Chapter 112: Restless.

Alessandro’s POV
After Leonardo walked away, Rafael turned to face me. He shook his head, clearly disappointed.
“What the hell, Alessandro? Why are you fighting Leonardo over Aurora?”
I let out a small scoff, crossing my arms. “I wasn’t fighting him, Rafael. He was the one throwing punches.”
Rafael rolled his eyes. “Oh, come on. You provoked him, and you know it.”
I smirked. “Did I? Or did I just tell him the truth he didn’t want to hear?”
Rafael sighed, rubbing his temple like he was tired of dealing with me.
“Look, man, I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours, but you need to back off.
Aurora and Leonardo have history. He’s trying to fix things with her.”
I clenched my jaw at his words. “And what if she doesn’t want to be ‘fixed’ with him, Rafael?”
He looked at me for a long moment before sighing again. “Then let her make that decision.
But don’t push it, Alessandro. You’re playing with fire.”
I met his gaze, my expression unreadable.
Maybe I was.
But for Aurora... I’d gladly get burned.
Rafael stared at me, waiting for some kind of reaction, but I gave him none.
He sighed, shaking his head like he already knew this conversation was pointless.
“You’re stubborn as hell,” he muttered.
I smirked. “Takes one to know one.”
He didn’t even bother responding to that. Instead, he ran a hand through his hair and stepped closer.
“Listen, Alessandro. I’m not saying Leonardo is right, but you need to think about what you’re doing.
If Aurora chooses you, fine. But don’t force this. Don’t get yourself into something that’s going to blow up in everyone’s faces.”
I exhaled slowly, my smirk fading. “I’m not forcing anything, Rafael.” My voice was quieter now, calmer.
“But I won’t stand by and watch him manipulate her into thinking she owes him something.”
Rafael hesitated, but I could see he understood. He knew Leonardo had a way of making Aurora feel guilty, of twisting things so she thought she had no choice but to stay.
Finally, Rafael let out a low breath and clapped me on the shoulder.
“Just… be careful, man. I don’t want to be the one dragging your sorry ass out of trouble.”
I chuckled. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
He rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. “I gotta go. Just… don’t do anything stupid.”
As he walked away, I turned my gaze toward the horizon. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in warm hues of orange and red.
I didn’t care what Rafael or anyone else thought.
I wasn’t backing down.
Aurora wasn’t some prize to be won, but I knew one thing for certain she deserved better than a man who only realized her worth when he was about to lose her.
And if she wanted me, if she even gave me the smallest sign...
I’d be ready.
******
I was restless as my mind kept wandering to the fact that Leonardo had informed Rafael he was taking Aurora to the movies.
Aurora wasn’t my mate, but why was I becoming obsessed over what she could be doing right now?
I ran a hand through my hair in frustration, pacing the room as if that would somehow settle the storm inside me.
My wolf was on edge too, restless, growling at the thought of her being alone with him.
“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath before grabbing my phone.
I dialed Rafael’s number, and after a few rings, he picked up.
“Alessandro?” His voice was laced with curiosity.
“What’s up?”
I hesitated, gripping the phone tighter.
“Uh… you said Leonardo took Aurora to the movies, right?”
Rafael was silent for a moment before responding, his tone suspicious.
“Yeah… why?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came out. What was I supposed to say?
That I couldn’t get the image of them together out of my head?
That I felt like punching something just thinking about it?
“It’s nothing,” I finally stammered. “Just… curious.”
Rafael chuckled. “Curious? Since when do you care about their date?”
“I don’t!” I snapped, a little too quickly.
More silence. Then Rafael sighed. “You’re unbelievable, man.”
I clenched my jaw. “Just tell me where they went, Rafael.”
“Why?”
“I just…” I exhaled sharply, realizing I was cornered. “Forget it.”
I hung up before he could say anything else.
But now, my frustration had only doubled.
Because deep down, I knew the answer to my own question.
I cared.
More than I should.
I decided not to go.
As much as I hated the thought of Leonardo and Aurora together, I wasn’t going to chase after them like some jealous fool.
Instead, I chose to stay in the pack and focus on other affairs anything to get my mind away from them.
Grabbing a file, I made my way down to the prison where Lena was locked up.
The air in the underground cells was damp and cold, the scent of iron and stone filling my senses.
When I reached her cell, she was sitting on the small cot, eating what little food she had been given.
The moment her eyes landed on me, a slow, knowing smile spread across her lips.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the lover boy.”
I ignored her taunting tone and turned to the guards standing nearby.
“Leave us.”
They hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded, stepping out of the room and closing the heavy metal door behind them.
Now, it was just me and her.
Lena set her plate aside and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees as she studied me with amusement.
“To what do I owe this pleasure, Alessandro?” she purred, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.
I remained standing, arms crossed, my face difficult to read.
“I need information.”
She raised a brow. “Oh? And here I thought you came to pour your heart out about your little love triangle.”
She smirked.
