Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire

69. Burning Emotions

AZURA

My heart shattered watching Leo on his knees, cradling her body to his chest. Not one sound left him, but the pain and anguish that radiated off him was something I didn‘t even need the mate bond to feel. It filled the air and I had never seen him so… vulnerable.

The man that tried not to show emotions, who was always strong and cold, was now broken. Devastated by the loss of his loved ones. I wished I could turn back time and stop this from happening. I wish I could take his pain and make it my own.

Why her?

I wish I had called her last night... she must have been hoping I got her message.

Jackie...

I simply knelt behind him placing my arm around his shoulders, hoping it gave him some reprieve from the pain and heartbreak he was experiencing. His thudding heart was beating far faster than it should.

Closing my eyes, I tried to squash the guilt that was consuming me.

I brought Judah to them... I cost him his sister… and a best friend.

I made sure my walls were up, and never had I ever reinforced them as much as I did now. I didn‘t want to let him know how I was feeling. Not wanting to add to his pain.

Biting my lip, I held him tightly from behind, squeezing my eyes shut, trying to control the burning pain that was rushing through me.

Breathe…

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn‘t even notice the door open behind me, until Emmet‘s angry shouts reached me.

“Don‘t touch her!”

My eyes flew open to see Eric and another guard holding him by the arms, his hands were bound, and although he couldn‘t awaken his wolf, he was staring at Leo with such hatred that it made up for the lack of his wolf‘s rage. My own anger flashed through me, hating how he was staring at Leo.

“Watch your tone.” I growled.

He sneered at me, as he looked me over as if he had just seen me. “Ah… the one whose fault all of this is...”

A pang of pain rushed through me. My fault...

Leo‘s eyes flashed as he looked up, brushing strands of Jackie‘s hair back. “Be happy I‘m allowing you to see her when you don‘t even fucking deserve that.” He said, his voice dead of emotion and ice–cold. His aura suddenly grew as his eyes flashed. “And one more word against Azura...” He left his threat hanging.

“Let me see her!” He struggled against the men holding him, but he was weakened. “Don‘t do this Emmet!” Eric growled; his voice strained. Leo stood up, lifting Jackie‘s body gently and placed her on the table. Planting a kiss on her forehead. He turned to Emmet, his arm possessively moving me behind him as if he didn‘t even want Emmet to look at me. “I am the one who is allowing you to fucking be here, so show some respect to her and stop acting like a fucking prick.” Emmet

room like a beast ready to destroy, his blazing steel blue eyes glaring at Emmet as he advanced on him. “For her sake, I am not going

of his voice. “For someone who just lost their mate, I can‘t figure out why you aren‘t running to her side to hold her.” Leo snarled venomously, clenching his fists as he glared at the man before him. “She was ready to reject

see the sadness in his eyes, but I was unsure if it was him or the bond... He had just lost his other

was.

arm went around my shoulders, guiding me towards the door at the same time Eric and the guard moved Emmet closer to Jackie. Eric was crying as his eyes fell on her corpse. I moved away from Leo, placing

and I

said quietly, holding his hand out to me. I nodded and made my way over

frown deepened as he looked over his shoulder at Emmet. “Excuse

growl left Leo‘s lips as he turned, lunging at Emmet. “I will kill you.” He growled venomously, slamming Emmet to the ground, and punching him across the face, making blood spray from his nose. His heart was beating, and Emmet simply laughed. “So much for respecting Jackie.” “Leo come on.” I said going over to them, I glared down at Emmet, as I forced Leo off him.” He isn‘t worth your time.” “Get him

around him. Emmet shook his head as Eric and the other guard restrained him, pulling him to his feet. “Go … but this is all the elites are good for... causing death... To protect them, once more a few more of us lost our lives. Congratulations Westwood, you‘re the reason she‘s dead.” Guilt enveloped me

reason she was dead... I cast Judah‘s shadow over this pack... I am the reason she‘s gone. Emmet wasn‘t

died because of me because I made the mistake of getting entangled with someone as sick

down her

I looked at them, both devastated at the loss of someone

was selfish.. The moment Leo‘s hands went to her waist, I turned away. I couldn‘t focus anymore; everything was a mess, and the excruciating pain in my head was about to burst. Why did I even think I could make a

run.

I felt like my entire body was fighting against me. I was the reason behind this. All I do is take the lives of those around me. I stumbled into the fresh air, my heart pounding as I fell to my knees heaving, the blinding light around me felt too much. Go away! Let me stay in the darkness. Wrapping

I was going to kill him. Judah had fucking messed with

unable to stop the scream of anguish as

“Azura...”

energy radiating off me. I looked around, but all I could see was the blinding silver and gold flames surrounding

Flames?

as my gaze dipped down, and I realised that

emanating from me.

A flame–like aura...

around me, taking away the crippling edge from the pain and

It was my fault.

is your fault.’ Leo‘s voice came as he fought against the surging aura

that, to feel like it wasn‘t my

strained, his heart thumping as he held me in his arms,

off me... so similar

caught me as darkness blanketed the area around

you‘re hurting... but if that bitch touches you even once more... I will destroy her Leo. “I hissed, trying to find an outlet for my emotions. I glared up at him, only for my anger to dissipate when I looked into his eyes. “Understood... but if you stayed a moment longer, you‘d have noticed that I only touched her to get her off me.” He said quietly. Gazing into his blue eyes, I wanted to argue, but

me feel

looked... I‘m assuming that‘s the