The Magic of Hecate
Chapter 15 Chapter 15

"Guess who's arriving in half an hour," Luciano said as I slowly regainedconsciousness. I opened my eyes to see Luciano's feet. I then lifted myhead to see his tall body towering over me. His arms were crossed andhis face wore a harsh expression.

I noticed a plate with a piece of bread and glass of water beside me."Eat," he ordered.

"No."

"Eat or I will force you to, sweetheart," he growled in a serious tone ashe crouched down to my level and placed a finger under my chin.

I scowled at him before picking up the piece of bread and taking ahungry bite of it not doubting his threat at all. It felt good to havesomething in my stomach again. I could practically feel my gutbeginning to digest itself.

"Good girl," he said taking the empty plate and glass when I was done."And now you are coming with me little wolf," he announced haulingme off the floor.

"I'd rather not."

"Wasn't a choice," he said.

Luciano held my upper arm tightly and opened the cell door beforeroughly dragging me down the corridor as I fought against him.

"Stop fucking struggling,” he growled forcefully pulling me closer tohim and looking down at me with an angry expression.

"Or what?" I asked daringly.

What's he gonna do? Leo will be here soon. He doesn't have the gutsto cross him.

"Or your dear big cousin will replace himself in a coffin,” he retortedholding my arm even tighter.

I took a deep breath, hesitated for a moment before failing to withholdmy anger and instead launching my free fist towards his face. Hislightning-fast reactions meant that he caught it a couple of inches fromhis face and practically crushed my hand in his iron grip.

"Nice try," he said before forcing my arms behind my back and pushingme forwards. "I'll be sure to make Maxy baby pay for that.”

"There is a special place reserved for you in the fiercest, mostexcruciating corner of hell, Luciano,” I spat.

He chuckled in an amused tone before we reached a wooden door. Heopened the door and shoved me inside before finally releasing me.

It was quite a comfortable looking, well furnished and ornate bedroomwith a large king-sized bed and a huge window where the mid-afternoon sun was pouring in.

"There's a bathroom through there. Clean yourself up, brush your hairand change out of those filthy clothes,” he ordered pointing to a pile offolded fabric on the bed.

"No. I'm not cleaning myself up to make it look like you've beentreating me better than you have, Luciano,” I said folding my arms overhis chest.

He clenched his jaw before marching forward, grabbing my wrist andcoercing me towards the door of the bathroom as I resisted him.

"We can't have the Alpha seeing you in this state, can we?"

"He already has," a deep voice said.

I froze as emotion flooded me as the powerful sound of his voiceemanated through the room, bouncing off every wall vibrating everyornament. Luciano paused and slowly turned around

"Let go of my mate, Luciano," it said. "I can take it from here."

Luciano nodded immediately and let go of my wrist before leaving theroom entirely. I couldn't bring myself to turn around for the entire timethat we stood silently listening to Luciano's footsteps fade away.

"Face me, Ella,” Leonardo ordered.

I slowly shuffled my feet to face my mate. He looked as handsome asever but I shivered at the cold expression he wore.

It was a look of anger, fury, betrayal, hurt, stress...relief.

He stepped forward and I instinctively backed away from him. I wantedmore than anything to embrace him and never let go but his expressionwas warning me away.

There was something off and it was scaring me.

He paused for a moment before lunging forward and pinning meagainst the wall. For the first time in months, I felt totally and utterlypowerless against his immense strength. How could someone so easilyhave my entire body immobilised?

It was suffocating but at the same time, our skin to skin contact sent awave of electrical tingles throughout my entire body. We were so closethat I could feel the warm moisture of his breath on my face. It wasintense.

After a couple of seconds of silence, I felt a searing sensation across mycheek that brought tears to my eyes. I whimpered at both the physicaland emotional pain.

He hit me. He said that he would never hit me.

But then again I said I'd never run away yet here we are seeing eachother for the first time in three months.

I looked into his cold eyes that were still a whirlpool of swirling anger.His eyes then flickered down to my lips before returning to my eyesagain seconds before I felt a warmth spread from my mouth.

The taste of his lips was like breathing again after months of drowning.It felt as though a tension had been released that I didn't even realise Iwas holding. He eventually released my wrists and moved his hands tomy waist as I ran a hand through his soft hair and continued to kisshim.

“I'm sorry, Leo," I sobbed quietly as he hugged me tightly like he wasworried that if he didn't, I'd disappear again. "I'm so so sorry."

I clasped his shirt in my hands and inhaled his beautiful, husky scent. I'dmissed him and I'd missed him a lot. There was no doubt about that."You've cut your hair," he observed in a soft tone as he ran his fingersthrough my hardly shoulder length, sun-bleached hair.

"Yeah," I replied now crying tears of happiness. "I did.”

"I like it," he said gently brushing it away from my face and softlykissing my cheek where he struck me.

I smiled and nestled my head on his chest.

"Never run away from me again. Not even for an hour, not even for asecond, understand? I don't care what the reason is. It can never be asimportant as your life.”

