November 1st

The next morning I woke up in Leo's arms. He was just sitting up before he sauntered without a word into the bathroom.

A long steamy shower later, he returned drying his hair with a towel.

"I'll take you to help Lia pack," he said.

I nodded, "Thanks."

At 10am, Leo dropped me off before heading to the base to get some work done.

"Ella! We've been waiting for you so now we can start packing!" Allison said pulling me upstairs to Lia's room where all her sisters were. The Loren house was fairly big, enough room for nine kids and a couple of guest rooms, but Lia's room was basically in the attic and had a slopey ceiling.

"She's here!" Lia exclaimed.

"So how long are you planning on staying?" Elena asked.

"2 weeks at most," Lia said. "But I want to take some things to leave there so I don't have to take it all again next time."

"And what time is Haden arriving?" Bella asked.

"In an hour and a half."

"Better get a hurry on then," Maria said.

"Okay Maria and Elena as oldest and most responsible I appointed you clothes duty. There's too much to take it all so only the nicest. Bella and Lisa you get essentials, that includes shower stuff, teeth stuff, hair stuff, sanitary stuff and a small amount of make up. Allison and Ella, you get entertainment, that includes a few books, my phone and my charger which needs finding as I lost it in here somewhere last week. I am doing underwear and pyjamas," Lia said reading out a list.

"Okay," Lisa said and we all went to our appointed areas. Rather handily Lia's bookshelf was organised into three sections: 'books I am yet to read', 'mediocre books' and 'books I would absolutely read again'. Allison and I picked out four, two from the would read again section and two from the am yet to read section.

"Lia? Where do you think you lost your charger?" I asked looking under her very low bed.

"Keep looking where you are, it could have slipped under there," she answered whilst taking a pair of panties out her drawer and putting them in her bag.

"Lia, yes or no to this top?" Elena asked.

"Yes. You bought me it didn't you?" Lia answered.

"Just testing," Elena said with a smirk.

"Pomegranate and honey body wash or vanilla and raspberry?" Bella said from the bathroom.

"Vanilla and raspberry please!" Lia called back.

"And what about shampoo? L'oreal or pantene?" Lisa asked.

"The l'oreal one is empty!" Lia said.

"Okay."

"I found it!" Allison said pulling something out from down the side of Lia's bed. The bloody charger we had spent half an hour looking for. There was a mini applaud before everyone went back to what they were doing.

"Ella?" Lia asked a few minutes later.

"Yes."

"Did Leo know what you were going to say to the pack yesterday during your speech?"

I nodded and swallowed, "It was his idea," I lied.

"And he's really going to do it?"

I nodded again.

There were a few glances exchanged between the sisters before everyone went silently back to their tasks.

An hour and 15 minutes after we started the packing was finally done.

"How long can it bloody take?" Mateo asked coming up into Lia's room.

"Go away Mateo darling, you're 'help' is not needed here," Allison said,

"I'm just letting you know that Haden's car just came onto the drive," Mateo said walking out the door surrendering.

"Oh crapperdy crap he's early!" Lia said.

"It's fine everything is ready," Bella said hugging her.

"Let's get this rather full suitcase downstairs," Elena said helping Maria pick it up. When we got downstairs Leo's car was also in the drive. The entire Loren family were now in the plus Allison of course.

I saw Antonio glance at me but I refused to look back and instead stood as far away from him as possible.

Leo came through the door first, shortly followed by Haden making a hallway of 14 people.

"You're here for Lia I presume?" Leo said to Haden.

"Yes," Haden said. He sounded slightly nervous but then I think so would anyone, he had the stares of 5 protective brothers, 4 protective sisters, a mother, a father and 2 friends.

"When will you be bringing her back?" Rosa asked.

"Whenever she wishes," Haden responded.

"Correct answer," Antonio said in a cold tone.

"I'll take good care of her, you have my word," Haden said with a genuine trustworthy look. Leo nodded in satisfaction.

"You better start saying your goodbyes Lia, it may take a while," Leo said looking around at the large volume of people. In turn, Lia hugged every one of her brothers and sisters (even Leo), then me and Allison, her Mom and her Dad.

A few minutes later Lia and Haden had left.

"He better bring her back," Rosa said.

"Mom, he knows the consequences if he doesn't," Mateo said.

"Say in two weeks time she hasn't come back. How do we know if it was Lia's choice or not?" Rosa continued biting her nails.

"I have ways of contacting his pack Mom, you don't need to worry," Leo reassured. Rosa nodded a few tears in her eyes before Antonio pulled her into his arms.

"Your 7th child will be perfectly fine," Antonio said quietly.

By lunchtime, I was back at Leo's house. Rosa had calmed down after a little bit and a reassuring text from Lia.

We sat eating lunch in silence. There was still an air of tension from the events of the previous nights and although he had cooled off considerably, I could tell from the occasional cold glance he gave me, he was still annoyed.

"I'm not here tonight," he said bluntly a few minutes later. "I have to go down to the southern territory."

"Okay," I said with a nod. "Who gets the honour babysitting me?"

"Max."

I snapped my head up in disbelief to look at his face. It was deadly serious.

"Leo-"

"Everybody else is busy and he offered," Leo replied with a shrug. "You'll survive."

I stared into his eyes and he stared straight back. A slight smirk crept onto his lips and his eyes glinted evilly.

"It's because you're pissed off at me, isn't it?" I questioned, my confusion instantly clearing.

"And why would I be pissed off with you?" he asked with a raised eyebrow and shifty glare.

"You can't leave me with him," I said slowly and surely.

"I can and I will," he replied. "He is one of my trusted Megestanis and your cousin. The fact that you don't like him is not my issue."

Trusted? I considered telling Leo about the constant dark stares last night but then I thought about what he mouthed to me and his threats and I decided against it.

Don't risk it for a biscuit Ella.

I glared at him before taking an angry bite of my pizza.

"What? You thought that giving me head last night would make me forgive you for what you did?" he asked with a slight laugh. "It was great but it doesn't make up for the trouble you've caused me, sweetheart."

"This is so immature," I grumbled.

"So is your disagreement with Max. Take this as an opportunity to sort it out," Leo replied. "Nothing more important than family, remember?"

"Leo, he hates me," I hissed. "He fucking loathes my existence. I'd rather avoid him at all costs."

Just then, the doorbell rang and Leo's face lit up, "Might be a little difficult, my dear."

"Fuck you," I cursed before marching upstairs.

"Good evening Alpha," I heard Max's cold voice say from downstairs once Leo had opened the door.

"Max," Leo greeted as I stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at the front door.

"Hi Ella," Max said with a smile which only I seemed able to tell had a devious smirk hidden behind it.

I refused to make any response and only stared back at Leo.

"Ella, come down here," Leo said.

"Why?" I questioned.copy right hot novel pub