Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire

Chapter 38

38. The Choice to Make

LEO.

It was the following day, and after crushing Corrado‘s heart last night, I felt fucking awful. He had been asleep on the sofa when I returned, the food uneaten still on the table. He had gone to sleep hungry...

So, the first thing I did this morning was promise him that tonight we were going to cook together, because Azura was going to come over. That had cheered him up and I was going to fucking make sure nothing fucked this up this time around. I had left him with Winona, they would go buy the list of groceries I had sent to her. I was currently in my office at headquarters, waiting for Jackie.

Last night I told Eric to make sure she stayed in her apartment until she was called for. Emmet was in a cell which would stop him from linking anyone and before I talked to him, it was Jackie I needed to deal with first.

The knock on the door made me look up, before it opened to reveal Eric, Nikki and Jackie. Jackie‘s eyes were bloodshot, and it was obvious she had cried a lot. Eric looked sympathetic, but I already had a word with him regarding Emmet. He had been there when shit went down anyway, and he knew what Emmet‘s temper was like. The two had never seen eye to eye often enough. 1

“Did I ask for an entourage to accompany her?” I asked. “She‘s in a state, Leo.” Nikki said, her own eyes shadowing when they fell to the mark on my neck. 4

Even with the tattoos on my neck, her mark wasn‘t hidden away... I won‘t deny that I examined it closely. It was a heart of fire in two shades, half was silvers and blues whilst the other was navy and blacks. It may look like a heart created from flames, but if you look closer, you could see that it was in fact, two wolf heads nuzzling together with fur made of fire. 14

Hurt flashed in her eyes before she looked away, placing her arm around her sister.

“I‘ll wait outside.” Eric said, giving a small nod.

I waited for the door to shut, as both sisters took the seats opposite to me.

‘Is it true that Azura is pregnant with your child?‘ Nikki‘s voice came through the link 2

My eyes flashed as I looked at her.

‘You know the answer to that already.‘

‘Wow.’ Her voice was bitter and irritated.

If Jackie wasn‘t here, I would have fucking snapped, but I didn‘t want to stress her out even more.

‘We did nothing wrong. She is my mate. My fucking mistake was not ending it with you that day I got back. For that, I‘m sorry alright, so let‘s end this shit now. We are over.‘ I replied icily. ‘I don‘t want to have this conversation with you again, so move the fuck on.‘

Her eyes glistened, and what fucking irked me was that her sister was in a state, and she was far more concerned about me. 6

‘Leo, you have ignored every message that –

“Leave.” I commanded. My eyes were enough of a warning, and she simply shook her head before standing up, and storming out. Once the door snapped shut behind her, I stood up and walked around the desk, leaning against it next to Jackie.

“I know this is all hard and although you are probably fucking confused about the entire situation, I need you to be honest.” I said leaning closer. My hands threaded together in front of me as I rested my elbows on my thighs.

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with glittering tears.

“I‘m so sorry, I didn‘t know he‘ll try to hurt her. If I knew you were her mate, I would have told you about the baby.” She sobbed, her face filled with guilt, before she broke into tears.

I frowned, not expecting that. “You knew about the baby?” I asked. She nodded, “She said to me to keep it quiet, because you knew who her mate was and that you might tell him, and he wasn‘t a good person... and when I found out she was mated in this

pack, I understood it. I‘m sorry.” I

“Don‘t apologise, you kept her word...”

Wait... did Emmet know... 1

My heart thumped, remembering Emmet‘s words.

‘I know your secret.‘ “Jackie. Did you tell Emmet?”

Her guilt–filled eyes met mine and she nodded.

“I never thought he‘d hurt her, especially since he knew...” She whispered.

My eyes blazed as white–hot pain lashed through me.

He kicked her in the stomach.

He intentionally targeted our pup. “Do you know where he hurt her?” I asked her, my voice shaking slightly, as I did my best to contain the searing rage that was rushing through me. “He kicked her in the fucking stomach.” 2 My voice was dangerous and menacing, and her face paled. She shook her head, clamping her hands over her mouth. “No... he–no... It‘s my fault, I shouldn‘t have–” * “No. It‘s his fucking fault, and he will pay for it. Emmet will not be pardoned for his fucking crimes.” 1

A sob left her as she crumbled in front of me, a woman who had been broken by her mate and

his actions. “What have I done... Emmet... why did he do this... Leo what if you let him go, don‘t let him stay in the pack. Exile him and –” **

“Do I look like a fool to you? If you set a criminal free, he will come back for revenge. This wasn‘t an accident or a crime committed by misjudgment, but one he carried out intentionally. Emmet not only abused you, but he also tried to harm an unborn pup and a pregnant woman. It doesn‘t matter if she is the rightful Luna of this pack, or the fact that that was my child he tried to hurt. They are crimes that I‘m not going to forgive, whether they were against an Alpha, or an Omega, and he will be punished.” My voice was cold but despite my calmness, there was no fucking way I was going to pardon him. 4

When an enemy walks free, they are a danger just waiting to happen. Emmet will stay in prison for life, or at least for the next thirty years, before I decide what to do with him... or... someone else does...

