Leo Rossi: The Rise of a True Alpha (The Rossi Legacies Book 2)
Beautiful Bond Chapter 4

MARCEL.

I let go of her. I can't be the one to push her any further when I know how she feels. If there's anything she does hold for me, then she needs to be the one to make the next move.

She hesitates, her heart pounding as she stands there, her back to me. I couldn't control myself seeing her, especially when she is dressed like that. I had to tell her...

I didn't miss the looks she got from some of the single men in attendance, and it riled me up. Her dress is tasteful, with just a hint of cleavage on show, whilst tantalisingly displaying her smooth back. I can't blame anyone for checking her out when she really is such a beauty. Just like when I first noticed her in that black dress... I've never been able to look at her the same since.

"Thank you." She says, glancing at me before she turns and walks away.

I sigh, hearing the sound of her heels receding, before I head after her myself and back to the party.

I have a feeling she was upset regarding my conversation with Kristina. Kristina and I have been friends for years and although we have occasionally hooked up. When I realised she was beginning to develop feelings for me, I ended it entirely and it has been a couple of years. I didn't mix with the she-wolves of this pack often and with Kristina, well; she didn't really live on pack territory half the time.

I return to the party and grab myself an iced drink. I'm frustrated, in more ways than one, but I'm trying not to let it show. I walk over to where Leo is standing to the side smoking, watching Azura and Corrado dancing.

I'm truly proud of the man he has become. Even now he appears cold, but behind those piercing blue eyes, are endless emotions.

"He's enjoying the party." I say, stopping by Leo's side as I watch Corrado smile happily as he dances with his mother.

"When doesn't that kid like attention?"

I chuckle. "He's getting big. I can't believe he's already six."

"Yeah. Time fucking flies." Leo says, and I don't miss the way he gets distracted by Azura.

To think these two went through so much to get to where they are now...

Everyone's having a good time, the chatter and the laughter creating that pleasant buzz. However, when I hear someone call Winona, I instantly hone in on it.

"Winona! Wow, I didn't even recognise you. You look beautiful."

My eyes flash, and I instantly scan the garden until I see none other than Leo's friend Li Sheng. He is standing there, arms crossed as he leans against the counter where MY mate is standing, looking flustered.

I clench my jaw, trying not to react. They're just talking... Forcing my gaze elsewhere, I'm unable to stop myself from carrying on listening.

"Thank you. You look handsome, too. I love that shirt."

I cock a brow, really?

My gaze flicks back to Li Sheng. He's wearing some oriental print shirt which is half unbuttoned and the way he's smiling at her... Yeah, they look good together, but that just irks me. "Want to dance?" He asks her.

"Ah no thank you!" She says quickly.

"Oh, come on, it'll be fun," He says, leaning closer he whispers something in her ear, but thanks to the sudden rise in the volume of the music I don't hear her reply, but I do see her blush as she looks away shyly. "Dad?"

I can't focus on Leo, feeling my anger rippling around me. She's shaking her head, but he still takes her wrist, encouraging her towards the dance floor.

What irks me is she's about to give in. This is the fucking reason I'm not pushing her. After all, I want her to want me not to be fucking forced into something or coaxed into it because I know what she's like.

She gives a small smile and tilts her head to refuse him, but he cuts her off, pointing towards Azura and Corrado as he leads her onto the dance floor.

I clench my fists; my anger feels like a fucking pressure cooker, and I'm fuming. She's too flustered to even notice as she tries to refuse Li Sheng gently. I'm not sure when I start moving until I'm in front of them. "She said no." I snarl, ripping his hand off her wrist and moving her behind me.

Li Sheng smiles slightly as if he's done nothing wrong, only angering me more. "She's just shy, we're really ok, right Winona?"

"I don't care. From where I stood, she didn't look comfortable." I snarl.

He seems to pause before he exhales. "Well, she's just playing hard to get, I'm sure we-"

"She's mine, so stay the hell away!" I growl, grabbing him by the collar when Leo is suddenly there, his hand gripping my wrist.

