CHAPTER 123: SURVIVED IT TOGETHER

Lucien and Leia returned to the mansion on the third day. As soon as they stepped inside, Leia hurried down the hall as she made her way to Kieran’s room, only to find it empty.

Disappointment flickered across her face. She took a few steps back, only to feel two warm hands gently settle on her shoulders.

"You’re finally back!" a familiar voice exclaimed.

Before she could react, Kieran wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

Leia turned in his hold, smiling up at him. "It seems like you missed me quite a bit."

"You have no idea," he murmured.

"Well then, look what I brought for you," she said with a playful glint in her eyes, pulling a small paper bag from behind her back.

Kieran raised a brow in curiosity. "What’s inside?"

"Bracelets. But not just any ordinary ones," she said, her voice softening. "They’re made from real sea shells. The woman who sold them said they bring good luck and happiness. So, I bought four pairs, for all of us."

Kieran took the paper bag from her, his smile deepening as he peeked inside. "You’re always so thoughtful," he said, eyes twinkling. "Come on, put one on me."

Leia chuckled softly and pulled out a bracelet, carefully wrapping it around his wrist and securing the clasp.

"Which one is yours?" Kieran asked, inspecting the others.

"This one, with the pink thread," she replied, holding it up.

Without hesitation, he gently took it from her and slid it onto her wrist himself. "Now it’ll stay close to me, no matter what."

Leia smiled at the gesture, her heart warming at his sincerity.

"You still need to give these to Lucien and Ronan," he reminded.

"I know," she said with a nod. "Let’s go find them."

Together, they started walking toward the main hall.

As they stepped into the main hall, Leia and Kieran overheard Lucien and Ronan engaged in a an intense conversation. But the moment the two noticed them entering, their voices fell silent.

"Leia bought bracelets for us," Kieran announced, lifting his wrist to show off the shell bracelet proudly.

Lucien raised a brow, eyeing it. "From a random street vendor, no less," he remarked with a playful smirk, though his tone held no real criticism.

Leia walked over to Ronan and lowered herself to perch on the armrest of the sofa where he was seated. Kieran handed her the blue-threaded bracelet, which she carefully tied around Ronan’s wrist.

"Why bracelets?" Ronan asked, glancing down at the delicate accessory. "Was there a special reason?"

"They’re supposed to bring luck and joy," Kieran chimed in before Leia could respond. "That’s what the woman selling them told her."

"Then we should wear them always," Ronan replied. His gaze shifted to Leia’s wrist, noting the pink-threaded bracelet she already wore. He could guess that Kieran had put it on her.

"Lucien," Leia called, turning toward him.

He leaned back slightly in his seat, throwing her a teasing look. "Shouldn’t you come to me instead? I’m tired."

Leia narrowed her eyes playfully.

Walking over to Lucien, Leia took out the red-threaded shell bracelet and gently wrapped it around his wrist. "If you lose it, I’ll be angry," she warned softly. "So keep it with you always."

As she took a step back, Lucien caught her hand before she could fully retreat. Bringing it to his lips, he pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

Leia froze, blinking as heat rushed to her cheeks. "What are you doing?" she asked in a flustered tone. She quickly pulled her hand back, avoiding his eyes.

The blush rising on her face didn’t go unnoticed. She could feel Kieran and Ronan watching her, amused.

"I-I’m going upstairs," she stammered, then turned and walked off briskly, the hem of her dress brushing past the marble floor.

Kieran let out a low chuckle. "What was that?"

"She got shy," Lucien smirked. "But eventually, we need to show her just how deeply we desire her."

Then his tone shifted, growing more serious. "By the way, I’ll be out tomorrow, something important came up. It’s regarding the recent mysterious deaths among our kind. Several teams have been formed, and I need to meet mine to plan our next move."

"I’ve heard about it," Kieran said, settling into the couch. "There are rumors witches might be involved."

