Chapter 133: The Battle for Leadership.

Alessandro’s POV
As I approached my father's hospital room, I took a deep breath to calm myself.
This conversation was important. I turned the doorknob and entered. What I saw made me stop.
Leonardo was sitting next to our father, tapping his fingers on the chair. He looked relaxed, but his eyes were sharp.
When he saw me, he smiled mockingly.
"Look who finally showed up," he said, his voice full of fake amusement.
I tightened my jaw but kept my face expressionless."
“I’m here to speak with Father,” I said firmly, stepping inside and closing the door behind me.
Leonardo let out a low chuckle. “Of course you are.”
His smirk widened as if he knew exactly why I was here. And that only made me more wary.
Alpha John lay motionless on the hospital bed, his breathing shallow but steady.
The sight of him like this stirred something deep in my chest a feeling of anger and concern.
Leonardo leaned back in his chair, turning his head slightly as he studied me.
“You know,” he began, his voice low and calculated,
“Father hasn’t said much since waking up. But when he did, guess whose name he said first?”
I said nothing, my fists clenching at my sides.
Leonardo chuckled darkly. “Mine.”
I let out a slow breath.
“I don’t have time for your games, Leonardo. I came here to check on our father, not to entertain whatever twisted competition you think we have.”
Leonardo finally stood, shoving his hands into his pockets.
“Competition?”
He scoffed.
“You lost that a long time ago, Alessandro.
And now, you’re just desperately trying to prove yourself. To Father. To the pack.”
He took a step closer, lowering his voice.
“And to Aurora.”
I stiffened.
“Leave her out of this.”
His smirk only grew.
“Oh, but how can I?
You’ve taken something that belongs to me. And you expect there to be no consequences?”
I met his gaze without blinking. “She was never yours to begin with.”
Leonardo’s jaw tightened. For a moment, neither of us spoke.
The only sound in the room was the steady beeping of the machines monitoring our father’s vitals.
Then, in a voice so calm it was almost chilling, he said,
“We’ll see about that.”
He turned and walked away, his shoulder lightly touching mine as he left.
I let out a breath, ran my hand through my hair, and turned to my father.
He looked pale and weak. Whatever happened to him, it wasn't an accident.
And if I was going to protect my family, my pack, and Aurora… I needed to find out who was behind it.
I stepped closer to my father’s bed, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest.
His breathing was steady, but his body looked weaker than I had ever seen. He looked so fragile, so unlike the powerful man who had led this pack for years.
I inhaled sharply, my hand curling into fists at my sides.
“Father.” I said quietly, unsure if he could even hear me.
There was no response. Not even a flicker of movement.
I swallowed hard and continued.
“I know I was never your first choice.
I know you always believed Leonardo was the one to take your place, that he had the strength, the fire, the ruthlessness to lead.”
My throat tightened, but I pushed through.
“And maybe you were right. Maybe I was never meant to be the next Alpha.”
Silence.
I let out a humorless chuckle, shaking my head.
“But that doesn’t mean I don’t love this pack. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t give everything to protect it.”
I exhaled sharply.
“I would have done anything for your approval, Father. I spent my whole life trying to prove myself to you.”
Nothing. Not even a twitch of his fingers.
My jaw clenched as I looked at the man who had shaped me, who had expected perfection from me but never saw me as more than a second option.
“You never believed in me.
You never saw me as worthy.
But whether you wake up or not, whether you ever acknowledge me or not… I will protect this pack.
I will do what needs to be done.”
I straightened, inhaling deeply.
“Even if it means going against everything you ever taught me.”
With that, I turned on my heel and walked out, leaving behind the man I had spent my whole life trying to impress.
******
As I stepped out of my father’s hospital room, I found Gabriel waiting for me, his expression tense with concern.
The moment he saw me, he pushed off the wall and took a step forward.
“Did he wake up?
Did he say anything?” he asked, his voice laced with hope.
I exhaled, shaking my head.
“No.”
Gabriel sighed, rubbing his temples.
“Damn it,” he muttered.
“What are we going to do?
Leonardo isn’t stable enough to lead the pack right now, and you know the elders will choose him.
He’s the eldest son it’s tradition.”
I crossed my arms, my mind already racing with possibilities.
“I’ll try to talk to the elders,” I said firmly.
“I don’t know if they’ll listen to me, but I have to try.”
Gabriel gave me a skeptical look.
“And what if they don’t?
You know how they are, Alessandro. They follow tradition like it’s law.
Unless Father wakes up and names you his successor himself, they won’t even consider you.”
I clenched my jaw.
“Then I’ll find another way.”
Gabriel sighed again but didn’t argue. We both knew this wasn’t going to be easy.
“What’s the time?” I asked, Gabriel.
Gabriel checked his wristwatch and sighed.
“It’s almost time for the meeting.”
I nodded, rolling my shoulders to shake off the weight pressing down on me.
“Then let’s go.”
As we walked toward the council hall, the tension in the air was suffocating.
Every step felt heavier than the last. I knew what I was up against tradition, expectations, and a council that would likely side with Leonardo simply because he was the eldest.
When we reached the entrance, the guards stationed outside bowed slightly before opening the heavy doors.
Inside, the elders were already seated in a semi-circle, their faces unreadable.
Leonardo stood at the front, arms crossed, looking completely at ease, too at ease.
“Ah, finally,” he said with a smirk.
“We were wondering if you’d show up, little brother.”
I ignored his jab and stepped forward.
“I have something to say before any decisions are made.”
Ensnared by My Stepbrothers' Realm
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