Leonardo Durante loved to party. It was one of the things that he loved to do. But he hated it when he was interrupted from his fun.
He knew he had messed up. He had made a complete mess on his last deal and set their company back. Their loss was almost 16% and he had drank himself to stupor as he tried to drown out the noise of his own failure. He could imagine everyone's reaction, but he knew his grandfather's reaction would hurt him the most.He also had a lot to handle when it came to his personal business.His recent withdrawals from his pack had led his Beta to be too over burdened with a lot of work to do.He would have to go back to the pack house soon and deal with some official werewolf council business.Leonardo Durante was an Alpha King.An Alpha king meaning he came from a long great line of successful Alphas who jealously guarded their throne and their heritage.The Alpha line had existed in the Durante family for centuries and not only did they conquer the whole of Italy and had it under his grasp, they also took London and some parts in America too.Everyone knew the Durantes and the power they wielded in the supernatural world.It was impossible to miss, and ever since birth Leonardo had been trained to take over.He did take over when he was twenty-two.From his grandfather who passed the succession to him, rather than his father.The line of succession did not always fall on the first son when it came to the Durante family.His great grandfather had a saying in Italian that said, if the first is weak, he is undeserving of the throne.His father didn't seem to mind either, the crown was too much of a burden to bear and Leonardo frequently took off days.He was very close to his grandfather Gino and he admired and respected his grandfather a lot, but his grandfather had always been very critical of him, of how he ran the affairs of the pack, of his lifestyle and most especially his love life. Leonardo Durante was known to be the popular Casanova from Milan, he had a new girl every week and everyone knew him as an heartbreaker. He was never in serious relationships, because he always found out different ways to ruin them. He didn't care, he had not found his mate yet, so he would keep doing whatever he wanted till he did.He was just as devilishly handsome and he was cunning. A lot of women fell for the player right before they saw his game and the fact that he was an Alpha made him all the more appealing to the female population."Keep it coming." he signalled to the bartender as he buried his face in his hands again, he could only imagine what his family would be thinking of him, he had switched off his phone to avoid any unnecessary calls whatsoever but he knew it was inevitable, he was still going to meet them back at home.The man passed the glass of bourbon to him and Leo nodded his head in appreciation. He looked around the club and winced. It seemed as though everyone except him was having a good time.A girl slipped next to the seat next to him and gave him a pretty smile. Leo nodded his head and turned back to his drink. He didn't think he was ready to handle any girl drama. Not that it would help or alleviate his problems."What are you drinking?"She asked as she peered over his shoulder and Leo shrugged."Bourbon straight.""Ohhhh. A bourbon guy." The girl said as she smiled. Leo turned to look at her, she was tall and blonde with beautiful dewy skin. She looked very young, he noted as he looked away. She was also human, he rolled his eyes.She was most likely underage. Leo had always encountered underaged girls slipping into bars and making moves on older men.He preferred to steer clear of them, it saved him less troubles."My name is Monica.""Leonardo.""Nice to meet you Leonardo. Are you from around here?"The girl asked and Leo nodded his head. People were always asking him if he was from around and Leo always answered in the affirmative just to stop them from asking more intrusive questions. He wasn't born in America but he had an American passport at least and a large part of the pack's base was in America.The one at home was still run by his grandfather in his absence.So he was always alternating between America and Italy most of the time but he liked to leave it out of the conversation."Oh wow! Nice. What part of California are you from?"Leo gave the girl a look."I'm just here on business. If you'll excuse me, I have to leave. I'm not really in the mood for idle chit chat."He said as he dropped a hundred dollar tip bill for the bartender and walked away from the bar. He slung his suit jacket on his shoulder and loosened his tie as he took out his phone. He couldn't wait to hear what his grandfather and parents had to say about his incompetence.At first he was willing and trying to avoid confronting them but he had enough of sulking around and waiting for what his grandfather would say to him
He called his mother first."Leonardo! Where have you been? We've been trying to reach you all day."She asked in a panicked voice and Leo cringed. They must have been really worried about him.Leo scratched his head as he stepped out of the club and onto the sidewalks. The air was chilly and it was biting."I'm sorry. I've been busy at work....""Work you say? I called the office and you were not there.""I even called Loki and he said you weren't in New York."Leo sighed as he walked closer to his car and brought the remote control keys. He could feel a little headache coming up."How is grandpa doing?""Oh honey! Your grandfather can't wait to see you. He wants you in Milan right away."Leo stopped for a while and paused.Why did his Grandfather want him in Milan? Did he mess up that bad?"Is everything okay? What happened?""Oh everything is fine honey. He just really needs to see you and you know how he can get if he doesn't get what he wants. "His mothers tone had an underlying tone of frustration and worry and Leo wondered if it had to do with the fact that he messed up in the company or something totally unrelated to what was going in."Okay Mother. I will be there as soon as I can. I love you."He said in Italian as he ended the call.Milan?He hoped his grandfather had not learnt of his recent hiatus and he certainly hoped that Loki had not called to bitch about how he was avoiding pack Council duties . That was one of the only reasons he could think of his grandfather wanting to see him right away.
