Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire

53. These Choices of Ours
AZURA.
I gasped when we hit the water with a huge splash, drenching us both. Leo’s arm snaked around my waist. He even had the
damn audacity to place his hand on my ass for a fleeting
moment.
A moment that made my entire body tingle with pleasure. I hated that.
I tried to yank away, clawing at his chest. These nails are sure coming in use!
But I didn’t get far. He grabbed my wrists, twisting them behind my back and against my waist, holding them there with one hand
as he pressed me against himself. His white shirt was practically see–through, sticking to his skin and making my core clench at
how damn good he looked soaking wet.
“Behave.” He commanded, his steel blue eyes boring into mine. 6
My heart was thumping as I continued to struggle, but it did nothing but make my core throb. I could feel his dick rubbing against
me, and despite how my entire body felt hot, or the way our hearts were pounding, I refused to calm down.
“Fuck, let me go!” I hissed, my own eyes flashing.
“Not unless you calm the fuck down. I seriously won’t let go. Fuck, just listen.” He growled, his free hand taking hold of my chin.
My heart thumped loudly, my anger only rising.
Where have the others gone?
I scanned the area. Weren’t they just here?
“If you’re looking for Winona or Jackie... they left on my command. It’s just the two of us.” He said huskily, forcing my chin up,
making me look at him.
Strands of his wet, brown locks tickled my forehead as his words sank in.

“Shame. Now, how about I excuse myself, so you and your bitch of an ex can take a swim in here?” I hissed, twisting my hand
until I felt his wrist, and dug my nails into his skin.
He frowned and I wasn’t sure if it was because of my words or the pain, but frankly, I didn’t give a shit.
“Do you have to resort to violence and anger every fucking time?” He growled.
“And if I do? What’s it to you?” I snapped, wriggling in his hold.
His nose brushed mine, and my breath hitched, making me tense. We were too close...
I could see behind his anger and cold exterior, the carnal hunger he was trying to hide... I could feel him hardening against me,
and I prayed that my own arousal didn’t reach his nose...
“Fine. Struggle as much as you want, I just won’t let go until you’re done. ” He said, running his tongue along his lips.
That piercing...
I swallowed hard, glaring at him.
I needed him to let me go.
For more reasons than just my anger...
“I think I broke your girlfriend’s nose, why don’t you go check up on her?”
He frowned. “She isn’t my girlfriend.”
“Oh, but you just had to protect her when she deserved that fucking slap.” I growled, whipping my head to the side, trying to get
my hair off my face. He ran his fingers through my hair and brushed it all back slowly almost as if enjoying it. I hated the way my
body wanted to relax into him, the way I relished in the sparks...
I could feel his hard dick against my lower stomach, and that same intense heat seemed to settle between us.
“Yeah, she did, but that’s not how Lunas behave.” s
My eyes flashed, and my chest squeezed.
“I’m no Luna, remember? So I’ll behave however the fuck I want. Let go of me, or I swear, claw your eyes out.” I hissed.

He suddenly let go of my wrists, but just when I was about to pull away, his arm snaked around my waist firmly.
“Go ahead, even if you do, I won’t let you go until you have fucking listened to me.” He growled, his voice low and husky.
I’ll
My heart thundered as I massaged my wrists, wanting to attack him. But when he was letting me, it didn’t seem so tempting
anymore...
Instead, I reached up, running my fingers through the long hair on top of his head and twisted my fingers in it painfully, yanking
his head back. He didn’t even flinch, simply looking down at me, that chiselled jaw set in an arrogant pout.
“I don’t mind pain, carry the fuck on.” He remarked, looking down at me with those gorgeous eyes.
Fuck, stop looking so good...
“What do you want to say? Hurry up before I mess up that pretty face of yours.”
He smirked. “If you wanted to, you would have already done it, right beautiful?”
“Don’t play me.” I said, his words stung...
Don’t call me that when I’m nothing to you. 2
His smirk faded, his eyes looking into mine almost as if searching for something.
“I didn’t mean to.” He replied quietly, his gaze dipping down to my boobs.
My dress was soaking, and it was clinging to me even more than before. That’s all it was to him
the pull of the mate bond.
“I’ve decided... after we go to Alejandro’s pack... I won’t come back here.” I told him quietly,
looking up into his eyes, our faces only inches apart.
Surprise flashed in his eyes as he searched mine. His heart thudded, and I wished I could read his mind, but his walls were up.
His scent was like a dream... It made me giddy, and I felt safe and free...

