Wishing everyone who celebrates, a very merry Christmas!
AZURA. I look between the father and son, shocked at Leo’s words. Sure, there has been some tension between Winona and Marcel, but with everything going on, I never paid much attention to it. Leo’s arms are firmly around me, so I can’t move either. Stuck between their intense stare off. Marcel frowns, a flash of irritation on his face. “I have no idea what you are going on about, Leo. I have a few things I need to handle.” “Can we not fucking do this? I’m not stupid. I want an answer.” Leo persists. “There is nothing to say. You have a misconception. Excuse me.” Marcel replies firmly, before walking past us and out of the door. Leo frowns, but despite the cold look on his face, his touch is tender as he caresses my stomach. “There’s definitely something… but I don’t think Marcel will say anything. Shall we ask Winona?” I suggest as Leo exhales, clearly irritated, before his eyes meet mine and he tilts his head. “Yeah… She might be fucking easier to get information out of.” He r
AZURA. It’s the following day and we are at the assembly. Leo is standing in front of the huge screen, wearing a black suit with a white shirt that has a few buttons left open. He scans the room consisting of the most important members of the pack, along with the top-ranked warriors, and the Five. I’m sitting next to Corrado, who watches his father with complete adoration. A big smile on his face as he listens to Leo make the introduction. I smile softly and put my arm around him, he glances at me and snuggles closer before looking back at Leo. My sexy Alpha… He’s so damn gorgeous… Leo’s ice-blue eyes flick to me, his chiselled jaw and that pout of his making me lick my lips and after a moment he looks away again. ‘Tease.’ He says through the link as silence falls over the room, and Leo continues to talk. “As you all know, now that I’m Alpha, I need to choose my second and third in command. Beta Raj deserves to take a break too, and we have been without a Delta for a while. As ma
AZURA. We ring the doorbell and it’s opened by Mishiko, the smell of home-cooked pizza wafts past my nose. Oh, damn, this smells so good! “Damn, who’s cooking?” I say, rubbing my tummy. Mishiko smiles. “Sera.” She replies, stepping aside and letting us enter. “Are Ace and Jin here?” I ask as Leo brushes my wet locks off my face. My hair still isn’t dry from my shower. “Yes, we are.” Ace says popping his head through the door. “Self-invited.” Kareena says, cocking a brow pointedly at Ace. “You practically keep my woman half the time, so I’m welcome.” He says dismissively, and Sera frowns at him as Kareena’s brows furrow and she disappears back into the kitchen. She looks awful, her shoulders stick out like blades, and she’s lost a lot of weight. But before I can worry about anyone else, I have a bone to pick with my mate. I place my hands on my non-existent waist and glare at Leo. “Where’s Jax and Li Sheng at?” Jin asks. “We never knew this was a party.” Dan remarks. “Whate
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 cockily, 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. Da
MARCEL. I enter pack grounds, driving slowly as I look up at the Blood Moon. Things always feel a little lonely on a Blood Moon… I sigh heavily, looking at the bags in the passenger side of the car and smile slightly. I have been over at Alejandro’s pack today and Kiara has given me plenty of things for Azura. She is very excited about the baby’s arrival, however, Azura hadn’t wanted everyone to come, not wanting everyone fussing over her. Telling her family to come once she’s in labour if they must. She’s going to have the baby soon; she’s been getting pains on and off for the last few days and I can’t wait to hold my grandchild in my hands. I don’t remember much about Leo as a child, and with Leo not really allowing me as much time with Corrado, I missed out on the newborn stage, something I am looking forward to. Although I don’t think I’ll be very good with newborns. I glance back at the bags on the seat next to me, deciding to stop at Leo’s and drop these off first. I need t
LEO. I stare at him unblinking, as those words sink in. Winona. Fuck, after the fact the two had some sort of connection that they denied and now this? What more do they fucking want? “So, what’s the issue? You two can deny it, but you both have feelings for one another? Isn’t this the fucking push you need?” I say, my eyes dropping to Mom’s mark on his neck. It is the only thing I really remember her by, the only physical sign of her existence aside from the fleeting memories I hold. We had nothing, no pictures, no videos… nothing. “She ran. I guess the Moon Goddess really created an incompatible pair.” Dad says. “Oh, for Goddess’s sake, no she did not.” Azura snaps. “She’s scared, because she cares for Leo. She doesn’t want to hurt him… that is the issue here because I am sure as hell that she wants you. What sane woman wouldn’t?” I cock a brow as I look at my gorgeous mate, who has a hand on her stomach, clearly in pain but hiding it well. I feel on edge too, excited even, kn
LEO. It’s all one big blur of pure adrenaline, we’re through the hospital doors. I’ve taken Azura to a private room which has been prepared for her for the last few weeks. It’s already got everything our baby will need. Kiara had wanted to be the one to assist with the birth, but Azura had said she’ll be fine, and refused to allow anyone but me and Donna into the room. That had been her plan from the start, and we all had to respect that. Her eyes are blazing silver, and not one sound escapes her as she grips my hand and pushes. She’s strong, and I can see that in the silence she holds, as she pushes when Donna instructs her. My own heart is racing, and I can feel her emotions through the bond; she’s nervous, excited, scared, and happy. As am I… There’s been a few times that I was tempted to know the gender over these past few months, but right now not knowing was fucking exciting. “Oh, the pup is crowning! My, that’s a lot of hair.” Donna says. “You are doing incredibly well Lun
AZURA. The week passed by in a blur, the struggle between feeding, trying to sleep and visitors has been intense. Although everyone helped, she constantly wants milk and I’m the only one who can give her that. Liam, Kiara, and their families had come down too, Raihana and Rayhan and their families also visited. It was a pleasant time, albeit tiring. It was still very lively. Then there were all the pack members wanting to see the Alpha’s child. It was sweet to see the love and excitement they had at her birth. At times I would sneak in naps, but it’s never enough when you have a little pup to take care of. Mama stayed on for a week and she’s still here, and Winona is really helpful too, although she and Marcel still avoid each other. I even notice Mama observing them, but she not once says anything. Back to this little hungry monster. I’m expressing a lot more now so I can sleep whilst someone else can feed Phoenix. “Mommy, I think Phoenix is hungry.” Corrado whispers as he peers i