AZURA
“Just say hi, trust me,” I smirk, watching Leo observe Skyla sharply.
“I’ll fucking pass,” he replies cockily, making Malevolent hiss, and I gently tug Skyla back, feeling her aura growing.
“When did you get here?” I ask, trying to diffuse her rising temper. She blinks and shakes her head, her eyes returning to their vibrant green.
“Not long ago. It was supposed to be a surprise. Kat wanted to jump you and go surprise! But then, when we were waiting for you guys to return, I saw you two might just… you know, smooch – gross – so I decided to interrupt,” she explains, pulling me inside as I stroke Malevolent, who purrs with approval.
“I see. Hey, Malevolent. Dare I ask what you have been up to?”
“Oh, the usual,” Skyla smirks just as Marcel and Kataleya come into the hall.
Unlike Skyla, who is in leather pants, high heels, and a crop top, Kat is wearing a chiffon floral dress that reaches down to her knees with long flowing sleeves. She’s the opposite of Sky, who is the slimmest of us with washboard abs. Kat’s a lot curvier, having gotten it from her mama, and I think the Rossi genes, if Raihana is anything to go by, with big breasts and an ample ass. And unlike the two of us, she prefers to wear clothes that cover her up. She’s around the same height as Kia, or maybe even a little taller now. Her hair is super long, too, reaching below her waist. Our perfect, pure-hearted princess!
“Hey, Azura.” She smiles at me as she comes over, and I close the gap between us, hugging her tightly.
“Kat, how are you?” She smiles softly and nods.
“I’m good.”
“Great,” I smirk as I step back, and she turns to Leo, confident that he’ll be nicer to her than he was to Skyla.
“Hello, Leo,” she greets him in her soft voice.
“Hey, good to see you,” he answers coldly, holding his hand out to her. Formal, but it’s a start. She smiles, taking it, and he gives it a quick shake, glancing down at Malevolent, who had jumped out of Sky’s arms and is now circling him.
“I can’t believe you two are here,” I say, not able to hide my happiness. It’s the first time since I got pregnant that I can just talk to them in person.
“Yeah, me, too. Never thought the Sangue Pack would let me in… so, girls’ night?” Skyla asks, raising an eyebrow as she looks at Leo. “Or will Weo here be too scared to sleep alone?” Leo clenches his jaw.
“Fucking no, but if I want my mate by my fucking side, I’ll get her,” he shoots back cockily, and I walk over to him, locking my arms around his neck.
She’s got a mouth on her. Ignore her. He looks down at me, raising a brow.
I also have a fucking mouth that really doesn’t give a fuck to reply, he replies arrogantly.
“This is so weird, but maybe in a good way. You two actually go well together. Even though he’s an ass,” Skyla remarks, watching us.
“Yeah?” I ask, tugging Leo down and kissing his lips softly. He kisses me back, making Marcel chuckle, and I’m sure it‘s because Kataleya probably got embarrassed, but I am far too consumed by the taste of Leo’s mouth and his touch to focus. I move back slowly, looking into the eyes of my handsome mate.
Mind if I crash with the girls tonight?’
Do I fucking mind? Yeah, I fucking do, but go ahead, you ain’t fucking seen them in a while. I’ll be fine. Maybe I’ll go hang with the boys. We could use a break.
Sounds like a plan, I reply. Leaning up, I kiss his jaw, hearing the light patter of a child’s footsteps.
“Mommy! Daddy!” A not-so-happy Corrado’s voice calls. I move away from Leo as I look at our son standing there, hands on hips and a frown on his little face.
“What’s wrong, baby?” I ask, going over to him and crouching down. I kiss his cheek.
“You have spent all day with Daddy, but you come home and kiss again. What about me?” He asks, making me feel a sliver of guilt rush through me.
“Of course, you’re number one! I needed to kiss Daddy because he will be going out tonight whilst we will be having a sleepover with your… aunties?”
“Daddy, huh…” Sky smirks, earning a glare from me as Marcel clears his throat. “Oh, and the little minion can call me Sky. I’m too young to be an aunt.” I nod.
“Understood, from my side. You two work out as cousins, anyway.” Corrado looks confused, and I can’t deny that it is pretty confusing. We’re all just somehow linked.
“I like Aunty,” Kataleya says, smiling at him. Corrado smiles back shyly.
“She’s so pretty, Mommy,” he whispers, making Kataleya blush and Leo raise an eyebrow.
“Yeah, she’s your dad’s cousin,” he says pointedly as Marcel chuckles.
“Well, let’s get to dinner,” he suggests before saying something to the twins, but I’m too busy staring at my mate. I can’t help but smile. After all, he had just called her his cousin. Our eyes meet, and he raises a brow, and all I want to do is kiss him all over again…
-----
It’s pretty late, and we are in the guest room that holds two double beds. Corrado is fast asleep whilst we three girls are in our pyjamas, an oversize hoodie, and Kataleya is in her satin pink pyjamas. She’s now braiding her long hair as we chat. We hadn’t been able to speak about much when Corrado was awake, but now that he’s asleep, the conversation has gotten deeper.
