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…

link, but again, I’m just hitting a blank. “Fuck!”

hiss.

phone. I head to the door when

chest as I

Winona!

but I freeze, looking back

I can’t leave him here!

happens and

do? What

hear sounds downstairs, but they

muffled. But the growl of

that follows tells me

attack.

is pounding in between keeping Corrado safe and going to Winona. I hear footsteps coming down the hall and guilt fills me when I slowly shut the door.

sorry Winona… I’m coming… Just give me a little time. I try my power again as I hear the footsteps fade, but I’m unable to summon it. My vision darkens

someone out there?

I see it again, a shadowy silhouette behind the blinds, and I quickly hurry to the bed and grab Corrado, turning and

thing in my mind is the instinct to protect

window shatters behind us and Corrado wakes with

whimper of shock.

Mommy?” He asks as I rush down the hall. I try to summon my

Fuck!

you to stay quiet, ok baby?” I

thumping as I hear the door to his bedroom slam.

strained

I shout, spinning around only to see that

knowing what to say, when I hear

to go down to Marcel, something tells me that I need to make

strength ebbing

in

hall to the office. There is

hidden area that-

almost slamming into the man. My heart thumps violently until I

“Eric?”

“Luna.”

“Go help Marcel!”

He says, motioning for me to follow him, but

seems too calm…

me and my gaze dips to his

I feel as if a bucket

thrown over me.

look up at him, my mind spinning,

and I plaster a relieved smile on my face.

got alarmed when the electricity went off.” I say, trying to buy myself time

he’ll buy my bluff; he

time to worry about that. Come on, I have orders to keep you all safe.”

I ask as he steps forward, reaching for Corrado and I make the mistake of

Shit…

and his smile

can relax Luna, I’m here. I’ll

a threat

between us and holds his

to Eric. “Mommy, Daddy

carry me now. You are going to get tired fast.”

cherub…

I say with

Eric doesn’t back down. I hear

downstairs, and I jump.

aside from Marcel

the enemy…

shouldn’t you go help,

not liking the way he’s now blocking my

path.

as if pondering over what I

before he nods

tug at the core of my power. I feel the pull inside as I send a blast of

as he turns on me.

“Mommy!” Corrado exclaims

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

tilting his head. “Took you long enough to

do I do? Oh wait, I fucking know. Destroy the bastard.

eyes blaze and he

can

after what we put

smiles.

my tiredness makes sense.

will

opens behind me, making my heart pound.

me!”

“M-mommy…”