Chapter 143
Enzo:
“Things have changed,” I said, looking at my pack members who were gathered around after the fire that broke everything within our pack. “We have changed, we have lost a lot more than we could have gained, and I know that many of us, if not all, have lost their friends, families and loved ones in this
war.”
My eyes met Alaria’s as she stood beside Leonardo. He looked down at the kids as they stood in front of her. Neither one of us knew how things were going to be from here, but I knew one thing, our lives have changed that night.
N know for fact that mine did firsthand.
“I know that we all had our ups and downs, our differences, and the pain has been greater than ever. But one thing that we should all know is the fact that despite what we lost, we grew stronger together. There are things that we are yet to get answers to, but sometimes, it is the best of things that we can’t find answers to. I know that we might be enduring more pain than most would. And sometimes, we might question the reason behind that pain. But I know that everything happens for a reason.” I said, looking at Alaria. “With this war, we were brought closer to those who we have lost. We have distanced ourselves from those who saw us as nothing more than enemies or a challenge to them.”
“While we lost our friends and families, we gained allies, we gathered strength, and we became stronger. Every war has its losses, but with these losses, we either grow stronger or fall weaker. And I do not intend to be the Alpha that has his pack growing weak. If anything, we grow stronger by the day, evening, and night.” I said, looking at both Ashton and Alonso.
“While Katerina lied about who Alonso was, a son is not by blood. Sometimes, the closest of family can be the ones you choose by love. And Alonso is my son, whether or not anyone chooses to accept him, I do. With everything that I have in me, he is my son, and that is never going to change.” I said, and Alonso smiled. “Both he and Ashton would be Alpha, as Ashton is my heir, and beta, as I know for fact that Ashton would grow to look up to his brother. They are to stand, hand in hand, strong, and one another’s back.”
“And if anyone has any objection on my decision, they can say it now, but as they do, they are to leave the pack. It is not one that I am going to be accepting discussion against. This topic will be closed here and now.” I said, and the pack members nodded. “Viktor’s life was taken by those who were enemies, and while Leonardo was ill, I saw many of the pack members standing strong. Even when I couldn’t raise my head, I found that my pack members were here beside me, standing for me.”
I looked at Estonia whose eyes met mine and she smiled. The woman has done more than she was required to, even when it came to taking care of the kids. Having taken them in with her own children and mate, she made sure that even in my weakest states, that they would stand strong, reminding me that I was needed when I couldn’t feel it.
“The favor that Estonia has done for me is not one that can repay her for. When Alaria, my woman, was on her bed, she had taken care of them as if they were her own. She was my reminder of strength for my woman, a manner that I knew that a mother would be for her son. Something that I would be grateful for until my last breath.” I said, looking at Alaria. “And finally, Alaria, the beauty who went against everything that she had in her.”
“She shot the bullets and took the arrow that would have killed me. And not only that, but had it not been for her, I know that not only would I have lost my life, but even Alonso.” I said, keeping my eyes on her. “Words will never be enough to describe how I feel about you and how I felt at that point, but if l could put myself in your place. If I could endure the pain that you did, I would have. Every single day, I would have done so for you.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
She looked down at the kids who looked up at her as if she were a hero. “We have one more thing that we are going to do before we leave this place. We no longer have our place here, I believe that we are all aware of that.”
“Where are we going, Alpha?” Mira, one of the pack deltas asked.
“For those who want to join me, we are heading home. We are going to go back to Italy, to Tuscany where we belong.” I said, and the pack members smiled as they seemed to go at ease. It was our home there, while we managed to live here within the States, Lfigure that it is about time for us to go back to where we came from, “I think that it is about time that we head back to where roots are. Those who don’t want to come, you are more than welcome to stay here. Your place within the pack is still there. We will just have a wider range when it comes to our grounds.
“What is the last thing that you have to do, Alpha?” Leonardo asked, shaking his head in question. I looked at Alaria who took a deep breath.
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“I am going to and find my mother, Leo.” She said, choosing to be the one to answer. “While she claims something, I have a different feeling. And IF what she says is true, if she doesn’t know what Ezio was up to, there is an offer that I want to make for her. It would be a lot better for her than to live alone. At least, a final duty toward those that I called family by blood before we leave this dark memory…”