Chapter 96: A Desperate Plan.
Leonardo’s POV
I am not going to give up Aurora to Alessandro. Never!
Aurora was my everything, and I didn’t know what came over me in the first place that made me deny her in front of my father.
But now, I wasn’t going to let Alessandro take my woman.
She belongs to me. She’s mine.
“Just give up, Leonardo! Aurora has suffered enough from your… uncertainties.
She needs someone who knows what they want and goes for it head-on,” Rafael said as he stood in front of me.
I gestured towards the path Alessandro and Aurora had taken.
“And you think that Alessandro is the best thing for Aurora?”"
Rafael sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. "At least he knows what he wants, and he's not afraid to fight for it. Can you say the same?"
I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening. "I made a mistake, Rafael. I admit that. But that doesn't mean I don't love her!"
He scoffed. "Love? You denied her, Leonardo. You broke her heart. And now, just because you see her with Alessandro, suddenly you want to fight for her?"
I ran a frustrated hand through my hair. "I never stopped wanting her. I thought I was doing what was best—"
"Best for who? You or her?" Rafael cut in sharply. "Because from where I'm standing, the only person you've been protecting is yourself."
His words hit harder than I wanted to admit. Deep down, I knew he was right. But that didn't change the fact that seeing Aurora with Alessandro made my blood boil.
"I won't let him have her," I said, my voice low and firm.
Rafael shook his head. "Then you better be prepared to fight. But just remember, Leonardo if you truly love her, maybe the best thing you can do is let her go."
His words lingered in my mind long after he walked away.
"Never! I can’t let her go, Rafael. I know that I have made mistakes in the past and maybe… more.”
Rafael frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion. “What do you mean more?”
I sighed deeply, the weight of my secret pressing down on me. My mind flashed back to that night the one I tried so hard to forget.
The one where I got so drunk, I lost control.
“I… um… kinda slept with Lena.”
Rafael’s eyes widened in pure shock. “You did what?!”
Panic shot through me as I lunged toward him, covering his mouth before he could say another word.
The last thing I needed was for anyone else in the room to hear this.
“Keep your voice down, damn it,” I hissed.
His expression shifted from shock to disappointment, and it hit me like a punch to the gut. I knew I deserved it.
“What the hell, Leonardo?” he whispered harshly.
“Shhh… just keep it down,” I pleaded.
Rafael shook his head, lowering his voice but keeping his anger.
“How could you do that?”
“I was drunk, dude. I was wasted, and I… I thought it was Aurora. But by the time I woke up the next morning… I realized it was Lena."
I ran a frustrated hand through my hair, my chest tightening with self-loathing.
"God, I hated myself.”
Rafael exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "Do you even hear yourself right now?"
I clenched my jaw, looking away. "You think I don’t regret it? You think I don’t replay that night over and over, wishing I could change it?"
Rafael crossed his arms, his gaze sharp. "Leonardo, this isn’t just about regret.
Aurora deserves the truth. And if she ever finds out from someone else—"
"She won’t," I cut in, my voice firm but filled with uncertainty.
Rafael let out a humorless chuckle. "Secrets have a way of coming out, brother.
And when they do, you better be ready to deal with the consequences."
His words sent a shiver down my spine, but I pushed the fear aside.
The only thing that mattered was winning Aurora back.
No matter what.
I swallowed hard, shaking my head. “No. She can’t find out. Not now, not ever.”
Rafael scoffed. “You really think you can keep this hidden forever? What if Lena decides to open her mouth?
What if someone else finds out and tells Aurora before you do?”
My hands balled into fists. “Then I’ll handle it. I’ll make sure Lena keeps quiet.”
Rafael narrowed his eyes. “And how exactly do you plan on doing that?
Threatening her? Because trust me, women like Lena don’t just stay silent.
She’ll use this against you the moment she sees an opportunity.”
I knew he was right, but I refused to let this mistake define me. I refused to let it ruin my chances with Aurora.
“She doesn’t have to know,” I muttered.
“I’ll make sure of it.”
Rafael sighed, looking at me with something that almost resembled pity.
“You really don’t get it, do you?” He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
“This isn’t just about keeping a secret, Leonardo. It’s about trust. If Aurora ever finds out and she will she’ll never look at you the same way again.”
His words settled deep in my gut like a heavy stone, but I forced myself to push past the doubt.
Aurora was mine. I wouldn’t lose her to Alessandro.
Not now. Not ever.
****
After talking with Rafael, I went back to my room that evening. I slammed the door in anger at what I had seen.
Was Aurora already getting close to my brother, Alessandro? The way they talked showed they were getting comfortable with each other, and I didn’t like it at all.
I had to get my woman back but how?
I paced around my room, trying to think of a way. Then, an idea hit me.
Lena had threatened to hurt Aurora if I didn’t agree to marry her.
So, all I needed to do was find something to use against Lena, something that would force her to end this stupid engagement.
But what?
Just then, I thought about Marcus. Lena must have sent him to try and rape Aurora.
And the attack on Aurora’s life in the pack by that creature could also be her doing.
But I needed proof. The only lead we had was Marcus.
Marcus was locked in the pack’s dungeon under tight security. If I wanted answers from him, I had to find a way to speak with him without the guards knowing.
I decided to go and order the guards to give me some time alone with Marcus.
"I need to speak with him. Alone," I said firmly, standing in front of the dungeon entrance.
The guards exchanged uneasy glances. "Alpha’s orders are to keep him under watch at all times," one of them said.
"I won’t take long," I insisted. "You know who I am."
They hesitated, but after a moment, one of them gave a reluctant nod.
"Fine. But we’ll be right outside."
I went into the dark cell. It smelled bad, like blood and wet stone.
Marcus was chained to the wall, his wrists hurt from the chains. His face was hurt, his clothes were torn.
It was clear he had been questioned and hurt for days. I pulled a chair close to him and sat down.
Marcus slowly lifted his head, his swollen eye barely opening. He let out a dry laugh.
"Well, well," he said in a rough voice.
"To what do I owe this surprise visit, Prince Leonardo?"
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