LEO
I had felt Azura's emotions through the bond when she talked to her parents, and I had put my walls up, giving her the privacy of her own mind. All I could do was give her strength and calmness through the bond, but she was doing great without it.
The place is a damn full house, and everyone isn’t even here yet. Raihana and Chris have just arrived with their thirteen-year-old son, Tatum, and daughter, Heaven, who is ten.
“Thanks for inviting us,” Chris says after I finish shaking hands with the kids.
“Not an issue,” I reply. I do not need everyone to thank me. That is fucking weird.
“So, what do we call you?” Heaven asks, frowning slightly as she looks at me. She’s a witch-werewolf hybrid. The power clearly oozes off her. She is the first daughter of Endora’s line, after all, and although I know that the link between Raihana and Endora was severed… she is still powerful.
“Leo’s fine,” I reply, and she nods, tossing her hair over her shoulder; she is definitely a little Raihana in the making.
“Cool,” she replies.
“Ah, Raihana! Chris! Welcome!”
I excuse myself when Dad steps out into the hall as I have a few things to handle. I walk out of the mansion to find Rayhan and his family making their way up the steps.
“Leo,” Rayhan says, stopping in his tracks as his daughter almost crashes into me.
“Hi,” I say, turning to the girl who almost bumped into me. Her eyes widen, and she stops, freezing. “Easy there, kiddo.” I remember making her cry as a child, a sliver of guilt rushing through me. She’s a cute kid, with big grey eyes and curly dark reddish-brown hair.
“Sorry,” she says, blushing as she steps back meekly. She isn’t a werewolf either. I turn away when the boy steps forward. He has black curly hair and grey eyes and looks like a mix of both his parents.
“Hey there, Uncle Leo," Ahren says, smiling as he holds his hand out to me. Right, not sure when Rayhan put me down as Uncle.
“Hey,” I reply, giving him a faint smile. I’m not going to be a dick to kids. “The rest of the kids are out back, and I think there are refreshments in the kitchen.”
“Thank you,” he replies. Ahren is a year older than his sister at thirteen years old.
“Leo.” I look up when Delsanra speaks. She’s changed a lot from the girl who had been tortured and used. She doesn’t wait for me to reply as she steps closer and, to my surprise, hugs me. “Thank you,” she whispers, looking up at me. Not sure what the fuck she’s thanking me for…
“Welcome to The Sangue Pack,” I say instead. She moves back as Rayhan places his hand on her waist, kissing her lips softly before he turns to me.
“Thank you for the welcome.” He smiles before giving me a brotherly hug. I frown as he moves back. “It’s good to be here.” Yeah, whatever.
“Head inside. Everyone’s here,” I say, gesturing with my head toward the door. It’s weird, but there’s no hatred inside of me as they walk on inside, meeting the rest. I turn away. This all feels so fucking foreign, knowing that they are family… my family? Yeah, weird shit, but it isn’t too fucking bad, I guess. As long as no one bothers me.
-----
A few hours pass by, and I’m finally satisfied that everything is sorted. There are going to be checks on anyone entering the venue, and no phones are allowed for the pack members either. There is most likely still a traitor in our midst, and I’m not going to let anything ruin this night, although I doubt anyone will try anything where there are so many powerhouses in attendance. Just in case they are banking on my confidence in that, I’m not going to risk it. I will do my part to keep the place safe and secure.
All set, Alpha, Ace’s voice announces, which means the outer wall has been reinforced.
Here on my side, too, and Nikki will be watched by Milo and Donovan, Li Sheng adds.
Perfect. I don’t need her drama tonight, I reply.
The ceremony itself is being held at the Pack Hall, but I just need to get ready first. The moment I step through the gates of the mansion, I realise the place is fucking teeming in comparison to when I left. I can hear Corrado laughing from the back garden, along with other kids shouting and talking. My son is clearly enjoying all the guests. I know everyone had arrived as I was given updates. The only one left is Dante.
I think I need a damn smoke before facing all of them. Taking out a cigarette, I lean against the wall that surrounds the mansion, needing a moment alone, when I realise that I’m not the only one here. Fuck, I almost didn’t even notice him. The red glow of his cigarette butt burns bright before he smirks,
“Hey, Fucker.”
“The fuck you doing out here?” I growl, although it's pretty obvious what he is doing out here. Alejandro smirks arrogantly.
“Isn’t that fucking obvious? Besides I’m fucking banned from smoking inside.” I raise an eyebrow.
“Who the fuck said that?” I ask as he holds out his lighter and lights my cigarette for me.
“Ri. She said it’ll get on their damn dresses.”
I smirk, “And you fucking listened to that shit?”
“Kat was siding with her elder sister, and she’s one I can’t fucking refuse. They are your sisters and don’t take a no for a fucking answer.”
“Hmm… what’s with you always referring to us as fucking siblings?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“If we consider our packs our family, then why can’t I consider my brother’s kids as my own?” I don’t respond. Dante had said something similar back when I went to the Night Walkers Pack… One family… “Ready for tonight? This is pretty much your wedding after all.”