The music is the only sound now playing as silence falls and everyone is watching us.

"Dad, calm down." He says quietly, but his attention is on someone else. I turn to see Azura standing there. Her eyes are wide and she's pouting slightly, and I instantly realise what's going on...

This was Azura's plan. I let go of Li Sheng, who lowers his head to me and Leo sighs, taking a drag on his cigarette.

"I'm sorry." Winona whispers, but before I can even turn, I hear her leave.

"Carry on and excuse us for a couple of moments." I say, hating how we have an audience, thinking I had just announced to everyone that she's mine... and obviously have feelings for her, which isn't a lie, but I didn't need anyone to know... "Us?" Azura says, pulling a face.

"Yes," I reply pointedly. "And she really needs to learn to stop running." I growl, walking off the dance floor.

Leo shakes his head as Li Sheng motions for Corrado to come with him. He's amused but also by the look of surprise he portrayed on his face. It's clear he didn't know who exactly he was pissing off by talking to Winona... Azura blows him a kiss with an apologetic look, and I shake my head.

I lead the way inside and the two follow me. Crossing my arms, I turn when Leo shuts the door after him. Azura has her hands clasped in front of her and she genuinely looks guilty and rather sad. Leo kisses her shoulder before he turns his gaze to me.

"I was only trying to help... I'm sorry but I mean, you and Winona did the same to Leo and I." Azura says looking up at me, I frown but something about the sad look in those innocent eyes of hers, makes me massage my temples. How can I scold her, when she didn't have bad intentions.

I glance at Leo, who is watching her sceptically with a raised brow.

I sigh. She was only trying to help. I have to remember she's only twenty, she's still young and as she said, we did try to put her and Leo together. She wasn't doing anything different. She looks down sadly, blinking those eyes as she waits for me to continue, and I see Phoenix in her. I sigh again, shoving my hands into my pockets.

"Ok fine. Just don't do that again, the entire pack will now know that I have a thing for my grandchildren's Nanny..." I mutter.

Her face lightens up as she smiles rather deviously, and for a moment I wonder if the previous apology was just an act...

"There's nothing wrong with wanting your mate, Marcel. We all know she wants you."

"Yes, maybe, however, I also can see that she's easy to push into doing things she doesn't want to... That may be ok when it comes to getting a haircut or trying a new dish... but when it's something as big as wanting your mate or not... that is something she can't be encouraged into. If she wants me, she needs to take that step. Herself."

"She's shy." Azura sighs, frustrated, as Leo simply smokes his cigarette.

"And then if she makes a step, then what?" Leo asks.

"I can handle the rest, but she needs to make the next move. Now, if you can both excuse me, I think I'm going to go back out there." I say.

Azura nods and Leo hugs her. I know she only tried to help and maybe this was the reaction Winona needed to see from me, but she deserves better. However, if she doesn't want me, then she really needs to reject me.

This entire situation was full of mixed reactions, feelings, and confusion. I will not bail on Corrado's party. However, once it's done, I really could use a run.

I'm heading to the garden when I spot a devious smile on Azura's face as she looks down at her phone and I cock a brow. Something tells me she's up to something again...

But when she looks up and our eyes meet, she smiles innocently, and I shake my head. I'm just being paranoid.

--

It's much later in the evening, and the party is long over. Leo and Azura have taken Corrado to watch a movie in town a couple of hours ago, and Phoenix was at their home with Winona.

Then tomorrow evening we have dinner in town with family. Since it is difficult for everyone to come down, Azura decided on a family dinner, comprising The Westwoods and the Rossi's, as well as Leo's friends, of course.

I enter my apartment after a long run, heading straight to the bathroom. I strip off my sweat-soaked clothes and step under the shower. Untying my hair, I let the water wash over me.

No, the run did not do me any favours. I still can't get her out of my head. It's annoying and frustrating in many ways.

