Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire

6. My Decision

AZURA.

Pregnant. I slid to the floor against the stall wall, not caring about the germs that probably filled this

place, and stared unblinkingly at the stick, my mind blank.

Pregnant.

With his child.

“I‘m fine.” I said, taking a shuddering breath,

I am not fine.

I‘m pregnant, I‘m only nineteen and I‘m pregnant.

Pregnant with the child of someone who wants nothing to do with me.

I knew I would have to tell my parents, but the thought made my stomach sink. The hurt in Dad‘s eyes

when I told him I had been rejected... I don‘t know if I‘ll be able to handle telling them I was pregnant

too... ?

What do I do?

My mind was reeling, the pain in my chest was becoming suffocating. As much as I wanted to crush Leo

for what he had done, I couldn‘t, not without making this hard for Alejandro, I couldn‘t do that to them. I

already caused problems for everyone without meaning to.

There was a time I dreamt of a love like my parents, but who am I kidding? My mate had ripped that from

me when he marked me only to reject me. A true mate‘s mark... it could only be removed if he marked

another, or if he died and someone else marked me ... but unless that happened, I was stuck with this.

I clutched my neck, letting my nails dig into it as I slowly looked down at my stomach. I dropped the stick,

placing my hand over it.

It was not this baby‘s fault... it was not at fault... I was meant to have died before I was born... There was

no chance on earth that I would do anything to this baby. I closed my eyes, taking deep steadying

breaths. I‘m fine.

I guess it was time to tell Mama and Dad about the pregnancy, I just hoped they didn‘t try to push for a

name. Standing up, I gathered the rubbish, binning the pregnancy test before I washed my hands and

left the washroom. Time to tell them and get this over with.

Night had fallen and I was sitting in the lounge with Mama and Dad, I was curled up between them.

Mama had her head resting on my shoulder, whilst Dad was running his fingers through Mama‘s hair. His

head was resting on top of mine.

We were watching a movie, and although I had a lot of chances to drop the bomb, I was unable to tell

them.

“What‘s wrong, baby? You‘re really quiet.” Mama asked, lifting her head and looking at me with concern

in her gorgeous sage–green eyes.

“I‘m fine.”

“Is this about the run–in with Olson earlier?” Dad asked.

So they knew about my run–in with that old penis.

“You heard about that? Were you just going to pretend it never happened?” I asked, feeling upset for no

reason. Were they going to just walk around on eggshells now because I had been rejected?

“It‘s not like that, Liam will deal with him. Gemma Kingston told us what happened, rest assured they will

be questioned about it and dealt with. There is no tolerance in these packs for that behaviour” Dad‘s icy

reply came, it was obvious he was pretty pissed.

I got up from the sofa, running my fingers through my hair, only for it to fall back in my face again.

“I don‘t need anyone to be dealt with, I just want to be left alone! I can handle my battles.” I said, feeling

frustrated. I could feel my emotions rising, knowing I was going to lose it soon.

“Azura, this isn‘t just about you, it‘s about everything and their attitude is not right. What‘s wrong, baby,

tell me?” Mama asked, coming over to me as she placed her hands on my arms. She was a lot shorter

than me, and I was wearing heels whilst she was barefooted, making her look even smaller.

Do I tell them? How? When I know they already want to kill him for rejecting me?

I didn‘t want to see that pain in Dad‘s eyes again... “It‘s nothing.” I said, trying to pull away, but Mama

refused to let me go. “Azura. Something is wrong. What is it?” She asked, her eyes flashing silver, her

voice holding a quiet warning. A tone that told me she was not going to back down.

“I said it‘s nothing! Leave me alone, for the love of the goddess!” I shouted in frustration, my eyes

flashing the very same colour as hers.

I saw the flash of hurt in her eyes, but along with it was the determination that she

never lost.

“Now, Azura.” She growled. “Please.” Liam‘s quiet voice came.

I looked up to see him standing with his Bite–Sized Luna by his side. Her long black hair with blue tips

was pulled into a high ponytail, as she looked at me with concern in her unique eyes. One blue, one

green.1

I closed my eyes, my head pounding as I gathered the courage to speak up. “I‘m pregnant. There.” I

declared before I pushed past Liam and Raven, leaving all four of them stunned.

“Zu!” Liam‘s voice came, and I heard him on the steps.

Fuck, he was fast.

I sped up, reaching my bedroom and slamming the door shut behind me just as he caught up. I heard

him swear as he tapped lightly on it.

“Come on, Azura, talk to us.” His voice came.

I stayed silent, pushing myself away from the door, walking over to the bed and dropping onto it on my

stomach. I just want the ground to split open and swallow me whole.

My phone beeped, and I stared at the glow from it as it sat on my bedside table. I dreaded every

incoming message these days..