Just then, there is a knock on the door, and I call for them to enter. Winona stands there, holding a tray of snacks and hot drinks.
“Oh, thanks, Winona, you didn’t need to. Guys, this is Winona, Corrado’s nanny and a dear friend. Winona, Marcel’s nieces, Skyla, and Kataleya,” I introduce them as she puts the tray down.
“Nice to meet you,” Winona says, smiling at them both.
“Nice to meet you, too. Thank you for these,” Kataleya replies as Skyla simply smirks slightly.
“You should join us,” I offer, but she shakes her head, casting a glance at Corrado.
“No, you girls talk. Is he okay here?” She asks. I nod, patting the blanket over the boy next to me.
“He’s fine,” I reply, smiling down at him.
“Okay, goodnight. If you need anything, let me know, I’ll still be awake,” she offers before leaving the room and closing the door after her. Skyla lets out a low whistle once she’s gone.
“Damn, she’s hot,” she says, making me smirk.
“Yup, she is,” I reply back as Kataleya shakes her head.
“Sky, you can’t keep eyeing up everyone,” she whispers as if someone might hear.
“How old is she?” Skyla asks, raising her eyebrows suggestively, making me snicker.
“Too old for you. Turn eighteen first. Plus, I don’t think she’s into girls,” I point out. Skyla shrugs, dropping onto her stomach.
“Well, I like a blond.”
Skyla doesn't really label herself, but I would say she’s pansexual. She’s dated both genders over the years and is probably one of the most experimental people I know. However, thanks to her own control issues, she doesn’t really stick to a serious relationship. I know she’s struggling more than she’s ever expressed, but she doesn’t really let anyone in either, always saying she’s fine. Which, in turn, got her into shit at the academy.
“So, how’s the pregnancy going?” Kataleya asks, standing up. “Can I listen to the heartbeat?”
“Sure,” I agree, relaxing back as she hurries over and places her hand on my stomach, smiling happily.
“I can’t believe you are going to be a mommy,” she whispers in awe, placing her ear against my stomach. She would make a good Mama, too. She loves kids.
“Make sure it’s a little devil,” Skyla adds, rolling onto her back and staring at the ceiling.
“And how do you expect me to do that?” I raise an eyebrow. “Besides, it’s mine and Leo’s. It is bound to be crazy.”
“Well, technically, that’s not how it works,” Skyla says, sliding her head off the bed so it’s hanging upside down. “Do you know the gender yet?”
“No, and we don’t plan to find out,” I reply, caressing my stomach.
"I think that’s beautiful; a surprise is always nice,” Kataleya replies, picking up a truffle from the tray as she settles on the floor between the two beds, leaning against my bed, her ankles crossed in front of her. Trust Kat to wear toe rings, too. The girl loves her jewellery and stuff. Skyla nods.
“Mm… so, tell me, it’s been rough, right? With everything with the fucking dipshit?”
“Yeah, he’s really fucked stuff up. He even killed two of Leo’s closest friends.” I sigh heavily. “I can’t wait for the day when he’s gone. I just… I hate him. I want him dead. Is that so wrong to think like that?”
“Not at all, Zu. After everything he’s been doing… I’d want him dead, too.” Her voice darkens, her eyes flashing. “Does Grandad know? Or Mama Red? About him and everything?” Skyla asks, now flipping onto her stomach.
“No, but I plan to tell them tomorrow. They’re going to be here early.” I exhale, “I fucked up.” Skyla doesn’t respond, her eyes shadowing as she becomes lost in thought.
“We all mess up, Azura, but the main thing is trying to do the right thing, and you are doing that. Plus, admitting to your mistakes,” Kataleya says, tilting her head up and giving me a gentle smile. I nod, my eyes falling to the necklace that she still wears to this day. She sees me looking and leans forward, taking a mug of hot chocolate, smoothly arranging her hair in front of her shoulder and hiding it from view.
“Yeah… I guess. Doesn’t make it easier… but you know that feeling I had inside of me… like not belonging… that rage… I mean, you know, when I just lost my shit. Leo, he can deal with that. It’s so damn weird that he can diffuse me so easily.
“The mate bond. Guess I need my mate to show the hell up and help me. If they don’t end up rejecting me, that is, or I don’t end up killing them accidentally…” Sky mutters, pulling a face. I watch her, concerned.
“Still struggling to control it?”
She sighs, “Yeah, I mean, it isn’t easy.”
“I know Dante never really figured it out, but how are you even possible?” I look up at her, and our eyes meet. “Like, there’s only ever supposed to be one at a time alive and, even then, centuries apart.” She shakes her head.
“Yeah, but who knows, especially since there’s no record of a female.” Kataleya nods.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re the first female Lycan, Sky, the very first one.”