Alpha Loren novel Chapter 95

December 20th

Ella's Point of view:

I listened as Leo left the room, walked into his office and firmly slammed the door. 

I glared across to Connor. 

"This was meant to be the happiest time of my life and look what you have done," I snapped.

"I'm sorry-"

"You are not sorry. You wanted my mate dead and you still do. Don't even try to deny it."

"I'm sorry that he is your mate. He is a bad man, why can't you see that?"

"Because I love him, Connor!" I shouted. "He's my mate, the father of my child and I love him!"

"You don't love him. You feel the mate bond but you don't love him."

"I am happy with him. He treats me well, he-"

"He does not treat you well Ella," Connor interjected. "Listen to the way he orders you about like some kind of pet! I can hardly bear the thought of my sister spending the rest of her life with that man!"

At that point, Cato woke up and started screaming- drowning out all other sounds in the room....drowning out all other sounds...

An idea popped into my head- a solution to this mess. An incredibly stupid solution that probably wouldn't work but a solution all the same. 

I jumped to my feet and dragged a chair to the back door. I climbed up onto it and found the key from the door of the door frame.

"What are you doing?" Connor asked. "Are you insane?" he added as I unlocked the back door.

"I believe the expression is saving your bacon," I hissed as Cato continued to wail. There was no way Leo could hear anything but him. Not the click of the lock or Connor's voice or me desperately trying to undo the knots around his wrists.

"Ella no," Connor said sternly. "You don't have to put yourself in this position because of me."

"Do I have another choice? I refuse to watch my brother rot in a prison cell for the rest of his life," I replied tugging at the rope. "I will stall him while you get as far away from here as possible. Never come back. Understand?"

"This will never work," Connor replied. "Stop."

"It's worth a try," I said finally releasing his wrists.

He hugged me tightly before quickly hugging our Mom and then kissing Cato on the forehead.

"Go," she said a tear in her eye.

I nodded and watched as he fled out of the back door. In seconds he was just a faint shadow in the dense forest and then he had completely vanished. I relocked the door and returned the key to the door frame and the chair to the table like I was trying to pretend nothing happened. 

One little problem with that...it's fairly obvious that there was no longer a 6 ft man tied to one of the chairs.

I took Cato into my arms, who despite my mother's best efforts was still crying his eyes out and held him closely to me. I then sat beside my mother, held her hand tightly and gently rocked him until his cries slowly ceased. It wasn't until quiet returned to the room, five minutes later, that the door to Leo's office opened.

My heartbeat began to rise and so did my Mom's. I gently squeezed her hand and took a deep breath as we listened to his footsteps come into the room. 

His eyes immediately landed on the empty chair and then flushed with anger. Clenching his jaw and hardening his face, he turned to me with a cold deathly look in his eyes. Without a word he then marched to the back door and forced it open before racing into the forest.

"Oh God," I stated after Leo had disappeared into the forest at a much faster pace than Connor had, "Mom you should go," I said, "When he gets back he's going to be furious. I don't want you to see that."

"How can I just leave you?" she asked in shock.

"Because I can handle him alone," I said, "And it's best if everyone else is out of his way."

She was still reluctant.

"Mom, he will not hurt me," I told her taking her hand, "And when the anger passes, he'll understand

She nodded, "Call me tonight, okay dear?"

I nodded, "And I'll see you soon, right?"

She forced a smile, "We'll see."

After she'd left I just sat silently on the sofa with Cato still in my arms. 

I so nearly had everything.

A happy family, a stable relationship, a peaceful life.

And in the space of ten minutes, it had all come crashing down.

My brother was now an enemy, I'd worked against my mate and my Mom had seen the terrifying side of him.

I sat there for half an hour with no word from Leo. I hated Connor for doing this but at the same time, I prayed to the moon Goddesses that Leo wouldn't find him. I couldn't be sure that he would pose no further threat to the pack but I could be sure that I didn't want him imprisoned for decades on decades.

The anticipation was just about to send me into a nervous breakdown when there was a pound on the door. 

I slowly made my way down the hall with the sleeping newborn in my arms. For some reason, I had a bad feeling about the forceful knocker and I couldn't bear to leave him alone in his crib.

The knocker had an unfamiliar and intimidating scent so I opened the door only an inch or two so that I could get a glimpse of the visitor. He was very tall with dark, thick hair and black, terrifying, malicious-looking eyes. I immediately tried to push the door shut again in an attempt to keep the unfriendly man outside safely outside.

"Where's the Alpha, sweetheart?" he asked in a bored tone using his strength to forcibly open the door with one hand in a relatively lazy manner.

