Leo Rossi: The Rise of a True Alpha (The Rossi Legacies Book 2)
Leo Rossi: The Rise of a True Alpha Chapter 37

LEO.

Two weeks had passed since our ceremony, and life was fucking better than good. With her officially mine in every fucking way, it felt perfect. I had shifted again, the first time in years and it didn't almost kill me. I wanted to see her in her wolf form too, but until she had the pup, we couldn't do that.

We had taken the following day to simply relax and get some sleep since we didn't fucking sleep that first night until early morning. It was going to be one fucking night to remember with the promise that I'd get a dance every year on my birthday, and I plan to hold her to it.

The guests had left the following evening, with them all promising to return soon. I guess that meant they have open access to this pack now.

I had wanted to ask Dante if he knew anything about what happened with Azura's wing-like aura, but I didn't want to pressurise him into fucking thinking I just wanted answers. I didn't need to be fucking Einstein to know that he wanted to be treated like normal, and not to be expected to know everything. I'll figure that shit out myself, somehow. But one thing is clear, until I had answers, I didn't want her to use her powers again.

We had decided on a few things over the last fortnight, living arrangements for one. We would move to the Villa. After that night we both felt like it is the perfect place for us. We had asked Dad to move in with us when we did get the house sorted. Azura was already picking out colour palettes for the nursery and Corrado's room. I planned to make the entire lower floor into a pad for myself, with some extra features for the both of us.

I wanted to have some underground work done, so the access from the new place linked to my cave.

Then there was the issue with Kareena. Jax and I were going to have a discussion with her, and put forward Jax's suggestion. I just hope she listens. She no longer tries to kill herself, but she's quiet, simply sitting there lost in thought. Becoming just a shell of who she was.

We were now at the hospital, where Azura is having a scan. The baby is growing well and is measuring quite big. It's healthy and growing without any issues.

"You don't want to know the gender?" The sonographer asks, smiling at us. Corrado is with us, staring at the image on the screen, his mouth open as if in shock. We thought it was high time he saw his baby sibling, too.

"No, we don't." Azura replies, looking at me, and I nod.

"Yeah, let's have some things left a surprise. It'll be cool." I reply, caressing Azura's cheek. I glance back at the screen as Azura asks Corrado what he thinks.

"Can you see the baby's head, my cherub?" She asks.

"Oh yes, the baby is so cute, Mommy." He replies in awe.

I raise an eyebrow, looking at the image. Well, it was incredible... but cute?

I smirk ruffling his hair. This kid is something else, and I know no matter what, he will take care of his baby sibling.

'It's crazy how our family is growing!' I say through the link as the sonographer wipes her stomach clean, removing all the gel and I help her to her feet. She locks her arms around my neck and kisses me.

'It really is.' She says.

I kiss her back before she moves away and takes hold of Corrado's hand as we leave the hospital together.

"You know, Winona's so quiet lately. I think there's something on her mind. Will you ask her? I did, but she said everything was fine, but I don't know... she seems to be on edge and it's like she wants to be alone a lot. Like she avoids being in the room with anyone." Azura says, frowning slightly as she looks up at me.

I frown. She has been quieter, and I noticed that too... like she'll leave the room as soon as she can. A sudden thought occurs to me, and I frown, odd behaviour... Could she be....

"What? Leo, don't tell me your-"

"I can't take chances... I need to make sure I keep everyone under the radar. I'll have a word with her." I say firmly and quietly, making sure Corrado can't hear me.

She sighs, "It's not what you're thinking... but any leads?"

"None, but we're working on it. A few times we have been close, but then he gets away. Janaina thinks we're missing what he is, and if we learn that, we get him. There's some old texts they are fucking stumped on and I told them to send them to me. I'll see if I can crack the code."

"In the ancient tongue of witchcraft?" She asks, looking up at me.

I shake my head.

"No, just an ancient language that they don't actually have a name for. We don't know much about it, but there are images depicting shadowy men, or some kind of beings. So we'll see." I reply, pulling her close and kissing her neck. "Tonight, as you know I'm handling Web, everything is already in place, and I really can't afford to let this chance by. Once and for all, I'm dealing with him."

