AZURA
His words cut like a knife. I, more than anyone, regret my time with Judah, but as a careless eighteen-year-old, he seemed to have understood me. I was the misfit, the odd one out, the freak... when I met Judah, it just felt like he didn’t care about my past. He welcomed me into his arms with empty promises, and I fell for it.
"Azura!" Leo calls, but I speed up, heading to our bedroom. I break into a run. Entering the room, I run straight to the bathroom and lock the door before I step into the shower, switching it on and making sure that my walls are up.
"Azura." I hear him trying the door, and I take a slow breath, wanting to sound normal.
"Yeah?"
I hear him sigh, "Are you okay?" No, I'm not.
"Yes. Can a girl shower in peace?" I reply, feeling my emotions ready to spiral.
Everything that is happening is my fault, I get that... but he had tried so hard to make me believe that it wasn’t my fault, but what he said now... does he even mean it? Deep down, he probably feels that it is my fault. I kick off my sneakers, slowly stepping under the cold water of the shower.
"Alright... don’t take too long. I didn’t mean what -"
"Like I said, can a girl shower in peace?" This time my voice sounds cold.
"Not when she’s pissed. When a woman says she’s fine, she isn’t."
"Wow, you’re really so smart, aren’t you? Give yourself a pat on the shoulder for figuring that out," I growl, giving up on hiding my emotions.
He doesn’t respond, and I lean against the shower wall, sliding to the floor, fully clothed. My white shirt is stuck to me as the cold water drenches me.
My fault... time and time again, I mess up, and others get hurt.
I wrap my arms around my legs, resting my forehead on my knees and feeling my tears on the verge of spilling. The last few days were already so hard... seeing Kareena in that state, I am racked with guilt. The run-in with Nikki earlier didn’t help either...
I had just purchased some flowers, deciding to stop at the graves on the way back from seeing Kareena. Eric and Jax were with me, as Leo wouldn’t let me wander alone. I looked down at the graves after laying the flowers on them, silently apologising once more.
A shadow fell over me, blocking out the sunlight, and I tilted my head to look at the woman who was standing there.
"What are you doing here?" Nikki shouted. For once, she was without makeup, her eyes puffy and the hatred in them clear.
"Nikki. You are speaking to your Luna," Jax warned, stepping in front of me defensively. "Leave."
"This is my sister’s grave!" She hissed venomously.
"Nikki -" Eric began. Frowning, I stood up from where I was crouching and placed my hand on his shoulder.
"I’ll handle this." Jax shook his head.
"I don’t think that’s wise. Let’s get you home." I raised an eyebrow.
"Both of you, step aside." My voice was clear, and Jax frowned as Eric slowly backed off. "Jax, let me handle this. Stay, just don’t speak."
"Sure, so he can report back to his Alpha." Nikki said, "The one you stole from me!" I clucked my tongue, shaking my head.
"No, he is mine. He was always meant to be mine. You were just there. I'm the one who belongs with him. When will you let that go, Nikki? Look... let’s not do this at her grave." She let out a bitter laugh.
"Are you for real? You actually care? Or you’re pretending to care! You’re the reason she’s dead! Deny it all you want! Everyone knows that the man who killed her was your ex!" How had that even gotten out?
"Hey! Keep it up, and I am not afraid to have you tossed in prison, Nikki!" Jax growled, grabbing her arm.
"Do not manhandle a woman!" Nikki shouted.
Jax scoffed, "For real? You’re a warrior, not a weak, innocent woman. Take her, Eric, put her in for a day. I'm sure Leo won’t mind."
"Just remember! Once more, it’s our pack who suffered for an entitled princess like yourself! You killed her! You killed my baby sister!" She screamed as Eric tried to drag her away, clamping his hand over her mouth.
Her words hurt, but she was hurting, too... I stayed quiet because, ultimately, she was a member of this pack... my pack.
"Eric. Let her go," I commanded as Jax looked at me sharply. "Jax... I'm the future Alpha’s mate. My word holds more power." I knew I shouldn’t use that on him, but I didn’t want more drama. He shook his head, clearly pissed when Eric let go of her.
"Leave," Eric warned her. She glanced at both Jax and me before she ran off. Jax kicked a rock on the floor.
"Leo is going to be pissed."
Shaking my head, I sigh, "No, he won’t because he won’t know. He already has enough on his plate, he doesn’t need extra. Leave it be. No one is to relay this to him. Am I clear?" Eric looked down at his hands.
"I understand that, Luna... but she needs to be punished."
"I agree," Jax growled. I shook my head.
"Not this time."
How many more would lose their lives because of me? I would be a fool to think no one... I wish I could heal Leo already. If I wasn’t pregnant, I would have gone after Judah myself.
The door clicks open, and I turn sharply to see Leo enter, his eyes instantly landing on me.
"I never knew the new trend was to shower with your clothes on," he says quietly as he walks over to the shower. Standing up, I brush my soaking hair off my face and give him a dirty look.
"Yeah, it’s something the new generation likes to do just in case pervy old men enter without permission." I turn my back on him, grabbing the shampoo bottle. I frown when his strong arms wrap tightly around me as he steps into the shower, shoes on and all, letting the water drench him.
"I’m sorry. I didn’t fucking mean it like that," he says quietly, pressing his head against the side of mine.
A warmth spreads through me, and I can feel my wolf fighting me as she wants to give in to him. It is at times when we are at odds that I notice her more. His embrace is comforting, and there is nowhere else I’d rather be than in his arms... but...
"Whatever. I said I'm fine." He lets go of me, forcing me to turn, and I fight him - refusing to turn towards him. I growl as I shove him. "For someone who's dying, you’re damn strong!" His only response is an amused smirk on his face, one that doesn’t reach his eyes, which are still filled with concern and so many emotions that I don’t want to see. He’ll make me melt.
