Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire

106. Darkness

AZURA.

My eyes snap open and I feel nauseous. Damn… Something isn’t right… I didn’t even eat anything weird. I frown as I sit up. My heart is thumping as I look around the dark

room.

What woke me up?

Why is it so dark?

It isn’t just dark, it’s really really dark.

Sure, I can see perfectly but there are no lights on outside. Strange. I kick the blanket off, wondering once more what had awoken

I glance at the clock. It’s late…

Did Leo get back?

‘Baby?’ I call, glancing at the bathroom –

but it’s dark.

I guess he won’t be back so soon. I hope

everything is going according to plan for

them.

Running my fingers through my hair, I

reach for the lamp and tap it. I frown as it

doesn’t turn on…

“What is going on?” I murmur, trying to shake away the unease I’m feeling. It must be a power outage. Just a power outage

Azura.

Damn, what if Corrado wakes up?

I get out of bed, walking toward the bedroom door. Suddenly I get the strange feeling that I’m being watched and I turn sharply, scanning the dark room.

Goddess, Azura, get it together.

I leave my room to check up on Corrado,

mind linking Marcel.

‘Marcel?’

No response.

Hmm… He’s probably gone to sleep and kept

his walls up.

‘Winona?’

Nothing again.

I sigh, walking down the hall.

‘Marcel?’ Weird, usually you can push through a person’s barriers when they’re asleep… I knew that because since I got my wolf, Liam was always the biggest receiver of that from me.

Disturbing him for a late-night hot drink or freshly baked cupcakes was always tempting.

Who should I contact about the outage? Someone must be around. Should I go out and ask one of the guards? They are probably already working on it.

I pause, feeling that same sense of being watched, when I see Corrado’s bedroom

door is open. I break into a run, fear

enveloping me, and I push open the door only to see Corrado fast asleep in bed. I let out a sigh of relief, thinking I really am being paranoid.

For a moment, I feel lightheaded from the spurt of energy used and feel nauseous once again. I walk slowly to the bed, adjusting the duvet around my little boy. I sit down on the edge, sighing. I don’t know why I’m on edge, but maybe it’s the power outage… I mean, does this mean the pack security system and barriers around the pack are all down?

I stroke Corrado’s brown locks back, bending down to kiss his cheek gently. Turning to the open curtains, I look out into the distance. I can see some lights are on. So it’s just the mansion then. That is a relief at least.

Goddess, now who do I annoy about the power? I honestly didn’t expect Leo’s Pack to have to deal with something like this. Maybe I’ll grab my phone and ask him.

I stand up, and it feels like the floor lurches.

I feel… I place a hand on my stomach, exhausted and sick.

Exhausted like I had no energy… just the way I felt back at the masked ball I attended.

The sudden unease I had felt the moment I woke up returns and I scan the room. My instincts are telling me something isn’t right … Raising my hand, I let my power swirl around my hand. There is something going on here…

I slam through the link, but again, I’m just hitting

hiss.

my phone. I head to the door when I hear a scream

my chest as I recognise

Winona!

door, but I freeze,

Corrado. I can’t leave him here!

if something happens and I can’t get to

I do? What is

sounds downstairs,

But the growl of

tells me this

attack.

between keeping Corrado safe and going to Winona. I hear footsteps coming down

power again as I hear the footsteps fade, but I’m unable to summon it. My vision darkens and I stare at the

someone out there?

it again, a shadowy silhouette behind the blinds, and I quickly hurry to the bed

my mind is the instinct to protect

just as the window shatters behind

whimper of shock.

try to summon my

Fuck!

I need you to stay quiet, ok baby?”

thumping as I hear the door

Marcel’s strained voice comes.

I shout, spinning around only to see

knowing what to say, when I hear

want to go down to Marcel, something tells me that I need to make sure Corrado is safe

my own strength ebbing away

something in the

hall to the

hidden area that-

to a stop, almost slamming into the

“Eric?”

“Luna.”

“Go help Marcel!”

He says,

seems too calm…

and my gaze dips to his feet…

if a bucket of ice-cold water

over me.

11… I look up at him, my mind spinning,

and I plaster a relieved

off.” I say, trying

my bluff; he smiles and

Come on, I

forward, reaching for Corrado and I make the mistake

Shit…

watching me, and his

I’m

more of a

looks between us and

out to Eric. “Mommy, Daddy

now. You are going

cherub…

heavy at all!” I say

back down. I

and I jump.

from Marcel

the enemy…

shouldn’t you go help,

not liking the way he’s now blocking

path.

as if pondering

he nods slowly.

he steps towards me and I jump back, my eyes blazing and I tug at the core of

flashing as he turns

“Mommy!” Corrado exclaims

him down and pushing him toward the office door. “You… you were helping Emmet, weren’t you?” I say

you long enough to figure

I

eyes blaze and he

you can still use

we put in your

smiles.

my tiredness makes sense.

Devil. Nothing will

to pieces. The office door opens behind me, making my heart

to me!”

“M-mommy…”