She sighs and rests her head against my shoulder. "Ok, but be careful, remember you aren't invincible Baby."

"I pretty much am." I reply arrogantly.

"I know you're super fierce, but still-" I cut her off with a hot passionate kiss, knowing she isn't going to drop it.

"Daddy, let's get some treats from the bakery!" Corrado says, pointing to one of the two Pack bakeries and forcing us to break the kiss. I glance at the bakery. There is a small seating area inside too, and it isn't too busy.

"Sure thing." I reply as I hold the door open for them both to pass inside first.

"Oh, look at those!" Azura says, inhaling deeply. "Mmm..."

'How about we just have something here, and something to drink. Hot chocolate sound good?" I ask and both of them nod in unison.

"Especially with the weather getting colder." Azura says, looking out at the darkening skies.

"Alpha, Luna, Little Alpha. It's lovely to have you here! Now, what can I get you?" Anabelle, the woman behind the counter, says, smiling at us.

Azura smiles back. I see a glimmer of sadness in her eyes, but it vanishes quickly enough, and I wonder what that's about.

"Hello, it smells so good in here, and there's far too much to choose from! I just wish I had stopped by sooner." Azura says, as she and Corrado examine the baked sweet treats. "Can we get two doughnuts... the pecan pie... what do you want, my little cherub?" "Oh Mommy, I think I want everything." He rubs his tummy and Azura nods in agreement, a hand on her own stomach.

I bet if I slipped away, neither would fucking realise as long as they can eat...

I glance around the place, letting the two place their order and link Jax. 'Any update?'

'Everything is in place, and we have him pinned. If he tries to escape, he's ours. Comes his cocky reply.

'Yeah, he will be this time.' I reply just as Azura, and Corrado walk over to one of the small booths and take a seat.

"She'll bring our order over." Azura says, sitting down next to Corrado.

I take the seat opposite them, observing them.

'So, what was that look when you looked around the café?' I ask her through the link. Her heart skips a beat as she looks up.

'I remembered how I was treated back at the Blood Moon. The woman who ran a bakery hated me. To the point, she wouldn't even serve me.' She replies, and I see a shadow of sadness in her eyes.

Anger flits through me, and the urge to fucking give this woman a piece of my fucking mind lashes through me.

'Because of the way you were fucking born?' I asked coldly.

She nods, looking around. 'Yeah, but you know what? I don't care anymore. Here, I feel happy. I'm not even treated like an outsider.'

'Maybe because we have all been outcasts here at some point. We know how it feels.' I reply, 'You were made for this pack. You are one of us, Beautiful.'

'I am, but I never get bored of you reminding me of that! She replies just as Anabelle brings our tray over.

"Enjoy! And it's on the house." She winks at Corrado, who looks excited.

"Oh, thank you!" He says before picking up one of the glazed doughnuts and biting into it.

I watch them, as Azura bites into her doughnut, licking her lips, and the image of her running that tongue over my cock comes to mind, and I shift slightly in my seat.

Sexy little seductress...

"Mommy, I think our baby wants to eat, too." Corrado says, gently stroking her stomach. "When the baby is here, then we buy even more doughnuts."

"Absolutely, but we have to wait until the baby is old enough to eat them." She replies, tugging his cheek.

"Oh no, then Mommy must eat lots so our baby can have some too." He sighs.

"And I can tell you both are enjoying your food a lot recently." I tease, thinking he was getting chubbier as of late, he and Azura were always snacking, not that I minded. Seeing them both snacking together was kinda cute. He frowns at me. "Daddy, I'm a big boy. I have to eat lots to get bigger!"

"Yeah definitely," I smirk. You sure are getting bigger around the waist, kiddo.

'Hey, don't be mean to him! Azura scolds through the link, knowing exactly what was on my mind.

'Defending your son, I see!

'Always.' She replies with a pout, hugging him.

