Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire novel Chapter 78

77. The Council Meeting

LEO

I flipped open my laptop and took a seat on the couch. I was sitting in the mansion library, waiting for the meeting to start. I frowned deeply and massaged my jaw. I had made sure to secure the connection and set up the meeting before handing it over to Alejandro, but I wasn’t fucking looking forward to it. I just wanted this shit over with.

Azura’s thoughts flitted through my mind, and I couldn’t help but smile slightly as I looked at my hands. She didn’t fucking care… She really did accept me for who I was…

I still couldn’t get my head around it… How the fuck do I process that? How can someone just step into my life and accept everything about me? How did one feisty girl become my fucking world?

I wouldn’t change her either… We were both fucking made for one another… just the way we fucking are.

I could now hear her thoughts as she lay in bed, mulling over our conversation.

Her curiosity regarding the meaning behind the organisation name… something about making sure Sky didn’t take pictures of me, it might not be safe to have them out there, and something else about role–playing. 5

I smiled, putting my walls up to give her the privacy of her own mind. Although I fucking loved to hear her interesting thoughts, it wasn’t always fair on her. If she was lacking in keeping those walls up, then I would be the one to help her with them. Sometimes, at least.

My screen flashed on as Alejandro started the meeting, and I clicked the ‘join‘ button, spotting several others joining the meeting too. Alejandro was already sitting there, in what appeared to be his office chair, a cigarette in hand, like he just didn’t give a fuck about anything.

Elijah was next, and Liam was as well; I didn’t realise he was on the council… but I know Elijah was considered more one of the elders now. Dad entered too, he was frowning and looked a bit uneasy. I wondered what that shit was about.

Rayhan followed with his fucking over–the–top hair… Kenneth Arden, of the Shadow Wolves pack… Flint Kane, of the Blood Claw Pack, Junaid Muhammed, of the Full Moon pack, and several other Alphas who I knew by name only. There were three from the coven as well, a man I didn’t know by name and then there was Janaina and Magdalene, both of whom had aged since the last time I had seen them. 5

I looked at the Alphas, my face an emotionless mask, so these were the Elite… The strongest Alphas in the country…

They all watched me intently, some even unnerved. Whilst Kenneth Arden was watching with a smirk on his face, almost as if intrigued by my presence.

I didn’t miss the way Liam was frowning. Guess he was still fucking butt hurt over what I did to Azura.

“Leo,” Elijah said, giving me a nod, I gave him one back.

“Thanks to everyone for making the fucking time to attend this meeting, before we start allow me to introduce everyone…” Alejandro began as he went around introducing all the bastards. ”

And of course, this is my nephew, and soon to be the official Alpha of the Sangue pack.”

“You could pass as father and son.” One the Alphas said with a small smile.

“I say the same shit.” Alejandro smirked.

“We’re nothing alike,” I replied coldly.

“Mated to sisters too.” Rayhan added his incredibly unhelpful input.

Bastard.

“Oh? Elijah, congratulations, it seems your daughters are made for Rossi men, you don’t have any more, do you?” Another Alpha added with a smirk. I think he was from the Ethereal Moon pack. 5

“No.” Elijah almost growled.

“Just a granddaughter,” Kenneth smirked, making Elijah’s eyes flash. *

Alejandro snickered. “Let’s not rile him up, we all know the Westwood women love the Rossi men, now on to business.”

He only fucking changed the topic since Elijah was getting pissed off.

“As I’ve already filled you all in, this is regarding the situation about the being, that we don’t actually know what he is. Leo had this being in his custody and was thought to be dead. Only for him to somehow come back to fucking life after a couple of days and killed two of his pack members and injured several more whilst managing to escape.” Alejandro continued before turning to me, “Leo?”

“There’s pretty much little else I can add to what you already know. When I did some analysis of the attack before he escaped… there was some smoke–like energy around him… I’ll play the video.” I began, clicking a button until the video came on, I had blurred out Shane’s and Jackie’s faces, but it fucking hurt to watch this…

I looked down, unable to look at the screen again, a few of the alphas murmured something, and I instead focused on watching their expressions.

“I’ve never seen anything like it, it’s not a demon,” Janaina said and Magdalena nodded.

“No, I haven’t seen anything like it but seeing this… we will continue searching.” She frowned as I switched the video off.

“He’s fast, very fast.” Junaid added thoughtfully. “His movements aren’t that of a werewolf.”

