Chapter 86: Trapped by Duty.

Leonardo’s POV

I woke up to the harsh light of morning, my head pounding in sync with the guilt that ravaged my chest.

The events of the previous night came flooding back, and I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.

Lena lay beside me, a smug smile still plastered on her face.

"Morning, Leonardo," she purred, her voice like nails on a chalkboard.

I threw off the covers and scrambled out of bed, desperate to escape the toxic reality of my actions.

My clothes were scattered around the room, and I hastily gathered them, my hands shaking with disgust.

"Lena," I said, my tone sharp and laced with regret, "last night was a mistake. A huge mistake."

Her smile faltered, and she sat up, wrapping the sheets around her body. "A mistake?" she repeated, her voice rising in indignation.

"So you're telling me you didn't want it? That you weren't in your right mind?"

I forced myself to meet her gaze, my eyes burning with shame. "I wasn't. And I didn't. The whole time, I thought I was with Aurora. I wasn't thinking clearly."

Lena's eyes narrowed, her face twisting in fury. "So let me get this straight," she spat, her voice venomous.

"While you were sleeping with me, you were imagining her? That's what you're saying?"

I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying.

I've never wanted you, Lena, and I never will. My heart belongs to Aurora—always has, always will."

Lena's face turned red with rage, her eyes blazing with hatred. "You're pathetic, Leonardo," she sneered.

"You're hung up on a woman who doesn't even want you. You'll never be enough for her, and one day, she'll realize that.

And when she does, don't come crawling to me, because I'll make sure you regret this moment."

I clenched my fists, my voice cold and laced with venom. "You can say whatever you want, but the truth remains. 
"I'll never regret loving Aurora. She's everything you'll never be," I said firmly, my gaze piercing through Lena.
Her nostrils flared, her face twisting with fury.
"You're a fool, Leonardo. You think love makes you strong, but it's made you weak. And someday, it'll destroy you."
I scoffed, my tone dripping with disdain.
“Destroy me?
Is that what you think love is?
That’s why you’ll never understand it, Lena. You’ve built your entire life around power and control, but you’ve never found or felt real love. And you never will.”
I stepped closer, gesturing sharply toward her. “This whole arranged marriage you’re trying to force onto me and my family? It’s not about love—it’s about power.
It’s about you getting what you want, like you always do. Fine, marry me if that’s what you’re after.
But don’t you dare expect me to show you the kind of love I have for Aurora, because in my eyes, you are nothing. And you will never be anything.”
Her hand flew across my face, the slap stinging, but it didn’t compare to the fire in her eyes.
“How dare you!” she hissed, her voice trembling with rage.
I stood my ground, the red mark on my cheek burning, but I didn’t flinch. “Oh, I dare, Lena,” I said coldly, my voice steady.
“And let me make this clear you can force me to wear a ring, but you’ll never own my heart. That belongs to Aurora, and there’s nothing you or anyone else can do to change that.”
She glared at me, her breathing heavy as she struggled to find words. “You’re going to regret this, Leonardo,” she spat, her voice venomous. “You’ll regret every word you just said.”
I tilted my head, a bitter smile on my lips. “The only regret I have is ever letting you get close enough to think you mattered.”
Her face went pale, her fury shifting into something closer to shock, but she quickly masked it with more anger.
Without another word, she stormed out of the room, slamming the door so hard it rattled the walls.
As the door slammed shut, the sound echoed in the room, rattling my already fractured mind.
I sank onto the edge of the bed, burying my face in my hands. The sting of Lena’s slap was nothing compared to the guilt clawing at my chest.
I had betrayed Aurora in the worst way possible. I had broken her heart, yes, but this…. this wasn’t what I wanted.
I clenched my fists, anger rising at my own weakness. How could I let it come to this?
Images of Aurora’s expression when she found out that I had slept with Lena, came flooding my mind…. that would only make her feel worse and realize that I meant those words when I clearly didn’t.
“What am I going to do?” I asked myself as I stood up and began pacing back and forth in my room.
“How could I do this to her?”
I stared at the door, Lena’s dangerous words still ringing in my ears.
"You’ll regret every word you just said."
No, I wouldn’t. Not about Lena. But about Aurora? I was drowning in regret.
What would Aurora think if she knew? Would she ever forgive me? Could she even look at me the same way?
I ran a hand through my hair, the weight of my actions crushing me.
“Aurora deserves better,” I muttered, my voice filled with self-loathing.
“She deserves someone who would never make the mistakes I’ve made.”
But the thought of losing her entirely, of her walking away from me forever, sent a cold chill through my veins.
I clenched my jaw, determination flickering to life amidst the guilt.
“I have to fix this,” I said aloud, the words echoing in the empty room.
“I have to fix this, no matter what.”
I quickly got dressed, grabbed my coat and car keys, and headed for the door. I wasn’t going to let Aurora go. I had made a big mistake by choosing my duties over her before.
When I got to my car and opened the door, my phone rang. I saw that it was my father calling.
I hesitated but decided not to answer. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to him right now.
I started the car and was about to leave the pack house when the security at the gate stopped me.
“Sorry, sir, but Alpha John said you need to go back inside. You can’t leave until after your wedding with Lena,” the guard said.
I felt a rush of frustration. “What do you mean, I can’t leave?” I asked. “I need to be somewhere right now.”
The guard just looked at me calmly. “Sorry, sir. It’s an order from Alpha John.”
I clenched my fists, feeling trapped. There was nothing I could do. My father’s control over me was stronger than I thought.
I got out of the car, slamming the door behind me. “Fine,” I muttered, walking back to the pack house.
As I headed back inside, anger and helplessness filled me. I was stuck torn between my family’s expectations and the woman I loved.
It felt like chains wrapped around me, pulling me deeper into something I couldn’t escape from.
In that moment, I made a decision. I wasn’t going to be afraid anymore. I was going to march into my father’s office and tell him the truth.
I was going to tell him that I didn’t love Lena, that I loved Aurora, and that she was my mate. I wasn’t going to marry Lena, not now, not ever.
I took a deep breath, feeling my heart race but my resolve growing stronger. With boldness in my chest, I stormed toward my father’s office. My steps were firm and fast, my fists clenched at my sides.
When I reached the door, I knocked, my hand shaking slightly from the mix of nervousness and anger. I couldn’t turn back now.
The moment I opened the door and stepped inside, my father spoke before I could get a word out.
“What’s this I hear, Leonardo?” His voice was sharp, demanding.
I frowned, confusion crossing my face. “What is it, Father?”
He didn’t miss a beat. “Are you in love with your stepsister, Aurora?”