“Yeah, because I could handle it. Do you know how it felt having to watch you do whatever Endora wanted? And what fucking hurts the most is when you were given your free will back, you allowed Rayhan to come here and once again hurt our people. I get it, they weren’t all good, but you just stood there just like you always did. Doing nothing,” I say, hating how my voice is fucking strained and my emotions are showing in it.
“Leo… I failed you, your mother, and…”
I close my eyes, hating that, despite his flaws, I am causing him pain. I get it… we all make mistakes… I get that Marcel’s hands were tied, too…
“No, but you failed my trust. You always say you won’t hand over the Alpha title because you fear what I’ll do if I am Alpha, but are you really a better Alpha than me? I mean, you were never able to protect this pack. Nor your mate… nor your children.” I hate hurting him. It fucking hurts me too, but I feel lighter getting it off my chest.
“No, Leo, I was just worried that you wanted to break away from Alejandro’s coun-“
“I’m already running this pack the way I want but, once again, you keep on putting others first!” I snap, turning and glaring at him, my eyes a magnetic steely blue, my aura filling the room.
“No, Leo, I want to give you the -“
“What? The Alpha title?” I ask. He nods.
“Yes, you are ready -“
“No,” I cut in, raising my finger. “Nah, the only reason you want to pass me that title is because Azura’s here, right? Notbecause you have faith in me but because of her, right?” My anger is raging around me.
“Leo… no, I just, you misunderstand me. You were always so cold and heartless and -“
“Yeah, I sure am, you sure know your own son. I told you what I needed to, so I’m fucking done,” I say, turning to leave the room when he blocks my path.
“Not until you hear me out,” he says firmly, his eyes flashing. I don’t speak, my eyes cold as I wait for him to just say whatever the fuck he wants. I want this conversation to be over and done with here. “Leo, I love you, and I know you feel I chose them over you, but I didn’t. I love my family, but you are my son. How can I not love you?” His voice is thick with pain as he looks at me with such emotion that I am forced to look away. “I didn’t want you to do anything wrong… but know I alone am the one who has withheld that title from you. Alejandro keeps telling me to pass it on to you. Rayhan did, too, the last time I met him, saying you are capable. They care for you, Leo, as do I. Azura or no Azura you deserve this title. As your father, no one will be happier when you become Alpha than I will be. To see you take the title that belongs to you, to come into that position that you have worked on for so long.”
“Yeah, well… It’s too fucking late. You can keep it,” I shoot back coldly. “I didn’t come here to beg for that fucking title.”
I’m fucking dying anyway.
“Leo, let’s put aside our differences.” There’s too many… and no time.
“It’s a little too late for that,” I reply, quietly brushing past him. He grabs my arm, stopping me with incredible strength. I am still stronger, and if I want, I can pull away.
“Leo. Don’t do this. Please,” he says quietly, his eyes full of emotions. “I’m begging you for forgiveness for not being the father and Alpha you needed. I’m sorry. Forgive me, son.” Itis too late… but then life is short… “I will hand that title over to you, not because of anyone, but because you deserve it. You suffered so much, and the fact that I didn’t know… I’m sorry. I wish I could turn back time, take your pain, and make it my own. I wish I had been able to protect you from the truth. No son should have to protect his father like that… yet you did.” I look away, refusing to answer… refusing to give in to the pain and emotions inside of me. “At least I know my son cares for me.” I look at him sharply.
“I always fucking did. You were just too blind to see it,” I say quietly, pulling free from his hold and heading to the door. I have just opened it when he speaks.
“Then, one last time, forgive this old man of yours, son. Please.” His voice is breaking my resolve, and I am about to refuse him when I stop in my tracks, seeing Azura and Corrado standing there, a few meters from the door, covered in paint, but both have their eyes on me.
Forgive him, Leo. Everyone deserves a chance, Azura says softly as Corrado watches me, his eyes glistening with unshed tears of confusion.
Let it go, Blue-Eyes.
Our eyes meet, and I know the choice is mine, forgive Marcel and move on… or continue with my bitterness, and let it eat me up until I die. I look down at my own son before my gaze flickers to her stomach. If I made a mistake… I’d want my children to forgive me.
I have made mistakes too, just like Marcel, like Rayhan… do I want forgiveness?
I exhale before taking a long drag of my cigarette. I look back at Azura, her gorgeous eyes baring into mine. I need the strength to do this… almost as if understanding, she walks over to me, and, uncaring about the paint on her hands, she places them on my chest, sending intense sparks coursing through me and making Corrado gasp, but we are both too consumed in one another’sgaze to realise. It is almost as if she is giving me strength… her scent soothes me, and the urge to pull her close and bury my nose in her neck tempts me, but… I should stay away from her…
Don’t be so stubborn. Her voice through the link makes me come back to reality.
Forgive him, Leo. I pull away, blowing out slowly, my mind made up…
Family
Azura
Isense his struggle and know I have to do something, even if he was a total asshole to me last night. I mean, he has protected me from Judah and gotten rid of him.
Don’t be so stubborn. Forgive him, Leo, I say softly.
I want to do more… I want to cup his face and tell him he isn’t alone, but I can’t bring myself to do so when he doesn’t want me, and so I simply try to comfort him silently through the bond. He exhales sharply, taking another drag of his cigarette before he turns back to his father, his tattooed hand closing around my wrist just when I am about to remove it, not letting me move away.
“It’s in the past… you don’t need my forgiveness. I just needed it off my chest,” Leo says curtly, acting as arrogant as ever, but it is obvious that Marcel’s words had gotten to him.
“Thank you, son. I’m glad you told me,” Marcel says quietly, approaching us. The father and son look at one another, and I slowly tug my hand free. This is their moment.
Corrado’s eyes, which were glued to Leo’s grip on my hand, now flick to mine. Curiosity, happiness, and still a bit of confusion linger in those vibrant hazel eyes.
“I really am sorry, Leo, and it just shows that I was wrong… wrong to think of you like that, when I should have known youwouldn’t harm anyone innocent,” Marcel apologises, placing his hands on his son’s shoulders. I smile down at Corrado, stepping back and giving his hand a squeeze.
“Yeah, you should have, because if I wanted, we both know that I could have finished Rayhan years ago,” he says. His voice is equally icy as it is quiet, so Corrado doesn’t hear. I admire him. Even when his emotions are so intense, he is able to keep himself in check around his son.
“I know what he did was complicated, but he has apologised, Leo. You will be happier if you let it go.” If Marcel knew he was planning on talking to him, I know he’d be proud of him. Truly proud.
“Yeah, well, let’s not get ahead,” Leo replies coldly. Marcel smiles slightly and nods.
“Yes, you’re right. I lost my mate and a child I never knew of… but I’m so grateful that I still have you. You are my greatest blessing,” he says quietly, his voice thick with emotions. Goddess, it is too damn emotional! Marcel steps closer to Leo and embraces him. Leo stiffens almost as if he is not used to it… “If you have truly forgiven me… I wish you would try to bring yourself to call me Dad again,” he says so quietly that I only just caught it.
Urgh, I’m going to blame the pregnancy hormones, this is not meant to be emotional! How the hell is Leo so stiff and cool? I know both are hurting and it makes my heart ache to witness this… Life really is short, and looking at Marcel now, I realise in a way, he really is alone… no mate, and his own son has pushed him away. Even if he does have other family, it isn’t the same.
Damn it, hug him.
Slowly, Leo raises his arms, embracing his father, and I smile down at Corrado, who is watching with wide eyes. I am sure even he realised his father isn’t very close to Marcel. I hope that changes going forward…
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