“The day after tomorrow then. Alejandro’s set up the meeting between Rayhan and me.” He said quietly.
So soon...
I swallowed and nodded slowly.
Maybe it was for the best...
“Cool, the sooner the better...”
Won’t
you stop me? Did you want me in your life or not Leo?
“Yeah... I guess...
Guess not...
“What did you want to tell me Leo?”
He seemed to hesitate, and I realised his grip on me had eased.
Pull away Azura...
I didn’t. I couldn’t.
Was this the last time he’d hold me?
I let go of his gorgeous chocolate locks, slowly running my hand down the back of his head, paying attention to the sparks that
ran through my finger trips.
This feeling... it was magical...
For a moment his eyes closed, almost as if he was enjoying my touch, but I doubted that.
He sighed, opening his eyes, a few strands of his hair flopped sexily in front of his face.
“Nikki, she means nothing to me... What she said was a lie. After I met you and rejected you, it was hard, trying to act like
everything was normal. We did get intimate a few times, but once you taste something so fucking incredible... Nothing else feels

good enough. You keep saying that you aren’t good enough for me, but you actually caught my eye at that club before the mate
bond even snapped into place. It’s not every day you see a woman just saunter into a strip club alone, looking so fucking fine.
Anyway... the only reason I rejected you was because of my anger at the Elite... even though Elijah and Scarlett Westwood
have never done anything wrong, they were still related to the Rossis through Kiara... I just... it wasn’t you, I marked you
because despite it all, I fucking wanted that... But yeah...” 4
“1
My heart was thundering, a storm of emotions inside of me, but I didn’t get it. Why now, when I was brave enough to leave? He
couldn’t keep playing me again and again...
“Why tell me this now?” I asked quietly.
Why? Why confuse me when it’s obvious you hate me...
He frowned, looking down, only for his gaze to dip to my breasts.
“My face is up here, you old perve.” I growled, trying not to let the pain of his constant rejection hurt.
A ghost of a smirk lingered on his face as he looked at me arrogantly.
“You can’t stop me from looking wherever I want... I just told you because I don’t want you to fucking misunderstand because of
Nikki.” He became serious once more. “So... since you’re leaving... want to tell Corrado tomorrow about the baby?”
You really won’t stop me from leaving...
“Sure.” I replied, trying to ignore the pain inside and keep my walls up. “What do you want to do about this baby? Do you want to
like visit? I mean, I wanted him or her to know their father. Weekly, monthly, or holidays even?”
Why was this so painful?
Even with his arms around me, holding me firmly as if he never wanted to let go, we were talking about splitting up...
He looked down before looking back into my eyes, but this time the look in his eyes was regret.
“It doesn’t really matter.”
Wow.

I nodded, trying to fight my emotions as I slowly pulled away.
His words hurt... He didn’t even want to be a part of this baby’s life...
“Ok, whatever.” I said, wading through the water to the edge of the pool.
I was about to pull myself out, when his arm snaked around me from behind, and his hand rested on my stomach.
“Even if I’m not around, I’ll make sure you and our baby are taken care of.” He said quietly, caressing my stomach gently. 4
These emotions... these tingles...
I tensed when his lips brushed my shoulder, his hand slipping my strap that had slid down, back up.
I scoffed, glad he couldn’t see my tear–filled eyes.
“Yeah, I’m sure you will. But don’t bother, the Westwoods don’t need your charity. No one needs a father who isn’t there for them.
Maybe it’ll be easier just to tell my baby that you’re dead.” I said coldly, pushing his hands away from me. 8
His heart was thudding, but I didn’t care if my words fucking hurt him. I wanted them to hurt him, just the way he hurt me.
He didn’t reply, and I placed my hands on the edge. I was ready to pull myself out, when his hands gripped my waist, lifting me
out. I didn’t look back as I got to my feet, walking away with whatever confidence I could muster, not once looking back...
Goodbye Leo.
Just tomorrow night, and we will be going our separate ways...
I returned to the party, feeling so many eyes on me. Well I couldn’t blame them, I was dripping wet.
Song ran over the moment she saw me.
“Zu!”
She stopped, whispering a spell, and I felt an intense cold surround me, and then a tingle before I looked down. My dress was
completely dry. But my hair was still soaking and completely straight once more.
“Come on, I can quickly fix your make–up before dinner is served, and we can get your hair dried... I wish I had some of my
crystals...” She said, smiling gently, almost as if she knew what I was feeling.

