Page 128 of Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire
Urgh, I’m going to blame the pregnancy hormones, this is not meant to be emotional! How the hell is Leo so stiff and cool? I know both are hurting and it makes my heart ache to witness this... Life really is short, and looking at Marcel now, I realise in a way, he really is alone... no mate, and his own son has pushed him away. Even if he does have other family, it isn’t the same.
Damn it, hug him.
Slowly, Leo raises his arms, embracing his father, and I smile down at Corrado, who is watching with wide eyes. I am sure even he realised his father isn’t very close to Marcel. I hope that changes going forward…
“I have never seen Daddy hug Grandad,” he says in a loud whisper.
Marcel chuckles as Leo moves back. He is as stoic as ever, but when our eyes meet, he is unable to hide the fact that they are full of emotions. I know it wasn’t easy for him… but I truly am proud of him.
“Come on over here, son.” Marcel motions him over, his arm still around Leo’s shoulders as Leo simply takes a drag on the cigarette he is still holding.
“Group hug!” Corrado exclaims, running over to them.
“Yes, you, too, Azura.” Marcel smiles. My eyes widen slightly, not expecting that.
“I don’t think -”
“Come on, Azura, we are having a family hug!” Corrado says, turning and beckoning me over.
“Family hug…” I place my hand on my stomach for a second, feeling Leo’s eyes on me, before I walk over to them as Marcel lifts Corrado into his arms.
“Yes, Azura is family, isn’t she?” He asks Corrado as I stop a little away, feeling awkward. Leo’s scent doesn’t help matters either…
With Marcel’s hands busy, does he expect me to hug Sexy Alpha Dickface? No, I’m so not going to do that. I’m still going to get that staple gun and execute my revenge…
“Yes, she is. We are going to keep her,” Corrado whispers into Marcel’s ear, making my eyebrow shoot up. He lets out a laugh before nodding.
“Yes, I like the idea.” Leo frowns.
“Are we done yet?” He asks coldly.
“Oh no, Daddy, we have to have a group hug!” Corrado reminds him, holding his arm out to me.
At the same moment, Leo reaches out, his arm snaking around my waist as he pulls me close
My heart pounds, the electrifying sparks of the bond dizzying. Our eyes meet for a moment, and I can hear his heart deceive him. So close… yet so far away… I place my hand on his shoulder, placing my other hand on Marcel’s back. Forcing my gaze away from Leo’s, I rest my head against Corrado’s. He giggles, resting his hand on top of mine.
“I love you, Azura!” My heart thunders as I look up into that innocent face of his.
“I love you, too,” I whisper. Reaching up, I kiss his nose and smile at him. Somehow this little gem has made a special space inside of my heart. There are just too many emotions inside of me…
Deep down, past that stubborn ass exterior of mine, is it wrong that I want this? Want Leo… want to have Corrado in my life? Want Marcel to get to see his next grandchild grow up around him, too?
My breath hitches when I feel Leo’s fingers caress the side of my stomach. My heart pounds as I turn my eyes hesitantly to his. Those icy blues that I love so much stare back into mine with such intensity that I almost forget to breathe.
“I’ll put them…” We all turn to see Winona standing there holding some dress bags, freezing in her tracks as she realises the room isn’t empty. “I’m so sorry,” she says quickly, looking flustered, as Leo moves back first.
“Not at all,” Marcel says, smiling slightly. “We were just having a moment, and I appreciate all the help. You didn’t have to do any of this.” He walks over to her, and she smiles slightly, nodding.
“Thank you, Alpha,” she replies, looking down at the bags.
“I’ll take them,” Marcel offers. “We all need a change of clothes anyway.”
I watch curiously, wondering what those clothes are for. Marcel’s words make me realise I have put paint on Leo, andCorrado has put some in my hair and all over Marcel.
“Ah, this one is yours,” Marcel says, passing one of the bags back to her. Winona looks at him, surprised.
“Alpha, I can’t accept this…” She turns to Leo for help, looking confused.
