Chapter 72: A Path of Sacrifice.

Leonardo’s POV
After leaving my dad's office, I went to find Lena. She was giving orders to some beta wolves.
"Lena, we need to talk," I said firmly. She dismissed the others with her wrist. The betas exchanged glances before filing out, leaving us alone.
Once the door shut, Lena turned to face me, her expression carefully neutral.
“What is it, Leonardo?” she asked, acting innocent.
I didn’t waste time. Pulling out my phone, I shoved it in her direction, the message she sent staring back at her like a loaded gun.
“What’s the meaning of this, Lena?”
Her eyes turned to the screen, then back to me, and a slow, cruel smile spread across her face.
“Oh, that?” she said lightly. “I just thought you deserved a little… reality check.”
My fists clenched at my sides. “Reality check?
You’re threatening me now?
Is that what this is?”
Lena stepped closer, her smile fading into something colder.
“I’m not threatening you, Leonardo. I’m warning you.
Stay away from Aurora. She doesn’t belong here, and you know it.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You don’t get to dictate who I’m with.”
“Oh, but I do,” she shot back,  
“I’m sure you already know what happened to your precious Aurora recently. She almost got raped and after that, a creature.
A very angry and dangerous one that came after her. You weren’t there to protect her, were you?
You’re so busy playing hero, but you can’t even keep her safe.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
She turned her head, mock sympathy dripping from her tone.
“Oh, poor Aurora. She must have felt really bad that you didn’t fight for her and protect her.
I mean she was attacked on pack grounds. Barely escaped with her life. Lucky for her, Alessandro showed up just in time.
But it made me wonder. That why would a creature target her specifically? Why would it know her name?”
My blood ran cold. “What did you do, Lena?”
She smirked, stepping closer until she was just inches from me, her voice a whisper sharp enough to cut.
“Let’s just say that was a little preview. A reminder of how dangerous this world can be for fragile little outsiders like her.
If you don’t end this ridiculous infatuation with Aurora, there will be more coming. And next time, Alessandro might not be there to save her.”
The realization hit me like a thunderclap. The pieces clicked together Lena knew too much about the attack, about the creature. Her timing was too perfect.
“You’re behind this,” I said, my voice low and dangerous.
Her smile faltered for the briefest moment before she recovered, her eyes furrowed.
“Be careful with your accusations, Leonardo. I don’t need to lift a finger to make her life miserable.
This is about you, not her. If you keep going down this path, you’re going to regret it. And so will she.”
I stepped closer, my voice a growl. “If you so much as touch her again, I swear—”
“You’ll do what?” she interrupted, her tone mocking.
“Start a war? Risk everything for her? Don’t forget who you are, Leonardo.
You’re the Alpha’s son. You have responsibilities. A future. And it doesn’t include a nobody like Aurora.”
Her words burned, but I held her gaze. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Lena.”
She leaned in, her face inches from mine, her voice ice-cold. “And you’re making a foolish choice. Choose me, Leonardo. Do your duty.
Or watch everything you care about fall apart.”
She stepped back, smoothing her dress as if the entire confrontation hadn’t just happened, and then she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there with anger and fear moving in my chest.
I clenched my fists, my mind racing. Lena wasn’t just a jealous fiancee, she was dangerous.
And now, more than ever, I knew Aurora was in real danger. And I needed to do something to protect her.
****
Knock!
Knock!!
Knock!!!
The door creaked open, and Alessandro stood there, his face as cold as the night air. I raised the bottle in my hand and forced a smile.
“Wanna drink?” I asked, trying to sound casual, though I could feel the tension crackling in the space between us.
Alessandro’s eyes furrowed as he leaned against the doorframe, folding his arms across his chest.
“Well, well, what a surprise,” he said, his tone filled with sarcasm.
“The last time you came to my door, you accused me of something I didn’t do. Instead of thanking me for saving Aurora’s life, you pointed fingers like I was the enemy.”
He straightened, his voice growing colder. “And now here you are, bottle in hand, acting like we’re old friends, asking me to join you for a drink.
What do you want, Leonardo?”
His words hurt more than I wanted to admit. I gripped the bottle tightly. This wasn’t going to be easy.

Alessandro’s words stung, but I pushed my pride aside. This wasn’t about me, it was about Aurora.
I lowered the bottle, letting out a sigh. “Look, Alessandro, I’m not here to dredge up the past. I’m here because I need your help.”
He raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smirk.
“My help?
That’s rich.
You accused me of being part of some attack, and now you’re at my door asking for favors?
