CHAPTER 124: MY BAD, LITTLE WOLF

Delia broke into tears, her body trembling as she slumped to the cold stone floor of the dungeon. "Leia... things can never go back to the way they used to be between us," she said, her voice cracking. "I betrayed our friendship... not because I stopped caring, but because of what your father did to mine, and to my mother."

She paused, breathing unevenly, pain etched deep into her expression. "Even if you’re willing to start over... It’s not that simple for me. I tried to kill you, Leia."

Lifting her tear-streaked face, Delia met Leia’s gaze with haunted eyes. "Don’t forget that I chose to make you my enemy. As Lucien said, you shouldn’t trust me anymore. And I don’t want anything to do with you either."

"If you truly want to do something for me... then free me from this dungeon. That’s all I ask."

Lucien stood just outside the dungeon, having heard every word. A low chuckle escaped his lips, cold and calculating. ’This witch knows Leia is naive,’ he mused to himself. ’But even if she begs me to free Delia... I’ll have to take care of her quietly. She’s too dangerous to be left alive.’

Inside, Leia remained calm, though her heart ached at Delia’s words. "And where will you go?" she asked gently.

Delia wiped her cheeks, though fresh tears continued to fall. "That’s none of your concern," she replied, her tone tired but resolute. "I just... don’t want to be involved with wolves anymore. I’ll return to the quiet life I had before. All I want now is peace."

She looked down, clenching her fists. "I’m sorry, Leia. For hurting you. For everything. But no matter how much we want to change the past... it can’t be undone. My parents won’t come back. Nothing ever will be the same."

Leia wiped the corner of her eyes and quietly walked out of the dungeon.

"Leia! Leia! At least say something!" Delia said when the warrior outside blocked her path.

"I’ll think about it, Delia," Leia said, without turning her back.

Leia wiped the corner of her eyes, the silence in the dungeon pressing heavily against her chest. Without a word, she turned and quietly walked out.

"Leia! Leia! At least say something!" Delia called after her, desperation tightening her voice. A warrior at the doorway stepped forward, blocking her path as she tried to follow.

Leia paused but didn’t turn around. "I’ll think about it, Delia," she said softly, her voice carrying a faint edge of sorrow.

Delia’s breath hitched. "Why do you want everything to go right?" she cried out. "You know I’ll never be able to forgive myself for what I’ve done to you. Because of me, you were dragged into a world your mother tried so hard to keep you away from."

Her voice cracked as tears streamed down her face. "That’s why... all I ask from you is freedom."

Leia slowly turned back, her eyes meeting Delia’s.

Leia slowly turned back, her gaze locking with Delia’s. Her voice was calm, but there was a cold edge beneath it, one born of deep hurt.

"You’re not the person I once knew," Leia said. "I thought... maybe we could truly mend what was broken. That we could return to what we were."

She took a slow step forward, her eyes never leaving Delia’s.

"But your words and your eyes, they don’t carry remorse. They only reveal your desire to escape this dungeon. You’re not sorry for what you did to me. And because of that... I won’t help you anymore."

Delia’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"No, Leia, that’s not true!" she cried out, lunging forward, only to be stopped again by the guard’s firm grip.

"Please! Listen to me!"

But Leia had already turned her back once more, this time with no hesitation in her steps.

Lucien ordered the warrior to lock the dungeon, and he followed Leia.

As they stepped out of the prison house, Leia spoke, her voice firm but weary. "I don’t want to talk about her anymore. I understand now that I made a huge mistake by trusting her."

Lucien glanced sideways at her, a faintly amused smirk tugging at his lips. "Do you really not want me to speak?" he asked, tilting his head playfully.

Leia let out a sigh. "No. Go ahead. You should speak."

"I honestly thought you’d come into her words," Lucien admitted. "That you’d melt the moment she started begging. But you surprised me, Leia. You were smarter than I expected."

"I am smart," Leia said with a soft laugh, nudging him lightly with her elbow. "You’re just the only one who keeps thinking I don’t know anything."

"My bad, little wolf. I won’t underestimate you again," Lucien said with a slow smile.

"Little wolf?" Leia arched a brow. "My wolf isn’t little."

"I meant you’re little... in my eyes," he whispered, his voice dipping low. His hand slid around her waist, gently guiding her to match his steps as they walked side by side.

Leia glanced at his hand, then up at him. "Let go of me," she said, trying to sound stern, though the slight blush rising in her cheeks betrayed her.

As they reached the mansion, Lucien withdrew his hand from her waist and took a step back.

"I’ve got some urgent work outside. I’ll see you later in the evening," he said with a brief nod.

"Oh... okay. Bye," Leia replied, giving him a small wave.

She watched as he walked over to the waiting car and slid inside. Through the window, she caught a glimpse of Caleb already seated beside him. The two immediately began talking, and within moments, the car pulled away from the estate.

Leia narrowed her eyes slightly. "I wonder what the urgent work is..." she murmured, curiosity tugging at her, but she shrugged it off and headed inside.

The moment she stepped into the main hall, strong arms wrapped around her from behind, and before she could react, she was lifted off the ground and slung over someone’s shoulder.

"Wha—Oh my god! What are you doing?!" Leia gasped, her voice rising in surprise as her face flared red with embarrassment.

"We’re having fun in the pool," Ronan announced with a grin, effortlessly carrying her over his shoulder.

"What? Ronan, put me down! I can walk!" Leia protested, squirming slightly, but he only tightened his grip playfully.

He didn’t release her until they reached the pool area. Only then did he finally lower her to her feet with a smug smile.

Leia quickly fixed her hair and shot him an exasperated look. "I need to change into a swimsuit first."

"I already brought them," Ronan said, unfazed, and pointed toward a small changing area at the far end. "Go change over there."

Leia’s gaze lingered on Ronan’s broad shoulders and taut chest, her eyes unconsciously tracing the marks left behind by past battles. The faint scars stood out against his skin, evidence of everything he had endured.

Without thinking, her hand reached up, her fingers brushing gently over a scar near the far left of his chest. "I hope you’re taking care of yourself," she murmured. "You’ve got such a great body, you know."

Ronan’s lips curved into a slow smirk. He arched a brow, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Then why don’t you help me take care of it?"

Leia let out a small huff and lightly swatted his chest with the back of her hand. "Don’t be naughty," she said, trying to mask her flustered expression. "I was being serious, Ronan."

Before he could respond, she turned on her heel and walked past him.

Ronan stood still for a moment, watching her retreating figure with a soft, almost dazed look. He lowered his eyes, then gently placed his hand over the spot where her fingers had touched.

"Her touch... it’s so soothing," he murmured to himself, his thumb absently tracing the outline of the scar.

Ronan dove into the pool, cutting cleanly through the water as he swam a short distance. His powerful strokes made barely a splash, and within moments, he emerged near the edge, water cascading down his chest and shoulders.

He ran his fingers through his wet hair, pushing it back from his face as he scanned the area, looking for her.

Then he saw her.

Leia had just stepped out from the changing area. The black swimsuit hugged her curves perfectly. It was both elegant and bold. Her long hair flowed freely down her back, adding a soft contrast to the confident stride she carried.

For a moment, Ronan forgot to breathe.

She looked stunning. There was grace in her poise, fire in her eyes, and a kind of power that drew him in far more than just her appearance.

Leia lowered her feet to the water before jumping into the pool. She laughed as she moved up to the surface and looked at Ronan.

"You look sexy in that swimsuit," he said, moving toward her.