I nodded and he kissed the top of my head and held me tightly like hetoo never wanted to let go.

"I guess I have a lot of explaining to do," I sighed.

" “a lot" is an understatement. You can begin by telling me why on earthyou've been hanging out with Maximus Megestanis. Are you trying toget yourself killed?"

"He's a changed man, Leo. He is no longer the cousin that kidnappedme to hand me over to your archenemy.”

"Then who is he?"

"The cousin that has been helping me. I'd almost certainly be dead bynow without him," I replied.

"Helping you do what exactly?" he asked a hint of anger rising in histone and expression. "The single letter you left me wasn't exactlyinformative.”

I sighed and sat on the squishy bed.

"Come on. Spit it out. What was so important that you were willing toleave your mate, children and home to travel halfway across the worldand risk your life?"

"Do you know who Milly Megestanis is?"

"No."

"That doesn't surprise me. You're not supposed to."

“Then who is she?"

"My cousin, Max's sister. Or not really my cousin and only Max's half-sister. After Milo Megestanis died, his mate had an affair with a mannamed Roberto Benedetta-"

"Roberto Benedetta...he works for the mafia. I'm sure of it," Leointerjected.

"I'l get onto that in a minute,” I said. "Anyway, the reason you don'tknow of this girl is that Max and his brothers have been keeping her asecret her entire life. And he's done a good job. Well, that was untilduring the war when all four brothers were out of the house and a ten-year-old Milly slipped into the forest to look for them. I stumbledacross her lost and alone when I had been separated from you. I wasbeing followed by Ayas warriors and they were sure to have killed thetwo of us if we didn't run. So that is what we did. Long story short, weended up bumping into Max, who had recently been liberated by Ayassoldiers along with all the other convicts in the Northern prison. Hethanked me for saving his sister and took her back to his house. Hethen later returned, after spotting Ayas soldiers coming in my direction,and saved my life. I asked him what was different about Milly and hetold me that one day he would tell me. Then he disappeared into exileand I didn't see him at all until three months ago when I came here, toItaly, searching for him."

"Why did you come searching for Max of all people?”

"I needed help and I knew he'd care.”

"Max caring?"

"Yes, I know it sounds ludicrous but just listen,” I began. "Since the war,I've been visiting Milly to look out for her. Sure she still has Mason,Mattio and Miles but Max was her special brother and she felt lonelyand in need of someone a little softer than Milo's youngest three sons.Anyway, I still couldn't be sure what was different about her but as Ispent more time with her I began to notice things. Like sometimeswhen I touched her hand I'd feel an electric shock like spark or if she'dthink too much of Max or felt any other strong emotion weird thingswould happen. As she grew from a child to a teenager, these thingsbecame more frequent and more powerful and it was clear that sheneeded help.”

"So you went to Max?" Leo asked still confused.

"I have to say, that was still a last resort. I wasn't willing to forget whathe did to me anytime soon. Firstly, I went to our library, then the Packlibrary, then the internet, and then a day or two of total despair until Ifound a key in the third drawer down of the locked cabinet in youroffice.”

"Locked for a reason,” he pointed out.

"Relax, I only read one or two pages of your 2004 journal. Stacy in 7thgrade sounds great.”

"Hey! That's at least ten pages in!" he said with an embarrassed smile."Anyway, the key was to that room right at the top of the house that Ihad never been in. Every time I brought it up you'd change the subjector refuse to answer my questions.”

"That's because the books in that library are dark. Some of that stuffhas caused the pack problems in the past so my ancestor locked themaway. Although I've been told about the information in those booksand the chaos it has caused, I've never actually been in that room norhas my Dad nor my Grandfather nor anyone for hundreds of years."

"I could tell. I practically had to kick the door down because it was sostiff and the dust was about three inches thick.”

"I suppose you read the books?"

"Yes, and I found three of particular interest and they all related to eachother and Milly's condition-"

"I don't want to hear anything about those books, Ella. It is all myth andlegend that should never have left that room. They can never bringanything but evil to my pack," Leo snapped.

"Leo, you don't under-"

"I said I don't want to hear it," he repeated in a deeper tone.

I opened my mouth to protest again but he raised his eyebrow and Istopped myself.

"I ought to go and thank Luciano for handing you safely back to me,"he said. "And then we will go home," he added taking my hand.

"No, Leo. I need the amulet-" I began as we walked down the hallway."The amulet? You don't really believe that bullshit do you? It is nothingbut a rusty piece of crap. And I don't want to hear another word aboutHecate or a fucking amulet or Milly Megestanis or any of this.Understand?"

"Stop talking to me like that. I'm not a child,” I hissed.

"Yet you run away in pursuit of magical necklaces like you are playingsome kind of make-believe game?"

"This is not make-believe,” I argued. "Milly's dad is a descendant ofHecate and she was born on the exact moment of the new moon in theAries constellation and-"

"That is enough,” he growled roughly seizing my arm and pulling metowards him.