Only the strongest of witches could do many spells without crystals, herbs, and engravings. Those at the level of Delsanra Diana
Rossi, Raihana Somers, and the high witches of the coven. I nodded, not arguing as I allowed her to lead me away...
She had simply begun working on my hair, and I didn’t speak. I didn’t say anything. Just her silent comfort was enough... After
she had fixed my make–up, we returned to the garden. Nikki was nowhere in sight, and I really didn’t want to see her anyway.
Marcel had called me over to sit with him, but I refused to be anywhere near Leo for any longer than necessary. I was relieved
that Marcel didn’t push it when I declined. I forced myself to eat, and I did my best not to even look at Leo. He had changed out
of his wet clothes and was now in a pair of jeans and a grey shirt. Corrado was sitting at Leo’s table, and I could hear him asking
why I wasn’t there.
I’d miss him too... Would he never get a chance to play with his sibling?
Eric, Jackie, and a few other pack members were at our table, but I could barely focus on anything, whilst Song kept them
occupied enough for no one to bother with me.
What I did learn from Song was that Jax had left shortly after Nikki, and she wasn’t sure about anything else. Well, I sure hope
that Marcel did something about it because I wasn’t so sure Leo would. Ok maybe he would since he did put his best friend into
prison, but still, I would make sure Winona got justice. No one should have to suffer at the hands of another like that. I planned to
fill him in on what happened after the evening was over.
Raj the beta came over to congratulate me on the baby just as dinner was finished. He had his mate Kesha and his seven–year–
old daughter Kareena with him.
“I really was pleasantly surprised to learn who you were, so once again I would like to welcome you to the pack.” He said. I
shook hands with both him and his mate whilst smiling at their daughter, who seemed to be an innocent soul.
Then again, never trust kids...
She shied away, hiding behind her mama.
I gave her a wave before turning back to Raj.
“Thank you, you were polite and welcoming even then.” I replied simply, it wasn’t like I was here for long anyway.
J

Once they moved away, Song gave me a small smile.
“You ok? Wait, dumb question.” She murmured, shaking her head.
“I’m fine.” I replied, my eyes looking around the garden, at the pack members.
Somehow, I had felt comfortable here, I had gotten used to all of them. A life that wasn’t meant for me.
I exhaled slowly, placing my hand on my stomach.
Give me the strength to remain strong...
I was a fighter, not someone who succumbed to another.
“Zu...”
I turned to her, my eyes flashing silver with a surge of strength and confidence.
“I’m fine Song, stop stressing. I may not have a crown, but I’m a fucking queen, and I sure as hell can handle anything that
comes my way.” I replied frowning deeply, my eyes blazing. s
I was, and I was not going to let anyone break me.
She smiled. “That’s the Westwood Devil I know.”
I gave her a smirk just as Marcel stood up. Winona hurried over to him, passing him a box before Marcel took it and turned to
everyone.
“Azura.” I turned my attention to him as his eyes found me, and he smiled. “I just want to say thank you for being here with us
tonight, and gracing us with your presence-”
“Yes, thank you Azura!” Corrado added. “We love having you here!” 1
Several people chuckled as Marcel lifted his grandson into his arms.
“I loved being here too.” I replied, trying not to get emotional.
I would have to break his heart too... I could see Leo sitting there like the arrogant jerk he was from the corner of my eyes.

“Then stay forever ok, you won’t even have to cook.” Corrado offered, smiling brightly.
Sorry baby, I can’t promise that...
Marcel’s smile faltered, almost as if he could read my expression. I forced a smile, but the moment he returned it with a sad one
of his own, I knew he knew. Knew that I wasn’t going to stay...
“Thank you for everything.” He said quietly, our eyes met, and I didn’t reply, breaking eye
contact.
He looked down at the box Winona had brought and opened it with one hand, placing Corrado down as the little boy peered into
the box.
“Ooo.” He said dramatically, only piquing everyone’s curiosity.
“I know everyone probably doesn’t want to hear me rambling on and on, but there is one final thing I want to share with you all.
Something important. My real reign as Alpha started roughly nineteen years ago... When we were freed from the reign of terror
inflicted upon us, by one who’s name I won’t mention tonight... Nineteen years later this pack has thrived.
Despite everything we went through, we are now a normal pack with everything we could have hoped for. I’m sixty now, damn
I’m getting old.”
“Not that old Alpha! You still look amazing!” One of the middle–aged she–wolves said, whilst everyone agreed, making Marcel
smirk slightly.
“Thank you.”
Yeah, like I said, fine wine...
“He is so handsome.” Song whispered, making me smile slightly as I nodded in agreement. “Well, I still think I want to just sit
back and just spend time with my grandchildren now... and so, tonight, I will pass that title to my son, Leo-”
He stopped, his gaze turning to Leo, who was looking at him sharply.
They were conversing through the link.
“Daddy will be Alpha!” Corrado said excitedly.

Yet I didn’t feel good. Despite the excitement that was rippling through the garden, something between the look of coldness in
Leo’s eyes and the confusion in Marcel’s, told me things weren’t going as planned.
“Now I know why there’s a special knife.” Corrado added.
My heart thumped as Leo stood up.
“Leo...” Marcel began, unable to hide the sadness and hurt in his voice.
“I don’t need the title to be Alpha. I no longer fucking want it, keep it.” He said coldly, before he turned and walked away leaving a
shocked silence in his wake... 22