CHAPTER 145: WHEN THE TRUTH COMES OUT

The next morning, Lucien woke up early and made his way downstairs to the living room. But something felt off. It was Leia’s presence that was normally so noticeable, but right now, it was missing from the mansion.

"Has Leia gone out?" he asked the maid as she approached with his coffee tray.

"I’m not sure, Alpha," she replied, setting the cup down with a small bow.

Before Lucien could press further, the front door opened and Leia strode in, dressed in fitted sportswear. Some strands of hair clung to her temples, her cheeks flushed, and a light sheen of sweat glistened on her skin.

"I’m here," she called out, catching her breath.

Lucien’s gaze swept over her from head to toe. "Where did you go?" he asked.

"To train," Leia said. "I’ve only a month to get myself on par with the other she-wolves, and I’m not wasting a single day."

Lucien’s lips curved into a faint smirk at her determination. "Well, I didn’t know you were this serious about a contest."

"This is my first time participating in something like this," Leia said, brushing a stray strand of hair from her damp forehead. "I think I’ve always wanted to do it... But I never really got the chance." Her eyes flicked to him. "How are your wounds?"

"They’re fully healed," Lucien replied without hesitation. His tone softened only slightly before he added, "Go get your shower. Then we’ll talk."

Leia hummed in acknowledgment and hurried upstairs. She took a quick, warm shower. Soon after, she emerged dressed in a fitted black crop top and flared jeans, her hair still slightly damp and clinging to her shoulders.

She blow-dried them and went downstairs, eagerly wanting to talk with Lucien about the last day.

When Leia returned to the living room, she was surprised to find Kieran and Ronan already there.

"Why is everyone awake so early?" she asked, clasping her hands behind her back in an almost playful stance.

"Because we slept early," Kieran replied, lowering his newspaper just enough to flash her a warm smile. "You look lovely, by the way."

"Thank you," Leia said with a faint grin, then, as if remembering something, she dropped the news casually: "I’m going for a night out with Rhea today."

Three sets of eyes locked on her at once.

"What? Why?" all three brothers demanded in unison.

"You’re not going anywhere," Lucien said flatly.

Leia’s smile faded. "Rhea’s place is safe. She’s part of the pack. What’s wrong with that?"

"I know," Lucien admitted, his gaze cutting toward his brothers. "But we still haven’t found—"

"I don’t care," Leia cut in sharply. "You can’t expect me to stay trapped inside these four walls forever. Last time I told Rhea no because I knew you wouldn’t like it. This time, I’m going."

"Leia, I’m not against your happiness," Lucien said.

"But you act like you are sometimes." Her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Alright, let’s calm down," Kieran said, his voice breaking through the tension.

"Arguing isn’t going to solve anything," Ronan added. He stepped forward, guiding Leia toward the couch. Easing her down beside him, he draped an arm over her shoulder in quiet reassurance.

Lucien’s jaw tightened. "I’m not saying anything wrong. The last she-wolf needs to understand that she’s special to me. My enemies are looking for a way to get to her."

"Then stop making enemies," Leia shot back, her glare sharp enough to cut.

"As if I choose it," Lucien muttered, his voice low and edged. "Why are you acting like this today? You could just ask Rhea to come here."

"No," Leia said firmly. "It’s a girls’ night out. I want a friend, a female friend. After losing Delia, I don’t feel the same anymore. Why don’t you ever understand me? My happiness isn’t just tied to the three of you. I want to be out there... around people."

"Let her go," Ronan said, meeting Lucien’s eyes.

"And if anything happens?" Lucien countered. "Who will take responsibility for that?"

"Why do you always have to think the worst?" Leia snapped. "And it’s not like I’ll be wandering around at midnight. I’ll be at Rhea’s house, spending time with her. That’s all."

"Fine. Go then," Lucien said.

"It sounds like you’re doing me a favor," Leia muttered.

"I’m not. You should go," Lucien replied firmly.