"If you’re angry, vent. Hit me, shout at me, do whatever the fuck you want, just don’t fucking shut me out. Don’t hold that shit in." I give him a scathing glare.
"I don’t. When I need to go take a dump, I do!" I snap in response. Although I knew exactly what he meant, I still came up with that lousy comeback.
"Good to know." The smirk returns, and I smack his arm, my hand hitting the wet leather and making a loud sound. "I really didn’t fucking mean it the way you took it. I just meant I fucking hate him." Maybe...
I try to turn away, only for him to grab my elbows and yank me close. He looks down at me, the cold water pouring down over both of us.
"What the fuck did you see in Nikki?" I say bitterly. "She’s a total bitch with no class or compassion, yet you were with her for two years." He frowns, letting go of my arms, and I am about to pull away, only for him to cup my face, refusing to allow me to move.
"Honestly, I don’t fucking know. I can let my walls down, and you’ll see that I do not blame you for any of this."
Pursing my lips, I shake my head. He doesn’t need to prove anything to me. I can tell he isn’t lying, and I also know I would trust him blindly no matter what. I know, going forward, he could kill someone right in front of me, and if he denied it, I would believe him. Beautiful, yet terrifying, too.
I look around, realising the anger and hurt I felt has washed away. I don’t get it. I’ve never calmed down so easily, yet here I am. Rather than lashing out, I am just... no longer angry.
"Damn mate bond," I mutter, stepping closer and fighting the urge to crush his balls.
I will crush your baby maker.
"Really? I’m sure you enjoy it the most," he taunts, clearly finding this amusing. "You really do resort to violence every fucking time."
"Of course, I have to! How else do I get my revenge? You’re so annoying... old man." He smirks, his fingers brushing my cheeks as he gazes into my eyes.
"So, I take it that every time I piss you off, you’re going to call me an old man?"
"Yup, and make many more voodoo dolls. Just wait till I get that staple gun..." I glower at him, trying to ignore how damn good he looks. The cold water is becoming more noticeable now, but I am not going to show him that.
"What exactly do you plan to do with this staple gun?" He asks. I peer at him suspiciously. Is he seriously asking me that? I mean, he is meant to be smart, isn’t he?
"Staple gun your dick, obviously. Give you a few more ladder steps." I clench my teeth, trying not to shiver from the cold water. His eyes flash with surprise as he looks at me to see if I am serious.
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah, just wait..." I mutter. To my surprise, he simply chuckles, crashing his lips right down on mine. Rivers of pleasure dance through me as he claims my trembling lips in a sizzling kiss.
Fuck, girl, I love you, comes his breathy voice in my mind, making me freeze. His words are echoing in my mind.
Love you... he said he loves me. Goddess!
So shaken by those words, I kiss him back hard, gripping hold of his jacket and pressing myself into him, seeking the warmth of his body and the feel of his touch. He holds my face, keeping my head tilted up as he devours me, just the way I like it. His lips caress mine passionately, deeply, and sensually yet at the same time, rough and hard. Only Leo can kiss like this...
He loves me...
Love... but I am unable to say it back, although I want to, far too lost in his smouldering kiss...
-----
The following morning, feeling a little kinky, I decide to put on some sexy fishnets, pairing it with a shirtdress that just about covers my ass and black heeled calf-high boots that only make my legs look even longer.
Leo had gone for a run before he showered and got dressed before I even woke up. Aside from a few kisses, he didn’t disturb me; after last night, I need the rest. Weirdly, the sex only made me hornier and left me wanting more today. Urgh, I'm becoming a sex addict!
I dust some highlighter onto my cheek. Damn, Kia and Kat would be proud of this glow. Finishing off, I add some volume to my hair. I stand up, satisfied. And I bet Leo will love these tights...
I leave the bedroom, still feeling sore from yesterday, but it was worth it. I can’t help but smile, knowing that he confessed his love. First, I told him I would staple his dick, and he responded that he loves me. Yeah, that’s my type of guy. One who wants me for me... likes me for me, loves me for who I really am... the weird, psychotic, and crazy me.
Making my way down the stairs, I can hear Leo and Marcel talking in the kitchen, and I slow down, hoping I’m not intruding. Corrado is at school, and Winona isn’t in either.
"... really have become the Alpha you were born to be. I think it’s time you take on this title, son. I know you refused, but you deserve it, Leo. You are already running the pack," Marcel is saying. Frowning, I realise he still doesn’t know about Leo’s health. That is something we need to tell him. Leo did say he would...
"Fine. I’ll take the title," Leo replies just as I step into the kitchen. He has his back to me, leaning against the island, whilst Marcel is on the opposite side, drinking some coffee. He gives me a smile and says,
"Good morning, Azura; it seems like today’s a good day."
This damn smile on my face, but since Leo said I love you... it just won’t go away.
Speaking of Leo, he now turns his head to look at me, only for him to freeze. His heart rate picks up as his eyes slowly run over me. They darken, the steel magnetic blue replacing his usual ice blue, and that animalistic hunger is so clear in them. He licks his lips before swallowing slowly and biting his bottom lip. Not one word is spoken, but his reaction is enough as Marcel chuckles,
"Well... I just remembered I have something I need to do..."
He walks around the island and passes me on his way to the door. Once the door is shut, I strut across the kitchen. I may not be the next top model, but I have done enough messing around with the girls to know how to walk that walk.
"I'm so hungry," I muse, reaching up and opening the top kitchen cabinet for a bowl, giving him a full-on view of my barely covered ass.
Three... two...
A growl leaves his lips, and I gasp when he grabs my elbow, spinning me around while his other hand twists into my hair, yanking my head upwards...