What’s next?
Want me to take care of your laundry too?”
I ignored his sarcasm, stepping closer.  “Can I come in?”
He didn’t say anything for a while and then moved to the side to allow me enter and then he closed the door behind him.
“So what’s this about? And what do you need my help for anyway?” he asked as he sat down on the chair close to the window.
I was standing as I was desperate. I dropped the bottle on the table and turned to face him.
“Listen to me carefully. This isn’t a joke. I think Lena had a hand in what happened to Aurora. The attacks, the creature, all of it.”
The smirk on Alessandro’s face wiped out. His face serious, but he didn’t speak.
“I can’t prove it yet,” I continued, my voice steady.
“But Lena knows things she shouldn’t. She even brought up the attack on Aurora, almost like she wanted me to connect the dots. And if she’s involved…” I swallowed hard.
“Aurora’s not safe as long as I’m around her. Lena will do whatever it takes to keep me under her control.”
Alessandro moved his head, studying me with that same calculating look he always had.
“And what do you want me to do about it? Babysit your girlfriend while you play detective?”
I clenched my fists, my frustration building up. “I need you to protect her.
Keep her safe until I figure out how to deal with Lena. You’re the only one I trust with this, Alessandro.”
He scoffed, shaking his head.
“You trust me?
After everything?”
He let out a dry laugh.
“Leonardo, I’m not a bodyguard, and I sure as hell don’t care to play one for Aurora. Besides, she’s not exactly my favorite person.”
“I know,” I said quickly.
“But you’re the best fighter I know, and you’ve already saved her once. If Lena is as dangerous as I think, she won’t stop at one attempt.
Please, Alessandro. You don’t have to like her, just keep her alive.”
Alessandro was quiet for a moment, his gaze locked on mine. Then he sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“You’re really desperate, aren’t you?”
I nodded. “Yes. I am.”
He stared at me for what felt like an eternity, then finally unfolded his arms.
“Fine. But let’s get one thing straight, I’m doing this for the pack, not for you or your little love story. And when this is over, you owe me.”
Relief flooded through me, but I didn’t let it show. “Thank you.”
He stood up and gestured for me to leave. “Save your gratitude. You’re lucky I don’t punch you in the face for dragging me into this.”
As I turned to leave, Alessandro’s voice stopped me.
“And Leonardo,” he said, his tone cold and serious.
Alessandro leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his face difficult to read.
“If Lena’s as dangerous as you say, how do you plan on getting evidence to end this forced marriage of yours?”
I paused, considering his question. Then a small smile crept onto my face, though it felt hollow.
“I’ll just have to play the part. Be the perfect man, the perfect fiancé. Wait for her to slip up and spill everything.”
Alessandro raised an eyebrow. “So you’re going to act like you’re on board with all of this? That’s risky, even for you.”
“I don’t have another choice,” I admitted.
“Lena’s too smart. She won’t make a mistake unless she thinks she’s won.”
“And what about Aurora?” Alessandro pressed, his voice sharp.
“If she finds out you agreed to marry Lena, even as a strategy, she’ll be crushed. You think she’ll just wait around for you to ‘fix’ everything?”
His words hit me hard. I nodded quietly, "I know."
“But sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the people you love. Aurora means everything to me, but if keeping her safe means she has to hate me for a while… then so be it.”
Alessandro studied me for a moment, his gaze piercing. Then he let out a low chuckle, though it carried no humor.
“You’re either brave or a complete idiot. Probably both.”
I nodded, my smile fading. “Just keep her safe, Alessandro. That’s all I’m asking.”
He sighed, stepping back into his room. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll do it. But if you screw this up, don’t expect me to clean up your mess.”
“I won’t,” I said firmly, turning to leave.
As I walked away, Alessandro’s parting words followed me like a shadow.
“You better hope she’s worth it, Leonardo. Because if this all falls apart, you’ll have no one left to blame but yourself.”
After leaving Alessandro, I headed straight to my father’s office. I didn’t bother to knock as I pushed the door open.
Inside, my father and Alpha Maverick were talking. They both went silent the moment they saw me.
I shut the door behind me and walked toward them, my heart heavy but my face calm.
“I’ll marry Lena,” I said, my voice firm. “Just like you wanted, Father.”
The room fell completely quiet.
Alpha Maverick smirked, while my father’s eyes studied me like he was trying to figure me out.
But as I stood there, all I could think about was one thing.
What would Aurora say when she found out?
Ensnared by My Stepbrothers' Realm
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