The first rays of sunlight crept through the curtains, bathing Leonardo’s dark hair in a silver glow. His pale eyelids, tinted faintly with blue, fluttered as the shadows beneath his eyes revealed the depth of his exhaustion. Even in sleep, he stirred, his brow furrowing slightly as though he could sense the weight of my guilt. He truly was worn out.
I tried to free myself from the powerful arms wrapped snugly around my torso, binding me to his chest. His lips moved in a sleepy mumble, followed by a low, contented hum as he instinctively tightened his grip.
Downstairs, voices echoed louder with each passing second. Chiara and Enrico were talking, their footsteps heading through the kitchen and toward the stairs. Soon, they’d reach Leonardo’s room.
A sly grin spread across my face as I pinched his bicep. “Chiara and Enrico are seconds away from knocking on this door. I can wake you up-or they can.”
Before I could prepare for his response, a surprised yelp escaped me. Leonardo rolled over in bed, his grip never loosening, and stood effortlessly, holding me against his chest as though I weighed nothing. My legs dangled uselessly, and despite myself, I couldn’t help but laugh.
His usually cold eyes softened, morphing into a serene ocean grey. His disheveled hair stuck out in every direction, some stray strands tickling my nose as he gazed down at me with a sleepy grin.
“I’d much rather wake up to you than your friends,” he murmured, his voice teasing, his humor shining through the lingering haze of sleep.
“And what exactly is wrong with my friends?” I teased, fighting the laughter bubbling in my throat.
“Chiara and Enrico? Not bad,” he admitted, walking to the dresser with me still in his arms. He grabbed a shirt and shook his head before continuing, “Carlo and Sofia, though?”
I couldn’t hold back my laughter, even knowing Chiara and Enrico would hear. It was no mystery why Leonardo preferred the first two over the others.
Enrico shared an elemental connection with Leonardo, a bond they’d never openly acknowledge but couldn’t deny. Chiara, on the other hand, exuded a grounding calmness even before her transformation.
Carlo and Sofia, however, carried a fire within them-a passion that ignited their words and actions. It was a flame I understood deeply because it burned within me, too.
“Carlo, I get,” I said with a snicker. “But what did Sofia do?”
Leonardo’s smirk turned wicked, his hands squeezing me just enough to make my thoughts stray to more dangerous places. The soreness between my legs reminded me of the night before, and I wriggled free from his grip before my resolve could falter.
“Let’s just say Sofia lacks your charm when she’s chewing me out,” he replied with a smirk, his pale eyes glancing over my bare skin. “She could’ve at least shown some respect before challenging an Alpha.”
“She challenged you, and you declined?” My eyebrows shot up in shock, though it didn’t take long for understanding to dawn. Of course Sofia would do something like that.
Leonardo scoffed, pretending to be offended. “Obviously, I declined. Hurting your best friend wouldn’t have won me any points. Besides,” his voice dropped to a lower, more playful tone, “can you imagine what would’ve happened if I’d lost?”
“Alpha Sofia,” I chuckled, the image of her ruling Leonardo’s pack sparking fresh laughter. It wasn’t hard to picture her making history, overthrowing an Alpha on his own land with her fiery determination.
“We hear you in there, Ella!” Enrico’s voice rang out, loud and unapologetic from behind the door. “You sound alive enough from here!”
“Give them some time,” Chiara hissed at him. “We can wait a little longer.”
“Speak for yourself,” Enrico began, only to fall silent as Leonardo strode to the door and swung it open without hesitation.
Leonardo gestured grandly, inviting Enrico inside. My grin stretched wide as Enrico’s eyes swept the room before locking onto me. In an instant, I was scooped into his arms, my feet barely brushing the floor.
Despite the irritation flashing across Leonardo’s face, I caught the faintest hint of a smirk.
“Your true mate wouldn’t let us near you,” Enrico teased, setting me down with care. His hands reached to smooth my hair, but I swatted him away, earning a laugh.
“Considering the two of you,” Chiara said with a scolding edge, her eyes briefly flicking to Leonardo, “it’s a miracle you’re both still standing.” Her gaze shifted to the scars marring my arms, their jagged lines like cracks in fragile porcelain. The urge to hide them surged, but when her hand reached out, I let her take mine. Her frown softened, replaced by a serene smile.
“I think you’re a lot luckier than any of us realized,” she said, her voice steady and warm.
I exhaled, the tension in my chest easing slightly as Chiara’s hand tightened around mine. “Now we just have to see if it was all worth it.”
Her smile grew, radiant and alive. “Let’s go, then. There’s quite the crowd waiting in town.”