Finding Forgiveness

“You don’t know how happy I am to see you,” he said.

I clung to him once again for a few moments as my emotions calmed a little and I was able to think a little clearer.

“Max I’m sorry,” I said holding my hand out to him. “I didn’t mean to snap.”

“Well I think I got as good as I gave,” he replied with a smile as he took my hand.

“You two managed to have an argument within a minute of being reunited?” Leo asked.

“We’re good at arguing,” I said pulling Max into a hug.

“I’m glad to see that you’re okay, cuz,” he said kissing my cheek.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Never call me a bitch again, got it?” I said prodding a finger into his chest as he laughed.

“You called my mate a bitch?” Leo asked in a light tone as he raised an eyebrow. “I know I told you to do whatever you have to do but you know that she’s your Luna, right?”

“I lost my temper and I didn’t mean what I said. I’m sorry, Ella,” he said.

“Good… you bitch,” I replied before hugging him again and then Leo again.

“Is he dead?” I asked.

“Shot in the heart with his own gun,” Leo replied. “You don’t have to worry about that motherfucker anymore.”

“Thank you for saving me… again. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have you,” I said.

“You wouldn’t find yourself in 99% of these situations if it weren’t for me, Ells,” he replied. “Being my mate is dangerous business. I’ve told you that since the day we met.”

“I know,” I said with a nod. “But it’s worth it. And how did you find me?” I smiled and hugged him again, “We need to ensure that he is rewarded.”

“Of course. If it hadn’t have been for that call, we would never have found you and I dread to think what that fucking teenager would have done,” he said.

I then looked around. From the car to Max and then back to Leo, “Um… where’s Luca? I would have thought that he’d be here.”

Leo swallowed and clenched his jaw. “He isn’t answering his phone?” I said hoarsely as my face probably turned the colour of snow. “Leo when did you last hear from him?”

“Two hours ago,” he replied. “We both agreed that if anything happened to either of us, our priority was finding you. Now that that is done. We can focus on finding him. So come on, let’s go.”

He then threw Max a set of car keys and guided me to the back seat door of the car.

“Just as I thought we could go home. Life’s never easy is it?” I asked with a sigh.

“Who told you it would be easy?”

I sat huddled to Leo in the back seat as Max drove. Luca had sent us a half readable text possibly about how he is in Hermosillo but who knows? We were just glad he was alive and kind of functioning.

“You still look a little pale, Els,” Leo said brushing a strand of dishevelled hair behind my ear.

“I’m still shaking too,” I replied lifting my hand.

“Because of Andrea did or because you thought the gunshot could have been his?”

“Both,” I answered quietly.

“After we made the agreement he didn’t… touch you, did he?” Leo asked in a strained tone.

“He kissed me once and shot a bullet next to my head.”

“Fucking twat,” he grumbled. “Not that I kept my side of the deal either but what a fucking twat! What sort of man treats a woman like that?”

“There was a lot wrong with him. He killed his friends without a hint of emotion too. No grief, no guilt, no regret. He had no emotions,” I answered. “He reminded me a lot of Luciano.”

“Now that is someone I don’t miss,” Max said from the front. “He was deranged from day one.”

I let out a short laugh.

“Do we not remember Max seven years ago?” Leo teased.

“Yes, yes. We don’t need to drag up the past,” Max protested. “I’m sorry and all that.”

“You kidnapped my mate and gave her to my enemy who wanted her dead,” Leo replied. “Not sure I can forgive you for another couple of years at least. We’ve only just reached the stage that I am willing to leave you with my children.”

Max let out a disgruntled sigh as I giggled.

“Excuse you, Alpha, but I helped you save that same mate today and last week AND I prevented her death multiple times in both Italy and Russia!” he argued.

“Ahh, but would she have been in Italy and Russia if you hadn’t lured her away from my lovely, perfectly safe pack?” Leo asked.

“You ought to be thanking me. If it weren’t for us going to great lengths to get that amulet, Milly may have torn your pack apart by now.”

“Thanks for almost causing the death of my mate.”

“Fuck you, Alpha,” Max snapped. “You would have killed me if I didn’t escape your dingy little prison during the war.”

“Boys, this was years ago now,” I interjected. “You don’t have to forgive each other but how about we just put the? past behind us?”

“Fine,” Max stated.

“Leo?”

“Fine,” he grumbled.

He then opened his mouth to speak again but I brought my finger to his mouth.

“Hey!” I said nudging him. “As I say to our sons, you don’t need to have the last word.”

He rolled his eyes and paused for a moment.

“Fuck you too,” he blurted after a few seconds.