“That shit sounds weird, but yeah, guess it is,” I reply quietly as a soft wind blows through my hair. My gaze flicks to my bedroom window, and I can see the lights are on in there. I can’t wait to see her.
“You will officially take the title you deserve, too. I know you don’t fucking care about what I say, but I’m proud of you. You were born to be a leader, Leo. You see shit from a perspective even I don’t. You think rationally in situations where even I would have gone on my emotions alone,” he says seriously. I have a feeling he had been waiting out here for me.
“You were waiting for me, weren’t you?” I ask. He simply smirks arrogantly, and I know I’m right.
“Maybe. Smart fucker.”
Do I care what he says? Probably not, but I didn’t mind hearing that approval. He had never treated me differently, even though I fucking hated the situation of the past, but we all make mistakes, and I do get that. Looking from a clear mind, I know Alejandro genuinely regretted the go-ahead that he gave Rayhan…
“Yeah, I definitely have more fucking brain cells than you,” I smirk. “You know the profiles you had on us; I get why you had them made. Like right now, I made sure everyone was checked before entering the pack grounds… I guess as a leader you had to take precautions. I didn’t like what happened… but the intention behind the initial records wasn’t wrong.”
For once, he doesn’t throw it back in my face and I think I need that.
“It was wrong, though, and I fucking regret that shit,” he says after a moment, frowning deeply as he smokes his cigarette.
“I owe you an apology, though,” I say quietly. Our eyes meet, and he frowns slightly, not expecting that. “I shouldn’t have blamed you for that shit back then, so I’m fucking sorry for that.” He smiles genuinely and shakes his head, clearly surprised that I had apologised.
“The fact that you just apologised… fuck, you got more balls than I do,” he grumbles before pulling me in for a hug.
“Obviously,” I smirk, but I hug him back. After all, he was one of the first people who believed in me, held on to that shit when I was filled with hatred. Apologising doesn’t fucking make you any less of a fucking person. I pull away and he squeezes my shoulder.
“I may not be like the fucker who can see a lot of shit, but you are going to do great things,” he smirks, and I cock a brow, but before I can even reply, I hear footsteps and sense a powerful aura.
“Am I interrupting?” I turn to see none other than Dante walking over to us.
“You got here,” Alejandro says, placing a hand on his son’s arm. I see the faint glimpse of concern on his face, but it’s gone as fast as it came. “How was your journey?” Dante sighs and shakes his head.
“I found nothing. I’m not seeing anything about him. It’s just a blank. The only time I see him is when it involves Azura, and even those are distorted.” I look up sharply as both men frown.
“Judah?” I ask. Dante nods.
“I was trying to get answers, but there’s nothing.” That’s fucking weird… He smiles faintly.
“I thought you’d have some answers, or is it that you just can’t say?” I ask.
“I can’t see all. Some things just come to me, but as far as tracking him, I’m coming up blank.”
“I would have assumed that we knew all species… and we fucking know he isn’t a vampire. I’m pretty much lost in what he can be.” I frown as Alejandro nods his agreement.
“Yeah, I fucking thought so, too.” Dante shoves his hands into his pockets and stares at the dark skies, the full moon visible.
“The Gods are at work. Tell me, if Selene alone has put blessed wolves, Lycans, and Demi-Gods on this earth, then what’s saying the other gods aren’t building their own armies?” He asks quietly.
“That shit makes no fucking sense,” Alejandro replies, but it does. Dante’s words ring through my mind and with them, I get a strong sense of foreboding, too…
“Dad!” Skyla’s voice calls out, snapping me from my thoughts, and Alejandro cocks a brow.
“Better go see what Lucifer’s incarnate wants,” he says, making both of us smirk. We see Skyla step out, frowning over something, and I remember her flashing eyes.
“What is she?” I ask as both father and daughter disappear inside.
Dante chuckles, “A Lycan.” I frown despite my shock.
“Isn’t there only ever supposed to be one alive at a time?” I ask. Lycan’s are rare, one born every few centuries, and now suddenly two in one lifetime? He shrugs, leaning against the wall.
“Yeah, but there’s also never been a female Lycan, so either the rule doesn’t apply or when dad died, it counted as if he was not meant to be… I don’t really know. I’m not all-knowing.”
“Sorry, I guess it gets tiring when everyone expects you to know shit, right?” I ask quietly, watching him sharply. His face betrays nothing as he smiles faintly. And I know I’m fucking right.
“Yeah… I guess so. You clock on pretty fast.”
“Thank fuck for that shit,” I remark. “I often used to wonder why there were so many powerful beings being placed here in such a short time… Kiara, Scarlett, Liam, Alejandro… you… something is at work or is going to come into play soon, and I feel like we’re preparing for something.”
“I like how you stated that and didn’t ask,” he chuckles. I also like how you didn’t answer that statement. I say nothing, but the fact he didn’t deny it meant there has to be something larger at work, or to come. The moment of unease passes when Dante speaks, “So, how do you feel about becoming a dad again? I swear, I can’t picture that feisty miracle as a mother.” He smiles, glancing up towards the bedroom window. How he knows that’s my room, and that Azura is there right now, is fucking weird, but I don’t question it.
