Chapter 28 Leia Hemming

(Alexander POV)

Damn, now I have to tell the story about Leia. My past was definitely catching up to me. I was actually scared Hope might get mad or even jealous of Leia. I needed to tread softly.

"Well, sugar, Leia is technically my sister-in-law, removed that is." Amanda looks down at her belly. "Lucian, my husband, doesn't talk about her much. They treat her as a, uhm, distant memory."

"Lucian Hemming is your husband? The owner of the record label?" Hope asked, surprised.

"My Goddess, look at you. You seem to know the people behind the artists." Amanda laughs. "Yes, sugar. He's in New York City. I decided I'd stay here while I'm pregnant. Can't stand all that stress. He'll be here for the 4th of July though. You'll meet him then."

I walk over to Hope and wait beside her. I was praying my mother or Cecilia would start explaining the whereabouts of Julia, but they seemed to want to know more about Leia.

"Where do I start?" I take Hope's hand and kiss it.

"Oh, now I remember Leia. Ain't she that pretty little thing you and Derrick were "courting"? Amanda raised her two fingers to make quotation marks at the word courting.

"Thanks baby sister for helping refresh my memory." I gave her a dirty look. She shrugged her shoulders and laughed. "When I was 18, I met this beautiful she-wolf. She was graceful, had perfect posture," I watched Hope sit up straight, "elegant, poised and well-educated. I was young and she was beautiful. What can I say?" All eyes were now on me. I felt small, really small.

"The Hemming's are good friends of my parents and they had invited them to my graduation party. Actually, my parents invited every one from every pack. I graduated top of my class, was accepted at Oxford University and they were proud."

"Oxford?" Hope gave a little squeak.

"Yes. I'm smart too when I try." Everyone laughed.

"As you all know, the Hemming businesses are mostly in New York, so Leia graduated from a private school in New York City."

"When I saw her, I felt I met my mate. I fell in love with her. Love at first sight. I tried so much to win her over. Whatever she wanted, I gave her. I got into trouble with the credit card because of that. Remember, Mama?" My mother smiled and nodded her head. "Whenever she needed me, I was there. I made myself available to her whenever and wherever that might be, if she needed me. When I found out she was going to London for university, I was so happy. I saw it as an opportunity to make her mine."

"Her parents loved me and saw it beneficial to both packs if we were to mate. They kept nudging her towards my direction. It didn't matter to them if we weren't fated mates. It was a match made in heaven for them. I, soon to be Alpha of one of the richest packs in the world and their youngest daughter, my Luna."

"She was beautiful. All the male wolves wanted her. I felt though that I outshone the lot of them since she did give me some of her attention. I misinterpreted the attention she gave me and thought she felt the same way about me. I guess it was overconfidence on my part." I looked at Hope's face and she looked hurt. "Oh baby, she doesn't hold a torch to you. She liked wearing all that make-up on her face. She liked wearing jewelry. She always had to look like she was going to a party. While you, you are a natural beauty. I have never seen someone ALMOST hit a post while looking at someone. I saw that happen when we were in town." I laughed remembering the guy.

"That's true, sugar. You are stunner in jeans." Amanda said. "I still want you to model for me."

"Amanda." She gave me a look telling me she wasn't going to stop with the model thing. I gave her another dirty look. "While we were at University in London, I caught her, ah them, having sex at a frat party. She had just agreed to be my mate. I was such an idiot to actually believe she loved me."

"Who's them?" Hope asked.

"Her and Lancaster."

"Hold on. Derrick Lancaster?" I nodded. "She left you for Derrick? Now, I understand," Hope said.

"Why Hope? What did you see?" I asked.

"She was really angry at him. She kept saying, for old times' sake. She even mentioned the word 'romp.' I guess, Derrick dumped her after that. Hope shakes her head. " He must of said all those flowery things like "you aren't a waste of my time."

"Wait? What? Derrick said that to you?" Lancaster is such a weasel.

"Yeah, when we saw him at the hospital. It was gross." She wrinkles her nose. "Even his smell. He reeked of scotch."

We all laugh. I remember feeling the pain of Leia's betrayal. I know he intentionally got between me and Leia. Problem with Leia, she didn't see through that egotistical jackass. To Derrick, she was just a trophy he hung over my head. Well, he did me a favor. Now, I have Hope.

Hope cocked her head to the side, "She did say she was going to make his life difficult. She just didn't have to kill someone who's innocent."

"Hope, dear, you said she changed into you. Why?"

"Derrick I guess has a crush on me. AND she isn't pretty..." Hope stops in midsentence and sighs. "She really scared the hell out of me."

"She has submerged herself into dark magic. The evil makes you rot in time." Cecilia said. "Poor girl."

"One reason why she would've been ousted from her pack is if she challenged the Alpha." My mother had a confused look on her face. "Maybe she challenged Luciana for Alpha and lost maybe? Or she probably did something despicable..." Her voice trails off. "Well, if it is forbidden to talk about it, then the only way we'll get an answer is through Leia, Luciana or maybe Lawrence."

"As for the vision, she wanted you to see it," Cecilia interjected. "There is dark magic playing in all of this. Somehow, you have a connection with Leia. How and why this is, I need to check my books. As for the story of Julia, that will be for another time. Hope, remember what I've asked you to do." Cecilia patted Hope on the hand. "I need to tend to my garden." Cecilia gets up.

"Hope, honey, your Dad and I have to go home too and fix the house. If you need anything, you can drop by the house anytime you want." Mirasol kisses Hope and she and Jim leave with Cecilia.

"Amanda, dear, let's go and make some fruit smoothies. I need to help prepare for dinner anyway. Let's all dine downstairs for a change." My mother told us.

"Sure, Mama. Just give us a holler," I tell her and give her a kiss on her cheek. Amanda and my mother leave and Oliver and David bow and close the door behind them.

I walk over to Hope and pull her into my lap.

"I spoke with Lancaster. He told me to double security around you. When Lancaster is the one who warns you, it means it's bad." I gaze into Hope's eyes for her to understand the gravity of situation. "Oliver or David are never to leave your side unless you are with me. Tomorrow, you start training with Kit. What is your aunt asking you to do?"

"I need to read two books. One about protection and the other about invisibility."

"Ah, she's starting to train you. Good. There's still a few hours until dinner. Why don't you start reading and I'll call you when dinner is ready. I'll be in my office. I just have some work I need to get done." I caress her cheek.

"I'm sorry, Alexander. I know you're in a lot of stress. Go finish work and I'll start studying." She stands up and grabs two old books from the nightstand and sits down beside me.

"Nothing to apologize for. It's not your fault. If you need me, I'm just in the next room." I kiss her head. I place a blanket over her and she snuggles right in. She opens a small leatherbound book and starts to read. I kiss her one last time on the top of her head and turn to leave.

I open the door, Oliver comes into our room to keep watch. I go to my office and open my vault. I look for a number of a person who I can call on if I need information. I dial it.

"Is this a secure line?" The voice on the other line asks.

"Yes." I say with certainty.

"No names." The voice on the other line growled. "So, what can I do for you?"