Leo Rossi: The Rise of a True Alpha (The Rossi Legacies Book 2)

AZURA.

His words cut like a knife. I more than anyone regret my time with Judah, but as a careless eighteen-year-old, he seemed to have understood me... I was the misfit, the odd one out, the freak... When I met Judah, it just felt like he didn't care about my past. He welcomed me into his arms with empty promises, and I fell for it.

"Azura!" Leo called, but I sped up, heading to our bedroom.

I broke into a run, entering the room, I ran straight to the bathroom. Locking the door, I stepped into the shower, switching it on. making sure that my walls were up

"Azura." I heard him trying the door, and I took a slow breath, wanting to sound normal.

"Yeah?!"

I heard him sigh, "Are you ok?"

No, I'm not.

"Yes, can a girl shower in peace?" I replied, feeling my emotions ready to spiral.

Everything that was happening was my fault, I get that... but he had tried so hard to make me believe that it wasn't my fault, but what he said now... Did he even mean it? Deep down he probably felt that it was my fault.

I kicked off my sneakers, slowly stepping under the cold water of the shower.

"Alright... don't take too long. I didn't mean what-"

"Like I said, can a girl shower in peace?" This time my voice sounded cold.

"Not when she's pissed, when a woman says she's fine she isn't."

"Wow you're really so smart, aren't you? Give yourself a pat on the shoulder for figuring that out." I growled, giving up on hiding my emotions.

He didn't respond, and I leaned against the shower wall, sliding to the floor fully clothed. My white shirt was stuck to me as the cold water drenched me.

My fault...

Time and time again, I messed up and others got hurt.

I wrapped my arms around my legs, resting my forehead on my knees, feeling my tears on the verge of spilling. The last few days were already so hard... Seeing Kareena in that state, I was racked with guilt. The run-in with Nikki earlier didn't help either...

(FLASHBACK)

I had just purchased some flowers, deciding to stop at the graves on the way back from seeing Kareena. Eric and Jax were with me as Leo wouldn't let me wander alone.

I looked down at the graves after laying the flowers on them, silently apologising once more.

A shadow fell over me, blocking out the sunlight, and I tilted my head to look at the woman who was standing there.

"What are you doing here?!" Nikki shouted, for once she was without makeup, her eyes puffy and the hatred in them clear.

"Nikki. You are speaking to your Luna." Jax warned, stepping in front of me defensively. "Leave."

"This is my sister's grave!" She hissed venomously.

"Nikki-" Eric began.

Frowning I stood up from where I was crouching, placing my hand on his shoulder. "I'll handle this."

Jax shook his head, "I don't think that's wise, let's get you home."

I raised an eyebrow, "Both of you, step aside." My voice was clear, and Jax frowned as Eric slowly backed off. "Jax, let me handle this. Stay, just don't speak."

"Sure, so he can report back to his Alpha." Nikki said, "The one you stole from me!"

I clucked my tongue, shaking my head. "No, he was mine, he was always meant to be mine. You were just there, I'm the one who belongs with him. When will you let that go, Nikki? Look... Let's not do this at her grave." She let out a bitter laugh "Are you for real? You actually care? Or pretending to care! You're the reason she's dead! Deny it all you want! Everyone knows that the man who killed her was your ex!"

How had that even gotten out?

"Hey! Keep it up and I am not afraid to have you tossed in prison Nikki!" Jax growled, grabbing her arm.

"Do not manhandle a woman!" Nikki shouted.

Jax scoffed. "For real? You're a warrior, not a weak, innocent woman. Take her, Eric, put her in for a day. I'm sure Leo won't mind."

"Just remember! Once more it's our pack who suffered! For an entitled princess like yourself! You killed her! You killed my baby sister!" She screamed as Eric tried to drag her away, clamping his hand over her mouth. Her words hurt but she was hurting too... I stayed quiet because ultimately, she was a member of this pack... My pack.

"Eric. Let her go." I commanded as Jax looked at me sharply. "Jax... I'm the future Alpha's mate... My word holds more power." I knew I shouldn't use that on him, but I didn't want more drama.

He shook his head clearly pissed when Eric let go of her.

"Leave." Eric warned her, she glanced at both Jax and I, before she ran off.

Jax kicked a rock on the floor. "Leo is going to be pissed."

Shaking my head, I sighed. "No, he won't because he won't know. He already has enough on his plate, he doesn't need extra. Leave it be. No one is to relay this to him. Am I clear?"

Eric looked down at his hands. "I understand that Luna... but she needs to be punished."

"I agree." Jax growled.

I shook my head. "Not this time."

(END OF FLASHBACK)

How many more would lose their lives because of me? I would be a fool to think no one... I wish I could heal Leo already. If I wasn't pregnant, I would have gone after Judah myself. The door clicked open, and I turned sharply to see Leo enter, his eyes instantly landing on me.

"I never knew the new trend was to shower with your clothes on." He said quietly as he walked over to the shower.

Standing up, I brushed my soaking hair off my face giving him a dirty look. "Yeah, it's something the new generation likes to do just in case pervy old men enter without permission." I turned my back on him, grabbing the shampoo bottle.

I frowned when his strong arms wrapped tightly around me as he stepped into the shower shoes on and all, letting the water drench him. "I'm sorry, I didn't fucking mean it like that." He said quietly, pressing his head against the side of mine.

A warmth spread through me, and I could feel my wolf fighting me as she wanted to give in to him. It was at times when we were at odds that I noticed her more. His embrace was comforting, and there was nowhere else I'd rather be than in his arms.... But... "Whatever, I said I'm fine."

He let go of me, forcing me to turn, and I fought him - refusing to turn towards him. I growled as I shoved him. "For someone who's dying, you're damn strong!"

