Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire

Chapter 10

10. Struggles

AZURA.

He had a family… I stared at the marble tiles of the shower walls, letting the water pour down my body.

Nikki is his woman, and the boy…

I closed my eyes, resting my forehead against the cool wall.

He had a son…

Why didn‘t I know this? Sure, I never cared about the latest news, but it was never something mentioned.

Sky or Kat would have mentioned it…

But then again, Leo has moved away from his family entirely.

Nikki seemed damn nice, and I had gone and slept with her man.

He was your mate, Azura.

Would he have broken up with her if I wasn‘t a Westwood? I don‘t know…

Why did he mark me then? Does he love her? Probably…

What he felt for me was just because of the bond…

I was the other woman.

My heart squeezed remembering the story of my biological mother.

Her mate cheated on her, in fact, I even had a brother thanks to his infidelity, a brother who has been desperately trying to get to know me, but it‘s been me who just hasn‘t wanted to.

I wasn‘t ready.I felt bitter…he was the reason Indigo ended up giving up the will to live.

I knew the story from Mama and Dad…

From the first time when they told me that I wasn‘t their biological child, like Kia and Liam…

(Flashback – Over nine years ago)

I stared at Mama and Dad, feeling worried.

They were on either side of me in my bed, but they wanted to talk to me about something.

Did they find out I cut the squares in Liam‘s underwear because he refused to allow me to taste whiskey? But…

I made sure I had an alibi…

Hmm, something wasn‘t right.

No wait, oh my god, they must have realised I emptied the pot of worms on that dumb boy’s head! But he was calling me names! No, wait… ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

What if they realised I‘m the one who made Jayce and Theo flood the bathrooms? Or wait, what if it– ! said, tapping my nose.

“Hey, stop overthinking it, Wildfire.” Dad

“I just want to say, whatever it is, I didn‘t do it.I‘ve done nothing at all.”

“We haven‘t said anything yet.” Mama added, looking amused.

“I know but it might be a trick, so whatever you think I‘ve done, I haven‘t done what you think I’ve done.” “You usually have done what we think you have done, but it‘s nothing of the sort, there‘s something we wanted to tell you.” Mama replied, wrapping her arms around me tightly as she smiled.

I snuggled into her, letting out a breath of relief, wondering what it was.

“You know Mama Indy right?”

“Yes Mama, you always go on about her because I look like her, right? Are you missing her tonight?” I ask softly, looking up at her.

Her eyes filled with sadness, and she kissed my forehead.

“We always are.” She responded softly, looking at Dad, who put his arms around us.

“Yeah…” Dad agreed.

Dad always got sad when he looked at her picture too.

I know Mama and Dad‘s parents were married, although Mama and Dad have never really mentioned it directly, I have heard things.

They turned out to be mates too, so everyone had to accept that their love was meant to be, even if it‘s very shocking to imagine it…

Naughty Dad and Mama having a secret love affair.

“What we are going to tell you, Angel, is only because you deserve to know the truth, it doesn‘t change anything.” Dad said, kissing my head.

I frowned but nodded.

This was weird… “When the battle that took Indigo‘s life occurred, she was pregnant, but she wanted to help us against the evil.It cost her, her life.”

I frowned.

“Wow, but what about her baby then, didn‘t she care about it?” exchange looks.

Mama tensed, then I saw her and Dad

Dad gave her hand a squeeze.

“She did, but she had been through a lot in life, and she wanted to do something to protect everyone because without us winning, things would have been terrible for us.When she was killed…Marcel and your mother took her to Grandma Amelia.You know her, right?”

“Yes I do, Grandma Amy, how can I not? You all make sure I remember her all the time.“I said with a roll of my eyes.

“I think I would have loved her.So then, what happened?”

“Well, Grandma Amy had some magic that we never knew she possessed, and using it she placed the baby that was still fighting for life into me instead.” Mama explained.

I furrowed my brows, staring at Mama‘s tummy.

“Then the baby lived?” “She did, and she became a beautiful little soul with lots of spark.” Mama added, her eyes glistening with tears.

Mama‘s tummy…

“Then where is she now…” I asked, that battle happened before I was born…

Wait…

Did they mean…

“Right here.” Dad said softly, hugging me tightly.

My heart thudded loudly in my chest as I realised what they meant.

