stuck with a grumpy old man." I taunted.

“Ignore him.

He may be acting like this but when he saw the call was from you, he came over rather quickly.” Kiara said, smiling slightly.

Just then, Mama and Raven joined the call.

"Hmm, of course, everyone loves the Westwood Devil." I declared with a flick of my hair.

“Or I’m here to see the drama unfold.

There's no fucking chance you ain't been up to something." Alejandro replied, smirking.

1 Urgh if only he knew…

Would he be smirking if he realised it's his damn nephew who screwed me over? a “Hey, guys.” Liam said andI smirked at them, from Raven's messy hair...

I had a feeling my brother and she had just done the dirty.

“Hey, Zu!” Raven said, as everyone exchanged greetings.

"You know I'm glad you video called, we've been worried." Dad said quietly, I knew he was upset withme.

I nodded, giving him an apologetic smile and one of my best doe-eyed looks..

"Not to mention we can't even get through to you, Azura what are you doing out there?” Mama asked, frowningslightly.

"Ok, so I wanted to talk to you all together.

Please hear me out before any of you unleash hell." I said sitting forward.

My heart was racing as I saw Dad's eyes flash, and Liam and Alejandro were watching me intently.

Mama was frowning, and Raven and Kiara looked concerned.

Come on Azura, tell them.

“Ok first of all…

I didn't go to Sweden, I planned to, but I didn’t.” I began, “What?” Dad asked, “Where are you?” “I…” I almost lied I had car troublebut no, I couldn't lie anymore to them.

"I'm at my mate's pack" 1 There it was, the hurt in dad’s eyes, the concern in mama’s, the anger in Liam’s and thatsharp calculating look in Alejandro's.

"The mate who rejected you?" Liam growled, Raven grabbed hold of his arm, looking back at him as she shook herhead gently, and I knew she was trying to calm him down via the mind link "Yes, and he doesn't know about..." I pointed at my stomach.

"Anyway moving on, I thought I should tell you; I had every intention of going to Sweden, but then stuff happened and here I am.” 3 “Are you two tryingto make it work?" Mama asked quietly.

“He doesn’t deserve you.” Dad said coldly.

3 “Dad,” Kiara said softly, “Look…

if Zu wants to do this, we should support her.

Tell me Azura, is there good in him?" I nodded slowly.

Although he was an ass, there was…

even if it’s very less.

2 "He loves his pack, his family, well some of his family.

He's a stuck-up arrogant jerk, but he is an ok human.

Kinda…

a bit of a dick…

or a real big dick” I mumbled.

1 Kiara smiled knowingly, "Then, we all should support her.

I remember how hard Alejandro was to deal with…

to the point he almost marked someone in front of me.” Kiara said, placing a hand on her man’s jaw and tilting herhead up as he leaned down and kissed her.

"Kia is right, maybe there were other factors." Raven mused.

I nodded.

There definitely was…

“What Pack?” Alejandro asked, frowning.

"I want to know what fucker rejected you." ? "Why is his pack important?” I asked.

"You said he cares for his pack, so he's someone ranked then?” Dad asked.

I sighed.

Should I tell them? I examined my nails before Mama called me.

"Azura." I looked at her, seeing the concern and the pain in her green eyes.

"No more secrets." Oh, there were so many more secrets.

I’m sorry Mama.

"Ok, if I tell you, no one loses their shit.

Ok what we do, is our decision to make.

Please.” I said, looking at them all.

2 "He's fucking dead." Liam muttered, but I tilted my head.

2 "Liam." "I'm not going to stand by and let people constantly hurt you.” He threatened, his eyes full of hurt and anger.

I knew how he hated how the rare few of the pack treated me…

He hated that no matter what he did, there were always a few old vaginas and penisesthat would never change.

"So, let's have the fucker's name." Alejandro said, taking out a cigarette and lighting it.

1 A smile crossed my lips as I watched.

"He reminds me a bit of you, which is gross." I said, making a gagging face.

Alejandro narrowed his eyes.

