Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire

10. Struggles

AZURA.

He had a family… I stared at the marble tiles of the shower walls, letting the water pour down my body.

Nikki is his woman, and the boy…

I closed my eyes, resting my forehead against the cool wall.

He had a son…

Why didn‘t I know this? Sure, I never cared about the latest news, but it was never something mentioned.

Sky or Kat would have mentioned it…

But then again, Leo has moved away from his family entirely.

Nikki seemed damn nice, and I had gone and slept with her man.

He was your mate, Azura.

Would he have broken up with her if I wasn‘t a Westwood? I don‘t know…

Why did he mark me then? Does he love her? Probably…

What he felt for me was just because of the bond…

I was the other woman.

My heart squeezed remembering the story of my biological mother.

Her mate cheated on her, in fact, I even had a brother thanks to his infidelity, a brother who has been desperately trying to get to know me, but it‘s been me who just hasn‘t wanted to.

I wasn‘t ready.I felt bitter…he was the reason Indigo ended up giving up the will to live.

I knew the story from Mama and Dad…

From the first time when they told me that I wasn‘t their biological child, like Kia and Liam…

(Flashback – Over nine years ago)

I stared at Mama and Dad, feeling worried.

They were on either side of me in my bed, but they wanted to talk to me about something.

Did they find out I cut the squares in Liam‘s underwear because he refused to allow me to taste whiskey? But…

I made sure I had an alibi…

Hmm, something wasn‘t right.

No wait, oh my god, they must have realised I emptied the pot of worms on that dumb boy’s head! But he was calling me names! No, wait…

What if they realised I‘m the one who made Jayce and Theo flood the bathrooms? Or wait, what if it– ! said, tapping my nose.

“Hey, stop overthinking it, Wildfire.” Dad

“I just want to say, whatever it is, I didn‘t do it.I‘ve done nothing at all.”

“We haven‘t said anything yet.” Mama added, looking amused.

“I know but it might be a trick, so whatever you think I‘ve done, I haven‘t done what you think I’ve done.” “You usually have done what we think you have done, but it‘s nothing of the sort, there‘s something we wanted to tell you.” Mama replied, wrapping her arms around me tightly as she smiled.

a breath of relief, wondering what it

Mama

I look like her, right? Are you missing her tonight?” I ask softly, looking up

with sadness, and

She responded softly, looking at

“Yeah…” Dad agreed.

when he looked at her picture

know Mama and Dad‘s parents were married, although Mama and Dad have never really mentioned it directly, I

accept that their love was meant to be, even if

having a secret love

is only because you deserve to know the truth, it doesn‘t

I frowned but nodded.

life occurred, she was pregnant, but she wanted to help us against the evil.It cost her,

I frowned.

about her baby then, didn‘t

tensed, then I saw

gave her

do something to protect everyone because without us winning, things would have been terrible for us.When she was

I not? You all make sure I remember her

would have loved

it she placed the

brows,

became a beautiful little soul with lots of spark.” Mama added, her eyes glistening

Mama‘s tummy…

now…” I asked, that battle

Wait…

Did they mean…

said

heart thudded loudly in my chest as I realised

was Mama Indy‘s

felt

No, I can‘t be…

look like

knew it was

didn‘t care enough

didn‘t care if

don‘t want her to be! “Baby…” MY Mama called, but

favourite, right?” I asked, looking

said

and raised me.I don‘t care if…she was meant to

anymore.I saw the flicker of hurt

always have and always will love you, but you have the right to know about Indy too.”

(End of flashback)

by my side…although

didn‘t feel that same way.I was horrible, maybe…I didn‘t dare tell Mama or Dad how I felt, but she didn‘t

I‘m not a

I learned more,

everyone can escape an abusive relationship, but I thought a mother‘s love was greater than anything? She didn‘t

and Scarlett Westwood,

wanted to go into combat and become a

had taken classes in every fighting and

the higher level and learning

onto the battlefield if

teacher‘s worst nightmare, but in the lessons I liked,

my pup, and I

to

through at the hands of