“Will you kill him?” She asked in a hoarse whisper.

“I want to. I want to rip him from limb, to fucking limb for what he did. Don‘t forget Jackie, he was like a brother to me too, but I won‘t do that, because it would cause your downfall if I did. “I replied quietly. “He hurt a baby.” She was crying again, rocking on her seat. I moved away from the desk, and instead crouched down in front of her.

“Jackie.” I took hold of her arms, hating seeing her like this. “Tell me, how long has he been hurting you. Please don‘t lie.” She didn‘t remove her hands from her face as she continued to sob, her pain and anguish clear. “It was on and off... Maybe it started a year after we were mated. It was just a shove or slap here and there, but then it became more frequent.” She whispered, her voice breaking. So for a few fucking years... “And not once did you think to tell me or Nikki?”

“He was your friend, and I love him.” She looked torn.

“Friend or not, I wouldn‘t side with someone because of who they are... I would have sided with the truth.”

Yet despite Azura just being a young woman, you straight up rejected her because of who her parents were. I sure was a fucking hypocrite. 2 “I‘m sorry I said that Azura lied that day. I owe her an apology and for spilling her secret... I‘m sorry.”

“The question is what will you do now? Emmet will be tried in front of the pack, and he will be fucking imprisoned, rest assured. But now it‘s on you. Will you stay as the mate of an abuser, someone who tried to kill an unborn child. Mated yet apart, or will you let him go and build your life once more?” I asked softly, I knew she was in pain, but she needed to make the decision. “It‘s not that easy, you mean rejecting him right? The pain of rejection after marking is devastating.” She whispered brokenly. Gone was the smiling woman who always cared for others... I just wished that she could smile

genuinely, not a fake mask whilst suffering inside. • “Rejection is terrifying...” She whispered. I know how painful rejection was… and I hate that I fucking put Azura through that... but what now? Do I somehow find someone to break the bond, so she can live when I die? I forced my attention back to the woman in front of me.

“I know it isn‘t, it will hurt, but with time those injuries will heal. He is an abuser Jackie, you deserve better.” I said quietly, giving her arm a gentle squeeze. “Whatever you decide, I won‘t judge you... but he will remain in prison for his crimes. The rest is up to you.” 1

She nodded brokenly. It wasn‘t going to be an easy decision, but it was up to her now. “Whatever I decide, will it affect anything else?” She asked, quietly wiping her cheeks only for more tears to fall.

“Only for yourself.” I replied.

She nodded, and we fell silent.

I stood up, leaning against my desk, and lit a cigarette.

“Leo... the Queen is here… Can you ask her for help?” She asked hesitantly.

My eyes flashed, and I frowned. “No, and I don‘t fucking want you mentioning that shit again.” I made sure to avoid Kiara, knowing she could fucking sense when someone was in pain. I needed them gone from here... I had already talked to Marcel, saying they needed to leave. I didn‘t want them overstaying their fucking welcome... 5

She didn‘t reply, simply nodding. “Can I have a week.... To decide?” She asked, fiddling with her fingers.

I nodded. “I haven‘t talked to him yet either, so I don‘t fucking kill him in the process. I need to cool down first too.”

She looked at me sadly and nodded. “I‘m sorry that he betrayed you too... I know you trusted him...”

“That‘s life, people come and go... You can‘t trust anyone, not even those who you may consider your own.” 2

“Not always, please don‘t let Emmet‘s betrayal remove you further from those who love you.” She pleaded gently, almost fearful. I didn‘t reply, my face an emotionless mask. “One week then... if you want to speak to him before that you can let me know. No one is to see him without my permission, and that includes you.” I said dismissively, not wanting to delve into my own matters.

“Ok” She replied quietly, getting up and walking to the door. “If you need to talk, I‘m here and there‘s many in this pack who will willingly lend an ear,

don‘t bottle that shit up inside.”

“You too.” She forced a smile, although I knew she was ready to break into tears again. The door shut behind her and I smoked my cigarette, lost in thought.

I wasn‘t ready to talk to Emmet yet. I had visited the confinement centre earlier, but I didn‘t go into his cell. He had been sitting on the bed, hands cupped behind his head, unmoving. But I wasn‘t ready... not yet... I needed to calm down first. I had spoken to Jax last night, and it was fucking obvious he hadn’t even realised when the drug had taken effect. Only Emmet would have the answer to what his aim was...