"There's only one Alejandro Rossi, no one can fucking be me.” 1 “Yeah, there’s only one Alejandro, but there isn’t only one Rossi, now isthere?" Alejandro raised an eyebrow, and I took a deep breath.

"My mate is Leo, Marcel's son." I confessed, staring at them, waiting for their reactions.

Alejandro froze as Kiara’s eyes widened in shock.

Raven's mouth dropped open as Liam took a second to comprehend what I had said.

Whilst Dad looked pale, Mama was staring at me in shock 6 “That fucker…” Alejandro was the first to speak as he satforward, his arm still around Kiara, but he was frowning deeply.

"He..." 1 "Another Alejandro." Liam didn't sound happy; his usual smile was gone.

“So now the mark makes sense.

He marked you and then when he found out you were a Westwood, he rejected you for that very reason, correct?” 1 His voice was cold, and for someone whocould be pretty dense, I wished he hadn't picked up on it so fast, but when it came to serious matters, Liam was not to be messed with.

I didn't say anything, trying to hide the pain I felt at the memory of that night.

Liam had seen me, the way he had broken me...

Everyone was quiet, my silence screaming my response.

It was too silent and then anger appeared on Dad's and Alejandro’s faces, matching Liam’s.

Kiara looked…

guilty.

I didn’t want them to blame themselves.

Goddess! “Look…

Whatever the reason, it doesn’t matter.

Marcel returned yesterday and he found out, so I'm not alone here…

If things don't work out, I'll come straight home." It wasn’t exactly a lie, I would go home when all this was over, even if the thought of leaving himmade my heart ache.

I hated this.

“Marking you and rejecting you, that ain’t fucking tolerable.

I’m going to-” Alejandro growled.

1

“Let Azura handle it.” Kiara cut in firmly.

“Dad, Alejandro, Liam, look…

I know that not every mate is worth fighting for, but Leo does have a good heart.

Deep down I feel if he just let it go, he would be the best mate for Azura…

if he knew-" I placed a finger on my lips, not putting it past him to have maybe bugged the place.

“I’m sure he’d take care of her.” Kiara continued.

"Also, Alejandro was horrible until Kiara made him into her big puppy! I’m sure Azura can do the same with Leo! Only a Westwood woman can tame aRossi!" Raven exclaimed.

4 I didn't know what to say, knowing Nikki was there in his bed…

I wouldn't fight for him when he didn't want me...

Well, aside from physically.

I also didn’t want to burst her poor bubble.

I looked at Dad and Mama, Dad looked pissed, his jaw clenched, his eyes hard.

"I don't get why both my girls were mated to Rossi’s…

Wasn't the pain that one of them went through, enough?" A Alejandro frowned, but he said nothing, a glimmer of guilt inhis eyes, clearly knowing what Dad said was true.

Kia gave his arm a gentle squeeze, leaning into him.

She had forgiven him, and they were one of the best couples around.

"I want to fucking punch him a few times myself.

Call me selfish, but is it wrong that I do think perhaps it is Azura who can make him let go of the bitterness and hatredfrom within him? That she'll be the one to melt his heart of ice that he's let harden with all the anger that has consumed him? Just the way Amore Mio did to me...

I'm not saying you shouldn't fucking be pissed Elijah, but the fact that another of your daughters is mated to a Rossi just shows they are fucking strongenough to deal with us." Alejandro said, smoking

his cigarette.

"She's also right, Leo is similar to me and although she and Kiara are opposites, both are strong women.” 2 “So you’re saying, tolet her stay there, when goddess knows how he's treating her?" Liam asked with concern and irritation in his eyes.

"You made mistakes too, Liam." Elijah reminded him, rubbing his temples.

“If he hurts her…

I won't care who he is..." His threat remained open, the anger in his eyes as they bumed bright, cobalt blue.

Indigo…

I knew he would still never forgive himself for what she went through…

Liam didn't reply, obviously remembering what he had done in his past…

Their story was complicated, and although it was a long time ago, it just showed no one was perfect.

These men before me loved their mates with their entire soul and being, yet they had made mistakes.

1 "I won't let anyone hurt me, I'm not weak.

I will come home if I realise it's not worth staying here…” I promised.

