Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire novel Chapter 98

97. A Full House

LEO.

I had felt Azura’s emotions through the bond when she talked to her parents and I had put my walls up, giving her the privacy of her own mind. All I could do was give her strength and calmness through the bond, but she was doing great without it.

The place is a damn full house, and everyone isn’t even here yet. Raihana and Chris have just arrived with their thirteen -year-old son Tatum and daughter Heaven, who is ten.

“Thanks for inviting us.” Chris says after I finish shaking hands with the kids.

“Not an issue.” I reply. I did not need everyone to thank me. That is fucking weird. 1

“So what do we call you?” Heaven asks, frowning slightly as she looks at me.

She’s a witch-werewolf hybrid. The power clearly oozes off her. She is the first daughter of Endora’s line after all, and although I know that the link between Raihana and Endora was severed … she is still powerful. 2

“Leo’s fine.” I reply and she nods, tossing her hair over her shoulder; she is definitely a little Raihana in the making.

“Cool.” She replies.

“Ah, Raihana! Chris! Welcome!”

I excuse myself when Dad steps out into the hall, as I have a few things to handle.

I walk out of the mansion to find Rayhan and his family making their way up the steps.

“Leo.” Rayhan says, stopping in his tracks as his daughter almost crashes into me.

“Hi,” I say, turning to the girl who almost bumped into me. Her eyes widen, and she stops, freezing before she almost crashes into me. “Easy there kiddo.” I remember making her cry as a child, a sliver of guilt rushing through me. She’s a cute kid, with big grey eyes and curly dark reddish-brown hair.

“Sorry.” She says, blushing as she steps back meekly.

She wasn’t a werewolf either… I turn away when the boy steps forward. He has black curly hair and grey eyes and looks like a mix of both his parents.

“Hey there Uncle Leo.” Ahren says smiling, as he holds his hand out to me.

Right, not sure when Rayhan put me down as Uncle. 2

“Hey.” I reply, giving him a faint smile. I was not going to be a dick to kids. “The rest of the kids are out back, and I think there are refreshments in the kitchen.”

“Thank you.” He replies, Ahren is a year older than his sister at thirteen years old.

“Leo.” I look up when Delsanra speaks. She’s changed a lot from the girl who had been tortured and used… She doesn’t wait for me to reply as she steps closer and to my surprise, hugs me. “Thank you.” She whispers, looking up at me.

Not sure what the fuck she’s thanking me for… 2

“Welcome to The Sangue Pack.” I say instead. She moves back before Rayhan places his hand on her waist, kissing her lips softly before he turns to me.

“Thank you for the welcome.” He smiles before giving me a brotherly hug. I frown as he moves back. “It’s good to be here.”

Yeah, whatever. “Head inside. Everyone’s here.” I say, gesturing with my head toward the door. It’s weird, but there’s no hatred inside of me as they walk on inside, meeting the rest. I turn away. This all feels so fucking foreign, knowing that they are family… My family? Yeah, weird shit, but it wasn’t too fucking bad, I guess. As long as no one bothers me. 4

A few hours pass by, and I’m finally satisfied that everything is sorted. There are going to be checks on anyone entering the venue, and no phones are allowed for the pack members too. There i s most likely still a traitor in our midst, and I wasn’t going to let anything ruin this night, although I doubted anyone would try anything where there are so many powerhouses in attendance. But just in case, they are banking on my confidence in that, I wasn’t going to risk i

I would do my part to keep the place safe and secure.

‘All set, Alpha.’ Ace’s voice came, which meant the outer wall had been reinforced.

‘Here on my side too, and Nikki will be watched by Milo and Donovan.’ Li Sheng added.

‘Perfect. I don’t need her drama tonight.’ I reply.

The ceremony itself was being held at the Pack Hall, but I just needed to get ready first. The moment I step through the gates of the mansion, I realise the place is fucking teeming in comparison to when I left.

I can hear Corrado laughing from the back garden, along with other kids shouting and talking. My son was clearly enjoying all the guests. I knew everyone had arrived as I was given updates. The only one left was Dante. 3

I think I need a damn smoke before facing all of them.

Taking out a cigarette, I lean against the wall that surrounds the mansion, needing a moment alone when I realise that I’m not the only one here. Fuck, I almost didn’t even notice him. The red glow of his cigarette butt burns bright before he smirks.

“Hey Fucker.” 7

“The fuck you doing out here?” I growl, although it’s pretty obvious what he is doing out here.

Alejandro smirks arrogantly. “Isn’t that fucking obvious? Besides I’m fucking banned from smoking inside.” 1

I raise an eyebrow. “Who the fuck said that?” I ask as he holds out his lighter and lights my cigarette for me.

“Ri, she said it’ll get on their damn dresses.”

I smirk. “And you fucking listened to that shit?”

“Kat was siding with her elder sister, and she’s one I can’t fucking refuse. They are your sisters and don’t take a no for a fucking answer.”

“Hmm… what’s with you always referring to us as fucking siblings?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“If we consider our packs our family, then why can’t I consider my brother’s kids as my own?”

I don’t respond. Dante had said something similar back when I went to the Night Walkers Pack… One family…

“Ready for tonight? This is pretty much your wedding after all.”

“That shit sounds weird, but yeah, guess i t is.” I reply quietly as a soft wind blew through my hair. My gaze flicks to my bedroom window, and I can see the lights are on in there. I can’t wait to see her.

“You will officially take the title you deserve, too. I know you don’t fucking care about what I say, but I’m proud of you. You were born to be a leader Leo. You see shit from a perspective even I don’t. You think rationally in situations where even I, would have gone on my emotions. alone.” He says seriously. I had a feeling he had been waiting out here for me.

“You were waiting for me, weren’t you?” I ask. He simply smirks arrogantly, and I know I’m right.

“Maybe. Smart fucker.”

Do I care what he says? Probably not, but I didn’t mind hearing that approval. He had never treated me differently, even though I fucking hated the situation of the past, but we all make mistakes, and I d o get that. Looking from a clear mind, I know Alejandro genuinely regretted the g o-ahead that he gave Rayhan…

“Yeah, I definitely have more fucking brain cells than you.” I smirk. “You know the profiles you had on us; I get why you had them made. Like right now, I made sure everyone was checked before entering the pack grounds… I guess as a leader you had to take precautions.

didn’t like what happened… but the intention behind the initial records wasn’t wrong.” 1

For once, he doesn’t throw it back in my face and I think I need that. “It was wrong, though, and I fucking regret that shit.” He says after a moment, frowning deeply as he smokes his cigarette.

“I owe you an apology, though.” I say quietly. Our eyes met, and he frowns slightly, not expecting that. “I shouldn’t have blamed you for that shit back then, so I’m fucking sorry for that.”

He smiles genuinely and shakes his head, clearly surprised that I had apologised. The fact you just apologised… Fuck, you got more balls than I do.” He grumbles before pulling me in for a hug.

“Obviously.” I smirk, but I hug him back. After all, he was one of the first people who did believe in me. Held on to that shit when I was filled with hatred.

Apologising doesn’t fucking make you any less of a fucking person. 2