“He was fast indeed. Inhuman movement to be precise.” Kenneth mused, his eyes sharp. I didn’t like the guy; I don’t even know why he was on the council, but just his entire fucking vibe irked the fuck out of me.

“I do have a few questions for you Arden,” I said, sitting back as I watched him. “When I did my research, I found that this man went by the name of Judah Gallahan. The only known Judah Gallahan belonged to the Shadow Wolves pack, but he apparently died over fifty years ago; the entire family, in fact, was wiped out. Perhaps you remember them?”

Kenneth frowned, but he did look like he was thinking about it. “Now that you mentioned it, I do vaguely remember it, after all, it was a rather dreary story, they all died of poisoning in a fire.”

“Hmm… yet here he is…” Liam frowned.

I wasn’t so sure… “There is a chance that maybe he just stole the fucking name. Could you look into that further? And do you have any photos of that family? I just want to know if there’s somehow a link.” I said to Kenneth.

“That’s a good idea, I’m sure you can get that shit sorted right Kenneth?” Alejandro added.

Kenneth nodded. “I will get on it right away and report back with any findings.”

“Is it possible that he’s a hybrid? Maybe a vampire–werewolf?” Flint asked, running a hand over his beard.

“There’s a possibility… but even a vampire or a vampire hybrid wouldn’t be able to play dead… “Elijah remarked.

—

Magdalene nodded “Agreed – although vampires can let their bodies shut down for a certain amount of time, their skin would immediately turn a dark grey with deep veins, which wasn’t the case with this being.”

“He smelled like a werewolf, that’s not something a vampire can do, correct? Unless magic is involved, of course.” I inserted, taking out a cigarette, and lighting it before I turned my attention back to Kenneth. “Arden Corp is quite advanced in its scientific research; it has even delved into experimentation on living organisms, hasn’t it?”

It was an accusation that made the entire council tense, and I could tell that Kenneth had taken offence. His eyes flashed.

“Alpha Alejandro, I will not tolerate disrespect from-‘

”

“It’s a fucking question, Kenneth, answer it and we move on. Reacting like this isn’t going to help matters.” Alejandro growled, cutting him off, I wondered if Kenneth was about to call me a rogue or scum?

“It’s a fair question, sometimes we all make mistakes or may be involved in not the smartest ideas.” Elijah said sharply.

Frowning, I knew now was the fucking time to put forward my own example into that, I may not like these men, but their eyes and men would help cover more ground, faster.

“I agree with Elijah, I myself created a certain weapon which should never have left pack grounds, if there is anything you can provide, we all know Alejandro’s big on forgiveness.” I replied casually, it was obvious only Dad, Rayhan and Alejandro got the sarcasm in my voice.

Alejandro smirked as we both took a drag on our cigarettes, his expression clearly relaying one fucking word. ‘Fucker.‘

I smirked back. “Correct me if I’m wrong.” I mocked.

He simply sat back shaking his head, “Anything coming to mind?” He asked Kenneth.

He shook his head, “Nothing of the sort, we have… done research on certain bloods and DNA however there has been no experimenting on living beings.”

Lies.

Arden Corp did far more than they fucking let on.

Alejandro nodded. “Very well, check up on the Gallahan family, and if you can find photos on

them, including that of Judah Gallahan, let us know immediately. Don’t fucking waste time to relay the message.” From his warning, I had a feeling Kenneth had withheld information in the past.

“There is one thing that Delsanra mentioned from her time with Endora… it isn’t that much but…” Rayhan began, his eyes flashing and anger crossing his face.

That may be the one fucking thing we had in common, the burning hatred for Endora that will never completely vanish.

“What did she say?” Dad asked as everyone waited on him to continue.

“She said Endora mentioned that there were far more species than we’d ever know of.” Yeah, I figured as fucking much, the question was, what? Rayhan frowned as he continued. “She spoke of some who were in the shadows, whatever that meant.”

“Hmm, I will look into that.” Janaina mused, “I still want her to become an elder of the coven.

11

“Not happening.” Rayhan countered and I wondered what that was all about.

“Did any of the ancient books not mention it? I’ve checked the few we have, there’s nothing.” Liam intervened smoothly.

“Nothing.” Alejandro shook his head.

“We haven’t gone through the ones here thoroughly, but so far,nothing.” I added.

“We’re still looking as well.” Rayhan said as he ran a hand through his hair. “Same with the clothes he was wearing when you caught him, it led nowhere. Delsanra tried to open a portal but it didn’t work, either the clothes weren’t his or something else was off.”

