Chapter 66: Torn Between Duty and Desire.

Leonardo’s POV
After leaving Alessandro’s office, I didn’t actually walk away. Instead, I stayed just outside the door, leaning against the wall with my arms crossed.
My patience was wearing thin, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave.
I strained to hear what was being said inside, but the words were too faint to make out.
My mind was racing with possibilities, each one more frustrating than the last.
What could they possibly be talking about?
I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to storm back in there, grab Aurora’s hand, and drag her away from Alessandro.
The image of her standing next to him made my wolf growl with unease.
Why was Alessandro suddenly so interested in her? He had always gone out of his way to make her life miserable, constantly picking fights and throwing barbs her way.
So why the sudden change? What was his game?
I paced back and forth in the hallway, my thoughts a chaotic storm. Alessandro wasn’t the kind of person who changed his mind about someone without a reason. He was always calculating, always had some hidden agenda.
But why Aurora?
Was this his way of getting under my skin? Or was it something more?
The thought of him trying to get closer to her sent a wave of anger through me, but it was more than just anger—it was fear.
What if she believed whatever lies he was telling her? What if she started to trust him?
The door opened suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts. I froze, trying to look casual as Aurora stepped out. Her expression was unreadable, her eyes darting to me briefly before she looked away, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Aurora,” I said, my voice softer than I intended.
She stopped, hesitating for a moment before looking at me. “Leonardo,” she said, her tone neutral.
“What were you doing in there?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“I just needed to talk to Alessandro,” she said simply, her tone giving nothing away.
My jaw tightened, but I forced myself to stay calm. “About what?”
“It’s... complicated,” she replied, avoiding my gaze.
Complicated? What was that supposed to mean?
“Is he filling your head with something?” I asked, unable to stop the bitterness from creeping into my voice.
She frowned, crossing her arms defensively. “It’s not like that, Leonardo. He’s just... he knows things. About what happened to me. That’s all.”
Her words only made my suspicion grow. Alessandro wasn’t the type to help someone out of the goodness of his heart.
“Aurora,” I said, stepping closer. “Just be careful, alright? Alessandro always has a reason for what he does. Don’t trust him too easily.”
She gave me a long look, her expression softening slightly. “I can take care of myself, Leonardo,” she said, her voice gentle but firm.
Before I could respond, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there in the hallway.
My wolf stirred restlessly inside me, and I clenched my fists.
Something wasn’t right. Alessandro was up to something, and I was going to find out what it was no matter what it took.
I ran to catch up with her, grabbing her hand gently but firmly. “Aurora, please, let’s talk,” I said, my voice pleading.
She pulled her hand away, her gaze locking onto mine. “About what, Leonardo?” she snapped. “About your arranged marriage with Lena, or about the fact that someone sent that… thing after me? Right now, my life is in danger, and I don’t feel safe here anymore. I want to leave until whatever tried to attack me is caught.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. “Wait… did Alessandro tell you that the creature was targeting you?” I asked, my voice tense.
She nodded slowly. “Yeah, he did. He said I wasn’t safe here in the pack and that it’s better if I leave until the creature is caught.”
I felt a bitter smile creep onto my face. So this was Alessandro’s plan—to drive her out of the pack, away from me, for good.
“And you really believe Alessandro meant well when he told you to leave?” I asked, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice.
Her expression shifted, her frustration and fear painfully clear. “I don’t know what to believe, Leonardo,” she said, her voice trembling.
“My life is in danger. I’ve been attacked, nearly raped, and now this creature this thing that knew my name tried to kill me.
I can’t stay here anymore, wondering what’s going to happen next.”
Her words were like a dagger to my heart, but I could see the pain in her eyes.
“I’m going to stay with Annie for a while,” she continued, her tone softening. “At least until all of this is settled. It’s the only thing that makes sense right now.”
I clenched my fists, trying to find the right words to make her stay, to make her see that leaving wasn’t the solution. But deep down, I knew her fear was real.
And I hated that Alessandro had succeeded in making her feel this way.
“Why don’t we go somewhere and talk?” I asked her, my voice soft, almost pleading.
She crossed her arms, her gaze skeptical. “Where exactly?”
“Anywhere but here,” I said, hoping she would give in.
She hesitated for a moment, her expression conflicted, before nodding. “Fine.”
Relief washed over me as we left the hallway and stepped out of the packhouse.
I drove us to a nearby hotel, a quiet place where we could finally talk without interruptions.
After checking in and paying for the room, we walked inside. Aurora sat down on the edge of the bed, her posture tense, clearly uneasy with the situation.
I closed the door softly, then walked over and sat beside her, leaving enough space to not make her feel cornered.
“Aurora,” I began, my voice heavy with emotion,
“I know these past few weeks have been a nightmare, and I’ve failed you in so many ways as your boyfriend. I’ve let you down, and for that, I’m truly sorry. Please, forgive me.”
Her eyes flicked toward mine, but she said nothing.
“A lot has been happening,” I continued, the words spilling out. “And, honestly, it’s overwhelming.
But none of it changes how I feel about you. You know I love you. You’re the one I want to be with. Always.”
Her expression softened for a moment before the worry returned. “Then what about Lena?
What about your responsibilities as the next alpha of the pack?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
“If your father finds out about us… do you really think he’ll let us be together?”
She looked straight into my eyes, searching for answers I wasn’t sure I could give.
I held her gaze, my heart aching at the pain and doubt in her eyes. She deserved certainty, but all I had were promises.
“Aurora,” I said gently, “I know it won’t be easy, and I know there are a lot of things standing in our way. But I also know that I can’t live my life pretending to be happy with Lena when my heart belongs to you. You’re my mate—my true mate—and that’s something no arrangement or duty can ever change.”
She shook her head, her hands fidgeting in her lap. “It’s not that simple, Leonardo. Your father won’t accept this. The pack won’t accept this. And what about Lena? Do you think she’ll just step aside?”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Lena and I… we were thrown together because of politics, not love. She knows that as much as I do. I don’t love her, Aurora. I never have, and I never will. It’s you I want, and I’m willing to fight for us, no matter what it takes.”
She looked away, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I want to believe you,” she whispered. “But I’m scared, Leonardo. Every time I think things can’t get worse, something else happens. First Marcus, then that… creature. And now, Alessandro is acting strange, and I don’t even know who I can trust anymore.”
Hearing her fears broke my heart. I reached for her hand, hesitating for a moment before gently taking it in mine. “I know you’ve been through so much, and I hate that I wasn’t there to protect you when you needed me most. But I’m here now, Aurora. And I promise you, I won’t let anything—or anyone—hurt you again.”
She glanced at our joined hands, then back up at me. “What if it’s too late? What if I’ve already lost too much to believe in us?”
“You haven’t lost me,” I said firmly. “And you never will. Whatever it takes, I’ll prove to you that we can make this work. You’re not alone in this, Aurora. I’ll fight for you, for us, for our future. Just… give me a chance to make it right.”
She stared at me for a long moment, the conflict in her eyes raw and unfiltered.
Finally, she exhaled a shaky breath. “I don’t know if I can trust you completely yet, but… I want to.”
That was enough for now. I squeezed her hand gently, vowing silently to earn back her trust and keep her safe from everything threatening to tear us apart.
I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight against me as we kissed.