Chapter 44: The Game of Power

Leonardo’s POV

As I made my way up the stairs to my father’s office, ready to discuss a few things on my mind, I saw Alessandro coming down. The look on his face was unmistakable—he was furious. Before I could pass him, he stepped right in front of me, blocking my path.

“So, I guess this was your plan all along, huh?” he sneered. “To take over and become the alpha of this pack.”

I sighed, rubbing my forehead in frustration. “Look, Alessandro, I don’t expect you to understand.”

He scoffed, shoving his hands into his pockets, his expression sharp with accusation. “Don’t give me that bull, Leonardo. I know you had a hand in all of this, and now you’re here playing innocent?”

I met his glare, holding back my irritation. I knew he’d be upset, but I’d hoped he’d at least hear me out. “Think what you want, Alessandro, but there’s more going on here than you realize. And this is about more than who becomes alpha.”

“Sure,” he shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Keep telling yourself that.”

Alessandro’s glare sharpened. “I’m not going to sit around and watch you take over as alpha,” he said, his voice edged with bitterness. “I’ll make sure you never get that chance.” With that, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving me standing alone on the staircase.

I let out a long sigh, gathering myself before continuing up to my father’s office. But as I reached the doorway, I noticed Lena was already there, sitting across from him, casually sipping her coffee. The moment he saw me, Alpha John’s face brightened.

“Oh, son, here you are. We were just discussing you.”

My gaze shifted to Lena, who looked over the rim of her cup with a sly smile. The sight set me on edge; I knew she was up to something. Why else would she be here so early? “Lena?” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

She placed her coffee cup down and stood, walking over to me with a too-sweet smile. She leaned in, pecking me on the cheek. “Hey, my love. I missed you last night, so I came over to see you this morning. But you weren’t in your room, so I thought I’d drop by to talk to Alpha John about our wedding plans.”

I clenched my fists, barely managing to keep my expression neutral. She knew exactly what she was doing, and it was taking everything in me not to give myself away. I forced myself to glance at my father, who was smiling warmly at her.

“Uhm, Father, can we talk?” I said, hoping for a moment alone with him. “There’s something I need to discuss.”

He looked at his watch, frowning slightly. “Ah, son, I don’t think we can right now. I have a meeting I can’t miss. But we’ll talk when I get back, alright?” He smiled, patting me on the shoulder. “In the meantime, I’ll leave you two lovebirds to catch up.” With a nod, he walked out, closing the door behind him.

As soon as he was gone, I turned to Lena, who was now smirking like the cat that got the cream.

“So, this was your plan all along,” I said, unable to hide my anger. “To trap me into this marriage.”

She stepped closer, her eyes gleaming. “Well... surprise! I hope you like my surprise.”

I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my temper in check. “You can’t force me into this, Lena. I’ll never be with you. Not like this.”

She laughed softly, folding her arms and tilting her head as if she found my resistance amusing.

“You’re already in too deep, Leonardo. You think you have a choice?” She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“Your father already has his heart set on us being together, and I know just how to keep it that way. So why fight it?”

My fists tightened as I struggled to keep my expression blank. “You don’t know me as well as you think,” I replied, a hint of warning in my tone. “I won’t be manipulated, and I don’t respond well to blackmail.”

Lena’s smile only grew. “Oh, Leo, you’re adorable when you’re defiant. But it’s pointless.”

She brushed her fingers along my arm in a possessive way that made my skin crawl.

“You and I both know that appearances are everything in this pack. If your father believes this is what’s best for the family, he’ll push for it with everything he’s got. And once I’m by your side as your Luna, there won’t be anything you can do about it.”

I pulled away from her touch, my voice cold. “This isn’t about love for you, is it? It’s about power.”

Her gaze hardened, and the playful gleam in her eyes vanished. “Why shouldn’t it be? Love is weak, Leo. But power? That’s what truly lasts. And you, with your noble heart, are standing right in the way of it. So, if I have to play the doting fiancée, I’ll do it gladly.”

I took a deep breath, meeting her gaze without flinching. “Fine. Play whatever game you want, but don’t expect me to make it easy for you.”

Lena’s smirk grew even colder as she leaned in, her eyes glinting with satisfaction.

“Do you really think your father would approve of your relationship with Aurora?” She spoke her name slowly, savoring the impact.

“She’s your *step-sister*, Leonardo. No matter how you feel about her, that’s all your father will see.”

I glared at her, but she went on, undeterred. “Your father would *never* approve. But with me by your side… you could have the freedom to do whatever you wanted. Get anything you desire.”

She took a step back, crossing her arms as she watched my reaction.

“You know, things are already a bit… *shaky* with your father’s beloved Luna,” she added, her voice dropping to a soft, taunting tone.

“She’s clinging to her position by a thread because of her little… drug problem. Everyone knows it, even your father. If he found out about your *little secret affair* with your step sister, he wouldn’t hesitate to get rid of her completely. Banish her, maybe even worse.

And that leaves you with one simple choice, Leo.” She paused, her smile widening.

“End things with her… and come to me.”

A cold rage grew inside me as her words sank in. The fact that she was willing to manipulate Aurora’s mother’s struggle for her own gain made me sick, but she knew exactly how to press every weak spot.

She raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased with herself. “It’s a win-win, really. You save your family from scandal, and we unite the pack with a stronger future. All it takes is one simple decision.”

I clenched my jaw, barely able to keep my anger contained. “You’re unbelievable, Lena,” I muttered.

“You don’t care about anyone in this pack—you just want power. But that’s not going to happen.”

Just then, my phone vibrated with a new message. I glanced down, seeing Aurora’s name flash across the screen. She was letting me know that everything had gone smoothly on her end and hoping the same for me.

I wanted to respond, but with Lena’s piercing gaze fixed on me, I couldn’t risk it. Ignoring the message, I slipped my phone back into my pocket.

Moments later, it began to ring with her call. I reached for it, thinking I might have a chance to answer, but Lena’s voice stopped me.

“That must be Aurora, I’m guessing.” She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing.

“If you really love her and want to protect her from your father’s wrath when he finds out about your little… *secret affair*…”

She sighed, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. “I’d be worried about what your father might do to your beloved mate if he knew.”

In a flash, Lena stepped forward, grabbing my still-ringing phone. She held it up, examining the screen, then looked at me with a cold, calculating expression.

“So here’s my advice,” she said softly, each word a dagger. “Keep your distance from her.

Make her understand that nothing can ever happen between you two.”

Before I could react, she pressed the answer button, lifting the phone to her ear with a sly smirk on her face.

“Hello,” she purred, her tone filled with fake sweetness as she spoke into the phone.