Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire

107. Darkness

AZURA.

My eyes snap open and I feel nauseous. Damn… Something isn’t right… I didn’t even eat anything weird. I frown as I sit up. My heart is thumping as I look around the dark

room.

What woke me up?

Why is it so dark?

It isn’t just dark, it’s really really dark.

Sure, I can see perfectly but there are no lights on outside. Strange. I kick the blanket off, wondering once more what had awoken

I glance at the clock. It’s late…

Did Leo get back?

‘Baby?’ I call, glancing at the bathroom –

but it’s dark.

I guess he won’t be back so soon. I hope

everything is going according to plan for

them.

Running my fingers through my hair, I

reach for the lamp and tap it. I frown as it

doesn’t turn on…

“What is going on?” I murmur, trying to shake away the unease I’m feeling. It must be a power outage. Just a power outage

Azura.

Damn, what if Corrado wakes up?

I get out of bed, walking toward the bedroom door. Suddenly I get the strange feeling that I’m being watched and I turn sharply, scanning the dark room.

Goddess, Azura, get it together.

I leave my room to check up on Corrado,

mind linking Marcel.

‘Marcel?’

No response.

Hmm… He’s probably gone to sleep and kept

his walls up.

‘Winona?’

Nothing again.

I sigh, walking down the hall.

‘Marcel?’ Weird, usually you can push through a person’s barriers when they’re asleep… I knew that because since I got my wolf, Liam was always the biggest receiver of that from me.

Disturbing him for a late-night hot drink or freshly baked cupcakes was always tempting.

Who should I contact about the outage? Someone must be around. Should I go out and ask one of the guards? They are probably already working on it.

I pause, feeling that same sense of being watched, when I see Corrado’s bedroom

door is open. I break into a run, fear

enveloping me, and I push open the door only to see Corrado fast asleep in bed. I let out a sigh of relief, thinking I really am being paranoid.

For a moment, I feel lightheaded from the spurt of energy used and feel nauseous once again. I walk slowly to the bed, adjusting the duvet around my little boy. I sit down on the edge, sighing. I don’t know why I’m on edge, but maybe it’s the power outage… I mean, does this mean the pack security system and barriers around the pack are all down?

I stroke Corrado’s brown locks back, bending down to kiss his cheek gently. Turning to the open curtains, I look out into the distance. I can see some lights are on. So it’s just the mansion then. That is a relief at least.

Goddess, now who do I annoy about the power? I honestly didn’t expect Leo’s Pack to have to deal with something like this. Maybe I’ll grab my phone and ask him.

I stand up, and it feels like the floor lurches.

I feel… I place a hand on my stomach, exhausted and sick.

Exhausted like I had no energy… just the way I felt back at the masked ball I attended.

The sudden unease I had felt the moment I woke up returns and I scan the room. My instincts are telling me something isn’t right … Raising my hand, I let my power swirl around my hand. There is something going on here…

but

hiss.

the door when I

stops in my chest as

Winona!

the door, but

leave him here!

happens and I can’t get

do? What is

sounds downstairs, but

But the growl

that follows tells me this is

attack.

I hear footsteps coming down the hall

I’m coming… Just give me a little time. I try my power again as I hear the footsteps fade, but I’m unable to summon it. My vision darkens and I stare at the window. Is it just me or

someone out there?

blinds, and

only thing in my

unlock the door just as the window shatters behind us

whimper of shock.

to summon my power forward only to feel that heavy weight

Fuck!

stay quiet, ok baby?” I whisper to

asks, his little heart thumping as I hear the door

Marcel’s strained voice

only to see that the hallway behind me is

not knowing what to say, when I

Marcel, something tells me that I need to make sure Corrado is safe first. I

strength ebbing away

something in the

hall to

hidden area that-

figure steps into my path and I skid to a stop, almost slamming into the man. My heart thumps violently until I

“Eric?”

“Luna.”

“Go help Marcel!”

with me.” He says, motioning for

seems too calm…

me and my gaze dips

feel as if a bucket of ice-cold water

been thrown over me.

be size 11… I look up at him, my mind

I plaster a relieved smile on

alarmed when the electricity went off.” I say,

buy my bluff; he smiles

Come on, I have orders to keep you all safe.” He shakes

on then?” I ask as he steps forward, reaching for Corrado and

Shit…

watching me, and his smile

Luna, I’m here. I’ll

a threat than

us and holds

Eric. “Mommy,

now. You are going to get tired

my

aren’t heavy at all!” I

back

from downstairs, and I

from Marcel I can’t

the enemy…

go help, Marcel?”

way

path.

me, as

he nods

the core of my power. I feel the pull inside as I send a blast of power at Eric. He ducks at

he turns on

“Mommy!” Corrado exclaims

down and pushing him toward the office door. “You… you were helping Emmet, weren’t

you long enough to figure it

I do? Oh wait, I

blaze and

you can still use

after what we put in your food.”

smiles.

my tiredness

you’re messing with the fucking Westwood Devil. Nothing will keep me down.”

to pieces. The office door opens behind me, making my heart pound. He isn’t

to me!” I

“M-mommy…”