Chapter 65: Love's Impossible Choice.

Leonardo’s POV
After leaving the infirmary, I followed the beta who had summoned me to my father’s office for an urgent meeting.
When I entered, I closed the door quietly and turned to find my father, Alpha John, seated with Alpha Maverick, leader of the Blue Whale Pack one of the strongest packs in the country and Lena, Alpha Maverick’s daughter.
The sight of them together immediately weighed on me. Alpha Maverick father as well as my own grandfather had been rivals during their time as Alpha.
But unlike their fathers, they decided to set aside their differences. To unite their packs, they arranged for me and Lena to be mated.
That was how I met Lena. She was about my age, and when we first met as kids, we got along well. We played together and grew up as close friends. By the time we were in high school, we were inseparable.
But everything changed on our seventeenth birthdays.
During the full moon, both our packs held separate celebrations for us, marking the age when we’d discover our mates.
At the gatherings, our fathers made the announcement: Lena and I were arranged mates, destined to marry and become the future Alpha and Luna of our united packs.
At first, I accepted it. I didn’t want to let my father down. Lena had always been a good friend, but I never saw her as more than that.
Our relationship shifted after the announcement. We weren’t just friends anymore; we were tied by duty.
And then I met Aurora.
The moment I saw her, I knew she was my true mate. Everything about her pulled me in her presence, her scent, the way my wolf howled with joy when she was near.
But fate had a cruel sense of humor. Aurora wasn’t just anyone; she was the daughter of my father’s new Luna, which made her my stepsister.
Despite the complications, my feelings for Aurora only grew stronger. My wolf craved her, my heart longed for her. She was everything I wanted.
But standing there in my father’s office, facing Alpha Maverick, Lena, and my father, I was reminded once again of the impossible choice before me.
Love or duty?
Every time I looked at Aurora, my heart chose love. But when I faced my father and Lena, I was reminded of the weight of responsibility on my shoulders.
How could I possibly choose between the two without tearing my world apart?
“Father, you called for me?” I asked, standing in front of them with a steady voice.
My father looked up from his desk, his expression serious but tinged with concern.
“Oh, son. I heard what happened to Aurora. Is she alright?”
“Yes, father,” I replied with a nod.
“She’s still shaken by what happened, but she’s recovering. We have a team actively searching for the creature as we speak.”
As I spoke, my gaze drifted to Lena, and I caught her smirking. It was subtle but deliberate, and I couldn’t help but wonder what was behind it.
Alpha Maverick cleared his throat, drawing my attention.
“So… Aurora is your step-sister, right, Leonardo?”
“Yes, sir,” I answered, standing straight with my hands at my sides.
He nodded thoughtfully, but there was something in his tone that made my skin sting.
Alpha Maverick leaned back in his chair, his piercing eyes fixed on me.
“And yet, I hear you’ve been rather… close to her.”
I tensed, but I kept my expression neutral.
“She’s family, sir. I’ve been looking out for her, especially after what happened.”
Lena’s smirk widened slightly, but she remained silent, her eyes watching me with an almost cunning stare.
My father cleared his throat, his voice breaking the tension.
“Leonardo, you must understand how delicate this situation is. The alliance between our packs is vital, and your union with Lena is the foundation of that alliance.
Any misunderstandings or… complications could jeopardize everything we’ve worked for.”
“I understand, Father,” I said, my jaw tightening.
“But my focus right now is on ensuring the safety of everyone in the pack, including Aurora.
The creature’s attack wasn’t random, and until we understand its motives, we can’t afford distractions.”
Lena finally spoke, her tone laced with sweetness that didn’t match the look in her eyes.
“Oh, Leonardo, you’re always so serious. But your father is right. Our future together is so important, don’t you think?”
I forced a polite nod, but her words grated on me. My wolf stirred uneasily, growling at the idea of a “future” that didn’t involve Aurora.
Alpha Maverick exchanged a glance with my father before speaking again.
“Good. We’re glad you’re focused, Leonardo. But keep in mind, appearances matter.
People talk, and any hint of impropriety could sow doubt in the packs. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” I said, my voice steady, though every word felt like a weight pressing down on me.
“Good,” my father said with finality. “You’re dismissed.
And Leonardo?”
“Yes, Father?”
“Be careful where your heart leads you.”
I nodded once and turned to leave, my heart beating with frustration.