“You’ve called her that before. Is it because of the way she was kept alive and transferred to Scarlett’s womb?” I ask. Dante smiles.
“Damn, you really are observant… and I will rely on that,” he murmurs more to himself before shaking his head. “Azura’s birth was sabotaged. She wasn’t meant to live… or someone didn’t want her to… but Hecate is a good friend of Selene’s, despite their species hating each other for so long, a bridge that is now pretty much mended by the mating their species. In other words, Delsanra and Rayhan. It was from one of her daughter’s descendants that Azura lives.” I almost lose the second half of his words as I focus on what he said about Azura. My heart races at the thought of her not being around, imagining life without her.
“Because she’s the heart of fire?”
“Partially.” He winks at me, and I know this conversation is over. “Well, the time has come to take your first title.” He pushes away from the wall just as Delsanra steps out of the mansion. She scans the grounds before spotting Dante and rushes to meet him.
“Dante!” She smiles as Dante closes the gap between them and encloses her tiny frame in a hug.
I guess I better go get ready for tonight, too…
-----
An hour and a half has passed, and I have showered and gotten ready. I’m dressed in a black suit with a satin grey shirt, and my hair is slicked back.
The Pack Hall is unrecognisable, with lights, flowers, and vines hanging from the ceiling and around the walls. The room is dazzling under the bright lights. The centre hass been left open for dancing with tables surrounding the dance floor. There is a stage at the far side with a two-seater sofa and a table holding a cake to the side on it. Yeah, this shit looks like a full-blown wedding… The tables are laden with flowers, candles, and elegant dinnerware. Music plays in the background and many pack members are here. Heck, I think everyone is here save the Westwoods, Kiara, and her girls. My boys are here, too, all five of them, along with Ace and Jin’s mates. I glance at Jax.
“She didn’t want to come?” I ask about Kareena. I know the answer already. She isn’t really in any state to want to attend a celebration.
“Nah, she just…” He shakes his head as he drinks his glass of whiskey.
She what? I ask through the link.
Doesn’t matter. Tonight is your night. Embrace it.
I’m not giving you an option, Jax, I growl through the link, making him frown.
Fine. She did say life carries on for everyone, but the mate of the deceased, he answers quietly. I frown, feeling my wolf's restlessness, too. I get that… we are here, ready to celebrate a union, but she is still mourning her mate.
I glance over at Maria. She looks beautiful, but I know she is still hurting. So many years have passed, but she has lived. I know she did because she is stronger than most women. Shea’ a miracle to even be alive for so long without having taken a chosen mate. Kind of like Dad, I guess… but Endora was powerful enough to break Dad’s bond with Mom. Although I know Raihana and Delsanra had tried to help her via magic, the bond was still stronger than that magic. Maria is alive because she is strong herself.
We will figure something out soon, I say quietly, and Jax nods. Alejandro now enters, and I curse, making the Five look at me.
“What’s your issue?” Ace asks, his arm around Sera.
I don’t respond, glaring at Alejandro instead. The fuck? To my irritation, he’s wearing a satin shirt, too… Fuck, man. He spots me, flicking his black shirt’s collar, and he smirks, but before he can even say shit, the song comes to an end and Dad’s voice fills my head.
The Westwoods are on their way.
My heart races, and I look at the doors waiting for her entrance. We hadn’t talked all evening. To the point that I’m surprised she hadn’t even contacted me once, but then again, she was busy with all the women and the shit women do to get ready. I’m not going to deny that I’m impatient to see her, wanting to see my gorgeous girl.
The doors open, and the quintuplets step in, all eyes turning to them. They’re wearing smart pants and, aside from Renji and Carter, the other three are in formal shirts, not bothering with jackets. A new song begins playing, the music slow and deep.
“The Luna’s in the house,” Theo says with a smirk before they split, stepping aside as everyone turns to the doors, falling silent.
Corrado and Katara step inside after the quintuplets. Corrado is smiling excitedly as he turns towards the door.
I smell her first, and then I hear the sounds of her heels and the thudding of her heart as she approaches. I can feel her excitement, her nervousness and her happiness through the bond. I see the glitter of a dress, and that is when my eyes fall on the most ravishing woman I have ever lain eyes on. She stands there between her parents, looking like the epitome of beauty. My heart thunders as my eyes slowly rake over her, my throat becomes dry, and my wolf growls in approval in my head.
She looks out of this fucking world; she’s wearing a strapless sequin champagne gown that is dipped in a curve at the breasts, showing off a lot of her cleavage which only makes me want to fucking devour her. The dress cinches in at her waist and emphasises her curved hips. There’s a top layer skirt with swirls and waves of glitter over it. A diamond necklace and earring set adorn her, with a matching bracelet. Her hair is curled and pinned back in a quiff with a few strands framing her face. Her skin is glowing, her lips painted a deep blood red, begging to be kissed, and when those gorgeous eyes of hers flick up to meet my own, all sounds fade away.
It’s just her and me.
The night is ours.