He ran his hands through his head in frustration. He had to do something and he had to do it fast if he ever wanted to redeem himself in front of his grandparents.After spending thirteen hours on a flight to Milan, Leonardo arrived at his Grandfather's Villa in Milan tired and jet lagged. He rubbed his eyes sleepily as the driver dropped him off at the driveway.In front of the garden, he met a maid walking towards the house.He called to her attention and she turned to him sharply."Mr Leo! You're here!"The maid said in surprise as she dropped the tray in her hand."Yes. Where's my Grandfather?"The maid looked at the house unsurely."I'm sure he's at the pool. But please, come in, freshen up before you go and see him."She said and Leo nodded.She took his suitcase from him and scrunched her nose at how rumpled his shirt looked.
He assumed she must have noticed how tired he looked and how crumpled his shirt was. It had been a long time since he had been to his grandfather's Villa but it still felt like home every time. He spent a large amount of time in the Villa's pool and gardens when he was over.He walked straight to the guest room where he always stayed when he was over and dropped on the bed the minute he was inside.He rubbed at his eyed tiredly. He still very much wanted to sleep. But there was no way he could without seeing his Grandfather.He managed to drag himself to his feet and walked straight into the bathroom. He splashed refreshing cold water on his face from the tap and peeled off his shirt.He felt much better after that. He briefly looked in the mirror and pulled away strands of his wet hair away from his face.After he changed into comfortable clothes and shoes, he went to the pool.Leonardo's Grandfather, Gino Durante was lying on a beach chair in nothing but beach shorts sunbathing in front of the massive crystal clear pool. He had large sunshades on and a tropical drink in his hand.The old man had greying hair and wrinkly skin but he was as fit as a youngster. He had a personal trainer who came in twice a week and he was very dedicated to his workout routineSo far his grandfather looked fine."Grandfather?""Leo! That you?"The old man asked as he took of his sunshades and slowly sat up from his beach chair while Leo ran to his side."Yes it's me. Didn't they tell you I was here?"His grandfather nodded."Oh they did. I assumed you'd be resting after such a long flight."Leo shook his head."No, I have to see you first. What is the problem? Why did you want to see me so urgently?"His grandfather sighed as he put his drink back on the stool."I'm sorry to have distracted you from work. I really am. But this was important. And I had no way of telling you through the phone."Leo was confused. At first he had thought he was being summoned for something pack related, but with the soft tone of his grandfather Leo suspected it was something else as he looked into his crinkly old eyes."Marriage..."Viola murmured as she looked out of her window. She wasn't too keen on the idea of marrying a man she had never met nor being in a loveless relationship. But it could be good for her.Firstly, getting married would mean she would no longer be under her Nonno's control. That sounded very much like freedom to her. And if there was one thing Viola wanted more than anything it was to be free of her Grandfather's control, but even that came at a cost.Secondly, she would have her chance at the company. It had been her dream to run the family business. She had hoped that her Nonno would put her at the helm of the affairs of things, but it was likely that he didn't trust her enough to handle it. But she could. She knew she could. She just had to prove it to him.But she was worried about marrying someone who she had never seen or heard of. Arranged marriages were not uncommon in her family's social circle, but at least the couples in question had a sort of
Leonardo was in a foul mood. He had received quite the word from his grandfather for almost arriving late to the dinner. And the argument he got in with his parents even made things much more worse."Are you out to annoy everyone today?"His younger sister Selena asked as she shook her head while walking past him. She cocked her head as she walked around him in a circle with a silly grin on her face.Leo rolled his eyes. He wished he could wipe off the grin on her face. But his sister could really be insufferable if she wanted to be and he wasn't quite ready to taunt her yet."I haven't annoyed you have I?"He retorted.Selena shrugged."Only a matter of time. Mum said the Santangelos might be running a little late. Lucky you.""I guess that gives me more time to brood."His sister rolled her eyes as she scoffed. Leonardo could be a hardhat sometimes."Stop being such a pain in the as