Mama nodded slowly.

"Ok, and I expect at least a call or message every day.” She said firmly.

I nodded.

“Ok, promise.” I replied.

"I know you'll be able to get through to him." Alejandro said quietly.

“No fucking pressure.

It's something I never managed to do but I hope you can.” Kiara looked at him gently, sympathy in her eyes as she leaned intohim.

"And it's not your duty to, if he doesn't treat you right, come home angel.” Dad said firmly.

Mama simply gave me a faint smile.

“Whatever you do, we are here for you.

You are a woman who can make her own choices.

Just do what you feel is right and think before you act.” Yeah, I never did think…

I nodded, I felt awful…

both Marcel and Alejandro had hope in me…

I bid farewell to them before ending the call and slumping back against the sofa, staring at the ceiling.

Even if he didn't show it, it was obvious he had hope that I could get through to Leo.

I don't know how they expected me to do that.

The guy was so damn stubborn! Telling them had made it all the more real…

so goddamn real…

I don't see Leo and I having a serious conversation at all.

Ever.

But wait, wasn't that a serious conversation earlier? I ran my fingers through my hair, sighing heavily as I staredat the ceiling.

How could I try when he had Nikki? 1 I sighed, standing up and walking over to the window, I opened itrelishing in the fresh hair.

I preferred it over air conditioning.

I rested my arms on the windowsill, and my chin on top of my arms, gazing down at the glittering lights of themini-city.

Leo’s pack – It sure was beautiful…

I heard a faint bang, and I froze looking at the wall next to me.

Wasn't that Jackie's apartment? I walked closer to the wall, but I didn’t hear anything.

Hmm.

I'm so bored! What shall I do? Maybe I Another thud made me freeze, and I stared at thewall.

It didn’t sound normal…

The first thing that came to my mind was that they were having sex, but the random bangs didn’t add up…

Should I just go and ask if everything was ok? I’m sure it wasn’t someone breaking in…

Being as bored as I was and wanting to get out of here, I decided to just check up for my own piece ofmind.

Leo never really said I can’t leave…

Did he? I couldn’t remember.

Oh well, who cares, he wanted me here.

I left my apartment silently and I hadn't even shut my door, when across the hall Jackie’s door opened andEmmet stormed out.

He was angry, scratch that, he was fucking fuming.

He didn't even see me as he stormed to the lift swearing under his breath.

I guess he was throwing things in anger.

Men…

Once the lift started descending, I walked over to Jackie's door and rang the bell.

She was nice and I bet she was feeling down.

Maybe I could cheer her up and I wouldn't feel so bored either.

The door opened to reveal a distraught Jackie.

"Emmet ple-" She stopped in her tracks as she stared up at me in fear as she realised I was not Emmet.

I was seeing red She had a bruise on her jaw, and I could see the finger marks andblood around her neck where it was obvious she had been grabbed by a clawed hand.

4

Oh hell no.

1 Both our hearts were thumping for very different reasons.

"This isn't what it looks like." She whispered, but the way she was shaking, trying to cover her neck and theway her heart was thumping...

Lies.

He hurt her.

He fucking hurt her.

"What the hell happened?" I asked quietly, trying to control the rage within me.

“Azura, this is nothing.

Please just don’t tell anyone.

I haven't told anyone your secret." She was blackmailing me, but the thing is, I would sacrifice my own secrets and so much more thanlet something like this go.

"Go back to your apartment." She said softly, fear and confusion clear on her face at my silence.

I nodded slowly, and she looked at me.

"Promise me you won't tell the Alpha." "Promise." I said quietly.

She searched my face which was expressionless, before nodding in relief.

“Thanks, he was just a little angry.” She whispered.

Yeah, and he’s fucking dead.

I nodded and she closed the door.

I counted to ten, my eyes flashing silver before I tumed and ran to the lift.

I may not tell Leo, but I was going to deal with him myself.

How dare he…

He was supposed to be the Delta…

and he fucking hurt his mate? Not on my fucking watch.

I hit the lift to the ground floor ready to unleash hell on the fucking bastard.