"He is not here," I replied quietly.

He looked down at me and then to Cato and then back to me before inviting himself into the house.

"So you're the famous Luna and that is the future Alpha I presume?" he said looking around the hallway like he was new to it all.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Friend of Leonardo's," he replied bluntly. "My name is Luciano."

"He's never mentioned you to me," I replied cautiously holding onto Cato a little tighter. 

"Hardly surprising," he said in a low tone, looking at a photo of Leo and I ice skating that we had framed on the wall. "...how adorable...." he remarked before putting the photo back down before turning to me and crouching down to my level in a patronising way, "So where is Leonardo?"

"He's gone after my brother," I replied. "Perhaps you should come back later," I added, anxious to get him out of the house.

"Your brother the rogue leader?" he asked a smirk forming on his lips in an amused manner. "drama...."

He then stood back up and continued wondering further down the hall.

"Leonardo isn't here. Is there any reason that you need to be in our home?" I questioned.

I had worked out quite quickly that he was one of those twisted sadists who derived enjoyment from making others feel uncomfortable and/or frightened. In many ways, he reminded me of Max.

"I'm getting to know my Luna obviously," he replied before giving me a smirk accompanied with a glare felt as though he was looking straight into my soul.

I stood in silence for a few moments as I watched Luciano take his jacket off and put it on the coat hanger.

"Are you going to offer your guest a drink or what?" he asked making his own way into the kitchen.

"You invited yourself in," I said, "May as well make yourself a drink too."

He turned around and looked at me before stifling a laugh. He then narrowed his eyes like he was thinking and continued to walk into the kitchen without a word.

"So how is being Leonardo's little bitch then?" he asked provokingly as if he was testing me.

Ordinarily, I would have given him the response he craved or a sarcastic comment at least but with Cato in my arms, it felt wrong. I didn't feel that we were particularly safe alone in the house with this man and I didn't want to risk anything.

"It's great," I said quietly. "But it could be hours before he returns. I'll tell him that you came by and he will call you back."

"The fact that you are trying desperately to get rid of me makes me feel very unwanted and that is not a very nice way to make a guest feel now is it, Luna?" he replied as he raided the cupboards in search of a mug. "Are you afraid of me?"

"Should I be?"

"Nope. I think you and I could get along very well," he said, "Don't you?"

I watched him as he found he discovered my favourite mug with snails and ladybirds on it. He smiled as he turned it in his hands before taking it out and heading over to the kettle.

"Do you know Maximus Megestanis?" I asked.

Since I set my eyes on him, I couldn't help but be reminded of Max.

Not only were there obnoxious personalities similar but their appearances too. They had the same dark curly hair, black eyes, tanned skin and tall but muscular shape. Even the dark blush colour of his lips reminded me of Max.

"He's my second cousin. Why?" he replied filling up the kettle. 

I swallowed. He has got to be joking.

"Max is my cousin."

Luciano's lips curled up into a devious smirk.

"Oh now would you look at that," he said, looking me up and down, "We're family. Now I feel slightly nauseated that I checked you out."

I shiver ran down my back and I found my self-praying that Leo would walk through the door.

He didn't and I was still left alone with this man.

"So I share genes with that thing in your arms too?" he said peering down at Cato.

He then grimaced and went back to putting the kettle on.

"Congrats, you went to elementary school," I remarked.

Luciano's face hardened and he opened his mouth to say something but then the front door opened.

I hastily made my way into the hall to see Leo slamming the door. He saw me and glared but his face soon turned into one of confusion as I positioned myself and Cato slightly behind him.

"There's a man in the house," I whispered.

"What?" he questioned furrowing his eyebrows, "Who?"

"Evening Alpha," Luciano said in the doorway of the hall. 

He'd clearly just raided the fridge as he was plucking grapes off the vine in his hand and throwing them up into his mouth.

"What are you doing here, Luciano?" Leo hissed glaring at him. 

"Relax. Your Luna and I were getting to know each other whilst we waited for you to get home. I didn't want to leave her unattended. Anyone could have walked in," he said, his eyes flashing with thrill, "And did you know that we are actually related?" 

"Yes, I knew that fucking months ago," he snapped still burning Luciano with his eyes. Not that Luciano was at all phased by it.

"And you didn't think to mention it when you were telling me how hot she is?" Luciano asked.

 "Ella, go upstairs," Leo ordered.

I nodded and made my way to the staircase as Luciano watched intensely. There was something off and disturbing about him. He made me feel incredibly uncomfortable but I was curious all the same. 

