Chapter 159: The Summon

Leonardo’s POV

I froze.

That voice.

It didn’t belong to any of the betas I had come across… it was cold.
I turned slowly, already knowing who I would see.
A man stood just a few steps away. His posture was rigid, too composed, too composed.
His face was partially hidden beneath the hood of a dark cloak, but I didn’t need to see all of him to recognize the role he played.
One of Uncle Raymond’s spies.
He didn’t speak again; he just stared, and for a moment, the silence between us felt heavier than the air.
Then finally, he broke it.
“My master wants to see you.”
His voice was flat. Controlled. Almost lifeless.
I gave a slow nod, doing my best to keep my face unreadable.
“Lead the way,” I said.
He turned without another word and began walking down the path that led into the dense woods behind the pack house.
I followed a few paces behind, keeping my steps light and quiet. My heart was racing in my chest, but I forced myself to focus.
Now was not the time to panic.
While his eyes were fixed forward, I slipped a hand into my pocket and pulled out my phone.
I kept it low, close to my body, so he wouldn’t notice. My fingers moved quickly, typing out a short message to Alessandro:
“I’m being taken to Raymond. This might be it. If I see Aurora, I’ll send the signal. Start tracking my phone now.”
I hit send and tucked the phone away just as the spy glanced over his shoulder.
I pretended not to notice, just kept walking, my expression calm.
He looked ahead again.
I exhaled slowly, almost silently.
This was it.
I was walking straight into the enemy’s hands but not as a pawn this time.
This time, I was a weapon.
And I was going to bring her back.
We kept walking in silence, the forest slowly thinning until we reached a clearing near the edge of the woods.
That’s when I saw it—a black car parked under the shadow of a large tree. Its windows were tinted, its engine running low and steady like a heartbeat.
The man stopped a few feet away and turned to face me.
He didn’t say much; he just raised his hand and gestured toward the vehicle.
I glanced at the car and spotted a man already sitting in the driver’s seat, hands resting on the wheel, waiting.
The air felt colder suddenly.
“Follow him,” the cloaked man said quietly.
“He will take you to him.”
I hesitated for a second, letting my eyes flick between the two of them.
I didn’t trust either of them, but I had come too far to back out now.
I gave a single nod and walked toward the car, feeling the weight of what was coming settle on my shoulders.
My fingers twitched slightly at my side. I was tense but ready.
As I reached the door, I took one last look behind me, just enough to clock my surroundings.
Then I opened it and slid inside, my jaw clenched and my heart steadying with resolve.
Wherever this car was going, it was going to take me closer to Aurora.
And I was ready to face whatever waited on the other side.

*****
We stopped in front of an old, worn-out building. The walls were cracked, and the windows were dark and empty, like eyes staring back.
The car came to a slow, quiet stop, gravel crunching beneath the tires.
The driver glanced at me over his shoulder, his voice flat.

“We’re here.”
I nodded slowly, my stomach tightening as I reached for the door handle.
The air hit me the moment I stepped out—cool, still, almost too quiet.
I closed the door behind me and took a few steps forward, turning my head to look up at the looming structure.
The place looked abandoned from the outside, but I knew better.
This was exactly the kind of place my uncle would choose. Hidden in plain sight.
My jaw clenched.
Somewhere inside that building… she was here.
And I wasn’t leaving without her.
I closed my eyes for a brief second, grounding myself.
“Okay… Leonardo, get into character,” I muttered under my breath.

“This is the only way. You have to make him believe you’re still on his side.
That you’re still the broken fool he thinks he can control. Just long enough to get Aurora out of this godforsaken hellhole.”
I took a deep breath, forcing my expression into something cold and unreadable.
Every step toward the building felt heavier, like the air itself didn’t want me getting closer.
As I approached the entrance, I spotted two guards standing on either side of the thick, rusted door.
Both were tall, built like they’d been bred for intimidation, but their eyes barely flicked toward me before one reached for the handle.
Without a word, the doors creaked open.
Clearly, they’d been expecting me.
I gave them a nod and stepped through, the scent of old stone and something darker hitting me instantly.
My pulse quickened, but I kept my face blank.
I was in.
Now… the real game begins.
As I stepped inside, the heavy doors closed behind me with a loud bang, blocking out the light.
The hallway was dark, lit only by flickering bulbs. The walls were cracked and stained, giving off a cold feeling.
Footsteps echoed ahead. I saw a figure in a cloak approaching from the shadows.
Without a word, he gestured for me to follow. I walked behind him, keeping my head up and face expressionless.
With each step, I felt like I was getting closer to something I didn't want to face, but I pushed aside my fear.
I had to do this.
We moved through several corridors, each one more decayed than the last.
Eventually, we reached a wrought iron door. The figure stopped and knocked twice. There was a pause. Then the door slowly creaked open.
Inside was a large room. At the far end, sitting in a high-backed chair like he owned the world, was he.
Uncle Raymond.
He was turned halfway toward the window, staring out like a villain in a movie.
But as the door shut behind me, he finally spoke, his voice low, smooth, and venomous.
“Took you long enough.”
I didn’t flinch. I couldn’t.
“I came as soon as I got the message,” I said, walking toward him with measured steps.
“I had to make sure no one suspected anything.”
He turned his head slightly, and I caught the faintest hint of a smirk on his face.
“Good. Because if anyone finds out what we’re planning, this whole thing falls apart.
And we wouldn’t want that… would we?”
I shook my head slowly. “Of course not.”
But deep inside, my blood was boiling.
Because I wasn’t here to help him.
I was here to destroy everything he built and take back what he stole.
I just had to find Aurora… before it was too late.
Ensnared by My Stepbrothers' Realm
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