His only response was an amused smirk on his face, one that didn't reach his eyes, which were still filled with concern and so many emotions, that I didn't want to see. He'd make me melt. "If you're angry, vent. Hit me, shout at me, do whatever the fuck you want, just don't fucking shut me out, don't hold that shit in."

I gave him a scathing glare. "I don't, when I need to go take a dump, I do!" I snapped in response, although I knew exactly what he meant but I still came up with that lousy comeback.

"Good to know." The smirk returned, and I smacked his arm, my hand hitting the wet leather and making a loud sound. "I really didn't fucking mean it the way you took it. I just meant I fucking hate him."

Maybe...

I tried to turn away, only for him to grab my elbows and yank me close. He looked down at me, the cold water pouring down over both of us.

"What the fuck did you see in Nikki?" I said bitterly. "She's a total bitch, with no class or compassion, yet you were with her for two years."

He frowned, letting go of my arms and I was about to pull away only for him to cup my face, refusing to allow me to move away. "Honestly, I don't fucking know. I can let my walls down and you'll see that I do not blame you for any of this."

Pursing my lips, I shook my head. He didn't need to prove anything to me. I could tell he wasn't lying, and I also knew I would trust him blindly no matter what... I knew, going forward, he could kill someone right in front of me, and if he denied it, I would believe him. Beautiful, yet terrifying too.

I looked around, realising the anger and hurt I had felt had washed away. I didn't get it, I never calmed down so easily, yet here I was, rather than lashing out, I was just...no longer angry.

"Damn mate bond." I muttered, stepping closer and fighting the urge to crush his balls. 'I will crush your baby maker!'

"Really? I'm sure you enjoy it the most." He taunted, clearly finding this amusing. "You really do resort to violence every fucking time."

"Of course, I have to! How else do I get my revenge? You're so annoying... old man."

He smirked, his fingers brushing my cheeks as he gazed into my eyes. "So, I take it that every time I piss you off, you're going to call me an old man?"

"Yup, and make many more voodoo dolls. Just wait till I get that staple gun..." I glowered at him, trying to ignore how damn good he looked.

The cold water was becoming more noticeable now, but I was not going to show him that.

"What exactly do you plan to do with this staple gun?" He asked.

I peered at him suspiciously. Was he seriously asking me that? I mean, he was meant to be smart, wasn't he? "Staple gun your dick obviously, give you a few more ladder steps." I clenched my teeth, trying not to shiver from the cold water.

His eyes flashed with surprise as he looked at me to see if I was serious. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, just wait..." I muttered. To my surprise, he simply chuckled, crashing his lips right down on mine. Rivers of pleasure danced through me, as he claimed my trembling lips in a sizzling kiss.

'Fuck girl, I love you.' Came his breathy voice in my mind, making me freeze. His words were echoing in my mind.

Love you... He said he loved me.

Goddess!

So shaken by those words I kissed him back hard, gripping hold of his jacket and pressing myself into him, seeking the warmth of his body and the feel of his touch. He held my face, keeping my head tilted up as he devoured me, just the way I liked it... His lips caressed mine passionately, deep, and sensual yet at the same time rough and hard. Only Leo could kiss like this...

He loves me...

Love...

But I was unable to say it back although I wanted to, far too lost in his smouldering kiss...

--

The following morning, feeling a little kinky, I decided to put on some sexy fishnets, pairing it with a shirtdress that just about covered my ass and black heeled calf-high boots that only made my legs look even longer.

Leo had gone for a run before he had showered and gotten dressed before I even woke up, aside from a few kisses he didn't disturb me, after last night I needed the rest.

But weirdly the sex only made me hornier and left me wanting more today. Urgh, I'm becoming a sex addict!

I dusted some highlighter onto my cheek. Damn Kia and Kat would be proud of this glow. Finishing off I added some volume to my hair. I stood up satisfied, and I bet Leo would love these tights...

I left the bedroom, still feeling sore from yesterday, but it was worth it. I couldn't help but smile, knowing that he had confessed his love.

First I told him I would staple his dick, and he responded that he loved me, yeah that's my type of guy... One who wanted me for me... Liked me for me, loved me for who I really was... The weird, psychotic and crazy me.

Making my way down the stairs, I could hear Leo and Marcel talking in the kitchen, and I slowed down, hoping I wasn't intruding. Corrado was at school, and Winona wasn't in either.

"... really have become the Alpha you were born to be. I think it's time you took on this title son. I know you refused, but you deserve it, Leo. You are already running the pack." Marcel was saying.

Frowning, I realised he still didn't know about Leo's health, that was something we needed to tell him. Leo did say he would...

"Fine. I'll take the title." Leo replied just as I stepped into the kitchen, he had his back to me leaning against the island whilst Marcel was on the opposite side, drinking some coffee.

He gave me a smile and said, "Good morning, Azura; it seems like today's a good day."

This damn smile on my face, but since Leo said I love you... It just wouldn't go away.

Speaking of Leo, he now turned his head to look at me, only for him to freeze. His heart rate picked up as his eyes slowly ran over me.

They darkened, the steel magnetic blue replacing his usual ice blue, and that animalistic hunger was so clear in them. He licked his lips before swallowing slowly and biting his bottom lip.

Not one word was spoken, but his reaction was enough, as Marcel chuckled. "Well... I just remembered I had something I needed to do..."

He walked around the island and passed me on his way to the door. Once the door shut, I strutted across the kitchen. I may not be the next top model, but I had done enough messing around with the girls, to know how to walk that walk. "I'm so hungry." I mused, reaching up and opening the top kitchen cabinet for a bowl, giving him a full-on view of my barely covered ass.

Three... two...

A growl left his lips and I gasped when he grabbed my elbow, spinning me around, at the same time his other hand twisted into my hair, yanking my head upwards...