MARCEL
I return home, hearing Winona and Corrado in the lounge, and although I’m tempted to go greet him, I know she isn’t comfortable around me alone. I messed that up, and I really have no idea why I did what I did. Fuck, I screwed up big time. Why did I even think she’d be interested? I’m sixty, and she’s twenty-six; that’s a big gap.
Sighing heavily, I head to the kitchen to make myself a mug of coffee. The trial from earlier is still fresh in my mind. Eric’s reaction was extremely worrying. Of course, I understand the compassion killing, rather than having someone who hates him pull the trigger. Eric himself did it to make it easier for his brother. For Emmet to know that those he hates weren’t the ones who killed him would make it easier for him to go… but I didn’t think Eric was the type to ever be able to kill anyone, let alone his brother. There was no hesitation in him, not even a tremor to his wrist. His heartbeat was fast, but that was it.
I run my fingers through my brows, sighing. Maybe I’m reading too much into it. I grab a mug and switch the coffee machine on, only to realise the pods are finished. I open the cabinet drawer above the machine, but there are none anywhere. Rosaline… she’s been busy rearranging things to her liking. She must have moved them. Well, they have to be here somewhere… I open the drawers, rummaging around. After a few minutes, I wonder if the coffee is even worth it. This’ll do until dinner…
“…want milk! When will Mommy and Daddy come home?” Corrado’s voice comes, and I exhale. No coffee for today.
Running my hand through my hair, I instead grab a protein bar from the door. I shut the cabinet drawer just in time as Winona and Corrado enter. A genuine smile appears on her face as she tucks a strand of her hair that had come free from her hair tie behind her ear. Her slender figure is in a white blouse that drapes over her breasts, paired with flared beige pants. I look away quickly, angry at myself for even checking her out.
“Grandad!”
“Hey, son, how have you been today?” I ask smoothly, going over to him and bending down to give him a hug. His smile is vibrant, and it often reminds me of Petra’s. She used to have a cheeky look to her, too, with round cheeks and dimples. He smiles, planting a kiss on my forehead.
“It was good, Grandad, but Winnie told me tomorrow is Mommy and Daddy’s ceremony, but Daddy and Mommy didn’t tell me themselves, so I’m mad now,” he huffs, crossing his arms, looking cute yet displeased. I chuckle, lightly ruffling his hair.
“I know, son, they have been very busy, but I’m certain they will tell you. Now go have that milk, and I will head to my room; I need to make sure the protocol for all the guests arriving tomorrow is in place.” I stand up, accidentally making the mistake of looking at her. Our eyes meet before she looks away first, trying to smile.
Great, now she can’t even smile at me.
I leave the kitchen, thinking I’ll just stay out of the way in my bedroom. Heading upstairs, I pull my shirt off upon entering my room and drop onto the bed. I sigh heavily, leaning my head back against the headboard and staring at the ceiling.
What am I even doing? It’s been years, and I have no mate, a mate I barely remember… I’m still a man, and although I never ever pictured myself falling in love again, I still bedded women – mostly when I went away. I don’t really like mixing pleasure with my own pack. Seeing Winona in that dress that night had just made me see her differently, but she’s the wrong woman to have my eyes on. Yet, since then, I can’t stop myself from thinking of her or observing her. Shaking my head, I frown deeply as I pick up my laptop and get to work.
Leo’s security plan is intense, to the point that it might appear we don’t trust anyone to enter the pack. He doesn’t want any electronic devices, everyone is to leave them in a safe box at the edge of the pack, no vehicles are to enter, and everyone will be scanned upon entrance. I had already sent his criteria to Alejandro earlier. I now log onto my email after switching some music on to see if he has replied. I scan the list, sticking my ear pods in and turning the volume up. I look at the electronic multimedia invitation card that Leo had sent out, and I can’t help but smile. He had invited all the Rossis, Raihana and Chris, the Westwoods, and Nicholsons, too. I’m proud of him; he has a good head on his shoulders.
Clicking on my email inbox, I see Alejandro replied. Opening it, I skim the email.
‘And what the fuck do you find wrong with him being careful? No one will find it fucking extreme. With that fucker Judah being out there, I don’t blame him for being extra careful. I think we’re all fucking proud of him rising to become the Alpha he truly is. I’m fucking proud of him. Those rules will be followed.
Oh, and those two will be arriving around seven tonight. I did text you, so take care of them for me… more like I should with you. Good luck with her there. The rest of us will come tomorrow evening. I look forward to it.’
I smirk slightly and quickly reply,
‘Glad you at least understand him when I think he’s being excessive, but he does have a point. We can’t risk everything. And don’t worry, I will treat them as my own. They are as much mine as yours. I look forward to having them here, and I’m sure Azura will be pleased to see them.’
I glance at the time. Maybe I should shower before it’s time for dinner. Leo is currently at the hospital after what happened with Kareena, but they will be home soon. I frown deeply as I stand up and unbuckle my belt. I’m sliding my zipper down just as the door opens to reveal Winona standing there, a mug of coffee in her hand. She gasps, her eyes flying open as they land on me, and I know what’s about to happen. I jump forward, catching the mug that slipped from her hand before it shatters and burns her. The scalding liquid spills over my hands.
“I’m so sorry!” She yelps, her heart thundering as she quickly takes the mug from me and places it aside as she pulls on her blouse sleeve, dabbing my hand while she blows softly. Even in her panic, she scans the room before she tugs me toward the bathroom.
