Page 34 of Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire
“But I really get bored. I don’t have anyone to play with.”
“Corrado, we have an entire pack here. What about Amanda and Jake?” He scrunches his face at the mention of his friendsat school. He has just started, but he is already a grade ahead of the rest of his age group. I made sure he focused on learning the moment he showed signs of being ready.
“I don’t like Jake anymore, and Amanda cries all the time.”
Corrado is a mature kid in many ways, he doesn’t really get on with the other kids his age, and those a little older don’t really mix with him due to the age gap. He also isn’t interested in playing ball as much as he likes watching it, preferring to colour and paint in his free time.
“What about the other one, what’s her name… Anita? Didn’t you say you are going to marry her?” He puts down his fork and rolls his eyes as if I have just asked a dumb question.
“Daddy? Did you marry the first girl you liked?” I raise an eyebrow. The kid has a point.
The first girl I liked… I don’t remember her name… but I remember she was killed back in the caverns because her father refused to obey Endora. I remember those days still… seeing the blank look in Dad’s eyes as he obeyed her blindly… the scary reminder that I was on my own… even though he doesn’t remember half of what he was forced to do, I do. I remember it all. The horrors of life without even an ounce of daylight. Every night I fell asleep, not knowing who would be dead the following morning.
“Daddy!” I glance at him, picking up my coffee as he pulls me from my thoughts.
“Yeah?”
“Will you marry Nikki?” He whispers, glancing towards my bedroom door.
She is probably still asleep. I know I have been avoiding her because I just can’t get intimate with her lately. Seeing Azura here has made it fucking weird. Sure, I ended it with her, but… try fucking someone when the woman you’re fucking distracted by is in the same building.
“Probably not, kid. I’m not considering marrying her. Now, drink up.”
I run my fingers through my hair, thinking back to that night. I was ready to come home and tell Nikki I had found my mate and it was over. I never wanted a mate, nor did I ever try to look for her, but when I ended up marking her, I knew I needed her. I craved her, and so did my wolf. I didn’t even know her name, but I was ready to make this shit work, but then I learned her identity… I couldn’t accept her. Fuck, how do you accept someone who would never share the same views as you? I know she isn’t biologically a Westwood by blood, but she is by birth and upbringing…
“Nikki said you will.” Corrado’s words make me look at him sharply.
“What do you mean?”
“She was on the phone to the birds, and they were saying that because you made a mistake, she should ask you,” he continues, eating his food contently, chocolate covering his lips. Birds. He means her screechy nasal-voiced friends who I can’t fucking stand.
Marriage… why can’t anyone just take life a day at a fucking time?
“Hmm,” I reply, grabbing a tissue and wiping his face. He gives me a grin as he eats a strawberry.
“These are the best pancakes. Ever.”
“I’m glad, kid.”
Leo, I’m outside.
Come on in,I reply, unlocking the door via my smartwatch.
“Good morning, champ! Damn, pancakes without me?”
“Sorry, Daddy made them, and you know Daddy only cooks for me,” Corrado replies, making me smirk slightly. This kid knows the fact that he is my number one perfectly well.
“Damn, Leo. I’m sure a few more won’t make a difference?”Emmet says, dropping into the chair opposite me.
Is the shipment here yet?I question through the link.
No, tomorrow night. It’s a big one, Leo. Risky as fuck, and I don’t even want to think about the consequences if we’re caught.
No one will get caught. I’ve rewired security long enough for our shipment to get past the radar. This shipment alone will give us the money to set us ahead. Every child here will have funding in their bank to fall back on.
I love you, Leo, and I love how much you care for our pack… but risking it all just to make sure every child is financially set? This one was fucking risky. Come on, man, people can fend for themselves. You ain’t their fucking godfather to have to deal with everyone.
I know what I’m doing.
