Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire

119. Friends & Pizza
AZURA.
“He’s old. I doubt he’ll find his mate now.” I say although I know Alejandro was like thirty -four, Jax is only in his late twenties.
“I’m trying my best, Azura. I won’t abandon my child.” She says quietly. “I don’t need a man.”
The front doorbell rings and Kareena walks past me to get it. At the same time,
Jax comes out of the living room. Their eyes meet before Kareena power walks to the door and pulls it open before Jax can.
“Delivery.” The guy from the café says. Hello, Luna.” He smiles at me as he passes Jax the trays holding the hot drinks.
“Thanks, man, you got the desserts?”
“Just on the bike. I’ll go grab them.” He says as Jax nods.
“I got here first.” Kareena says pointedly, trying to take the drinks from him, but he holds them out of her reach.
“Don’t be petty. Get the desserts.” He says. c*ckily, making her frown.
‘Maybe they’re a bad match.’ Mishiko says through the link as she steps out of the living room, too.
‘I don’t know, they might work...’ I reply.
D*mn, our conversation was going so well before the door-bell went off. I almost got to the hard bit! Jax carries the drinks
through to the lounge and he’s back out by the time. the guy brings the bags to the door.
“Thanks.” Jax says, taking them and Kareena manages to grab one.
‘You are annoying.” She says, leading the way back to the living room.
‘Scratch that... I think they are the perfect match...’ I say to Mishiko through the link.
We enter the lounge where Sera is already passing everyone their drinks and I take a seat next to Kareena, I know Leo wants to
talk to her, and today hopefully as a group, we can make her understand.
“The chocolate cake is Jin’s and Kar’s.” Jax says. “The cookie doughs are mine, Mish’s and Li Sheng’s...”

I sit back enjoying the cosy atmosphere, my eyes falling on Leo, who is sitting opposite He sits back, picking up his coffee, his
smouldering eyes on me. He doesn’t need to say anything for me to know he’s checking me out. I smile slightly, remembering
our sex session from earlier. I push the thought away before I get distracted from the goal. We just need to wait for the right time
to speak to Kareena.
She sits back with her chocolate cake, lost in thought once again. We all begin eating, but she doesn’t move, as if she’s reliving
something as her eyes begin to well with tears and her heart begins thumping.
“Kareena.” Mishiko says sharply, placing a hand on her arm. She doesn’t move.
“Kareena!” I say, snapping my fingers in front of her face.
She blinks and looks up with a start. Her heart is still pounding as she looks at the room of people as if just remembering we are
here.
“I’m just a little tired. I’m going to head to bed.” She places her cake down, not even having eaten much of it.
“Kareena, a word?” Leo says, making her stop in her tracks. She closes her eyes for a second and I know she’s near breaking
point. I get what Mishiko is concerned about “What is it?” She asks, trying to remain calm and collected.
Everyone falls silent, and I take her hand, slowly tugging her down beside me again.
She glances at Leo, who now sits forward.
“I care about you. We all do. We’re worried about you, Kareena, about this pup. Let us help you.” He says quietly, his voice is
firm and emotionless, but we all know beyond that, Leo has a heart of gold, and he means it.
She clutches her neck, her eyes stinging as she tries to control herself. Blood trickles down her neck where she’s digging her
fingers in and Li Sheng looks away first.
“I won’t let anyone remove his mark from me.” She says quietly, her eyes blazing black.
“You know, back at my old pack... there’s a woman who took a chosen mate after her mate died... and you know what she did?
She had her mate’s mark tattooed just beneath where her mate mark sat, and when her chosen mate marked her, she still got to
keep her mate’s mark close. If you agree... maybe you could do the same.” I say quietly, slowly tugging her hand from where she
had clawed into her skin.

“That’s a neat idea.” Ace says seriously, his arm around Sera.
“But, it’s all I have left of him.” She whispers.
“You have his pup.” Leo reminds her, and she nods slowly.
“True...”
“Well, if you don’t want Jax to mark you, what about me?” Li Sheng asks quietly.
I can’t help but smile when Dan nods and also looks up. “Or me?”
“Check it out. It’s like that TV show, only you got three hotties to choose from.” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.
“It isn’t Jax, that is the issue.” Kareena says, running her fingers through her hair. “I just, it isn’t fair to your mate who is out there,
either.”
“Is that why you’re not agreeing?” Jax asks incredulously, c*cking a brow. “Over
something that you can’t even guarantee?”
“Not only that, I don’t want to tie myself to anyone.” Kareena refutes.
“The main thing here is to break the bond between you and Shane. After that, if
you want to reject Jax and break the bond, your can. Unless you mark him, that
bond won’t be completed.” Leo says, watching her sharply.
The room falls silent, and I take her hand. ” Do it for the baby... for little
Shane... because you know that Shane would want you to be there fully for
your baby. Children pick up on emotions far better than adults. If you aren’t
happy, he’ll realise. You need to be the best version of yourself for him.”
She closes her eyes and turns towards me, and I hug her tightly, trying to
control my own emotions. I can’t even imagine being pregnant without Leo.

Being alone in this world...
She buries her head into my shoulder, and I stroke her back as Mishiko turns
her face away, trying to hide her own tears that she wipes away. Jin gives her
hand a squeeze, and she rests her head on his shoulder as we wait patiently for
Kareena’s decision.
Her baby kicks and I chuckle when my minion kicks back.
Kareena moves back, startled, and she smiles as she looks down. “I think these
two are going to have a lot of play fights.” She smiles.
“Yeah, but I’m sure they’ll also be the best of friends, just like their parents,” I
say.
She nods.
“Well, they have a legacy to continue,” Ace says and Kareena sighs.
“Ok. I agree. But once I’ve had the baby, I’ll reject you and break the bond.” She
says, looking at Jax. 2
He nods, and Dan smiles as Leo looks at me with relief in his eyes.
‘Thanks...’ He says as the mood in the room lightens.
“So, you choose Jax, huh?” Ace says,
“He offered first.” Kareena replies pointedly.
“Quit it.” Leo frowns.
“So, are we like doing this now?” Mishiko asks, looking at them.

Kareena shakes her head. “No... I want to get the tattoo done first.”
Luckily, we’re werewolves.
“Then how about we get that done tomorrow.” I say,
She nods and although I’m sure she’ll be ok, I think tonight I’ll stay with her.
The ambience of the room is lighter after that, and I notice Jax watching her a
few times with concern. She made the perfect choice by picking him, somehow;
I feel that this will become so much more.