When Leonardo had been asked to walk Viola to the garden, he was expecting more than the deafening silence she offered. That was all she offered. And he wasn't in the mood for conversation either, not after hearing that the wedding was going to be in three months. He wondered if she was just as worried as he was or if she was ecstatic about the fact that she was getting married. Afterall, snagging Leonardo Durante is what most women would consider a prize. Her face gave away no emotions, he really could not tell how she was feeling or how she would be feeling. "You like the garden?"He finally asked as he found her studying the daffodils."Yes."She said as she turned to ignore him and focused solely on the daffodils. He wondered what he was expected to say. "Are you okay with all this?"He asked with a frustrated sigh out of the blues and Viola paused.She slowly turned to look at Leonardo with a raise of her eyebrow."You
There was something that her Grandfather wasn't telling her. Viola wondered what it was, but she could feel it, tugging at her every single moment.She was going shopping for an engagement ring with Leonardo and was picking out a dress to wear. Their families were very serious about the engagement apparently and how soon they wanted everything to be done. It all felt too rushed.Viola had also walked in on her grandfather saying that he wanted Viola to be married before her twenty fifth birthday. She wondered why, what was so important that she had to get married so soon. If there was something she need to know, she needed to find out from someone other than her grandfather."Alessandra?"She called out and Alessandra paused from combing Viola's long golden hair."What is it my dear?"She asked and Viola shrugged."I don't know. Nonno has been a little off lately. Do you know what's wrong with him? Seems like he is b
Viola was barely home when Leonardo sent an apology text, she ignored him. He had made her wait for over an hour, she had called him several times, she knew that it was deliberate.He had stood her up on purpose and then promised to pick the ring himself. She was barely out of the car when Alessandra came running to her. "Viola!""Hey Alessandra. I didn't go ring shopping today, stupid Leonardo stood me up.""But he did say he'd get it himself, so I don't really care that much."Alessandra nodded. "No time for that mia figlia, Your grandfather has arranged a car for you, he wants to you to leave right away!"Viola looked around confused, she didn't know what was going on.Alessandra looked nervous. "You are not to waste another minute here, his instructions were very clear. Bruno is waiting for you over there with the car."Viola furrowed her eyebrows. "But what's going on? Why so soon?"Alessandra sighed. "
Viola was hyperventilating, this was all too much to take in. Werewolves, witches, supernaturals, everything that had been downloaded to her seemed impossible to believe but made a lot of sense. Everything did, but she didn't know how she was exopeccted to believe it. "You are saying my father was a werewolf hunter? That was why you opposed the marriage."Her Nonno nodded his head. "His kind killed our kind. And I have kept the knowledge of that for a very long time. Your father has too many foes and a bloody history Your mother made the biggest mistakes of her life marrying him.""So, like my mother, I am a witch?"Her grandfather shrugged. "That is not the word I would use, because your skill set is far more advanced and greater than any ordinary witch. Your great grandmother who was my mother certainly didn't like to refer to herself as a witch."Viola shrugged. "What did she like to be called then?""Nothing. She didn't care
"Take her, take her inside."Mario said as Viola fell unconscious. It had felt like the ritual had gone on for days but as he looked out and saw how dark it was and looked at the time, it had barely gone for an hour. The ritual was complete, he thought as he wiped the sweat from his brows, he was exhausted. There was something about the ritual that seemed to drain the energy of everyone in the room, the witch most especially. Mario could remember how the witches chants had sounded so loud and draining that he had gone out for a break. He looked at the blood on the floor and turned to the quiet woman who was gently shivering at the corner. "Clean it up."Her name was Lisa. He had put her in charge of the witch twenty four years ago when he brought her to the farmhouse. He had taken great precautions to ensure that she would not reveal his secrets or the location of the witch. Lisa was mute, for the past twenty four years after her tongue and been cut off after an unfo