As I exited the room, Lena’s voice followed me, soft but unmistakably mocking.
“See you soon, darling.”
I clenched my fists, resisting the urge to respond, and walked away, my thoughts consumed by Aurora.
My heart knew where it belonged, but the chains of duty were tightening with every step.
********
I decided to check on Aurora at the infirmary, but when I got there, her bed was empty. Concerned, I approached the pack’s nurse.
“Do you know where Aurora went?” I asked, trying to keep my worry from showing.
The nurse shook her head. “I’m sorry, Leonardo. I have no idea where she went.”
That only made me more anxious. “Where could she have gone?” I muttered to myself as I left the infirmary.
“Maybe she went back to her room,” I reasoned, heading toward her quarters.
When I arrived, I knocked lightly before opening the door.
“Aurora?” I called out, but the room was empty.
She wasn’t here either. My unease grew. Where could she have gone?
As I stepped back into the hallway, I spotted one of the guards walking by.
“Have you seen Aurora?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.
The guard nodded. “Yes, Leonardo. She’s in Alessandro’s office right now.” He didn’t linger, continuing down the hall to resume his duties.
Hearing my brother’s name sent a storm of emotions rushing through me. Alessandro.
Why was Aurora in his office?
My mind replayed our last conversation, his words cutting deep.
“Was he trying to steal Aurora from me? Was that why he saved her? To make her choose him over me?”
I stood frozen in the hallway, torn between my worry for Aurora and the nagging suspicion that Alessandro’s intentions were far from noble.
I clenched my fists as the thoughts moved in my mind, each one more unsettling than the last.
Alessandro was manipulative, cunning, and never did anything without a reason. His sudden interest in Aurora didn’t sit right with me.
But what if she needed help? What if something had happened, and I was wasting time standing here, lost in my thoughts?
Without giving myself more time to hesitate, I turned and headed toward Alessandro’s office.
My footsteps echoed in the hall as my pace quickened, fueled by worry and anger.
When I reached the door, I paused, my hand hovering over the doorknob. I could hear faint voices on the other side, but I couldn’t make out the words. My heart raced as I tried to calm myself.
“What are you doing, Leonardo?” I muttered under my breath.
“You’re here to check on Aurora, not to start a fight with Alessandro.”
Taking a deep breath, I knocked firmly on the door.
The voices inside fell silent. A moment later, Alessandro’s smooth, controlled voice called out,
“Come in.”
I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Alessandro was leaning casually against his desk, his arms crossed.
Aurora stood near the desk, her eyes widening slightly when she saw me.
“Leonardo,” Alessandro said, a hint of amusement in his tone.
“What brings you here?”
I ignored him, my gaze shifting to Aurora.
“I went to the infirmary to see you, but you weren’t there,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
“I was worried.”
Aurora hesitated, glancing between me and Alessandro.
“I needed to ask Alessandro something,” she said softly.
My jaw tightened. “Something so urgent that you couldn’t let me know where you were?”
“Relax, brother,” Alessandro cut in, his tone infuriatingly calm.
“She’s safe here. No need to act like a knight rushing to her rescue.”
I shot him a glare, my patience wearing thin.
“I’m talking to Aurora.”
“And now you’ve found her,” Alessandro replied smoothly, not moving from his position.
“Is there something else?”
Aurora shifted uncomfortably, clearly caught between us. I felt a pang of guilt for putting her in this position, but my frustration with Alessandro was impossible to ignore.
“What were you two talking about?” I asked, directing my question to Aurora.
She opened her mouth to answer, but Alessandro spoke first.
“Nothing that concerns you.”
My wolf stirred restlessly within me, and I took a step closer.
“Everything about Aurora concerns me.”
Alessandro’s smirk deepened.
“Really?
Because from where I’m standing, you’ve been doing a terrible job of proving that.”
The tension in the room was suffocating, and Aurora finally stepped in, her voice firm but shaky.
“Stop it. Both of you.”
Her words hit like a slap, and I forced myself to step back. The last thing I wanted was to make this harder for her.
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” I said quietly, looking at Aurora.
She nodded, her expression softening. “I’m fine, Leonardo. I promise.”
I hesitated for a moment longer before turning to Alessandro.
“This isn’t over.”
His smirk remained, but he said nothing as I left the room, the door clicking shut behind me.