"I thought I told you never come near to my Luna?" Leo growled after I heard a hard fist hit a cheek.

"Fucking shit, Leonardo. That is the third time this week."

"I wouldn't trust you with a fucking woodlouse let alone my mate and newborn son! Why the hell were you here alone with her?"

"She intrigued me and I couldn't help myself," he replied calmly. "And besides, you told me to come and collect her brother, who was meant to be here with you. It is not my fault if I get here and she is alone."

"You should have left."

"I'm sorry that you felt threatened but what do you think I'm going to do? She is yours. I get it."

"I've seen what you are like around women. Hestia for example. So stay the fuck away from my mate or I will do a lot more than fucking punch you," Leo hissed.

A few seconds later, I heard the slamming of the front door and Leo's footsteps coming up the stairs.

I lay Cato down in his crib as Leo came into the room. For a few moments, there was total silence.

"Are we working together or against each other, Ells?" Leo asked in a frustrated tone.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly. 

"You aren't. You wanted to help your brother and I understand that. I would have done the same for anyone of my brothers but I'm pretty sure you can understand why I'm angry."

I nodded.

"Where is he?" I asked quietly. 

The question was burning my tongue and I had to know.

"In the base prison for now," he replied and I closed my eyes trying to block tears from escaping. "Luciano is taking him back to the South tonight."

I dropped down onto the bed, staring down at the swirls and patterns of the rug.

Tears now streamed down my cheeks, "I had no idea he'd do this, Leo," I said, "And I am unbelievably angry at him. But he's still my brother."

Leo sighed and dropped to his knees in front of me.

"I know," he said, "And whilst I am furious with him too. But I know you couldn't live in peace with him wasting away in a cell. So I'll consider exiling him, okay?"

"Really?" I asked, wiping my tears.

He nodded, "Only once I am satisfied that I have the names of every single member of the rogue organisation and that he will never come back. And if he does come back, there will be no second chance."

I nodded and placed my hands on his shoulders.

"Thank you, Leo."

He smiled before ushering me onto the bed. I was still exhausted from the delivery and I was glad to feel the soft pillow under my head.

"Who was that man?" I asked after a few minutes of lying on the bed playing with the waves of Leo's hair.

It was raining outside and his hair had got damp and curled into delicate ringlets that were fun to boing and spring.

"Apart from your second cousin you mean?" 

I nodded.

"A fucking asshole."

"Apart from that too," I chuckled snuggling into his chest.

"Somebody I've known a long time," he replied, "A friend I guess."

"He's terrifying."

"I should never have left you here alone especially as I knew he was on his way but I wasn't expecting Connor to be able to run so fast and take so long to hunt down."

"I'm not totally defenceless, Leo. I can be left alone," I pointed out.

"Against Luciano with a newborn in your arms?"

"He wouldn't have hurt me. Surely he's afraid of you?"

"Luciano isn't afraid of anything. That's why I have to regularly remind him who is Alpha."

"Don't you normally 'get rid of' people like that?" I asked surprised that he tolerates Luciano.

"Like I said, I've known him a long time. And besides, he's good at what he does"

"...and what does he do?" I asked.

Leo sighed and looked across at me, "You don't want to know."

"...He's not going to hurt Connor is he?"

"That depends on how loyal he is to his fellow rebels. There's always an easy way and a hard way to give up information and which one Connor chooses is down to him."

"My brother isn't one to give in easily," I said quietly.

"Don't worry. He'll be fine," Leo reassured before gently kissing me.

Having met Luciano, I was not entirely convinced that he would be 'fine' and I most certainly was going to worry. 

"Will you tell him not to hurt him?" I asked.

"I have already ordered him not to use unnecessary violence," Leo said, "But I need those names for the good of the pack Ella. If he won't tell us easily, some other forms of persuasion will be employed."

I bit my lip and rolled onto my side, facing away from him.

"I know what he did was wrong but he did it because he thought he was helping me," I said, "After my Dad died and my Mom began to crumble into depression, we basically brought ourselves up together. We were so close and always protected each other. You can see why he might think you are a threat to me and I can understand why he did what he did. So please make sure Luciano isn't too hard on him."

Leo sighed, "How about I give Luciano a few days to get it out of him in a civil manner. If he fails, I will take the matter into my own hands?"

I nodded rolling back over, "That is preferable. I at least trust you not to use unnecessary force just for your own damn amusement."

His jaw clenched a little before he nodded and dragged a smile onto his face, "For now, shall we just focus on Cato? This was supposed to be the happiest time of our lives. Let's not let it be entirely lost to this chaos."