Leo Rossi: The Rise of a True Alpha (The Rossi Legacies Book 2)

LEO.

I let the shower water run over me, washing away the soap suds from my body. I was unable to remove the images of both Shane and Jackie's bodies from my mind. Those final memories of their bodies would always remain in my mind.

Anyone could have died, and no matter who it was, I would have felt it. No matter how much I tried, I still wasn't doing enough. Judah Gallahan was someone I was going to figure out, I will find out exactly what the fuck he is. To stay dead, pretend to be dead for that long...

He held certain traits of a vampire, but he wasn't one, he didn't fit the box... I have seen vampires and have been around them when Endora had managed to capture a few. There wasn't really much in England in comparison to the States, but there were a lot of differences between Judah and vampires. However, I wouldn't rule it out completely. I needed to start somewhere...

Switching the shower off, I leaned my head against the wall for a moment, sighing heavily.

They were gone. Fuck...

It still hurts.

Sliding the door open, I grabbed a towel and roughly dried myself off before I walked to my wardrobe area and took out some boxers and sweatpants. I was heading out to the lounge when I heard the sound of Corrado and Azura talking. Had he still been awake all this time?

"... lumpy sandwiches, Mommy, but I know Daddy will like this goopy dish." I saw him examining something that clearly smelled like nachos as Azura stood there next to him, hands on hips. The small curve of her stomach was noticeable from this angle. Our pup was growing, and I could hear its heartbeat too.

I smiled faintly, leaning against the door as they conversed.

"It's nachos, not goop!" Azura protested prodding the Nachos with a finger before she licked the Salsa off her finger.

Fuck girl...

"Oh yes, it just doesn't look as nice as Daddy's nachos... but don't worry, Mommy, Daddy will love them."

Azura grinned. "I didn't have any doubt until you put that doubt in me. But your dad has no option but to eat this!" She looked up, noticing me, and I smirked when her eyes swept over my shirtless torso. Her heart was racing as I slowly walked over to them. "Daddy! Mommy made nachos!"

I picked him up and looked at the tray she had prepared, nachos, topped with plenty of cheese, salsa, and jalapenos. Coffee for me, milk for the two of them, and some other small snacks. For my girl, this was a big effort.

"It looks good," I said, wrapping my arm around her and pulling her close. "As long as I don't get food poisoning," I added teasingly, making her smack my waist and glare up at me.

Always resorting to violence...

Smirking slightly, I kissed her lips feeling Corrado staring, and it took a lot to keep my tongue to myself. We moved back, our eyes locked, and I felt a wave of strength wash through me. Their presence helped...

Corrado giggled and made kissy sounds as I picked up the tray and took it to the table.

"I'll be right back; I'm just going to change into something else." Azura added. I watched her leave, my eyes on her ass only for Corrado to giggle again.

I raised my eyebrow sitting down. "What are you finding so funny?" I asked, grabbing the remote and switching the TV on.

He giggled covering his mouth. "Daddy and Mommy just kiss all the time. Lucy at school said if you kiss, you make a baby. Is Mommy having lots of babies now because you kiss so much?" His eyes widened as he scanned the room. Where will we keep all the babies..."

What the hell do kids talk about?

I smiled slightly, ruffling his hair. In his Batman pyjamas, he looked super cute.

"It takes a lot more than a kiss to make a baby, and before you ask what that means, it means there's a certain time of the... moon cycle that is also needed to make a baby." I took a bit of nachos, this actually tasted pretty good, although I felt like I had no appetite. I realised we hadn't eaten since the McDonald's we caught earlier.

A frown creased his cute little face as he pondered over what I had just said. I put on a cartoon just when I heard footsteps and her scent reaching my nose. I turned, spotting her running her fingers through her hair, my breath caught in my throat, She was wearing a workout shirt of mine that was hanging off her, and a pair of my boxers that left her sexy legs on display.

Well fuck... There was just something about her in my clothes that was a total turn-on...

She looked up, smirking as she leaned over the back of the sofa, kissing my lips

'Like what you see?' She taunted seductively, pulling away and planting a big kiss on Corrado's head.

'Oh absolutely! I replied, caressing her thigh as she walked past and took a seat on the other side of Corrado and wrapping her arm around him.

"So, what am I missing? What are you father and son chatting about?"

"Oh, how babies are made. Daddy told me all about it." Corrado said seriously, making her eyes widen into saucers. Damn, she had big eyes...

I smirked slightly. Despite the pain that lingered in my chest, these two were taking the edge off, making it a little more bearable.

"Shocked?" I mocked her, as she turned her attention back to Corrado.

"Did he now? What did he say?" She asked.

"He told me about the moon cycle, and that only at a certain time can you make babies." He repeated, well at least he was damn smart and paid attention.

Azura laughed, giving him a squeeze. "Yup, the monthly cycle really means a lot."

"So it's special like the Blood Moon..."

"Yeah, it definitely consists of red..." I smirked, earning myself a look from Azura.

Corrado nodded, "Oh we are never told this at school. Oh, dear. So how many sisters and brothers will we have? Because if there's lots and lots, we need a big house! I help you take care of them, ok?"

"Awe of course! But I don't know, I think just the two of you might be enough?" She said, looking at me. "Unless your dad wants many more."

I wrapped my arm around her, placing the Nachos in my lap and fed her a piece. "Not sure, but two sounds good enough. By the way, these don't taste half bad."

