Page 44 of Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire
“I had a feeling you might come back,” he says, making my heart race a little. Why did he think that? Is he on to something?
“Oh, great, I just came to let you know that I’m leaving soon. Me and my… mate... just won’t work, so I’m going to end it and leave,” I say, feeling a wave of pain wash through me. How the fuck is this hurting me? Marcel smiles slightly, but his eyes hold emotions I can’t read.
“I see.”
Not what I was expecting but okay.
“Well, goodbye. I know my visit was super short, but I did get a look around the pack, and it’s incredible. I think as a member of the Blood Moon Alpha family, I am lucky to even have a chance to see this place. Thank you for the delicious barbeque.” I don’t know what else to say, and turn to leave.
“Is it selfish of me to wish that you tried harder?” His voice is quiet, but the words scream in alarm within my head. My heart thuds, and I freeze, turning back sharply to the man that stands by the window, a few strands of my hair fall in front of my face. A wave of panic washes through me.
Calm down, he doesn’t know.
“He has a good heart… he has simply let it harden with bitterness and hatred. When he loves, he loves deeply.”
Leo, He is talking about Leo.
Shit.
He sighs, and looks at the sky.
“My brother, Rafael, once told me the story of Alejandro in his younger days. He was consumed by his own demons, and no matter what Rafael did, nothing brought him out fromthat darkness… until Kiara Westwood stepped into his life. She pulled him from the darkness and became his light. Without her, the Lycan King would not be the man he is today. There is only so much that a father or brother can do… but a mate, it’s a mate who is given that power and connection to guide their other halves.” Marcel now looks at me as I stand there, my chest heaving as I stare at him.
He knows the truth. I don’t know how, but he does. His words get to me. I know the story of Kiara and Alejandro. They are an epic couple, and their story will never be forgotten, but it is his next words that really hit home.
“When you were transferred into Scarlett’s womb, I was there. I saw Amelia perform that spell, and I knew from that day that you were destined for great things. You were destined to live because you were a survivor, you were strong enough to hold on after your mother’s heartbeat faded… perhaps it is only a Westwood woman who can tame a Rossi, who is so far gone that even I have lost faith.”
It isn’t just a statement. It is a silent plea for me to not leave. I look out into the hallway and step inside, closing the door silently behind me. I turn and look at him.
“He has a family already. He has Nikki. I am not going to take anyone’s man from them. I’m sorry, but if he was single, it would have been an entirely different story, but he isn’t,” I say, trying my best not to let my emotions show.
“But he marked you.”
“In a momentary lapse of judgement. A mistake. I’m sorry, Marcel, but that ship has sailed.” I open the door, pausing, my hand lingering on the oak door. “How did you figure it out?” He lets out a small chuckle, and I look at him.
“The boy can’t keep his eyes off you. He may have thought I’d buy it but putting you in the closest apartment to him is the first red flag, and the rest all fell into place. However, the one thingthat determined the truth is your mark. A lotus before a crescent moon… so similar to my mark that once adorned his mother’s neck.” His voice is deep, yet the emotions in it are powerful, and I realise for him, I am the hope he has waited for, to bring change to Leo…
But the thing is, he is not Alejandro, and I am not Kia.
“I’m sorry… but I will never be the cause of a relationship being destroyed. Goodbye, Alpha Marcel.”
He doesn’t reply, and as I close the door behind me, I realise that me being pregnant with Marcel’s second grandchild means I will never truly be free from Leo... from this connection.
That’s why you will reject him, Azura. Before you leave.
A Memory
Leo
Ilook at my phone. The message is crystal clear, but even then, I have to fucking read it a few times. I’m going to be leaving. With Marcel here, I don’t think it’s smart for me to linger. Arrange me a car, or at least let your security know to let me out.’
She is leaving. Just like I fucking wanted…
There is no relief, nor fucking excitement at the fact that she is because once she’s gone, Marcel will have a shit-ton of questions for me to answer, why didn’t I fix stuff with her ‘mate’, and then Corrado will do my fucking head in about why I let her go.
Stop fucking with yourself Leo, you know that isn’t the reason.
I light a cigarette, taking a drag on it as I stare at the phone, slowly letting out a string of smoke. It is for the better that she leaves. Her being here is fucking with me. I text her back that I’ll come to get her, but she asks for an hour in return.