Lisa ran to Viola's side. Viola jumped put of bed so hard that her feet hurt. She looked around, her surroundings were not familiar. The room was dark and dirty and the sheets of the bed she had been sleeping on looked like they had not been washed in weeks. She wasn't sure where she was, but she could remember what happened right before she slipped into darkness. Hot, blinding pain that emanated from her body, then the feeling of drowning, forcefully, endlessly, till she could no longer hold on for air and had no choice but to release herself, that was when she had slipped into darkness. The very same time that she had started to dreamLisa rushed into the room, she had been sleeping when the screams alerted her, in fact it alerted everyone else in the farmhouse, the two guards that her grandfather had left behind too also came running. "Miss Viola! Is everything alright?"Hugo asked as he looked around the room. Viola nodded slowly. Her hand sub
Viola had made dinner. And it was delicious. Leonardo came back home to the smell of spaghetti wafting into his nostrils. She invited him to have dinner. He was surprised at the gesture, she didn't have to and yet she did, he wondered why she had even bothered. The clinking of cutlery and the soft hum of the music playing in the background filled the air as they savored their meal. Viola stole a glance at Leonardo, who looked dashing in his suit that he had not taken off, and her heart raced. She took a deep breath and decided it was now or never. Vanessa visiting had made her think about some things and she decided that now, more than ever, they needed to clarify their relationship.They were mates, that was true, but lately it felt like something more had been blooming between the two of them. Something deeper. "Leonardo," she began hesitantly, "there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about."Leonardo, his eyes warm and attentive, put down his fork. "What is it, Viola?
Leonardo sat in his office, poring over files in preparation for an upcoming meeting. The faint sound of footsteps reached his ears, and he glanced up to find his beta, Loki, standing at the doorway. Loki's mischievous grin was as usual, but there was something different in his eyes today."Alpha, how's it going?" Loki asked, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Give me a moment... I should be done here soon and then we can head to the meeting." Loki nodded. "And how is Viola doing?""She's recovering very nicely."Leonardo answered with a smile on his face. He looked a little relieved too. "She's staying with me in the meantime, I think seeing her grandfather will annoy her too much." Loki raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Staying with you? That's good."Leonardo looked at Loki with a curious expression. "Do you have something to say? I feel like there's something on your mind...""Well... it's just that lately, you've been all about Viola. Talking about her, caring for her...
In the bedroom, Viola lay still, her chest rising and falling in the rhythm of deep exhaustion. The air was heavy with the remnants of magic, a testament to the draining spell she had just performed. Leonardo, sat by her side, quiet, unwavering and still. She had completed the spell. She had finally unbinded herself from Gwenda. Which meant, Gwenda was dead. She still did not know the full details of how she had done what she needed to do, but all she could remember was that she had found a door in her mind to Gwenda's mind and she had opened that door and she had tampered with things she shouldn't have tampered with. No part of her felt sorry, at least not yet. She couldn't tell if it was because of the exhaustion or because of something else. As moonlight streamed through the window, casting a gentle glow over Viola's face, Leonardo's eyes gleamed with pride. With a tender smile, he brushed a strand of hair from her forehead and leaned in close. His warm breath danced on her skin
“Leonardo! Leonardo!”Viola’s voice was low and raspy, her lips devoid of colour and her face pale and gaunt, she looked like she was about to faint. "I think she wants to kill me... this headache feels too much. It feels like my head is about to split into two."Viola moaned as she sat on the bedroom floor, Leonardo was by her side, holding on to her closely."I hate this so much! I feel so useless! I wish I could help!"He sounded agitated. The two of them were. It had barely been hours since they arrived from Vincenzo's place. "It should pass soon….”Viola murmured but even she wasn't sure of the words that were coming out of her mouth. The pain was so intense that she could feel it clouding her vision. "Should we try what Vincenzo said? Do you think it'll work?"Viola was too tired to speak. She couldn't even move her lips if she tried, but she nodded to Leonardo and he swung into action. Vincenzo had mentioned that the technique he was about to tell Viola was a theory his own