“Must be eating you up inside, huh? Knowing that Leonardo finally stood up to your father to win her back?”
My jaw clenched, but I refused to take the bait.
“I don’t have time for your games, Lena,” I said coolly.
“Tell me what I need to know, or I’ll make sure your stay here becomes a lot less comfortable.”
She chuckled, shaking her head. “Still as cold as ever.”
I took a step closer, my patience wearing thin. “Why did you kill, Marcus? And why did you kidnap Damian and used his wolf for your bidding?”
Lena sighed dramatically, tapping her fingers against the stone wall.
“Hmmm….maybe I didn’t need him anymore and you know me….I don’t keep things I don’t need anymore.”
I shook my head. “So typical of you, Lena.”
“What about you? You are in love with your brother’s woman. You would have had her when you had the chance and that’s by helping me become his wife, but no….you decided to become the good brother and helped your brother get his woman back and you are here…..heartbroken.”
Lena’s words struck a nerve, but I refused to let her see it. I kept my face blank, my fists clenched at my sides.
“I don’t have time for your mind games,” I said coldly. “Tell me what you did with Damian’s wolf.”
She smirked, tilting her head as if she was savoring my frustration.
“Oh, Alessandro,” she sighed mockingly.
“You really think I’ll just hand over answers without anything in return?”
I exhaled sharply, my patience thinning. “I can make things a lot worse for you, Lena.”
Her grin widened. “Oh, I don’t doubt that. But let’s not pretend you’re not here for more than just answers.”
I stepped forward, towering over her. “What are you talking about?”
She leaned back against the wall, eyes gleaming with amusement.
“You think I don’t see it? That I don’t know?” She laughed softly.
“You’re torn apart, Alessandro. You act like you don’t care, like you’re above all of this, but deep down, you’re just as messed up as the rest of us.”
I clenched my jaw. “Enough.”
But Lena wasn’t done. She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper.
“You helped Leonardo get her back, but did you really think he would hold onto her forever?
That she wouldn’t start looking elsewhere?” She smirked. “Maybe even at you?”
I turned away, refusing to let her words get to me.
Lena chuckled darkly. “Oh, Alessandro… you can lie to everyone else, but you can’t lie to yourself.”
I exhaled sharply, refusing to let Lena's words burrow into my mind.
She was trying to manipulate me, to twist my thoughts into something darker. But I wouldn't give her the satisfaction.
“You’re delusional,” I muttered, stepping back.
She only laughed, the sound echoing off the cold prison walls. “Am I?” she taunted.
“Then why are you here, Alessandro? Why aren’t you out with the rest of the pack?
Why aren’t you focused on your duties instead of wasting your time with me?”
I didn’t respond.
She smirked, turning her head. “You can lie all you want, but your actions say otherwise.
You’re restless. Jealous, even.” She chuckled. “Tell me, what do you think is happening right now?
Leonardo and Aurora are sitting in that dark cinema, close to each other, maybe even—”
“Enough.”
My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I didn’t care.
Lena grinned.
“Hit a nerve, did I?”
I inhaled deeply, steadying myself. “You’re pathetic, Lena. Twisting words, playing games… but it won’t work on me.”
She leaned back against the wall, an amused glint in her eyes.
“We’ll see about that.”
I turned and walked out, slamming the door behind me. But even as I put distance between us, her words clung to me like a shadow.
As I walked out of the prison, I clenched my fists, trying to shake off the frustration bubbling inside me.
I shouldn't have let Lena get under my skin. She thrived on stirring chaos, and I had given her exactly what she wanted a reaction.
But damn it, she wasn’t wrong.
I hated the thought of Leonardo and Aurora together. The idea of him touching her, whispering to her in that dark theater, trying to win her back it made something dark coil inside me.
I needed to get a grip.
I forced myself to head toward my office, determined to drown myself in work.
I had other responsibilities more important things to focus on than my brother's relationship.
Yet, even as I tried to push her from my mind, my thoughts kept circling back to Aurora.
Had she forgiven him already? Was she smiling at him right now, believing his words?
I exhaled sharply and ran a hand through my hair.
Enough.
I sat at my desk, flipping through reports on pack security and rogue activities near our borders.
But the words blurred together. My mind kept drifting.
After what felt like an eternity of uselessly staring at the papers, my phone buzzed.
Rafael.
I hesitated for a second before picking up. “What?”
“You sound like crap,” Rafael said, amusement lacing his tone.
I sighed. “Not in the mood, Rafael.”
He chuckled. “Right. Well, I just wanted to let you know something interesting.”
I frowned. “What is it?”
“Aurora just left the movie theater. Alone.”
I stiffened. “Alone?”
“Yep. Leonardo was looking around like a lost puppy, but she just walked off.”
I sat up straighter. “Where is she now?”
“Not sure, but she didn’t look happy.”
I didn’t even think. I grabbed my keys and headed out.
I told myself I wasn’t going after her.
But my feet were already moving before my mind could catch up.