I was Mama Indy‘s baby…

My mind felt funny, it felt like it was being squeezed.

No, I can‘t be…

But I didn‘t look like Mama and Dad…

I knew it was the truth…

She didn‘t care enough about me.

She didn‘t care if she died.

What if I died? I don‘t care if she‘s my mama! I don‘t want her to be! “Baby…” MY Mama called, but I didn‘t know what to say.

“I‘m still your favourite, right?” I asked, looking at them intently.

“Always.” They said in unison.

“Then, I don‘t understand why you had to tell me.You two are my parents, the ones who took care of me and raised me.I don‘t care if…she was meant to be by Mama, because she didn‘t care if I died anyway.” I shrugged lightly.

I don‘t want to know anymore.I saw the flicker of hurt in Mama‘s expression, but I don‘t care…I was only their daughter.

“We always have and always will love you, but you have the right to know about Indy too.” “Ok.” I shrugged.

(End of flashback)

That night they had slept by my side…although I know they loved Indigo…

I didn‘t feel that same way.I was horrible, maybe…I didn‘t dare tell Mama or Dad how I felt, but she didn‘t care if I died…

Maybe I‘m not a nice person…

Especially as I grew up, I learned more, about her abusive mate who destroyed her mentally.

I know not everyone can escape an abusive relationship, but I thought a mother‘s love was greater than anything? She didn‘t care if I lived or died.

My parents were Elijah and Scarlett Westwood, and I would never be like her.

This baby is my world now, even if I wanted to go into combat and become a pack warrior.

I had taken classes in every fighting and weapon class the academy offered.

Along with Herbology, doing the higher level and learning about poisons and antidotes.

I was ready to go onto the battlefield if the need arose.

I may have messed up, been a prankster and every teacher‘s worst nightmare, but in the lessons I liked, I did my best.

That dream wasn‘t forgotten, but right now my priority was my pup, and I had almost risked its life by thinking Judah wouldn‘t try something stupid.

I had to be careful…

And what Mama Indigo has been through at the hands of her cheating mate…

I never wanted to ruin another person‘s relationship I switched the shower off and stepped out, towelling myself dry before I entered the bedroom and pulled on a black sports bra with matching Brazilian briefs.

The image of Leo, Nikki, and Corrado returned to my mind once again.

I began blow–drying my hair, mulling over everything.

Was Nikki Corrado‘s mother? She wasn‘t an Omega so how…

Why do I care? Leo and I were nothing.

He rejected me, remember? 3 I sat on the bed once my hair was done, applying some moisturiser to my arms and legs.

Spotting the tablet and laptop that sat on one of the shelves that surrounded the huge headboard, I was tempted to use them.

Should I try getting in touch with the girls? Just share what‘s going on, I needed to tell someone…

I picked up the tablet and switched it on.

Fully charged and it looked brand new.

Do I trust it? No.

I couldn‘t talk about my pregnancy on a device and internet that Leo might be watching.

Wasn‘t he said to be tech–savvy?

Yeah, definitely not.

I stood up, walking out into the lounge and over to the double doors that led out onto the balcony.

Opening the doors, I stepped out, inhaling as I leaned over the balcony wall, looking down at the pack.

It was beautiful…

more modern than our area yet it looked stunning I sighed, staring out, as much as I would want my child to have a father, it didn‘t need to be my fated mate or anyone for that matter.

I had my family and friends who loved me, I didn‘t need someone who didn‘t want us.

Was me being a Westwood that bad? I wanted to ask him but…

what‘s the point? He had his life set.

I thought I saw something on the ground below and leaned down, spotting a burly looking man petting two dogs.

Cute things.

I always wanted a pet, but seriously, I wouldn‘t be able to take care of it or give it time.

I was having a baby…

which meant I would have to pay attention to it and give it time…

I would be a mama…

For a moment, as a cool breeze passed through my hair, I felt the weight of reality hit me and I closed my eyes.

Responsibilities…

I turned around, leaning back against the rail and stared up at the night sky as I tilted my head back, closing my eyes.

You got this Azura.

You‘re known as the Westwood devil.

You can handle anything.

It was then I sensed someone was watching me.

This feeling…

I knew who it was as my eyes snapped open and I stared at the balcony far above.

His scent was faint, but it was definitely him.