The pain subsided moments later, but Viola knew she had only succeeded in distracting Gwenda momentarily. Gwenda would continue her wicked spells soon enough and she would be able to do nothing to stop it. The thought alone frightened her, that one person could take advantage of her power in such away.Leonardo looked distraught, she had made him cut her with a knife and even pour salt on the wound to slow down the healing. He didn't want to do it, but she had pleaded that for her sake he should. He tried his best and she had tried not to faint and the sight of her blood.The wound was slowly healing now and she was no longer trying to stop it from healing. Stalling would only delay, Gwenda would perform her spells anyway, she needed a way out.She flipped through Eudora's diaries hoping to find some answers, but there was so many information, but not on the
"Miss Viola! Are you sure you're not making a terrible mistake?! What would happen if your grandfather comes back and doesn't see you at home?!"Alessandra pleaded but Viola ignored her, she continued dumping her clothes into the suitcase. It really was the last straw, she couldn't wait to leave. She also had to find a way to break the spell and since Gwenda was of no use to her she would have to find another way."I don't care. And what would he do? Really what would he do?!"She said as she laughed manically.She had had enough. Enough of his antics and enough of his games, if he wanted her to come back home he would have to right his wrongs."Oh please Viola! Just think it through...""I've made up my mind. I'm not coming to this house anymore. I'm leaving."She had called Leonardo, so he would be there any minute to pick her up."Viola please! Just think this through!""Think what through?! That man has had a hold on my life ever since I was born! And now, even when I'm grown he's
Leonardo dropped off Viola at her home, he wanted to be with her but he was going to have a lot of work to do and he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to watch over her properly. Viola was still very weak, her body was sore and she could barely walk on her feet, Leonardo had to carry her to her room.Gwenda rushed to her room few minutes after he left after being informed by Alessandra that Viola was sick and weak. "What happened?!"She exclaimed as she saw Viola lying on her bed weak. She had eye-bags underneath her eyes, her skin looked pale and her lips were chapped. Viola smiled weakly, few hours ago she had felt on top of the world, racing through the woods with inhuman speed and now she couldn't even lift her legs without pain shooting through her."The transformation spell... took more out of me than I expected."She said and Gwenda shook her head.“Oh dear! I’m so sorry! If I had known it would we would have found another way.”Viola shrugged.“It was the only way.”"I'll make
Leonardo watched Viola sleeping peacefully in his bed. He had opened the curtains, letting the sunlight in and hoping that it would prompt her to wake up. She had been sleeping all morning, granted, the transformation spell must have taken a lot of her energy but he didn't plan to stay in the pack house the whole day and he wanted to leave. He was meant to take her with him. She stirred slightly, then her eyes fluttered open. She turned and looked straight at him."Glad you're awake.""How are you doing?"He asked her and she nodded."I'm fine."She said as she slowly sat upright.God she felt like someone had hit her with bricks all over and she felt so sore. She didn’t imagine that she would feel so sick and exhausted. "Do you remember everything that happened?"He asked and she nodded, her fingers slightly massaging her forehead. Did she? "Yes. Yes. I think I do.""Did I pass my initiation?"She asked eagerly and Leonardo nodded."You did. The elders would be here any minute to
Leonardo and Viola arrived at the pack house late. Around seven pm. The initiation ritual was in a few minutes. They had left pretty late because Viola had been stuck on the transformation spell for hours. Hours and hours on end before Gwenda finally made a breakthrough. Even when she finally did, she didn't get time to practice the spell because Leonardo had come around to pick her up shortly after. She had no other choice but to leave with him. He didn't tell her what her ordeal would be or if he managed to make it easier for her but from the grim look on his face and the unspoken words he said, Viola could tell that it was not good.She tried to remain calm and Leonardo had offered her words of encouragement. She knew she had tried her best from her end, even with the limited time, she had pushed herself, more than she had ever done before just to make sure she had least had a fighting chance at her ordeal.When they arrived at the pack house they were led straight to an opening