Leia parted her lips to respond, but the sound of the butler clearing his throat cut her off. He stepped forward, his posture stiff, and leaned toward Lucien to whisper something in his ear.

A sharp crease formed between Lucien’s brows. Without another word, he rose to his feet and cast a glance at his brothers.

"I’ve got an urgent matter to handle. Drop Leia at Rhea’s place later," Lucien instructed before striding out of the room.

"What could be so urgent?" Leia murmured, her gaze shifting to Ronan.

"Probably something to do with his own affairs," Kieran replied, his voice low. "He refused any help after the attack in Eboncrest. Only he knows what’s really going through his mind."

Kieran set the newspaper aside and stood. "I need to check on the training center for the new wolves. Leia, I’ll train you later in the evening."

"I won’t be here in the evening," Leia said with a smug little smile. "And don’t worry. I already trained on my own this morning."

Ronan was impressed to learn that. "Then, let’s have our breakfast. You two should go to the dining room. I’ll call Lucien," he said, rising to his feet. Within moments, he disappeared from their sights while they both went to the dining room.

~~~~

Lucien slid into the booth across from Sorin, the low hum of the restaurant barely masking the taut silence between them. He reached for the glass of water, the condensation dampening his fingers, and took a slow sip while never taking his eyes off the man before him.

Setting the glass down with a muted clink, he leaned forward.

"Sorin... why don’t we skip the pleasantries and start with the truth?"

Sorin tilted his head, studying Lucien with an unreadable expression. His fingers tapped lightly against the table before he replied,

"And what kind of truth are you looking for, Lucien?"

"You and I both know. You didn’t go Eboncrest just to find the evidence. You had something else in your mind. Before I take this matter to the court, you should speak the truth. You were unharmed in that forest. A hybrid attacked me out of the blue as if he wanted it to happen for such a long time," Lucien pronounced, keeping his tone stern.

"Lucien, you’re misunderstanding me," Sorin said, though there was a flicker of irritation in his eyes. "I knew the moment daylight broke, you’d start doubting me. Honestly, I was being chased myself, that’s why I called you. You’re the only one who can teleport across such a distance. And you think I’d ally with a hybrid?" His voice edged into disbelief.

Lucien’s stare didn’t waver. "Sorin, don’t twist my words. I know exactly what I saw... and what I didn’t. Fine, if you won’t tell me the truth today, so be it. But if I find out later that you’ve got a hand in this..." He leaned forward, his voice dropping into a deadly calm. "I won’t show mercy. Make sure you’re on the right side when the truth comes out."

"No truth is going to come out. What I told you was the truth," Sorin said firmly. He rose from his seat. "I’m leaving. And... thanks again for saving me."

Without waiting for a reply, he walked out of the restaurant.

Moments later, Draven approached Lucien’s table and slid an envelope across to him before taking the seat Sorin had vacated.

"You were right, Alpha," Draven said. "Sorin met with a hybrid two days before the incident."

Lucien tore open the envelope. Inside were grainy, blurred photographs, but we’re just clear enough to make out a man’s face.

"I pulled these from nearby CCTV," Draven continued. "Then I ran a search. Thanks to the internet, it didn’t take long to find him. His name is Rukrik and is a hybrid. Also, he lives in Eboncrest."

"And who’s this Rurik?" Lucien asked, his brow creasing.

"A son of an alpha and a witch," Draven explained. "His mother’s been dead for fifteen years. Eboncrest doesn’t operate like the other wolf territories, their borders are locked down tight, and pure-blooded wolves face heavy scrutiny at entry. Getting in won’t be easy, Alpha."

Lucien leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming against the envelope. ’Why would Sorin hide this from me?’ he wondered. Sorin might be a rival, but he knew the man’s nature, betraying a wolf of his own kind was not something Sorin would do.

"Alpha, do you want to go to Eboncrest in disguise?" asked Draven.

"No," Lucien refused. "It’s not wise to go to a place about which we don’t know well. If anything wrong happens, saving you won’t be easy for me."