The Biker Alpha's Obession

Chapter-11 Torn

Hope’s POV

“Leon Ashcroft? Of all the damn men in Ashbourne, you chose Leon Ashcroft?” Gabriel's voice shook with anger. In all eighteen years of my life, I'd never seen him this furious with me.

My parents weren't any calmer.

“When did this even begin?” Mom demanded, her face tense. "And don't even think about lying, Hope.”

“Maybe we shouldn't do this here,” Dad said, grimacing. “We don't need the household staff gossiping.”

“No, we're doing this right here,” Gabriel growled before turning towards Harper. “You knew she was dating Leon. Your f*****g brother belongs to that club. You know who Leon is, and you let this happen?”

I frowned. Ryder belonged to Leon's club?

Right. I'd seen the name of this club thing on his vest.

“I didn't know the Leon she was dating was Leon Ashcroft!” Harper cried, her eyes glassy. “She only ever told me his name was Leon. How was I supposed to know?”

“How could you not—”

“Gabriel, calm down,” Mom cut him off. “That is not how you talk to a woman, especially not your mate.”

Gabriel clenched his jaw before turning back to me.

“Princess,” he began, calmer this time. “Please talk to us.”

I took a breath, pushing aside the doubts about Leon already creeping into my mind. I could deal with those later. Right now, I needed to deal with my family.

“Harper must have told you...we met at the club around a month ago. We ended up sleeping together that night, and we've been together ever since.”

My parents stared at me, dumbfounded. Gabriel's face turned red as his fingers curled into fists.

“The bastard used her,” he hissed. “He saw an innocent girl and seized the opportunity. The f*****g asshole. We should take this to the Assembly. He should pay for preying on my sister.”

“He didn't prey on me,” I protested.

“You don't know that. You're eighteen! You're too innocent to understand!”

“Enough, Gabriel!” I snapped. “I know you all care about me, and I swear I appreciate that. But you have to stop treating me like I'm still dying. I'm eighteen. I'm allowed to make my own choices now. I'm not going to spend the rest of my life hiding behind all of you because you're afraid something might happen to me. Leon didn't force me into anything. I wanted him too. So stop blaming him.”

Gabriel looked both stunned and hurt, and guilt twisted inside me. I'd never spoken to him like that before.

“Hope...” Mom's voice was laced with disappointment.

“I'm sorry...” I sighed, rubbing my face. “Gab, I—”

“Do you know the truth about him and what he does?” Gabriel cut me off. “Hope, Leon Ashcroft is the President of Black Banner, the most notorious motorcycle club in Ashbourne. He's one of the most feared men in the city, and for good reason.”

He stepped closer.

“They deal in drugs, weapons, trafficking, murder... whatever the hell you can think of. That's the world he comes from. And you...you're the youngest daughter of one of the most respected Alpha families in this city. You don't belong with him.”

I opened my mouth, but he didn't let me speak.

“And after everything you've said in his defense, did Leon ever tell you who the f**k he really was?”

I bit my lip and looked away because honestly...I didn't have an answer to that.

He always evaded any questions about his family, his occupation, or anything remotely personal. Tears pricked my eyes as the betrayal I'd been trying to push aside finally settled in my chest.

Gabriel's anger faded as he looked at me.

“You're fighting your own brother for a man you barely even know, Hope. What the hell has he done to you?”

“Enough,” Dad intervened. “It’s fine, sweetheart. You’re eighteen; you wanted to live a little. But now you see what he is. Call him, break it off, and wait for someone worthy of you.”

“Yes,” Mom agreed. “Let's just end this chapter here. Hope, you can no longer date Leon.”

“I'm not just dating Leon,” I replied, meeting her gaze.

“Hope...” she sounded exasperated.

“He is my mate.”

An eerie silence fell over the room as everyone stared at me in shock.

“What?” Gabriel whispered.

“And I love him.”

The words hung in the air, but I didn't take them back.

The words hung between us, heavy and unyielding. It was the truth. Despite the secrets and the betrayal, Leon had gotten under my skin and into my soul. I loved him, and neither my wolf nor my heart cared about the risks.

This was my truth.

I was in love with Leon Ashcroft.

“Has he marked you yet?” Dad demanded, finally starting to panic.

“No, but that doesn't—” He held up a hand.

“Then the bond isn't sealed yet,” he said, almost sighing with relief. “Reject him, Hope. It won't hurt as much if you sever it now. We'll protect you, but Leon Ashcroft is out of the question.”

“He is my mate!” I cried out in shock.

“Fated mates aren't written in stone,” Gabriel pointed out. “You can choose not to be with your fated mate if he turns out to be your worst possible nightmare.”

“You don't even know Leon! He is not like that...” I hissed, my blood boiling.

“Everyone in Ashbourne knows him better than you do, Hope,” Mom said firmly. “You will reject him. I will not watch my only daughter burn in hell with that monster.”

Tears spilled down my cheeks, my fingers digging into my palms.

“You can't make me,” I whispered. “None of you. This is my decision. He is my mate. You can't separate us.”

Before they could say anything else, I walked past them and ran upstairs, slamming my door behind me.

I could still hear Gabriel shouting downstairs, but I didn't care.

Tears blurred my vision as I sat on the edge of my bed, torn between my family's reaction and Leon's betrayal. As much as I'd defended him downstairs, I couldn't deny that some of what they'd said was true.

He had hidden huge parts of his life from me.

How could I trust him after this?

“He needs to answer,” my wolf hissed. Unlike me, she was enraged with him, and honestly, I welcomed that anger.

I pulled out my phone, and there was already a text waiting from Leon.

Leon: Text me when you get home... I will be worried.

I clenched my jaw and typed back.

Me: I deserved to know who you truly were.

Perfect. I switched off my phone and tossed it aside.

Determined to put everything out of my mind for the night, I drew myself a long, warm bath and sank into the heat, letting it ease the throbbing in my temples and the soreness between my legs. Still, my mind wouldn't quiet.

How the f**k had I ended up caught between my family and my mate?

Exhausted, I wrapped myself in a towel and padded back into the bedroom, ready to collapse into sleep.

I took one step and froze.

Sitting on my couch in the shadows, his amber eyes fixed entirely on me, was Leon.

Was I dreaming?

How the hell had he gotten into my room?

Before I could move, Leon stood up and crossed the room in two strides. I tried to step back, but his hand gripped my waist, hauling me flush against his hard chest.

“Leon...” I breathed, my mind scrambling to catch up. “Wh...what...”

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

“You should've thought twice before disappearing on me, doll.”