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…

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

hiss.

door when I hear a scream down the hall, my

my chest as I recognise that

Winona!

rush to the door, but

Corrado. I can’t leave him here! If there’s

what if something happens and I can’t get

What is

sounds downstairs, but

growl of a

follows tells me this

attack.

I hear footsteps coming down the hall

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?

shadowy silhouette behind the blinds, and I quickly hurry to the

my mind is the instinct to protect

shatters behind us

whimper of shock.

summon my power forward only to feel that heavy weight collapse down on me.

Fuck!

you to stay quiet, ok baby?” I whisper to

little heart thumping as I hear the

Marcel’s strained voice

spinning around only to see that the hallway behind

to say, when

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

my own strength ebbing

in the air?

hall to the office. There is a

hidden area that-

and I skid to a stop, almost slamming into the man. My heart

“Eric?”

“Luna.”

“Go help Marcel!”

help you. Come with me.” He says,

seems too calm…

my gaze dips

a bucket

over me.

up at him,

and I plaster a relieved smile on

the electricity went off.” I say, trying to buy myself time to think.

just hope he’ll buy my bluff; he smiles and nods.

don’t have time to worry about that. Come on, I have orders to keep you all safe.” He

he steps forward, reaching

Shit…

me, and

relax Luna, I’m here.

of a threat than

looks between us and holds

Eric. “Mommy,

shouldn’t carry me now. You are going to get tired

now, my cherub… not

at all!” I say

down. I

downstairs, and

me, aside from Marcel I can’t hear

the enemy…

go

way he’s now

path.

at me, as if

he nods slowly.

says but instead of turning, he steps towards me and I jump back, my eyes blazing and I tug at the core of my power. I feel the pull inside as I send a blast of power at Eric. He ducks at the

flashing as he turns

“Mommy!” Corrado exclaims

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

“Took you long enough to

do? Oh wait, I fucking know. Destroy

and he tenses.

you can still

after what we put in your

smiles.

my tiredness makes sense.

messing with the fucking Westwood Devil. Nothing will keep me

The office door opens behind me, making my heart pound. He isn’t

me!” I

“M-mommy…”