A part of me wants to tell her that a bit of hot coffee isn’t going to hurt me, I’m already healing, and it’ll be healed within a minute, yet another part of me doesn’t mind seeing her panicking over me…
She opens the cold tap, pulling my hand under. Her hands are so tiny… and slender… I’m a little too aware of her touch.
“I am so sorry, I knocked, but you didn’t reply! I wouldn’t have just walked in and seen you -” She stops in her tracks, her eyes going to my shirtless torso once more before dipping to my pants which are unzipped. At least I’m wearing boxers. She looks away quickly, her hair shielding her face.
“It’s alright, Winona. I had my ear pods in. I didn’t hear the door, but we’re werewolves. Nudity comes with it, don’t you think? Luckily, I’m still wearing my pants,” I smirk, making her freeze. Her shirt is splattered with the water that she had turned on full, making the silk fabric stick to her breasts in a few areas.
“I am sorry. I saw the empty mug was there, and I thought maybe you didn’t find the coffee pods…”
“That’s actually true,” I agree with a nod, wondering if I should tell her that I’m healed. She nods slowly, still holding my hand.
“I’m sorry you have to walk on eggshells around me,” she whispers. So she knows I left the kitchen fast because of her. I lean against the wall, raising an eyebrow.
“Don’t apologise, that’s something I should do… for the other night -”
“It’s fine, I mean, you didn’t mean -”
“No, I meant it.” With my free hand, I reach over and turn off the tap. Her hands are turning pink thanks to the cold water. “But I was out of line. I don’t take back what I thought, but it was selfish of me. So, I’m sorry for that…” Her heart is thumping, and she looks up at me slowly. She bites her lip, struggling to say something, but I don’t push it. At least I apologised… “I hope we can just continue as before, especially since tomorrow is the ceremony.” She nods quickly.
“Oh… yes, of course!” She agrees quickly, passing me a towel to dry my hand as she quickly skirts around me as if wanting to leave. “I’ll bring you some more coffee…”
“Oh, and one more thing, Winona,” I say, making her pause, her cheeks burning red, much to my amusement.
“Mmm?”
I smirk and hold up my hand, “I healed from that minor burn within a minute.” I wink at her as her eyes widen before she turns even redder and runs from the room pretty fast. Damn, she’s a fast runner. But somehow, just that small conversation with her kinda… felt good.
-----
LEO
Jax’s words, along with the state of Kareena, are still on my mind when we return home. It was hard to see. Kareena is one of our tracker specialists. Fast, efficient, and smart. Probably the strongest mate from the three that were mated… but, yeah, that just… was gone. The moment she lost Shane, she broke down…
Jax had said when the time is right, we’ll talk to her. For now, she’s staying with Ace and Sera until we come up with a plan. We are currently so fucking busy that no one can watch her, so we have to rely on the women to keep an eye on her and be there for her.
I am now watching the video on the phone of the man who had gone to meet Web before the meeting and frown as I click pause.
“Judah,” Azura says quietly. Our eyes meet, and I nod slowly.
“Yeah… which meant it was as we fucking thought. It just gets to me that he was seeing Web in person. How big of a link does Web have with him? But putting that aside, I’m destroying Web for good. We’ll plan a takeover.”
“A takeover?” She raises her eyebrow, and I nod.
“Yeah, Web’s fucked up far too many times and has become a fucking thorn in my side. He will be better off dead,” I reply coldly as we reach the mansion door. She nods slowly, looking thoughtful, and I lean against the door, crossing my arms after slipping my phone into my pocket. “What is it?” For once, she has her walls up.
“I was just thinking that sometimes you seem to struggle to kill, at others not so much,” she murmurs, locking her arms around my neck. I nod slowly, gripping her hips and pressing her against me.
“Yeah, depends on the situation, baby girl, and -”
“Wow. Now, who would have thought the Westwood Devil would become so mushy?”
We both turn as the door is yanked open by a tall slim young woman with shoulder-length black hair, piercing green eyes, and dressed all in black with hooker heels that give her enough height to rival my own. A devious smirk crosses her lips as a black cat with equally green eyes pounces into her arms. Well, she sure looks different in person. Her aura, despite being reined in, is noticeable.
Azura gasps, letting go of me as she stares at her.
“Oh my goddess, you’re here!” She winks before she pounces on Azura, hugging her tightly.
“Of course, I’m here. You need your girls here when you’re about to become Luna!” She replies before turning to me, her arms crossed as she does a once over. “Damn, are you sure I can’t take pictures? He’d bring in a pretty penny…” she murmurs, making me cock a brow. She simply gives me a devious smirk that tells me she’s fucking dangerous, and not in the way that I can handle. “Hello, cousin.”
“Skyla,” I reply as I cross my arms.
“In the flesh, dear cousin,” she counters with a small smirk.
“She seems more psychotic than you,” I remark to Azura, making Skyla arch one of her brows.
“That’s because I am. I mean, you’ve met the Westwood Devil. Now you meet Lucifer, the devil of devils herself. Just don’t get on my bad side, I have a talent for creating hell.” Her words make Azura suppress a snicker. But although I have a feeling she’d follow up on that shit, I’m not scared. She may be Alejandro’s daughter, but I’m also a Rossi.
“This pack is used to hell, kid, so do your fucking worst,” I reply mockingly. She’s about to reply when the cat draws our attention away, meowing loudly, and she holds it right up in my fucking face.
“Oh, and this is Malevolent. Say hi.” I cock a brow.
“I don’t talk to animals,” I say arrogantly. Her smirk vanishes, her eyes flashing a deep plum red, and I frown, my own eyes blazing as I observe her sharply. Her eyes… the twins are not eighteen yet, so what the fuck is she?