She bit into it, and I was very aware of the big pair of eyes watching us from the middle. She took it, her lips brushing my fingers, and smoothly licked the salsa from my fingers. Yeah, I think this just became my favourite meal right after her... She moved back, her heart pounding as Corrado clapped his hand.

"Wait, we need to find more Winnie's then! To help with more babies... Do you think Jackie will want to help take care of our babies?"

My heart clenched as I looked at Azura, and she reached over, running her fingers through my hair. I'll let her handle this one...

"Jackie has gone to the Moon Goddess baby." She whispered, lifting him into her lap.

He looked confused as he stared between us before his smile vanished and he buried his head into her shoulder. She stroked his back and head, her own eyes full of tears that she refused to let fall.

Silence followed as we sat there. She soothed our son, as I wrapped my arm around her tightly too, before she slowly made light conversation about the cartoon that was playing.

Slowly he began speaking, but he was quieter, and when we headed to our bed, Corrado was the first to jump onto the bed, Azura got on next, wrapping her arms around him, and I slipped in on his other side, slipping my arm under her neck, placing my arm over them both.

Then he mentioned her.

"Is Jackie happy with the Moon Goddess?"

"Yes, she is. She's on the moon now." Azura whispered, both gazing out of the window...

I watched them, wanting to protect them forever. This was my family...

I know if they weren't here tonight, I wouldn't have been able to handle the pain that was crippling me inside...

--

That night the nightmares of my past had returned in full force and each time Azura had woken up too, I knew she had seen them too and I wished there was a way to block her from suffering through my nightmares too. In the end, I didn't sleep, simply laying there awake, wanting her to get her rest.

It was now two days later, and the funeral had just taken place. I was the one who had delivered a short speech, with neither Kareena being able to nor anyone for Jackie either. Nikki didn't even offer to.

The burial had taken place and most of the pack had dispersed. Dad, Raj, Kesha, Eric, Nikki and the five and their mates were still here. Kareena sat on her knees before Shane's body, crying her heart out. I walked over to her, crouching down and placing a hand on her back.

It wasn't the first time I was talking to her since his death, but it didn't get any easier.

"I'm truly sorry," I said quietly, giving her shoulder a comforting squeeze.

She looked up at me, an image of someone who was truly devastated. She would die unless she moved on... A witch could break the bond, but it wouldn't fully take away the pain unless she took a chosen mate.

I just hoped she was able to stay strong enough to move on... but deep down, I wasn't sure if she was strong enough to live without him...

Sera wrapped her arms around her, hugging her tightly and I stood up.

Gazing down at the graves, a soft wind blew, and I realised they truly were gone...

Azura stepped forward, her presence beside me was comforting.

She looked up at me and said, "Gone but not forgotten."

"Yeah, they never will be." I said quietly, kissing her forehead softly.

I turned my head to the cloudy sky, searching the heavens.

Mom... takes care of our pack members for me...

-

Evening had fallen, and everyone was at Marcel's for the wake. Kareena seemed to have stopped crying, but I knew she'd need a lot of support going forward. Azura, Sera and Kesha hadn't left her side, and I could tell she was grateful for it. I had just stepped outside for a smoke when Dad followed.

"Leo, can I have a word?" He asked as a sharp breeze ruffled our hair.

I glanced up as I lit my cigarette. "What is it?"

He sighed heavily, swirling the drink in his glass. "We don't know what that man is... to not be breathing for days... we need to call for assistance."

"I know, I talked to Alejandro yesterday. I've already sent him what data and images we had, including the footage of the attack." I felt sick, having been unable to watch the footage myself but I knew I would have to soon.

He looked surprised but nodded in approval. "Perfect, can I ask why now?"

I raised an eyebrow. "This is above my ego, I thought I had killed him and managed to get rid of him... but clearly not. We need to figure out what the fuck he is." "Are you sure he isn't a vampire?"

"Yeah... if he was, when we stabbed him, I would have known... maybe some kind of hybrid. I'll figure it out." I said smoking my cigarette.

Sighing he looked at me. "Are you ok Leo? Jackie and Shane were both close to you. Especially Jackie."

"I'd be lying if I said I'm fine. Shane was one of my closest men too."

I saw the questioning look in his eyes, but he didn't question it. Sooner or later, I would have to mention my truth. The full truth of Schurke Wolf...

He placed his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry, son, for your loss. You have handled this with strength. I am proud of you Leo, always remember that. I love you son."

Our eyes met and when he wrapped his arms around me, I hugged him back. "Thanks... Dad." I was unable to say the words out loud, but I hope he understood that I cared for him too. In the end, he was still my father, the only family I had through it all... "If there is anything I can do, do not hesitate to let me know." He said when I pulled away.

Taking a drag on my cigarette, I looked up at him calculatingly. "There is something actually..."

"Oh?"

I nodded as I looked out into the dark sky. "If it's alright with you, can we move to the mansion? I may not always be home and I need to make sure that Azura and Corrado are safe."

A smile crossed his lips and he nodded. "I will welcome you all home with open arms, that was nothing you needed to ask me. This home is yours son, and I could wish for nothing more than to have you come home."

I looked into his eyes, the intense emotions clear in them and I realised he had been waiting to hear those words for years.

I'm sorry I'm late Dad... I was clouded by my hatred and resentment... but... I'm here now, I'll make amends and I'll fix my mistakes. I promise... if I live, I will make it up to you all.

I promise.