I fought back and managed to free my arm. Leo grabbed a hold of mywaist but I thrust my elbow into his abdominal area causing him tostagger back a step or two. A second later, he responded by driving meinto the wall and pinning me tightly there.

"Where did you learn to put up such a good fight? I'm impressed,” heasked as I breathed heavily.

I didn't say a word not wanting to reveal the training camp that Elenaand Maria had kept so well hidden.

"I asked you a question.”

"It's been three months. I've changed a lot."

"Who taught you?"

"Max," I lied trying to avoid eye contact.

"I could always tell when you are lying to me, Ells. You know that. Butsince I don't really care that much, I am willing to let it go. I should justbe thankful that you have learnt to defend yourself. I don't doubt that itis part of the reason that you are still alive.”

"That and Max is almost entirely the reason, Leo,” I said. "Luciano hasn'tdone you any favours. I was on my way to the airport to come homewhen he abducted me and he's drugged me twice and almost hit meand look at my fist," I said showing him the bruises from where he hadcrushed my hand. "Therefore you shouldn't reward him with your trustor anything for that matter. That's what he wants. And that is why hehanded me back to you like some kind of object. It isn't because hecares about me or your happiness for that matter.”

"Every Alpha in the world has men looking for you. I have promisedthem a reward of their choosing. If my trust is what Luciano wants thenthat is what he shall have and besides, I don't blame him for feeling theneed to drug you and although I am pissed that he has hurt you, thatbruise probably wasn't undeserved. You aren't exactly cooperative,” Leoreplied dragging me through the hallways of the building.

"He wants you to allow him back into the pack, Leo," I said.

"Then to show my gratitude that is exactly what I shall do."

"He is a bad man! A rapist! A murderer! Surely you can't be so willing toforgive him for the things he has done?"

"I am no man to judge.”

"But you don't tolerate rapists, Leo. That is the one thing you havenever and would never be so how can you let one into the pack? Wherehas that moral gone?"

"I don’t think you quite understand what you mean to me, Ella. Yourdisappearance tore me apart. I was driven to desperation and despairwithout you. I was beginning to think that you were dead! Every daywas more painful than the last and every day I became more thankfulfor the person who may one day bring you back to me. It was all I couldfocus on. You were all I could focus on. Morals are long gone. I willcontinue to thank Luciano until the day I die no matter what I thinkabout the things he has done. And regardless, you are in no position toquestion my authority right now.”

"I am truly sorry, Leo," I replied quietly. "But if you don't let me get theamulet back then all of this will be for nothing.”

"I have given you my answer and you know that I do not plan tochange my mind. Don't even try to argue with me on this," hegrumbled taking my wrist and continuing down the hallway.

"As an Alpha, there are only a few things you can't do. Unfortunately foryou, dragging a screaming, kicking woman through an airport is one ofthem," I retaliated.

"Good fucking job I have a private jet then," he said with a sarcasticsmile. "And I won't hesitate to sedate you if necessary.”

"And so what if you think it won't work? It's not going to cause anyharm.”

"I do not want that piece of junk anywhere near my pack. It has beenbefore and it was removed for a reason," he snapped.

"What is the reason?"

"The same reason those books have been locked away for centuries,”he answered although not actually answering my question.

"I don't know that reason either,” I pointed out although thinking backto what the oracle had said about both the good and evil power of theamulet.

"You don't need to. Just know that it will bring more evil than good.”"Much like Luciano,” I muttered under my breath.

"I don't know what has gotten into you in the past three months,spending too much time with Max would be my guess, but you areback with me now and we are going to go by my rules and my ordersso you can get rid of that attitude.”

"No."

"No?"

"No," I repeated. "I don't go by anyone else's rules anymore. I'm anindependent wo-"

"*Were an independent woman. We're back to square one now withbabysitting, door locking and me practically having to keep you on aleash. You can kiss your freedom goodbye, baby girl. And my trust foryou while you're at it."

“Leo-"

"What did you expect?” he questioned. "Me to forgive you and moveon like nothing ever happened?"

"I expected you to at least listen to me and maybe even try tounderstand why I had to do what I did. Soon Milly's power will get outof control and only when your pack is in danger and it is too late willyou realise just how wrong you are," I said spitting every word with asmuch spite as I could muster.

I could hardly believe he was acting like this. Obviously, I knew hewould be mad but this was unexpected. To deny me of everything I'veworked for in the last three months? To deny Milly her only hope ofregaining sanity? I didn't think I could ever forgive him.

"Why are you doing this, Leonardo?" I asked. "Why won't you just listento me for a second?”

"Because I am unbelievable furious," he deadpanned. "I told my self forthree months that there was good reason behind this lunacy. Now thatI have found out that there isn't, I am replaceing it hard to contain myanger so please do not argue with me anymore," he added in a forcedcalm tone before we reached the big wooden door leading to the“throne’ room and he took his eyes away from me.

Not the reunion I had hoped for, to say the least.

So just realised that I have failed to actually press publish two days in arow so this was meant for 1st February, sorry!