Chapter 222: The Brother’s Farewell.
Alessandro’s POV
When Alpha Tony walked in, the room seemed to grow heavier. His presence carried a quiet authority, but there was something softer in his eyes today regret, maybe even peace.
“Alpha Tony,” I greeted respectfully.
He waved off the formality.
“Please, Alessandro. Today, just call me Tony.”
I nodded and gestured to the chair near the window.
“Please, sit.”
He lowered himself into the chair, taking a deep breath before speaking.
“I suppose this is the moment every father dreams of seeing his daughter get married.
But for me…” he paused, his voice cracking slightly, “…it’s also a reminder of how much I failed her.”
I stayed silent, listening.
He looked out the window toward the courtyard, where the distant sound of laughter echoed.
“When Aurora was born, I wanted a son. Someone who would carry my name, my title, my legacy.
And when she came into this world small, fragile, but with those fiery eyes I couldn’t see the blessing in front of me.
I saw only disappointment.”
I exhaled quietly. “She told me what happened.”
Tony nodded.
“I know. I don’t deserve forgiveness.
Banishing her and her mother… it’s a decision that’s haunted me every day.
I told myself it was for the pack, for stability.
But the truth?” He looked back at me, eyes wet.
“It was my pride.
My ego couldn’t handle that the Moon Goddess had given me a daughter instead of a son.”
His words hung heavy between us.
“I can’t take back the years she spent suffering,” he continued.
“But when I saw her again strong, radiant, and standing beside you I knew the Moon Goddess had given me one more chance.
Not to be her Alpha… but maybe, just maybe, to be her father again.”
I took a deep breath, my chest tightening.
“She’s forgiven you, Tony. She may not say it out loud, but she has.
She’s moved past the pain. She’s… whole again.”
He smiled faintly, a tear escaping down his cheek.
“Because of you.”
I blinked, surprised.
“Me?”
He nodded.
“You saw her for who she was not as a castaway, not as a burden, but as a Luna.
You gave her a place where she could finally belong.
You did what I couldn’t.”
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he stood and placed his hand on my shoulder, firm but warm.
“I came here today not as an Alpha, but as a father to thank you, Alessandro.
For giving my daughter the life she deserves.”
I bowed my head slightly.
“It’s an honor, Tony.
Truly.
Aurora isn’t just my Luna she’s my heart.
I’ll protect her with my life.”
He smiled, his voice trembling.
“Then I can walk into that ceremony in peace.”
I watched as he turned toward the window once more, the sunlight framing his silhouette.
“She was always meant to shine,” he murmured.
“I just wish I had seen it sooner.”
I swallowed hard.
“You can still make new memories with her. It’s not too late.”
He looked back at me, smiling faintly.
“You sound just like her.”
I chuckled softly.
“Maybe she’s rubbing off on me.”
He let out a small laugh, then stepped forward, gripping my hand.
“Take care of her, Alessandro.
Promise me that no matter what happens, you’ll never let her feel alone again.”
I looked him straight in the eyes.
“I promise.
With my life.”
He nodded once, firm and proud.
“Then I’ll see you at the altar, son.”
As he left the room, I stood there for a moment, staring out at the crowd gathering below.
The ceremony was minutes away, and for the first time in years, I felt something I hadn’t known I was missing peace.
“Wow,”
Rafael’s voice broke through the stillness.
“Who knew the mighty Alpha Tony could make a grown man almost tear up?”
Gabriel chuckled from the couch.
“Almost?
Alessandro looked two seconds away from bawling.”
I shot them both a glare, though my lips twitched into a reluctant smile.
“Careful, brothers. I can still demote you both to patrol duty.”
“On your wedding day?”
Rafael teased, leaning lazily against the wall.
“Come on, lighten up.
You’re about to marry the most beautiful Luna this pack’s ever seen.
You’re practically glowing.”
Gabriel smirked.
“Yeah, it’s disgusting.”
I laughed.
“Keep talking, and I’ll make both of you stand guard outside the ceremony gate, shirtless.”
Rafael grinned.
“Then the she-wolves will thank us.”
We all burst out laughing, the tension easing completely.
For a moment, it felt just like old times before responsibilities, before titles, before the world changed around us.
But the laughter faded when the door creaked open again.
Leonardo stepped in.
The room instantly quieted. His posture was straight, his face calm, but there was something in his eyes resignation, maybe sorrow.
“Leonardo,”
I said, turning fully toward him.
“Didn’t expect you’d still be around.”
He gave a faint smile.
“I wasn’t planning to leave without saying goodbye.”
Rafael cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Well… that’s our cue.”
Gabriel nodded quickly.
“Yeah. Brother moment incoming.”
They both slipped out, leaving the two of us alone.
Leonardo let out a small breath.
“They never change, do they?”
“Not even a little,” I said, smiling faintly.
“So… you’re really leaving?”
He nodded.
“After the ceremony.
I think it’s time.
I’ve caused enough chaos here.”
I studied him.
“You don’t have to run, Leo.”
He shook his head.
“It’s not running.
It’s… moving on.
Maybe this pack doesn’t need me anymore.
Maybe it’s better this way.”
There was silence for a few seconds before I stepped closer.
“I don’t hate you, Leonardo. Despite everything that’s happened…
I never did.”
His lips pressed into a thin line.
“You should have.”
“Maybe.
But I didn’t.
You’re still my brother.”
His gaze flicked toward the window the garden below where the maids hurried around with last-minute decorations.
“She’s happy,” he murmured.
“You make her happy.
I can see it.”
“She makes me better,” I admitted quietly.
“She always has.”
He nodded, emotion flickering behind his calm mask.
“Then… take care of her, Alessandro.
She deserves peace after everything I put her through.”
“I will,” I said firmly.
“And so do you, Leonardo.
You deserve a second chance too.
Wherever you go, don’t forget that.”
For a brief moment, his jaw tightened, but then he smiled, small, genuine, a shadow of the brother I once knew.
“Thank you,” he said softly.
“That means more than you think.”
I extended my hand. He hesitated, then clasped it.
“Goodbye, brother,” I said.
“Goodbye, Alpha,” he replied with a faint grin but there was warmth in his tone now.
And just like that, he turned and walked out.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
