Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire novel Chapter 13

13. Cookies and a Voodoo Doll AZURA.

This kid was a little devil in disguise, and I liked it. With Katara having no interest in mischief, and the quintuplets too big to obey, I missed them at this age.

“So, you can‘t cook?”

I looked at the tomato and cucumber sandwiches that he was gawking at disdainfully. “Yes I can, I made these.” I pushed the plate towards him, proud of my accomplishment. No, I can‘t cook, all I can make is nachos and that‘s in the microwave.

“Oh. We don‘t call this cooking.” He added.

“Well, can you cook?”

“I‘m five.”

“And?”

“I‘m too young to cook.”

I smiled, reaching over and tugging his cheek. “Yeah sure, but you are old enough to judge. Let me tell you something, making a sandwich is an art. Look; I had to margarine the bread slices perfectly, then spread the cucumber that were cut into equal sized thin slices, we then added some sliced cheese before finishing with perfect thin slices of tomato.” 1

“The tomato is thick and the cucumber slices aren‘t equal sizes.” Corrado mumbled, looking at the sandwich sadly. “I thought I‘d have a home–cooked meal today.” 1

My heart squeezed at his pitiful tone.

“I will have Rosaline prepare you your favourite meal, Corrado.” Winona, the woman who had been minding him, offered.

“No, thank you. I will have the lumpy sandwich.” 2 “You really are your father‘s son.” I grumbled. Prudish Rossi‘s.

I smiled despite myself, watching the child bite into the sandwich.

See, I can do this. In a few years, it will be me and my pup, and I will make them sandwiches. My smile faded as I wondered if I‘d be enough, but then I shook the thought away.

I had Mama, Dad, Liam, and Raven. I‘d be ok. I had to be...

“Are you alright?” Winona asked, I smiled and nodded.

“After we eat, what will we do next?” Corrado asked. “I can take him to his room if you like.” Winona offered.

“No, he can keep me company, I don‘t mind.”

When I returned to my apartment, the bag of sewing supplies I had asked for were outside. I guess I would create a voodoo doll tonight and this little cutie could help me.

“His dad isn‘t back, right?” I asked once we had eaten, and I had sent Corrado to go set the stuff up on the table.

“No, is there a problem?” “No, not at all, I just don‘t want him to worry or anything.” I was a little uneasy. Did I do wrong by inviting him like this? “I mind him for the nights he is out. He will be back after midnight. It‘s nice to see Corrado having fun.” Winona smiled, watching Corrado take the things out of the bag and putting them on the table.

She was a pretty woman, probably in her mid–twenties, with blonde hair and brown eyes.

“Don‘t worry, the Alpha may be an intimidating man, but I will tell him Corrado wanted to spend time with you. I‘m sure he‘ll appreciate it.” I‘m sure he won‘t. “Well, if he doesn‘t ask, then we don‘t need to mention it.” I suggested lightly, pouring two glasses of milk for Corrado and me. “I‘m sorry, I don‘t have any tea bags or anything, I don‘t drink hot drinks.”

“Oh it‘s fine, I‘m not hungry, the sandwich was rather nice. I will wash up whilst you and Corrado... knit?”

“Not exactly knitting...” I smiled, winking at her as I walked over to the table, placing the tray of milk and biscuits down before plopping down.

A wave of nausea washed over me, and I took a steady breath before I picked up the stack of fabric squares.

“Ok, so we are going to make dolls alright?” “Dolls? I don‘t want to make a doll.” He scrunched up his nose and I chuckled. “We are going to make cool dolls.” I said, taking up a light blue fabric. “So, we will sew this like this... and stuff it with wool... Then we will create two legs.... Feet... Look, we even have dark colours; we can make a pirate doll?” I suggested, offering him a cookie.

“Oh, I see! Can we have a robber doll!?” “Perfect, and I even have black and white striped fabric for the torso!” I waved the

12 WAKO TOIVU VUI

fabric square, and he smiled, now a lot more excited...

An hour and many pricked fingers for me later, we were done. There on the table lay two round–bellied cloth dolls. One had a striped body, with black legs and feet, and a strip across the eyes where we had attached two black buttons. The other had a creamy peach fabric face and arms, with a black body and grey bottoms. I was now drawing some black doodles onto the arms. “What are you doing, Azura?” He asked, leaning over curiously. “Oh, I‘m giving him tattoos.” I told him as we both munched on the chocolate chip cookies.