CHAPTER 131: FEEL LIKE I’M HOME

Lucien pulled out the key and stepped out of the car. Though he hadn’t uncovered anything suspicious during his search, a nagging thought refused to leave him, the enigma could still be hiding within the very pack.

As he entered the mansion, he was met with a courteous bow from the house butler, who had clearly been waiting.

"What are you doing up at this hour?" Lucien asked, briefly glancing at his watch. It was past midnight.

"Alpha," the butler began, "I stayed awake to inform you that Miss Leia has allowed Greta to stay in the servants’ quarters tonight."

Lucien’s brows furrowed the moment he heard the name. "Greta? She’s here?"

"Yes, Alpha," the butler confirmed. "She came seeking Miss Leia. According to what I overheard, Greta pleaded for another chance. Miss Leia chose to let her stay for the night, at least. I was told the rest would be explained to you in the morning, but I thought it best you were informed immediately."

Lucien’s jaw tightened slightly. The return of Greta wasn’t something he’d welcomed. But rather than reacting immediately, he simply nodded, his voice clipped but calm. "I’ll speak with Leia tomorrow. Thank you for staying up."

The house butler bowed. "Would Alpha like to have dinner?"

"No. It’s already late," Lucien said. "You should go." He then went upstairs to his room. However, as he held the doorknob, his nostrils filled with Leia’s scent. She was inside his room. Walking in, he found her on the recliner, curled up in sleep with an open book on her lap.

A soft sigh escaped her lips. ’Was she waiting for me?’ Lucien wondered.

As he stepped closer, intending to carry her to bed, Leia stirred. Her lashes fluttered open, and she rubbed her eyes gently before looking up to find Lucien standing in front of her.

"You’re back?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep. Lowering her feet to the floor, she carefully set the open book on the coffee table and rose to her feet.

"You were supposed to sleep in your room," Lucien said, a slight furrow appearing between his brows. "Didn’t Ronan tell you to get some rest?"

"He did," Leia replied softly. "But I couldn’t fall asleep. I was worried. Did you find the wolf who attacked him?"

"Not yet," Lucien answered, his voice flat but tired.

"I’m heading to bed. You should—"

Before she could finish, Lucien interrupted. "Sleep here," he said.

"You didn’t have dinner. Are you really going to sleep on an empty stomach?" Leia asked, concern lacing her tone.

Lucien gave a tired exhale, running a hand through his hair. "I’m not hungry. Just exhausted." With that, he turned toward the washroom. "I’ll be back shortly."

When Lucien returned to the room, towel draped around his neck, he was met with the warm scent of something savory. Leia had just walked in, balancing a tray in her hands.

"I know you said you’re tired," she said, placing the tray gently on the table, "but at least eat something light. I made fresh garlic pasta. It’ll help you sleep better."

Lucien’s gaze softened as he looked at her with an affectionate gaze.

"Thank you, Leia."

Lucien draped the towel over the armchair and made his way to the sofa. Taking a seat, he picked up the fork as Leia quietly poured a glass of water for him.

"You’re acting like a wife," Lucien remarked in a teasing tone.

Leia froze for a second, her hand still holding the water jug. "Huh?" she blinked, visibly flustered. "It’s just basic courtesy when someone’s eating," she muttered, placing the glass within his reach and avoiding his eyes.

Lucien chuckled softly, twirling a bit of pasta onto his fork. "Still... it would be nice if you became my wife officially," he said, not looking at her. "I’d finally feel like I’m home."

"Why?" Leia asked softly. "Didn’t you feel at home before?"

"I did," Lucien replied, meeting her gaze, "but not like this." His voice lowered. "Even simple things like this... they make me feel happy."

Leia’s heart skipped for a beat, but she masked it with a small smile. "Then I’ll do more things like this," she said. "But for now, stop talking while eating." She narrowed her eyes playfully. "Remember how you used to scold me at the dinner table for doing that?"

