CHAPTER 142: LUCIEN SUFFERED THE MOST

Kieran sat alone on the wooden bench inside the gazebo, the soft glow of twinkling yellow bulbs casting warm circles of light around him.

’Was I too harsh with Lucien?’ he wondered, his gaze drifting toward the darkened path beyond.

A movement caught his eye, and he looked up to see Ronan approaching.

"You left Leia and Lucien alone," Kieran remarked.

"Yes. Why?" Ronan asked out of curiosity.

"I think he treats her badly," Kieran replied with frustration.

Ronan slipped his hands from his pockets and lowered himself onto the bench beside him. "Why does it feel like you still haven’t forgiven Lucien? And yet..." He paused, studying Kieran’s profile. "Sometimes I think you care about him more than anyone else. He’s looked after us like a parent would. I understand why you reacted the way you did earlier."

Kieran’s jaw tightened. "Lucien’s done this before. He walked away on his own, convinced he could take down everyone by himself. It’s always been his way. Then, what did we get?"

He tilted his head, looking at Ronan.

"We lost our parents. Even though so many years have passed, those wounds of loss can’t be mended. Lucien could’ve died too. What if he hadn’t made it? I think a lot of times why Lucien thinks only he can protect. My reason for being angry with him is that he makes decisions by himself," Kieran blurted out.

"Because he’s the Alpha of this pack," Ronan stated.

"So? Aren’t we brothers? Shouldn’t we support and trust each other in times like this? He always speaks about allegiance, but he never follows it," Kieran muttered.

"I also have lots of complaints from Lucien. But whenever I complained to him, he became more rigid about protecting both of us. He let us handle only that work where the risk is not high. Then, not long ago, I started understanding his perspective. Lucien is damaged the most after the loss of our parents."

"How?" Kieran frowned, not understanding that statement.

"Lucien didn’t get time to mourn. Remember, the condition in which our pack was," Ronan reminded him. "We were on the verge of losing everything. From our pack to ourselves. The borders were vulnerable to attacks from foreign packs, and then many of the pack members tried to claim the Alpha title for their own benefit. You were too young, Kieran. You didn’t witness all of that. But I’ve watched Lucien from afar how he used to stand with that stoic face in front of the pack members. Lucien suffered the most with this loss. He doesn’t say it because he also doesn’t know how to share his pain."

Ronan turned quiet, realizing he had never known Lucien on a deeper level.

"You were in the werewolf academy, finishing school while Lucien was in college. He struggled with his studies and used to stay awake till late at night. You are also aware of that. You also know the reason why he got addicted to smoking. He had a lot on his mind, but sharing that pain with anyone around him would leave him vulnerable."

Kieran blinked rapidly as he recalled how Lucien didn’t shed even a single tear on their parents’ demise. He was just sitting silently, saying nothing.

"In the morning, go to Lucien and apologize to him. Lucien has a lot on his plate," Ronan opined, patting his younger brother’s shoulder. He stood up and continued, "Good night."

However, he remembered something he wanted to say.

"One more thing, Kieran. Don’t be jealous of the thought that Leia spends most of her time with Lucien. I think because he found her and bought her in an auction, they share a bittersweet relationship. At least, in Leia’s presence, Lucien is alive. Otherwise, I have seen his worst sides too. He was like a machine with no emotions. I am similar to him, but I do show my emotions many times. It’s just I am not good at expressing love since I was always kept away from it."

Kieran felt guilty for getting angry at Lucien, then getting jealous of his own brothers. He used to blame Lucien for their parents’ death, but learning so many things about Lucien, he realized he had never been a good supporting brother to him.

