Page 175 of Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire
“Stop!” I command sharply, taking hold of her arms and moving her back. She collapses to the floor, and Alejandro is by her side in a flash, scooping her up into his arms. Azura’s heart is pounding, and when Kiara looks at me, I know what her next words are going to be.
“I’m sorry, I’m unable to heal you,” she whispers, her gaze going to Alejandro, who looks shocked. There it is - the concern, worry, and sadness as he looks at me, but I know as long as I don’t look at Azura, I’ll be okay…
Her arms tighten around my neck, and trickles of her thoughts and emotions seep into my mind. Her worry and pain. Her fear of losing me, of our children losing me. Her terror of nothing being able to heal me. I can feel her body shaking a little, and despite the fact that it is going to fucking break me, I pull her into my lap, wrapping my arms around her.
The moment our eyes meet, I realise she is fighting herself not to cry, and it fucking hurts. This is the pain I wanted to keep her from… I can’t give her the life she wants…
“I was expecting that answer anyway,” I tell Kiara and Alejandro, who are obviously conversing through the link from the looks on their faces. Azura shifts, straddling me, and locks her arms around my neck tightly. I close my eyes, inhaling her scent deeply as I caresses her back.
“It ain’t fucking over until we have drained every fucking avenue. How long do you have?” Alejandro growls. I lean back slightly, my hands on Azura’s ass, making sure my face is still set in the same “I don’t give a fuck” expression.
“A month or two max, if that,” I reply coldly.
“And you didn’t think to seek out help earlier?” Alejandro frowns. “Does Marcel know?” My irritation rises. I know he is fucking worried, but I don’t need to explain shit to him.
“I never fucking realised it was that serious until it was far too fucking late, and it wasn’t like I was going to ask the very same people who I didn’t want to fucking face,” I growl, unable to keep my anger at bay.
“We’re family, Leo, and -”
“And what? I fucking told you I didn’t think it was fucking serious!” I growl, my aura raging around me.
“You shouldn’t have taken the fucking chance. You have a son, and what about your father?” Alejandro shoots back, his aura filling the air. I place Azura down and stand up, glaring at the man who stands opposite me. Our Alpha auras rage around us so intensely you can feel it. Blazing red eyes meet magnetic blue.
“I’m not a fucking god that I can see the future. Now end this shit. It’s fucking done. Don’t make me regret even allowing Kiara to try,” I snarl, my eyes flashing.
“This isn’t over, Al – relax. I know you’re upset,” Kiara whispers, cupping his face and forcing him to look at her.
“Fucking hell,” I mutter, taking out a packet of cigarettes and taking one between my lips.
“Still, he tried to deal with that shit alone.” Alejandro growls, “He may not care for us but I fucking care.”
“I know, baby.”
Dickhead.
“You don’t fucking know me, so don’t think you know shit,” I growl back.
“Stop it. Both of you,” Azura snaps, standing up. When she places her hand on my shoulder as she looks between us, it is clear she is angry as much as she is upset.
“There’s no point in ifs and buts. It’s happened, and I’m not able to heal him. We need to find a solution,” Kiara says quietly.
“Yeah, and he’s trying, okay? Despite everything he’s been through, he’s trying to be a better person, Alejandro! Try to see that. I get that you are upset, but this is hard for him, too,” Azura adds, her eyes flashing with pain and frustration. Alejandro’s eyes meet hers. A frown on his face.
“Then he better fucking try harder to live,” he growls, his eyes flashing once more before he turns and storms out of the room. Kiara looks at Azura and me apologetically.
“He’s just hurt. I told him only a little earlier… I hoped I could fix it - he feels he failed you entirely,” she whispers, reaching over as she places a hand on both our cheeks before she looks down. “We will find a way. There’s Delsanra, Raihana, and maybe Dante might have the answer… we are going to figure this out… excuse me.”
“Thanks for trying,” I say when she turns to leave. I don’t even look at her, simply smoking my cigarette. She sighs softly, and I see her nod sadly before she leaves.
“We will find a way,” Azura murmurs, and I look down at her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders.
“Yeah,” I murmur while kissing her forehead softly. She leansinto me, and just then there is a light knock on the half-open door.
“Mind if I come in?” Dante asks, entering anyway. Azura turns to him, her heart racing, and I know she is about to ask him for help.
“Give us a minute, beautiful?” I ask quietly. It is obvious Dante wants to talk about something, and I really don’t want her to hear any more bad news today.
“Why can’t I be here?” She asks. I kiss her lips slowly, and she sighs in frustration. “One minute,” she says, frowning.