"But no one’s seen one in decades," Ronan added, arms crossed. "The last time a witch was confirmed seen was when Lucien got kidnapped."

Lucien nodded grimly. "Exactly. That’s why it’s suspicious. They may be moving in silence, waiting for the right moment. We need solid evidence, only then can the Alpha King confront their leader directly."

"I’ll be taking Leia out tomorrow for my friend’s birthday party," Kieran said, glancing over his shoulder. "Ronan, want to come along?"

Ronan shook his head slightly. "No. I’ve got weapon supplies arriving in the evening. I need to oversee the inspection personally. Moreover, I’ve an official dinner with the warriors of our pack. Just make sure you don’t let Leia out of your sight."

"Of course," Kieran replied with a confident smile. Then he turned to Lucien. "By the way, that dress you sent me, I bought it for Leia. You should be the one to give it to her."

Lucien leaned back. "Give it to her yourself. It doesn’t matter whether it’s from you or me. What matters is that she knows we care."

~~~~~

Delia scooped water from the earthen pot and raised the glass to her lips when a faint, distant sound of gates opening caught her attention. It was a sound she hadn’t heard in weeks.

Her eyes instinctively darted to the bars of her prison cell. ’Could it be Lucien? Was he coming to see her again?’

’If it’s him... I’ll beg. I can’t survive in this place anymore,’ she thought.

Lowering the glass carefully onto the slab beside the pot, Delia stepped closer to the front of the cell when a warrior began unlocking the gate.

To her surprise, it wasn’t Lucien who entered, but Leia.

"You?" Delia spat the word, her eyes narrowing with hostility as if seeing an enemy.

"Yes, me," Leia replied calmly, stepping closer. "I’m still willing to give you a chance, to redeem yourself for everything you did to me."

Delia scoffed, crossing her arms. "You think so highly of yourself."

Just then, footsteps echoed behind Leia. Lucien entered with a cold, stern gaze directed at Delia.

Before Lucien could speak, Leia raised her hand, stopping him gently.

"No, don’t say anything," she said, keeping her eyes on Delia.

Turning back to her, Leia’s voice turned soft.

"My mother never told me who my father was. But you... you know the truth. And after everything you said last time, I’ve made up my mind. I will find out who he is."

Lucien took a step forward with a cold expression on his face.

"On Leia’s request, I’ve decided to free you, Delia," Lucien said coldly. "I was counting down the days until your time ran out... but she still sees something worth saving in you. If there’s even a trace of gratitude in you, then thank her, for still calling you a friend and believing you deserve another chance."

Leia gently held Lucien’s hand, trying to stop him.

"Let me speak," he said firmly, pulling his hand away, eyes locked on Delia. "You’re taking advantage of her kindness. I know that in her heart, you’re still a friend, a sister even. But she doesn’t know what I see. You were ready to kill her, even knowing she’s grown up with nothing, not even the name of her father."

"Leia carries her own insecurities like armor. She’s blamed herself for things she never caused. And yet you, a witch who once stood beside her, dare to speak to her like she’s the enemy. She has nothing to answer for. You were the one who betrayed her. Don’t forget that."

"Lucien, just stay quiet," Leia said firmly, turning to him. "This... everything that happened, it was between her and me. Let me speak with her alone."

Lucien stood his ground, his eyes dark with protest.

"Please," Leia added softly. "Trust me."

He hesitated for a second. Then he gave in. "Fine. You have five minutes," he said, and with a final look at Delia, turned and left the dungeon.

Leia shifted her gaze back to Delia and slowly closed the distance between them.

"Delia," she began, "I don’t want to see you suffer here. I know you better than anyone. Just like me, you had a difficult childhood. We’ve seen each other’s pain. We survived it together."

She stepped closer and gently reached out for Delia’s hands. "No matter what came between us... I haven’t forgotten that."

"Your father is dead. I told you that day," said Delia. This was the first time after that incident that she spoke in such a tone with her.

"What if he’s alive?"