I nodded. “I don’t think we will find the answer so easily, but until we do, we can at least try to locate and contain him. Even if we need to lock him in with barriers. The man is dangerous, and he will harm any who stand in his way.” I frowned, thinking the meeting didn’t give any further answers than what I already knew. “I have a few strategies put in place…”

I moved on to explain how and what we were doing to trace Judah, by the end of the meeting, I was almost fully satisfied that we would catch him. The packs had security and scouts sent out in their surrounding areas, and with his image in everyone’s hand, surely someone would come across him. I had also input face recognition through the human cities within miles all around. If he made an appearance and was caught on any public security camera, I’d get a notification.

We would find him for sure.

That was the confidence that the council held more than I did but I still felt like we were missing something big, with all my technology and the number of people I had on the job, not only from the pack but from my cartel… it was fucking weird that there was still nothing. Even reaching out to my trusted Allies… I just had to stay fucking positive.

“Would you like someone from the coven to come and place protective barriers around your pack?” Xavier, the man from the coven, asked me.

“I’m making sure no one steps out of or into this pack unless with complete security, as long as we are on pack premises, he can’t get in even if he tries. I appreciate the offer.” I replied confidently, giving him a nod of thanks. I didn’t really expect them to offer, but something

about my own words made me frown.

He escaped from the holding centre, but instead of escaping, he came to the pack… for Azura…

Why did he fucking want her so much…

Could it somehow be to do with her ability? Or was that me just over analysing shit? I mean how the fuck would he have known when her powers were pretty much dormant? 3

“I have a question Leo, how exactly did you cross paths with someone so dangerous that now those around you are at risk? Care to share?” Elijah asked seriously.

“Actually Elijah-” I raised my hand and cut Alejandro off.

I did not want Azura’s name in this shit, and I did not need him to defend me. “That’s none of your fucking business,” I replied coldly.

“It is our business when it involves my sister and his daughter. You are putting her life at risk because of your actions.” Liam growled,

“Liam.” Elijah warned, but the younger man simply shook his head.

“If anything happens to her because of you…” He left his threat open, and I scoffed. “You’ve hurt her enough.”

“Maybe if you were a better fucking brother, she wouldn’t have gotten hurt.” I countered arrogantly; he’d probably think I’m talking about what I did to her but I meant Judah…

“You’re so

11

“Ladies.” Alejandro smirked, “Let’s not fight like a bunch of women, if you want to talk this shit out, I would be up to see a one–on–one match.”

A few chuckled but I didn’t bother with them, this was my fight now, I’m the fucking shield between the world and Azura.

A few petty insults and accusations were not going to fuck with my head when I had my Psycho Queen by my side.

“I’ll take care of my woman; you can back the fuck off.” I said quietly, glaring at the blond

man.

“Watch it, Leo, you still have a long way to go.” Liam snarled.

“No shit.” I remarked smoking my cigarette carelessly knowing I was just pissing him off.

“Leo, please.” Dad sighed as Rayhan smirked slightly.

“We’ll have everything figured out; I am actually out with a team right now.” He said, “We’ll get to the bottom of this and catch Judah.”

“And the fucker’s out too.” Alejandro added, referring to Dante. 7

“We are yet to have the honour of meeting the Alpha Prince.” Kenneth remarked. 5

Alejandro shrugged, “He doesn’t really like to fucking mix.”

Kenneth was obviously disappointed. “Well, I will look into the information you have requested immediately, Alpha Alejandro. It was indeed a pleasure to have met the Alpha of Shadows, that we have so much yet to learn about… I will look forward to seeing you at more meetings… I presume we will see you of course?”

“My father will retain his position as a member of the council, even after I take over the Sangue Pack.” I replied clearly.

Like fuck you want to know about me you fucking weirdo. 7

He raised an eyebrow before nodding, and I reached forward,

“Have a good evening.” With that, I left the meeting and snapped my laptop shut. I frowned deeply, running a hand through my hair.

What the fuck was Judah?

What was I missing?

I sat back smoking, just when my phone rang. Taking it out of my pocket I frowned seeing it was Jin.

“Yeah?” I asked.

“We have a code red situation regarding the drugs we sold.”

“What is it?” I asked, my heart racing as I stood up.

Jin exhaled, “You might want to sit down.”

“Spit it out,” I growled.

“They’ve been tampered with Leo, people are dying.“7