Alpha Loren novel Chapter 119

"I would like to begin by thanking you, Luciano," Leo started as we entered the large room to see Luciano stood amongst five other men.

"It was my pleasure. Anything to help out an old friend," he replied smiling at Leo before sending me a devious smirk.

"I hope that her mouth and wit didn't get on your nerves too much," Leo said. 

"Well, she is a difficult woman to control I must admit but nothing the both of us can't handle. I do wish the same could be said for my men," he said gesturing to two of the men with black eyes and another with a cut lip.

"Okay, but the lip was Max!" I protested. "You can't blame me for that."

"I apologise for the trouble my Luna has brought you. Is there any way I can repay you for this favour?"

"I was hoping you'd ask."

Leo smiled and put on an expecting expression like he didn't already know exactly what Luciano would ask for. His hand also found its way to my waist where it lingered tightly as if to warn me not to argue with this.

He appears to have missed the memo: I don't follow anyone's orders anymore.

"I'd like permission to rejoin your pack," Luciano announced. 

"And I think it is a terrible idea," I retaliated.

"This doesn't concern you. Please be quiet," Leo ordered.

"It entirely concerns me. I care about your pack too, Leonardo. Why else would I be here? And I know that Luciano can bring nothing but evil. He's twisted and malicious. Do you not remember why you banished him in the first place?"

"Of course you may rejoin my pack. It would be wonderful to have you back," Leo said. "But please excuse me whilst I deal with something," he added grabbing my upper arm tightly and dragging me towards the door. 

"I felt guilty for hitting you earlier but now I am considering repeating my actions," He growled in my ear as he held me against the wall. "Do not make me do the thing I vowed I'd never do...again..."

"You vowed you'd never let him back in the pack too," I replied in a much quieter voice. 

"Well, I changed my mind. Deal with it."

"Are you a fucking moron? Doing this will endanger every she-wolf in your pack. Aren't you meant to want to protect your pack members?!"

I felt his hand strike me on the opposite cheek to the last time.

I whimpered and brought my hand to my searing skin.

"I do not want to hear another word of defiance from you. Have I made myself clear?"

"Crystal," I replied spitefully before he took my hand and pulled me back towards the hall.

"My Luna and I shall be heading back to our offspring now but to show my gratitude, you are welcome to come and go as you please."

Luciano smiled complacently and Leo, taking this time my hand, led me out of the room.

"Are we taking Max with us?" I asked quietly as I looked up at Leo, who was still wearing the same stone-cold expression.

"No."

"Luciano said that he would make him pay for all this. We can't leave him here."

"We can and we will."

"You could at least try to be a little more understanding, Leonardo. You aren't the same man as you were three months ago and it's scaring me," I said.

He suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to me.

"Three months ago was before my Luna disappeared and I was driven to the point of insanity searching the entire world for her whilst trying to take care of six kids and holding a pack of 5000 wolves together. What are you supposed to say when your three-year-old is asking you where his Mother is when you don't even know yourself? What are you supposed to do when there are rogues attacking villages on the outer territory but you are too consumed with the task of finding your mate to do anything about it, regardless of the fact that all your men are scattered around the globe? And what about when your own father is questioning your ability to do anything and you can't even blame him because your entire pack is crumbling and you still haven't found your Luna!? So yes! I have changed! Thank you for fucking noticing," Leo replied a tiny bit of water accumulating around his eyes.