Page 78 of Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire
I couldn’t get into it after meeting Azura, no matter how much I had fucking tried. Sure, we fucked, but it was to get it out of my system, and it began to leave a bitter taste in my mouth after it was over with.
We end our training session. Usually, we head back to shower and stuff, but I planned to stop to see Jackie at the hospital. I told him I’d be going for a jog.
I have justknocked on Jackie’s office door when she calls me in. I step inside, shutting the door behind me. That distinct hospital smell lingers, despite the lavender air freshener.
“Leo.” She sounds surprised as she stands up, looking nervous. That’s new. Jackie never gets nervous if I show up. “You just finished your training session… with Emmet.”
“I do hope you aren’t mind-linking him right now, Jackie,” I reply, walking over to the desk. She shakes her head, her heart racing as I look her square in the eyes.
“No, of course not. Why would I?”
“Good. I have a question or two, and I do hope you answer them correctly. “She nods.
“Emmet told me what happened last night. So did Eric. I want you to answer my questions with a simple yes or no. Did Emmet hurt you last night?” Her heart is thumping, and she nods hesitantly.
“Yes, but it wasn’t -”
I raise my finger in warning, and she falls silent. That is a truth. I brace my hands on her desk, leaning closer. My eyes meet hers that now hold fear. What’s to be afraid of if you have nothing to hide? Emmet must have told her our conversation, and theywould stick to the same story.
“Is this the first time it has happened?”
“Yes.”
That was a lie. She is nowhere as good at lying as Emmet… which means Emmet is abusing her… I nod.
“L-Leo, he just, it was just a one-off, he didn’t mean to hurt me.”
“If it happens again, you are to tell me immediately,” I state, my voice overlayed with my wolf’s, my Alpha command resonating through my words. Fear fills her eyes, and it fucking irritates me that this is someone I thought could share anything with me. “I’m still the Leo you grew up with, Jackie. You can share your problems with me. I may not be the official Alpha… but I will have your back,” I reply quietly. She nods, looking away, and I turn and leave the office.
The moment I leave the hospital, I break into a run, my mind a storm of emotions and thoughts. Emmet will be removed from his position as Delta until I see how things go. Even if he said it was a one-time thing, that would have been enough to remove him from a position of power…
The wind rushes through my hair as I speed up, pushing myself to my limits, moving faster and faster. The urge to shift is intense, but I refuse.
I thought I was doing a good job, and I had always remained approachable to the pack members. Is this it? Does no one see me as someone they can confide in? Why has it taken someone who has only been here for a mere few days to point this out to me? Had Nikki never seen the signs? Had I never seen them? Will this pack continue to support one another when I am no longer around?
Sharp pains rip through my stomach, and I grit my teeth, pushing onwards. I see black spots blur my vision, but I’m not going to let it get to me. I can taste blood in my mouth and swearinternally.
What will happen to this pack when I’m gone?
What about Corrado?
I keep going, hearing my heart pounding, the rush of my blood loud in my ears as my body screams with the flaring pain that now rushes through it. Endora’s torture has left me with unhealable internal damage… and it is catching up to me…
I know I don’t have much time left.
Crepes with Corrado
Azura
The door shuts behind Leo, and I let out the breath I was holding. It’s weird. I don’t know if I prefer him in the suit that he was wearing last night, his leather jacket, or in those sweatpants.Fuck, this guy is far sexier than he should even be allowed to be.
I miss my own workouts, but being pregnant and with everything going on, I have fallen behind. I know that training during pregnancy is fine as long as you don’t have any frontal impact on the stomach.
“Let’s eat, Azura. Daddy makes the best food,” Corrado declares, drawing me out of my thoughts. Leo made these…
I don’t even know what to think as I sit down, my heart still racing from the way he had brushed my arm on purpose. What does he want from me?
I look at the plate in front of me, crepes folded into triangles drizzled with Nutella, a dusting of icing sugar, and strawberries on top. So aesthetically pleasing. This plate looks almost as good as Leo. Almost.