I sigh, washing quickly before I step out of the shower and turn the tap off.

I grab a towel, drying my hair before I wrap the towel around my waist. I can hear my phone ringing.

Who can that be?

I head to the lounge and pick it up.

Kristina.

"Hello?" I answer it.

"Hi. Marcel... I just, I was wondering if we can meet up? Maybe at the diner downtown?"

I know she means Pete's.

"What's it regarding?" I ask.

"I just thought we can have a catch-up. I mean, we haven't really hung in a while; besides, I want to know all about this lady of yours."

"She's not technically mine." I say, hating the way those words sounded.

She laughs. "Well, that's not how I saw it. You seemed distracted earlier, too. Come on, we could use some coffee."

I sigh and nod. "Ok,"

"Great, my treat. I'll see you in twenty minutes?" She says.

"Sure," I reply before I hang up.

Maybe I can use the chance to get advice from someone who is closer to my age or, better yet, a woman's point of view.

-

Twenty-five minutes later, I reach Pete's Diner and I spot her red hair, she is sitting at a table in the corner. The interior is rustic and warm, with classics playing on the jukebox. This was a place that both young and old visited, but right now it was pretty quiet. "Marcel!" Kristina calls, waving her hand. I walk over and there are already two cups of coffee there. "You're lucky I ordered the coffee a little late or it would have been cold."

"Did you expect me to drop everything?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I took my chances." She shrugs. "But we both know even though I take my chances, I still don't quite cut it."

I don't respond, knowing exactly what she meant.

"So, why did you want to meet me?"

"I was reminiscing on the past, you know... I thought there was something going on when I approached that table earlier at the party... but when you were like, 'I'll let you know about the trip' well that threw me off, and I thought perhaps I was misinterpreting the situation."

I cock a brow. So she did that on purpose. "There's been nothing between us for over five years, Kristina, and you have accompanied me on at least two trips since. So why would it?"

She sighs and nods. "True... I never realised how long it's been... and we've been on three trips together, not two."

"Yeah, well, who's counting?"

She looked hurt for a moment before she sighs and shakes her head. "Well, clearly not you, now tell me you and... Winona, what's going on there?"

"Is it strange that she's so much younger?"

"Oh please, we're werewolves. You don't look a day past forty. Who cares how old you are?" She shakes her head, drinking her coffee, which, unlike mine, is half milk and full of cream.

"Hmm, well let's just say she caught my eye when Leo finally began to accept me again... and then... this Blood Moon I replace that she's my second chance."

She stares at me for a second, her heart thundering before she smiles faintly. "That's... beautiful..." I can see the sadness in her eyes and I'm no fool...

"I guess, but I don't think I deserve her, she needs someone younger... someone, who isn't so..." I stare at the scars on my hands, I am a canvas of memories of dark times... and she was innocent, pure... everything I'm not.

"She needs you, and obviously wants you from what I saw earlier. Marcel no one cared when they realised there was something between you two, aside from a few who looked rather jealous and then of course the initial shock of you actually having feelings for someone! But honestly, look past your status and your age. Love doesn't go by number, race, or even gender. Love is love, and I'm leaving. Go get your girl."

She gulps down her coffee as the diner door tinkles behind us, and a familiar scent seeps into my nose.

Winona's here... I can feel her eyes on me and when I turn, I can see the clear hurt within her eyes when those chocolate brown ones meet mine. "Winona!" Kristina says as she stands up, approaching her.

She masks her emotions and smiles faintly, but it's not the usual fake smile of hers. I can see the hostility in her eyes towards Kristina.

"Marcel was telling me all about you. I'm so happy for the both of you. You should join him for a coffee, since his drink has gotten cold." Kristina suggests, making Winona's eyes snap to mine and a pretty blush crosses her cheeks.

"Tea, Winona prefers tea." I say, making that blush deepen. She looks away and before she refuses, I decide it's better that I make it clear that Kristina is nothing more than a friend and so, I say the two words that she really can't refuse... "Join me."