*~Leon’s POV~*
Are you joking? Are you kidding me?" Hazel’s voice shook with disbelief. "I don’t talk to Sophia...please excuse us."
"Wife," Sophia corrected smugly. "I need to have a little conversation with the Alpha," Hazel said coldly.
"Don’t stay out too long, my love," Sophia sang, bouncing away like she’d just won a trophy.
"What are you doing, Leon?" Hazel snapped the moment Sophia was gone.
"I don’t even know what happened," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "She just—"
"You just changed," Hazel cut in, voice trembling.
"Yes. Because I’ve come of age, Hazel. I’m mated to Sophia."
"Do you love her?"
"I love her," I said automatically.
Hazel stepped closer, her eyes searching mine. "Do you love her?"
I stayed quiet.
Her gaze softened, sad but knowing. "You see?" she whispered. "You don’t love her."
"I will eventually love her."
"How?" Hazel demanded. "How do you eventually love someone? You love Aurora. You belong to Aurora. You and Aurora are like two peas in a pod. I can’t even imagine you two not ending up together."
"Well, you need to start imagining," I said bitterly. "Because the Moon Goddess has somebody else in mind for me—and that’s Sophia."
"No! Sophia is—"
"You’re only saying that because you hate her," I cut in. "And she’s your step-sister. I don’t want to get in between whatever’s going on between you two. Just leave me out of it. Let Aurora go. Let her find somebody else who’ll love her."
Hazel’s voice broke. "No! Why are you saying this? Would you be happy if Aurora brought another man home and said she loves him? Would you?"
I forced a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. "Yes. I’ll be happy. Because she’ll be happy seeing me with Sophia."
Hazel’s face fell. "Aurora is not happy, Leon. She’s leaving."
My entire chest froze. "She’s... leaving?"
"Yes. First thing tomorrow morning. Aurora is leaving this pack. So if you still have a heart—man up. Go after her. Stop this madness."
I couldn’t breathe. My wolf was restless, burning inside me, clawing at my chest. I paced, hands trembling.
Hazel’s voice softened. "I know you think this is complicated. But it’s not. Just reject Sophia."
"Why would I reject my own mate, Hazel?" I growled.
"Because she’s not suitable for you," she said. "She’s not your Moon Goddess’ choice. She’s just an alpha—" She stopped herself. "I’m sorry for saying that."
I shook my head. "And what if someday I get bored of Aurora and fall for Sophia instead? What happens then?"
"That will never happen." She said firmly, standing hard on her word.
"How are you so sure?" I questioned her.
Hazel’s lips quivered. "Because I’ve seen it before. Cayden was in love with Natasha. Completely. But he forgot her the moment he got mated to me. He forgot her. And I won’t let that happen to Aurora. I won’t let you destroy her like that."
So it’s best if she leaves," I said quietly.
Hazel stumbled back a little, tightening her hood around the baby in her arms.
"No," she said, voice trembling.


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