He wasn‘t meant to know Jax was there watching over Azura, but he had known he was there, and drugged him. So I wanted to know why he had targeted him, was it because he hadn‘t wanted anyone watching, or because I had lied that he was Azura‘s mate? Either way, I‘d fucking find out when I go to see him. I glanced at the time, I had been notified that a car had come to pick up Alejandro and Kiara, and that they would most likely leave soon.

Good.

I had a meeting to attend regarding the buyers of the shipment too. Plus, I had done some more research on this fucking Judah. I returned to my underground cave and began dealing with what I had to. Once this entire shipment was sold, I would have enough funding for all the pack pups. Enough for them to be settled, and live the life I wanted for them. I spent the next few hours trying to find more details on Judah, I had already sent Dan to see what he could find…

I was going to get to the bottom of this shit, one step at a time... 1

–––––

It was now evening and although the day had been fucking long, I couldn‘t deny that there was something about the evening to come I was looking forward to. For starters, the look on Corrado‘s face

when I returned on time. As he stood there in an apron and chef‘s hat that he must have picked up today, and it was enough to make me smile.

Winona had everything washed and set out for me, and from what I could tell, the place had been cleaned, not to mention it smelt of something citrus and deep.

I had got to work cooking and giving Corrado small jobs, knowing I didn‘t have much time. Winona had set the dishes before she had left us to it.

I hadn‘t really given Azura a time and so I had mind–linked her telling her to be here for seven. She had replied promptly, and now I was fucking feeling as if I was running out of time. “So Daddy, what have you cooked for Azura?”

“For us.” I stated.

“Yes, and for Azura.” Did he have to keep saying ‘for Azura?‘ I gave up arguing with the kid and added the diced peppers to the pan. “Spicy rice, grilled tandoori chicken, chips, and chilli cheese bites.”

“Daddy, you didn‘t cook the cheese bites.” “No, but you love them and I‘m still popping them in the air fryer. That counts as fuc cooking.”

He giggled and nodded, knowing I had almost swore.

“Ok! I hope Azura likes it, Daddy... What if she doesn‘t.” He stared at the food, and I raised an eyebrow

“I thought you liked the food I cooked.”

“I do, but what if Azura doesn‘t?” “And who cares, I‘m sure she‘d eat whatever considering she can‘t even cook.” I smirked.

“Oh yes. Azura can‘t cook... then she will like Daddy‘s food.” 2

Yeah, she fucking will.

I left the chicken on the griddle pan, and told Corrado to take the drinks from the fridge to the table. That would keep him busy long enough for me to get changed into something else. I left the lounge, and entered my bedroom. I entered the bathroom washing my face before I took out some black jeans and a black t–shirt. The bedding had been changed in here too. Running my fingers through my hair I returned to the lounge only to see Corrado fixing his shirt. He turned and gave me a megawatt smile. 2

“Do I look ok, Daddy?”

“You look great.” I replied as his eyes now examined me.

He frowned. “Why is Daddy not wearing something nice?” “I‘ve been working all day kiddo, I like what I‘m wearing.” “It‘s not a dinner outfit. Daddy, you look like a bad boy. Azura likes people who look smart!” , Na, she liked me just the way I fucking was. 3

“Well, the main thing is you look cute and smart, and this dinner is for you right?”

His smile returned with full force, and he nodded.

“Oh yes!” 1 I took the chicken off the grill and placed it onto the bed of salad, before covering the platter, and checking the chips. The door went and I stiffened, just the thought of being around her was extremely appealing, yet fucking confusing. Corrado ran to the door, waiting for me to open it. I crossed the room and opened the door. Her scent filled my senses, and I couldn‘t stop myself from looking her over. She was wearing a duck egg cropped off–shoulder knit top, with a black denim skirt, paired with over–the–knee heeled boots. The subtle touch of make–up only emphasised her gorgeous features. She was dressed to kill, and with her looking as sexy as hell, I knew this was going to be one fucking hard dinner. 2

“Hey boys.” She smiled, before crouching down and passing Corrado the gift bag that I hadn‘t even noticed she was carrying. I

“Hey Azura, oh thank you!” Corrado replied, peering into the bag before giving her a hug.

“You are most welcome!”

She stood up slowly, her gaze now turning to me, and it was fucking obvious that she liked me in whatever. I almost smirked when she couldn‘t stop herself from running her eyes over me appreciatively. 1 “Not going to invite me in?” She asked, her voice sounding dangerously seductive.

Our eyes locked before I stepped back slightly, giving her enough space to brush past me. The dangerous sparks of the bond surged through me at the light touch before she followed Corrado into the apartment. I shut the door, my eyes on her ass as she sauntered over to Corrado who was already giving her a tour of the place. Damn those legs were fucking fine...

Well, this sure was going to be ten fucking times harder than I thought.