Chapter 60: The Weight of It All.

Leonardo’s POV

The bar was dark and quiet, with people talking softly. I went in, feeling confused and overwhelmed, and walked straight to the bar counter.
“Pour me the strongest drink you’ve got,” I said, my voice low and firm.
The bartender stopped moving and looked at me. I could see he was unsure about something.
He seemed to be wondering why I, the Alpha's son, needed such a strong drink tonight. When he didn't move fast enough, I stared at him hard. He quickly stopped hesitating and started pouring my drink.
His hands moved quickly, showing that he was scared of me and respected my power.
I took the glass as soon as the bartender put it down and didn't even look at him.
I tilted my head back and drank the whole thing in one quick motion. The alcohol burned, but it didn't calm the anger and sadness inside me.
"Another," I said sharply.
The bartender didn't hesitate this time. He poured another drink and slid it to me, stepping back quickly.
I drank it just as fast and asked for another. And another. And another.With each drink, I felt the edges of my mind blur, but the weight in my chest only grew heavier.
The alcohol couldn’t erase the image of her the way she looked at me, the hurt in her eyes when I hadn’t defended her the way I should have.
Aurora.
The name kept repeating in my mind, making me feel both sad and guilty. How did things get this bad? How could I tell my father that I didn't want to marry Lena? The truth was, I couldn't marry her because I loved someone else.
Aurora.
But the thought of what he would do to her if he found out… It was unbearable. My father was ruthless when it came to the pack, and he had been determined to form an alliance with Lena’s family for years. Our marriage was the key to solidifying that bond. There was no way he’d let me back out of it not for anyone, and certainly not for Aurora my step sister.
I knew how wrong it was, how forbidden our connection was supposed to be.
But no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t suppress the feelings I had for her. She wasn’t just my step-sister she was everything I wanted.
How could I protect her? How could I keep her safe from my father’s wrath, from the consequences of what we’d done?
Then, a song started to play in the bar, which only made me miss her even more. It was quiet, and I couldn’t hear the words clearly. I leaned over the counter and called to the bartender.
“Hey, can you turn up the volume on that song?” I asked, gesturing toward the speakers.
The bartender paused, giving me a curious look as he dried a glass. “This one? You into Enrique Iglesias or something?”
I shrugged, forcing a small smile. “Something like that. Just…turn it up, please.”
With a slight nod, he reached over and adjusted the dial. The song swelled, and the lyrics became crystal clear:
I can be your hero, baby
I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take my breath away
I closed my eyes, letting the words wash over me. Every note, every line it all reminded me of her.
I reached for another glass, determined to drown the torment threatening to consume me.
Before I could take a sip, a hand snatched the glass from my grip.
“What the—” I turned sharply, anger flaring as I glared at the intruder.
Standing there, holding my drink, was Rafael.
“What do you want?” I snapped, my voice edged with frustration.
Rafael didn’t flinch. He set the glass down and slid onto the stool beside me, his expression calm but firm.
“Dude, you’re wasted,” he said. “I don’t think you should drink anymore.”
I stared at him, the irritation bubbling just beneath the surface. “I didn’t ask for your opinion,” I said, reaching for the drink again.
Rafael placed his hand over mine, stopping me. His voice softened, but his eyes didn’t waver.
“Leo, talk to me. What’s going on?”
I clenched my jaw, torn between telling him to back off and spilling everything I’d been holding inside.
The alcohol coursing through me made it harder to hold back, but some part of me still resisted.
Because once the truth was out, there was no going back.
“Talk to you?” I scoffed, leaning back against the stool. “You wouldn’t understand, Rafael.”
He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “Try me.”
I shook my head, letting out a bitter laugh. “You don’t know what it’s like to have the weight of the pack crushing you.
To have your life planned out without even being asked if it’s what you want.”
Rafael’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he leaned forward. “You think I don’t understand pressure?
We’re both the Alpha’s sons, Leonardo. Just because I’m not the golden child doesn’t mean I don’t feel it too.”
I snorted, grabbing the glass and downing it before he could stop me. “It’s not the same, and you know it.
You’ve always had freedom, Rafael. You’ve never been expected to sacrifice everything for the pack.”
“Freedom?” He laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Is that what you think I have?
Because let me tell you, Leo, being in your shadow isn’t exactly liberating. But this isn’t about me. It’s about you.”
He grabbed the empty glass from my hand and set it aside, his tone softening.
“Whatever’s going on, it’s eating you alive. So stop deflecting and just tell me. What happened?”
I stared at him, my resolve crumbling under his steady gaze. The alcohol was making it harder to keep the walls up, and I found myself blurting out the truth before I could stop myself.
“It’s Aurora,” I admitted, my voice barely audible.
Rafael sighed, his expression softening as realization dawned. “I’m listening…”
I rubbed my temple, struggling to form the words. “I…don’t think she’ll ever trust me again.”
Rafael sighed again, this time deeper, before waving his hand to signal the bartender for a drink.
“You think?” he said, his tone edged with disbelief. “Dude, you didn’t stand by her when she needed you the most.
You chose to believe others over the woman you claim to love. That’s not something so easy to forget, Leonardo.”
Rafael always had a way with words. Most times his words were like a punch to the gut, but I knew he was right.
I stared into my empty glass, the words playing in my mind. He was right. I knew he was right. But hearing it said aloud made the guilt and shame feel unbearable.
“I thought I was protecting her,” I murmured, my voice shaking.
Rafael scoffed, his tone filled with sarcasm.
“Protecting her? By doubting her?
By not standing up for her when she was being attacked by her own mother and our Luna, no less?”
My jaw tightened, and I looked away, unable to meet his piercing gaze.
“I was trying to keep her safe,” I muttered defensively, but even to my own ears, the excuse sounded weak.
Rafael shook his head, taking a slow sip of his drink.
“Safe?
Leo, she needed your belief, your support. Not your silence. Not your hesitation.”
I hit the counter with my fist, making a loud noise. Some people in the bar looked over, but I didn't care.
“You don’t think I know that?” I snapped, my voice breaking.
“You don’t think I regret every second of it?
I can’t sleep, I can’t think, I can’t breathe without seeing her face and knowing I failed her!”
Rafael didn't react to my sudden anger. He put down his drink and put a hand on my shoulder, his face looking kinder now.
“Then do better, Leo,” he said quietly.
“If you love her, you have to earn her trust back. It won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight.
But if you’re serious about her, then you’ll find a way.”
I struggled to speak, my throat tight with emotion. "What if I fail?" Rafael gave me a gentle, but sad smile.
"Then you're not worthy of her."
His words stayed in the air, a brutal but undeniable truth.
I closed my eyes, feeling the weight of Rafael's words. "I need to fix this," I whispered.
Rafael's voice was firm.
"Start by being honest with yourself and with Aurora.” he said firmly.
“And stop drinking. It won't solve anything." he gestured to the half empty glass cup on the counter.
“It’s not going to solve anything.”
I nodded slowly, the fog of the alcohol clearing. Rafael was right. I needed to fix this, for Aurora and for us before it’s too late.