"Good night. See you tomorrow," Ronan said and walked inside the mansion, leaving Kieran alone with his thoughts.

~~~~

The next morning, Kieran rose earlier than usual, a quiet determination pushing him out of bed. He decided to make Lucien’s favorite breakfast, something he hadn’t attempted in years. Cooking had never been his strength, but today he put in his best effort, carefully following the recipe step by step.

By the time the meal was ready, the warm aroma filled the dining area. Kieran arranged everything neatly on the table, adjusting plates and cutlery until it looked just right. Satisfied, he called for a maid and instructed her to fetch Lucien downstairs.

A familiar voice broke the silence behind him.

"What is this smell?" Leia’s tone carried a hint of surprise as she stepped into the kitchen. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Kieran untying an apron, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"You cooked today?" she asked, walking closer, almost as if she needed to see it with her own eyes.

"Yes," Kieran said, meeting her gaze with a small smile. "I thought I should make Lucien’s favorite breakfast."

Leia studied him with narrowed eyes, her arms crossing over her chest. "Weren’t you upset with him just last night? Don’t tell me you two already patched things up."

"No, we haven’t," Kieran replied calmly. "But I still decided to prepare all this for him. He’s injured and... well, he deserves a good breakfast made by his youngest brother’s hands." A small smile tugged at his lips.

"That’s very thoughtful of you," Leia admitted, relaxing her stance and letting her arms fall to her sides. "Though it sounds to me like you’re feeling guilty for what you said."

Kieran’s smile faded slightly. "Hmm. I always hurt him," he murmured, almost to himself.

Leia tilted her head, unable to fully grasp the weight behind those words, but before she could question further, a maid stepped into the kitchen.

"Young Master, Alpha, and Second Master are already at the table," she announced.

"Let’s go," Leia said, turning toward the dining room. Kieran followed in silence, his thoughts still lingering on the night before.

When they entered, Lucien looked up from his seat with a broad grin. "What’s this I’m hearing? Our youngest brother cooked my favorite breakfast today."

Leia was quick to jump in, already reaching for an omelette. "Say you’re proud of Kieran, and make him your right-hand man while you’re at it," she teased. She scooped a generous serving of scrambled eggs with avocado into her bowl, ready to eat.

"Sorry for last night," Lucien said.

"I’m sorry too," Kieran replied, his head bowing slightly, unable to meet his brother’s eyes.

Across the table, Ronan and Leia exchanged quiet smiles, sensing the unspoken truce.

"And... I’m also sorry for always misunderstanding you," Kieran continued, his tone growing more earnest. "As the eldest, you’ve carried more than just a brother’s duty. You’ve done far more than any of us realize."

Leia’s gaze shifted to Lucien. His expression, so often guarded, had softened.

"Don’t apologize anymore," Lucien said firmly, though his voice carried warmth. "Whatever happened in the past... will stay in the past."

He understood the meaning behind Kieran’s apology. He ate a small portion of the omelette, looking at Ronan, who was enjoying the scrambled eggs.

’It seems you’ve told him more than you should have,’ Lucien mindlinked to Ronan.

’Why? Is it wrong to share the sacrifices you’ve made for us, especially for our youngest brother? And I didn’t even say much,’ Ronan replied, keeping his eyes fixed on his plate.

’It’s not wrong,’ Lucien returned, ’but it wasn’t necessary.’

’Well, I’m upset with you too,’ Ronan shot back through the link. ’You always take on the dangerous things alone... like you’re the only one who can.’

Lucien’s and Ronan’s eyes met for the briefest moment before they both turned their attention back to their plates.

Across the table, Leia observed them carefully, sensing an unspoken conversation passing between their minds.

After a short pause, she cleared her throat, drawing the focus of all three Alpha brothers.

"I have something to tell you," Leia began, her tone carrying a spark of excitement. "There’s a contest coming up, one that will be held among all fifty packs. From what I’ve heard, only female she-wolves are allowed to compete. It sounded too thrilling to pass up, so..." She paused, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I went ahead and entered last night."

"Well, I have never heard of such a contest," Ronan muttered.

"I have heard about it," Kieran said, smiling. "Leia, you know that it’s going to be a tough contest. They will check your physical strength too. And many hybrid Alpha she-wolves will enter too in this contest."

"I’ve joined it for fun," Leia said, smiling.

"Who knows our Leia win this contest," Lucien said with an amusing smile.