I smirk, not saying anything more as I watch them, she has fallen into the role of his mother so effortlessly... I can't believe there was a time I thought she'd never be the perfect mother... I remember the way I treated her, feeling a flash of guilt rush through me. This would be my punishment that would always remain with me for life...

Fuck, I was fucking wrong. Corrado had taken so easily to her too. It just shows how compatible they are and how she is naturally so loving and the best mother I could ever have hoped for him.

"Well, both of you eat up. Seems like you both need it." I snicker, picking up my own mug of hot chocolate.

"Oh, we will." Azura says, and Corrado nods vigorously.

I drink the hot chocolate, letting the hot liquid pour down my throat. I'm looking forward to our second pup too. "Have you thought of any names?" I ask her suddenly.

She looks up, a small frown of concentration on her gorgeous face. "Well, not really, but we have a few months yet. I'm sure we can finalise down to one girl's and one boy's name." "Sounds like a plan." I nod.

"And if you have any, definitely let me know." She smiles slightly.

"I will." I reach over, taking her hand and raising it to my lips, kissing it softly, smirking when her heart begins to race.

It's later in the evening, and I will be leaving in about an hour. Everything is in place already, and this will be the last of Web. Somehow, I feel like it is also the last mission of its kind. The Cartel... well, I will never completely cut away from it, but I will take a step back... I will reshape my trades. The bullets and the drugs going wrong had been enough of a wake up call for me. I have plenty of other fields and trades I could delve into. I couldn't let something like this happen again.

"You called Alpha?"

I turn in time to see Winona standing there. Her hair is tied back, she's fiddling with the sleeve of her long-sleeved top, and her eyes are full of concern.

No, I don't believe that she'd ever betray me. I am a good judge of character, and it just doesn't fit. However, there is something that is bothering her...

"I did. You seem a little.... Off lately. What's wrong?" I ask.

Her heart thumps and she seems to be more nervous. So there is something... but what?

"I-it's nothing to be worried about, just a personal issue." She whispers, making me frown. That isn't a lie.

"What exactly is it? You've been quieter over the past few weeks." I ask crossing my arms.

She looks down, and I see a small frown on her face as she mulls over what to say. "It's personal, Alpha, if it's ok... I don't want to share."

I can't argue with that... I give a curt nod, taking out a cigarette.

"Fine, but if there's anything I can help you with, you know I'm here." I say quietly. She looks up and seems to struggle before she nods and smiles. A smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"Thank you."

I nod, lighting my cigarette. "You can leave." I say. "Oh, and one more thing, we've decided to get some work done on the Villa and move there once it's ready. It will definitely be before the baby is born. You will have your own quarters. Just let the interior decorators know the colour palette."

She nods slowly and turns before she pauses. "Umm who else will live there?"

"Just us, Dad, Rosaline and yourself." I reply.

Her face falls, and she looks troubled. She's struggling with something I can see that, but she isn't able to voice it.

"You don't need to. If you don't want to Winona, I just thought it would be easier once the pup is born... but if you don't want to, that's ok too. Like I said in the past, if you ever want to quit the job-"

"No. No, it's not that... I want to take care of the baby; I want to be there for you all..."

"But?"

She hesitates before shaking her head, refusing to look at me. "Nothing at all." She fakes a smile before she leaves, and I frown.

Winona has always been an open, carefree person. She's never had much of a social life and was always happy to help others... For her to not share, something was fucking weird...

I'll get Azura to have a word with her... or ask Dad if he's noticed anything. I would say it might be guy trouble, but she didn't fucking date unless that shit's changed now. But if it is... and he fucking hurts her.... Yeah, maybe she'd be happier talking to Azura.

I leave the mansion, ready for the infiltration of Web's main base. I head to my underground cave, change my clothes and kit up with a few weapons, before making my way to one of my cars.

I mind-link the boys as I reverse out of the parking bay. 'I'm on my way. Time to take this bastard down.

'Can't wait. Ace's voice came.

I smirk, feeling the adrenaline rush through me as I press my foot down on the accelerator...