Chapter 63: The Price of Power.

Alessandro’s POV
I sat back in my chair, going through the papers on my desk, but my mind was elsewhere.
My wolf had been restless all night, growling and pacing. It told me something was wrong.
I didn't understand until I reached the garden - Aurora was in danger. Why her? What was that creature?
Just then, Leonardo burst into my office, his face red with anger. His fists were clenched tight.
I didn’t bother looking up immediately. I finished jotting down a note, then gestured lazily at the door.

“Don’t you knock?” I asked, feigning annoyance.
Leonardo didn’t move. Instead, he planted himself in front of my desk, his glare burning a hole through me.

“What did you mean by that statement?” he demanded, his voice sharp with barely contained fury.
I raised an eyebrow, leaning back in my chair. “What statement, brother? You’ll have to be more specific. I say a lot of things.”
His jaw tightened, his fists trembling as if he was seconds away from launching one at my face.

“You know exactly what I mean,” he snapped.
“What are you playing at, Alessandro?
What’s your motive?
Why are you suddenly so invested in Aurora?”
I sighed dramatically, leaning my elbows on the desk.

“Motive?” I repeated, my tone dripping with mock innocence.
“Oh, you mean saving her life?
Funny how that bothers you so much. Let’s not forget, if I hadn’t stepped in, Aurora would’ve been some creature’s midnight snack.”
“That’s why I’m here,” Leonardo growled, stepping closer.
“Why did you do it? You’ve been hovering around her lately, acting like her knight in shining armor. What’s your endgame?”
I couldn’t help but smirk. This was too easy. Leaning back, I clasped my hands behind my head, studying him with deliberate indifference.

“What do you want me to say, Leonardo?
That I want to steal Aurora from you?” I shrugged.
“Because, honestly, if I wanted to, I’d have done it already.”
The words hit their mark. I saw the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes, the way his shoulders tensed.
His heart raced, and my wolf smiled.
“You can’t take Aurora from me,” he said, though his voice lacked its usual conviction.
“She loves me. And she hates your guts, Alessandro.”
“Oh?” I said, rising slowly from my chair. I took my time walking around the desk, hands shoved in my pockets, stopping just close enough to loom over him.
“Are you sure about that?”
His jaw clenched, but I didn’t let him answer. I tilted my head, letting my words twist the knife.
“Because from where I’m standing, you haven’t exactly been there for her lately.
What with your arranged marriage to Lena.”
I made sure to draw out her name, watching the flash of guilt in his eyes.
“You know, Dad’s grand plan to unite the packs?”
“Don’t bring Lena into this,” he warned, his voice low.
“Oh, but we’re already here, aren’t we?” I said with a smirk.
“How do you plan to explain to dear old Dad that you’re in love with Aurora? Our step-sister, no less.
Think he’s going to pat you on the back for that? Or maybe you’re planning to tell him after your marriage with Lena? That should go over well.”
Leonardo’s breathing quickened, and I could almost taste his anger. But he stayed rooted, fists trembling, his glare murderous.
“You think this is a game, Alessandro?” he said through gritted teeth.
“No, brother,” I said, my tone turning icy. “This isn’t a game. This is reality. And you’re playing a dangerous one.”
I leaned casually against the edge of my desk, arms crossed, watching Leonardo pace the room like a caged animal.
His frustration was written all over his face, and I was enjoying every second of it.
“I warned you not to get involved with Aurora,” I said, my voice filled with arrogance.
“But, of course, you wouldn’t listen. No, you had to go all ‘she’s my mate’ and throw caution to the wind, didn’t you?”
Leonardo stopped pacing, glaring at me with clenched fists, but I wasn’t done. Oh, not even close.
“And now look at you,” I continued, smirking as I gestured toward him. “Confused, unsure if you can actually keep her by your side.
Yet here you are, standing in front of me, trying to convince yourself because let’s be honest, you’re not convincing me that she wouldn’t leave you.
All while you’re already doing a fine job of pushing her away yourself.”
He opened his mouth to protest, but I cut him off with a dismissive wave.