Lucien let out a laugh and obediently turned silent, enjoying his meal. When he finished, he set the bowl down on the tray and reached for it.

"I’ll take it to the kitchen," Leia said quickly. "The water jar’s empty too, so I’ll refill it."

"I’ll do it," Lucien offered, holding out his hand for the jar.

But Leia didn’t give it to him. Instead, she took the tray from his hands. "You go to bed," she said firmly.

Without waiting for him to argue, she turned and walked out of the room.

Lucien stood still for a moment with a smile lingered on his lips.

~~~~

When Leia returned to the bedroom, she found Lucien sitting on the bed, finishing a phone call. It ended shortly after she walked in.

"Who was it?" she asked, pulling up the duvet and spreading it neatly across the bed.

"Caleb," Lucien replied, placing his phone on the bedside table. "He was just checking if I got home safely."

Leia nodded as she slipped under the covers. Lucien followed suit, pulling the duvet over himself as well. With two soft claps, the lights switched off and the room fell into the darkness. He shifted, turning to face her.

"Why are you sleeping with your back to me?" he complained lightly.

Before she could respond, his arm slowly snaked around her waist, hand coming to rest gently against her belly.

Leia glanced back at him over her shoulder, then turned to face him. "Now, is that better?"

"Much." His gaze lingered on her lips, the air between them growing heavy with anticipation. He leaned in, but she raised her finger to press softly between their mouths.

"If we start something now," Leia murmured, her eyes narrowing with teasing challenge, "you’re going to test my limits again, aren’t you?"

Lucien chuckled quietly, the warmth of it brushing her skin. "You do have a habit of resisting."

"And you," she whispered, "have a habit of pushing."

His smile widened, but he didn’t press forward again, just rested his forehead against hers.

"Why don’t you let your body surrender to me once? I bet you’re going to feel good," Lucien said. He held her finger and kissed the tip of it while keeping his gaze fixed on hers.

Realizing, Leia wasn’t asking her to stop, he lightly kissed her chin, then moved his lips slowly to her jawline.

"Your scent suddenly has increased. You’re releasing more pheromones, Leia," he murmured, his lips finding her sweet spot immediately, which was right below her ear.

Her hand moved to his arm, clutching on it tightly and she gasped softly.

"Lucien, you should stop... Let’s just get some rest," Leia murmured, her voice soft but firm.

But just as she turned away, a thought struck her. She sat up quickly. "Wait, there’s something I need to tell you."

Lucien paused immediately, concern flickering in his eyes. "What is it?"

"It’s about Greta," Leia said, her voice hesitant. "She came to see me earlier today... and I let her stay here for the night."

Lucien’s brows knit together. "Leia... you shouldn’t have trusted her so easily."

"She wasn’t trying to manipulate me," Leia insisted. "She’s in trouble, Lucien. Debt collectors have been threatening her, demanding money she doesn’t have. You know the kind of situation she’s been in. She was desperate."

Lucien looked away, his jaw tightening, but Leia continued.

"She wasn’t here to stir up problems. She just needed shelter. And whether you believe it or not, she was trying to help me."

"You’re too kind, Leia," Lucien said, his tone quiet but firm. "I told her to leave for a reason. You should’ve respected that."

Leia’s brows furrowed as she studied his expression.

"I didn’t make that decision on a whim," he continued. "I’ve been watching Greta for a while now."

Leia blinked, startled. "Watching her? What exactly do you mean by that?"

"Well, Greta isn’t as naive as you think," Lucien said, his gaze steady. "As for those debt collectors, there’s no record of them. After I sent her away, I had her background checked. Nothing came up."

Leia’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"She must have come here with another motive," he added, his voice colder now. "And we’ll figure out what that is very soon."

Leia shook her head slowly, her voice trembling. "No... That can’t be true."

She took a step back, struggling to process his words. "Why would Greta lie to me? She’s never—"

Her voice faltered as doubt began to creep in.

"Because Greta doesn’t like your presence around me. There are many things I’ve observed in her behavior," Lucien affirmed.