“Azura, open up come on.”

“I‘m tired, Liam.” I replied.

“Please?”

Dad‘s voice made me close my eyes in frustration. How do I say no to him? I got to my feet and unlocked

the door, only for Dad to envelope me in his warm embrace. My heart squeezed, feeling guilty for

causing him to worry. I looked up at him, Dad may be sixty, but he looked as if he was in his mid–forties.

Werewolf genes at its finest, and on top of that he was one of the most handsome men I had seen. Even

if not by blood... he was my Dad. 2 “Why did you run?” He asked me, raising an eyebrow. I looked away,

wondering where Mama and Raven were. Was Mama angry? “I messed up...” I said, turning my back to

him and dropping onto my bed. “He was your mate, and things happened… Besides, it kind of reminds

me of Kiara and Alejandro.” He gave me a small smirk, although it didn‘t take away the concern in his

eyes, and my heart thudded at the mention of them. 2

I had heard their story... but this was different...

Liam came over and dropped onto my bed, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

“Trust me, you are definitely getting off easier.” He whispered, making me smile.

Of course I was, everyone knew I was spoilt in comparison to Kia and Liam.

“Scooch over, make some space for me.” Dad said. Liam and I shuffled over, allowing him enough space

to sit down on the bed. He ran his fingers through my hair. “I don‘t know why but I feel like there‘s a

reason you aren‘t sharing his identity.”

I tensed, but with Liam holding me in a tight bear–hug, I was unable to escape.

“Do we know him?” Mama asked as she entered along with Raven, holding a tray of hot drinks for the

four of them, and a glass of milk for me. She placed it down on my cabinet near my bed, right next to my

phone, which sat silently for now.

“You guys know everyone.” I replied smoothly, as Raven sat down cross–legged on the end of the bed,

giving me a vibrant smile.

“How are you feeling?” She asked as Mama sat next to her. How do I feel?

A mess.

“I don‘t know.”

“Whatever you decide to do, we are here... as for that bastard... If I ever find out his name...” Dad left his

threat hanging, his eyes flashing a cobalt blue.

And that‘s exactly why I will never tell you. “So, where‘s Katara? With the boys?” I asked, referring to

Raven and Liam‘s youngest child. She was seven years old and their only daughter after five boys. 3

“Yes. Jayce wasn‘t happy but they had no choice.” Raven replied. Their house was not far from ours.

From my bedroom window I could see the side of their house. They began talking, and although I know

they were just there for my moral support, I was unable to join in with the conversation, even when dad

passed me my glass of milk I was unable to think of anything but my own turmoil. No one mentioned the

pregnancy, until everyone finally left my room after I told them I wanted to rest. Mama looked at me as

she picked up the tray of empty cups. “We‘ll go to the doctor tomorrow, or would you prefer Kiara to

come down?” She asked quietly.

“I don‘t want anyone to know yet... just... for a little while. I just want to process it all.” I muttered, trying to

sound nonchalant.

Mama nodded before she kissed my cheek and left the room.

I locked the door after them and dropped onto my bed once more, staring at the ceiling, my mind a

storm...

I awoke with a start, looking around my room. The light was still on and I realised I had fallen asleep

without even showering or changing. What had awoken me? I rubbed my head as my phone screen lit

up once again. I reached for it and unlocked it, seeing the message from an unrecognised number. That

same sickening feeling settled into the pit of my stomach as I looked at the message.

Congratulations on the new addition, we both know we can‘t have you carrying anyone else‘s pup but

mine.‘ 7

Fear enveloped me and my hand went to my stomach, I may not have heard a heartbeat nor seen the

tiny blimp on a sonography screen, but there was a life within me... I looked over at the window,

wondering how he had found out?

I needed to keep this baby safe. For the first time, I decided to reply. I took a deep shuddering breath and

typed a message. ‘What do you want?‘ ‘You know what I want, let‘s speak in person. His response came

almost instantly. ‘Yeah, let‘s meet and get this over with once and for all.‘ I text back, feeling my anger

rising.

I wanted to kill him.

Now that‘s more like it... I missed you. Meet me at our favourite place tomorrow at midnight.‘

‘No. Let‘s meet somewhere more public.‘ I replied.

I was not going to risk this pup‘s life. ‘Scared?‘ I frowned, about to text when another message came.

‘We meet where I say, my Pet.’ I was not his fucking pet.

Fine.‘

I gritted my teeth, feeling so damn pissed. I tossed my phone down and stood up. Going to my wardrobe,

I took a small suitcase

out from the top shelf and began filling it with clothes. I needed to leave, at least until I have had this

baby. I was not going to stick around, nor was I going to risk its life. I was getting out of here.