“Don’t even try, Leonardo,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Don’t justify your actions. You and I both know the truth. You’ve spent your entire life trying to be the good, obedient son, the one who pleases Father no matter what.
But here’s the thing—” I leaned forward, my voice dropping to a mocking whisper.
“That’s not who you really are, is it? It’s just a mask you wear to keep his approval.”
His face tightened, jaw muscles tensing. But I could see the cracks forming, and it only fueled my words further.
“If you can’t figure out what you want and stick with it, then do everyone a favor and end whatever you have with Aurora,” I said, straightening and stepping closer, my tone turning sharp.
“Let her move on with her life. At least then, she won’t have to keep being dragged through your indecision and self-inflicted misery.”
I tilted my head, watching him like a hawk circling its prey.

“Because let’s be honest, Leonardo that’s all you’re going to do. Over and over again. Hurt her.”
His fists clenched tighter, and I could feel the tension rolling off him in waves. But instead of backing down, I offered him a cold smile.

“So, what’s it going to be, brother? Are you finally going to step up and be honest with her or are you going to keep being the coward who can’t decide between his heart and his father’s approval?”
Leonardo's nostrils flared as he glared at me, his fists shaking. I thought he might lose control and hit me. A part of me hoped he would. It would be entertaining.
“Careful, Alessandro,” he hissed through gritted teeth. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I laughed a short, sharp sound that echoed in the room.
“Oh, don’t I?” I said, my tone dripping with mock surprise.
“Let’s review, shall we?
You’ve got Aurora, who’s clearly struggling with your ‘oh-so-reliable’ commitment to her, and Lena, the perfect daughter-in-law Father’s been parading in front of you like a trophy.
And in the middle of it all is you, floundering around like a pup who’s lost his tail.”
Leonardo stepped forward, his chest brushing against mine as he invaded my space. But I stood firm, my smirk unwavering.
“You’re so sure of yourself,” he growled. “But you don’t know anything about how I feel.”
“Don’t I?” I shot back, leaning closer until we were almost nose to nose.
“Because it seems to me you don’t even know how you feel. And that’s the real problem, isn’t it, brother?
You’re torn between the life you want and the one Father demands. But newsflash, Leonardo while you’re busy being indecisive, you’re dragging Aurora through the mud with you.”
“I’m doing my best to protect her!” he snapped, his voice rising.
“Protect her?” I scoffed, stepping back and laughing darkly.
“Is that what you call it?
Because from where I’m standing, all you’re doing is confusing her. One moment, you’re professing your undying love, and the next, you’re tiptoeing around Father like a scared pup.
Tell me, how is that protecting her?”
He opened his mouth, but no words came out. His hesitation was all the confirmation I needed.
“Exactly,” I said, my voice dripping with smug satisfaction.
“You can’t even defend yourself because you know I’m right.”
“You don’t know a damn thing about my relationship with Aurora,” he finally ground out, his voice low and threatening.
“Maybe not,” I said with a shrug, walking back to my desk and leaning casually against it.
“But I do know this if you keep waffling like this, Aurora’s going to realize she deserves better.
And when that day comes...” I paused, letting my smirk deepen.
“Well, let’s just say she might start noticing there are other options. Better options.”
Leonardo’s eyes darkened, his wolf surfacing for a brief, moment.
“If you so much as think about interfering—”
“Oh, relax, big brother,” I interrupted, waving him off.
“I’m not saying I’ll do anything. I’m just pointing out the obvious. You’re losing her all on your own. No help from me needed.”
His breathing was ragged, his fists clenching and unclenching as he fought to keep his temper in check. But I could see the doubt creeping into his eyes.
“You think you’re so clever, don’t you?” he muttered, his voice low and venomous.
“No,” I said, straightening and walking back around my desk.
“I think I’m realistic. And I think you hate that I’m saying out loud what you’re too scared to admit to yourself.”
Leonardo stood there, frozen for a moment, before turning abruptly and storming out of my office, slamming the door behind him.
I let out a satisfied sigh, sinking back into my chair. My wolf was practically smirking.
“Oh, Leonardo,” I muttered to myself, a grin tugging at my lips.
“You make this way too easy.”