Leonardo's POV
"Honey, where are you? I'm home!"
"Honey, you're back! I missed you," Aria said and hugged him.
"I missed you too," Leonardo replied, leaning in to kiss his wife.
"Mmm… I missed this," Aria whispered.
"Yeah, me too."
"Let me quickly prepare something for you. Go and freshen up."
"Okay, honey."
This week has been stressful. I've been having this strange feeling that something is about to happen… but I just brush it off.
"Hon, I'm done! Where are you?" I called out to my wife.
"I'm coming, honey, almost done!"
"I missed your cooking a lot."
"There you go," Aria said as she placed the food on the table in front of me.
"Mmm, smells nice," I said, inhaling the aroma.
"Your father called and asked about you."
"What did he say?"
"He said he's worried and that you should have called him."
"That's exactly why I didn't call."
"I told him the same thing — that you didn't want to worry him."
"I know, honey. Everything will soon be back to normal."
"I hope so. How are the kids?"
"They're fine. But Riccardo keeps asking about you. He's smart — I think he suspects something."
"My son is smart. He takes after me."
"Now he takes after you? I'm smarter than you, so I think he takes after me," Aria teased.
"I'm full. The food was so delicious. Thank you, honey."
"You're welcome. You should get some rest — and call the kids."
"I'll do that now. I know they miss me already."
Dialing…
"Hi, Dad!"
"Hello, Leo! How have you been?"
"I've been good, Dad."
"I was worried when you didn't call."
"I know, but I didn't want you to worry, so I stayed quiet."
"You not calling made me worry even more."
"It's okay now, Dad. I'm back safe and sound."
"Good. Where are the kids? I want to say hi."
"Riccardo, Gianna, Isabella, Lavinia — your dad's on the phone!"
"Hi, Papa!" the girls chorused.
"Hey, my girls! How are you? Did you miss Daddy?"
"Yes, we did!"
"Where's Riccardo?"
"He's here sulking," they teased.
"No, I'm not sulking, Dad."
"Then why aren't you talking to me?" I asked.
"I'm mad at you, Dad. We were so worried when you didn't call."
"I'm sorry, son. Work kept me busy. The Alpha gave me an urgent task."
"I understand, Dad. I missed you though."
"I missed you too, son."
Lavinia yawned. "Dad, love you. I'm sleepy now."
"Okay, kids, go to bed. I need to rest too."
"Okay, Papa. We love you!"
"Love you too, kids. Goodnight."
I hung up.
"Hon, I'm going to the balcony to get some fresh air."
"Okay, I'll join you after cleaning up."
"Alright."
I walked out to the balcony, but tonight felt… different. I looked up at the sky — something strange was about to happen. My instincts never lie.
"Honey, why are you staring into the sky like that? Is something wrong?"
"Yes, honey. Don't you feel it? This night feels… different."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know, but I have this strong feeling something's about to happen."
"No, Leonardo. You're just worried for nothing. Maybe the rogues are just trying to deceive us — make other packs think we're their target."
"I know what I'm saying, Aria. My instincts are always right."
"You know what? Let's rest for now. Tomorrow, go to the Alpha and tell him about it."
"Okay, honey. I'll do that first thing in the morning."
We lay in bed, cuddling each other until we drifted off.
Then — I thought I was dreaming when I heard Zeta Mark shouting in my ear.
"Delta! We're under attack!"
"What?! What's going on, Zeta Mark?"
"The rogues are attacking us! We need you!"
I jolted up, shaking my wife.
"Aria! Aria, wake up! We're under attack!"
"What?" she mumbled sleepily.
"I told you something was off tonight — we're under attack!"
"What?!" she gasped, now fully awake.
"I'm going to the Alpha to join the soldiers. Please, be safe." I kissed her — not knowing it would be our last.
"Okay, honey. Please be careful too. See you on the battlefield."
At the Alpha's command post, I reported immediately.
"Alpha, what should we do?"
"We've been preparing for this. It's time to face them."
"Yes, Alpha."
"Beta Ricci, join Delta Leonardo and the pack soldiers."
"Yes, Alpha!" we replied in unison.
"Delta Leo, gather more soldiers and head to the border. Don't let them through!"
"Yes, Beta!"
"Zeta Mark, where are they now?"
"We're holding them at the border, but it's bad!"
"Keep holding them! I'm coming!" I growled and shifted into my wolf form, sprinting toward the battlefield.
The air was thick with the scent of blood and fear. Rogues were everywhere, tearing through our defenses. I lunged into the fray, slashing, biting, fighting alongside my soldiers.
But the truth was clear — the rogues were stronger, and they outnumbered us.
How were we going to win this war?