Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire

14. Discussions & Decisions LEO.

I switched the coffee machine on, smoking a cigarette as I leaned against the worktop, looking down at my arm. The wound was long gone, but the memory remained. She was a fucking psycho, who the fuck went around stabbing people with whatever shit they had at hand?!

I overreacted. 1

I know I fucking did, but the moment Corrado started to show off his doll… I wanted her out of my life. I needed her gone, but I also knew she had reasons that were forcing her to stay, none that involved me. There was something that she was running from, and I was certain it was linked to whatever the fuck happened that night. 1 If I was able to find out, I could have it dealt with, and then tell her she was safe to leave early.

Her phone. I needed to get to work on that shit. “Good morning, Daddy.” Corrado said, as he came out of his bedroom with Winona. “Good morning, you sleep ok?” I asked, crouching down and ruffling his hair. He smiled at me and nodded, giving me a hug. “I slept the best, and Simon the robber slept with me! I want to go to Azura’s again today, ok? She said I can!” 1 I resisted frowning, hiding my irritation as I ruffled his hair. “Don’t you want to hang with Jackie or Nikki instead? Or Winona, I’m sure she takes good care of you?” “But Azura is so fun.” He said.

Yeah, she was fun, and a complete psycho! You never knew what shit she’s going to pull next.

“She even made a doll that looked like you, Daddy!” 11

I raised an eyebrow. “Did she now?”

“Yeah, she said it’s not you but it did look like you.” He grinned as Winona began taking things out for breakfast. I stood up, lifting Corrado onto the worktop. “I’ll make breakfast for us today.” I told her, she had already gotten him dressed.

I had a bit of time before Emmet showed up anyway, and I needed to explain to this kid that he was not to see her again. 1 “Are you sure, Alpha?”

I nodded, and just as she was about to leave, I spoke to her through the mind link.

‘He is not to meet Azura. She is a guest here, nothing more. I don’t trust her entirely. Be more careful next Winona, not everyone who appears to be good is good.’ 1 “Sorry Alpha, I will keep that in mind.’

‘It’s fine.’

‘Thank you, I’ll be back at noon?’

‘Perfect.

She lowered her head to me before closing the door behind her.

“So, what do you want to eat, kid?”

“Pancakes.” He replied without even thinking.

“Pancakes it is, Nutella?”

“Yes, and fruit!”

Flipping the kettle switch on, I took the readymade mix out, adding water before getting the pan. He watched me, smiling happily, and I ruffled his hair before I began on the pancakes. “Thank you for spending time with me, Daddy.”

This kid could induce so many fucking emotions from me, I don’t even know how. I gave him a one-armed hug, squeezing him.

“You don’t need to thank me for anything. I told you that.” I reminded him, pouring some boiling water into a large bowl.

“Yes, but I want to.” He smiled as I flipped the pancakes, adding some Nutella to a small bowl and placing it in the boiling water to soften.

He sighed heavily, and I glanced at him as I took the three pancakes out and added some more. “What’s up?” I asked him, waiting for the second batch to be done. “You know Azura? She can’t cook. She said making sandwiches was cooking.” 2

My heart fucking did some weird shit. I hated when I learned new shit about her, because I hated how it fucking caught my attention. She was a Westwood, remember that Leo.2

“Yeah?”

“‘Yes.”

on top before slicing some strawberries and raspberries, scattering them over the pancakes. I

added as I lifted him down from the worktop and carried his breakfast to the table.

a friend, so you need to stay away from

bottle of milk. Pouring him a glass before picking up my own coffee, I carried both to the table

anyone to play with.” “Corrado, we have an

at the mention of his friends at school, he had just started but he was 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 was a mature kid in many ways, he didn’t really get on with the other kids his age, and those a little older didn’t really mix with him due to the age gap. He also wasn’t interested in playing ball as much as he liked watching it, preferring to

and rolled his eyes as if I had just asked a dumb question. “Daddy? Did you marry the first girl you liked?” 2 I raised

as he obeyed her blindly… the scary reminder that I was on my own… Even though he didn’t remember half of what he was forced to do, I did. I remembered it all… The horrors of life without even an ounce of daylight. Every night I fell

glancing towards my bedroom door. She was probably still asleep… I knew I had been avoiding her

Seeing Azura here had made it fucking weird. Sure, I ended it with her, but… try fucking someone when the woman you’re

I’m not considering

my mate and it was over. I never wanted a mate, nor did I ever

know her name, but I was ready to make this shit work, but then I learned of her identity… I couldn’t accept her… Fuck, how do you accept someone who would never share the

Westwood by blood, but she was by birth and upbringing… 1 “Nikki said

me look at him sharply. “What do you

on the phone to the birds, and they were saying that because you made a mistake, she should ask you.” He continued, eating

S

meant her screechy nasal-voiced friends who I couldn’t fucking stand. – Marriage… Why couldn’t anyone just take life a day at a fucking time? “Hmm.”

me a grin as he ate

the best

“I’m glad, kid.”

‘Leo, I’m outside.

without me?” “Sorry, Daddy made them, and you know Daddy only

fact that he was my number one perfectly. “Damn Leo, I’m sure a few more won’t make a difference?” Emmet said, dropping into

as fuck, and I don’t even want to think about the consequences if we’re

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

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,

know what I’m

who

room, Daddy.” He suggested, knowing

Smart pup.

I ruffled his hair as he gulped his

up, turning the TV in his room on from my watch and headed

Where are you going to

some. When I’m done, I will become one of

him come, the next time he crosses my path I will kill

as questions me-” “I put you in that position Emmet, we both know the truth, you work for me, not Marcel.” I warned icily, lighting another cigarette. He sighed but nodded. “I know man, but the Alpha said if you settle down and shit, he’ll pass the title to you… Are you going to mark Nikki soon? Do it. She’s hot and I’m sure she’s good for you, you haven’t been in any relationship longer than a year before her.” 1 “Yeah,

will be back soon right. What is

home.” I replied, ignoring his

dismissal and stood

owe those Elite anything, all they fucking did was ruin our lives.” Emmet said coldly, his eyes

I nodded.

nothing can change me.” “Good man, you know they’re all manipulative and fake. Oh yeah, all ok with you and the