CHAPTER 125: SHATTERS THEM COMPLETELY

Leia caught the look in Ronan’s eyes and couldn’t help but smile. There was something in his gaze. It was appreciation, warmth, and maybe a little awe that made her heart flutter just a bit.

"Did you... Buy this for me?" she asked, glancing down at the swimsuit before meeting his eyes again.

"Yeah," Ronan replied, wading closer to the edge of the pool. "I picked it up yesterday. I figured we might end up swimming, then realized... You didn’t have one."

Leia looked at him, pleasantly surprised. "And it fits perfectly," she said, turning slightly as if to show how well it hugged her form. "You really thought this through, didn’t you?"

Ronan gave a modest shrug, but the pride in his smile betrayed him. "I just wanted you to be comfortable. And... maybe look stunning too. Guess I got both right."

"By the way, did Kieran go out as well?" Leia asked, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Ronan nodded. "Yeah, he stepped out not long after Lucien."

There was a brief pause before he added, his tone shifting slightly, "What about Delia? Did she say anything? Did she... agree to be your friend again?"

Leia’s expression faltered for a moment, recalling her earlier conversation with Delia.

Ronan noticed and softened his voice. "Even if she does, Leia... I really think you should stay away from her. I know you have a good heart, but some wounds don’t heal with kindness. And I don’t trust her anymore."

"I didn’t fall for her words," Leia said. "She said she wanted to be freed... but there was no sincerity in her voice. I could feel the bitterness behind every word. Her tone carried hatred, and her eyes—" she paused, recalling everything, "—they held nothing but resentment. Her intentions didn’t match her words."

She shook her head slightly. "I’m not a fool, Ronan. I won’t let her out, only for her to hurt me, or others in the pack. It’s better she stays where she is. I can’t afford to act like a naïve woman anymore."

Ronan looked at her, visibly impressed. "You’ve changed, Leia," he said softly. "And it’s a good change. It’s clear now that you’re not just thinking about yourself. You made that decision for the safety of the entire pack."

He stepped closer, his voice filled with quiet pride. "That says everything about how far you’ve come. You’re not just here... you’ve become one of us."

Leia smiled faintly, a trace of sadness in her eyes. "Kind of," she replied. "Because of Delia, so many wolves lost their lives. I still remember that battle which Lucien and our wolves led. The chaos, the blood, the cries... it never leaves your memory. Even the opposing wolves suffered. None of it would’ve happened if Delia hadn’t provoked Marik."

Ronan’s expression darkened slightly. "Maybe," he said. "But some things were bound to happen. Marik was already a threat long before Delia stirred things further."

Suddenly, Ronan’s expression shifted, and he smirked. "Let’s not dwell on all that now. Come on, let’s play." Without warning, he pulled himself out of the pool, water gliding down his form, and dashed off. "I’ll bring the ball!" he called over his shoulder before disappearing from sight.

Leia chuckled and turned, leisurely swimming a few strokes through the crystal-clear water. She truly began to enjoy this new life surrounded by the wolves of this pack and her three mates.

’So... you’re accepting them now,’ Zei, her wolf, spoke within her. ’But don’t forget... the one we’re most deeply connected to is Lucien.’

Leia’s strokes slowed as she floated for a moment, staring up at the open sky. A soft smile curved her lips.

"I know," she whispered inwardly.

"Leia, catch!" Ronan called out, launching the ball toward her.

Startled, Leia flinched. The ball hit her thigh with a soft thud, making her giggle as she picked it up. "Hey! Give me a second to prepare!" she called back, laughter dancing in her voice.

Ronan had already dived into the pool and was now treading water on the opposite end, a wide grin on his face. "Where’s the fun in that?"

Leia playfully tossed the ball high into the air before slamming it toward him with both hands. Ronan ducked just in time, then sent it skimming back with ease.

After a good while, fatigue caught up with them. They climbed out of the pool, water trickling down their skin, and took a seat at the edge. Their legs dangled into the water, swaying gently as small ripples formed around them.

Ronan reached behind and draped a soft towel over Leia’s shoulders. She smiled in thanks, clutching it around her.

The sky above them had begun to shift into hues of crimson and gold, the sunset painting the clouds with soft fire. For a while, they said nothing, just watched the changing sky with the peaceful silence of two people who no longer needed words to share a moment.

Their legs swirled slowly in the cooling water below.

"Lucien was upset because someone brought up our parents during a meeting, right?" Ronan began, almost lost to the rustle of the breeze. "You know, Kieran used to blame him too, back when we were younger. He was just a kid when we lost both our parents, but... the grief made him bitter and angry. He needed someone to hold accountable, and Lucien was the eldest."

Leia tilted her head slightly, watching Ronan as he stared at the water. She listened carefully, sensing the ache still lingering in his words.

"I don’t know how things are between them now," he continued, "but I do know Lucien carries that guilt. It’s why I’m glad... that you became someone he could lean on. Someone who gave him even a moment of peace."

She smiled gently, moved by the rare vulnerability in his tone.

"You’re saying thank you again," she pointed out softly. "You said it before too... You really don’t need to, Ronan."

He looked at her, eyes steady. "Well, maybe I don’t have to, but I want to. You don’t know what it’s like growing up with no one who ever truly cared. Not the way you do. So yeah... I’ll thank you as many times as I feel it."

Leia blinked, touched by the sincerity in his words.

"You know," Leia said thoughtfully, her feet still moving gently in the water, "you three are probably the only men I’ve met who don’t indulge in any fun, or even mischief. It’s always duty, work, responsibility. Lucien even works through the night sometimes."

Ronan let out a small chuckle. "That’s Lucien for you."

"Rhea was telling me how the alphas of other packs spend their time partying, traveling, even getting into... questionable things," she added, glancing at him. "Then I look at you three. You’re not like them at all."

He smirked and leaned closer, arching a brow. "Is that why you like us?" he teased, brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek with his fingers.

Leia blushed slightly at the unexpected gesture but held her ground, her eyes twinkling. "Well, that’s not the reason I like you three. I mean... for each of you, I have different reasons."

Ronan raised a curious brow. "Different reasons? Now that’s interesting. Care to share them?"

She looked away, her smile playful. "Maybe someday. But not now. You’ll have to wait."

"Oh, now you’re just being mean," Ronan said with a mock pout, making her laugh. He rested his head over her shoulder.

"I heard that breaking a bond is the hardest thing a wolf can go through," Leia murmured, her gaze drifting to the fading hues of the sky. "I was wondering earlier... if my dad ever rejected my mom. I never really understood how these things worked, but Rhea once told me that when a wolf is rejected by their mate, it shatters them completely. It’s like... your soul is torn in half."

She paused, her voice softening. "So I kept thinking what was my mother’s life really like? It’s rare for fated mates to live apart unless rejection is involved."

Ronan turned his head toward her, his expression growing serious. "Why are you thinking about that now?" he asked gently. "Besides, it’s better not to dwell on things when you don’t know the full truth. You’ll only end up hurting yourself with assumptions."

Leia looked at him, her eyes searching his. "But what if something like that happens to me?" she asked. "What if one day, one of you rejects me? What would happen to me then, Ronan? Will I survive that pain... or will it kill me?"

Ronan brought his hand to her face, caressing it gently. He parted his lips and spoke, "That won’t happen, Leia. Not from me. Not from any of us," he said. "You’re ours. And we’re yours. Nothing will change that, not even the Moon Goddess herself. So, don’t think about rejection or anything like that."