CHAPTER 150: LIVE YOUR BEST DAYS

"Lucien, sudden pack’s work kept me occupied," Vladis explained. His gaze shifted toward his sleeping mother-in-law, and after a pause, he added, "Let’s talk outside."

"Of course, Uncle," Lucien replied. He slid the door shut behind him. Outside, Kieran stood waiting, his eyes rimmed with red, the faint swell beneath them betraying his tears.

Vladis reached out and patted his nephew’s shoulder gently. "Stay strong, my boy. Come, let’s sit." He gestured toward the chairs lined against the corridor wall.

The three of them sat together, the silence heavy before Vladis spoke again. "I discovered it two days ago, when Mother suddenly complained of unease in her left side. I consulted not only our own healers but also best doctors beyond our packs, hoping someone might know of a cure unknown to us. But every effort... was in vain." His expression grew somber, his voice lowering. "I am relieved, at least, that Mother had the wisdom to summon the three of you here."

"Uncle, why didn’t you tell us sooner?" Kieran asked, his voice thick with restrained emotion.

Vladis’s lips parted, but the words caught in his throat. At last, he forced them out. "I wanted to tell you, but Mother insisted... She said she wasn’t welcome in the Darkmoor Pack anymore. That no one would ever deliver her message to the three of you."

Kieran’s eyes shifted toward Lucien, who sat in silence, his gaze lowered, his expression shadowed by guilt.

"I know Mother’s tongue can be sharp," Vladis continued, voice heavy with old weariness, "but everything she’s done has been for you boys. As for Ronan—" his jaw tightened, "your father failed him. He couldn’t protect him, and instead he sowed hatred in others’ hearts against his own son. That... is the truth. And now that your father is gone, there is no purpose in dragging his name further."

"Ronan..." Lucien’s voice cracked slightly. "He always hoped to find love in Grandmother. Even when others turned their backs, he clung to that hope." He drew in a slow breath, his hands curling into fists on his knees. "As the Alpha, I had to make decisions. I stayed silent under Father’s rule, but when the time came, I did what I could. Yet..." His words faltered, his throat tightening. "...I never thought Grandmother would—"

"I didn’t want her to fall sick like this," Lucien finally murmured, lifting his head. His eyes glistened, heavy with the weight of helplessness.

"We cannot change what has come," Vladis said gently, though his voice carried the firmness of acceptance. "What we can do is make these remaining two months beautiful and memorable for her. Fleur has been unwell herself since learning of her mother’s condition, and my children... they are frightened too. This is a storm we must weather together."

Lucien and Kieran exchanged a glance, then answered in unison, their voices steady with resolve. "Of course, Uncle."

"Your mother also spoke of your marriages," Vladis continued. "She mentioned Leia, the one you hold dear, Lucien. If you truly mean to wed her, then do it within these two months. At the very least, it would grant your grandmother one final wish."

Lucien shook his head. "Uncle, Leia is not mine alone. For three of us she is our fated mate. But the choice does not lie with us; it lies with her. We cannot, and will not, force her hand into marriage simply because time is against us. I hope you understand that."

"I do understand," Vladis said with a nod. "But if she is truly your fated mate, then it is only natural she will marry the three of you."

Lucien’s gaze hardened slightly. "Uncle, it isn’t that simple. Leia was raised among humans, her views on love and marriage are different. She needs time... time to trust us, to fall in love with us on her own terms."

"But Leia won’t refuse," Kieran cut in.

Lucien turned sharply, his eyes locking on his brother’s. "Kieran... do you truly know what you’re saying?" His voice carried both warning and disbelief.

"I know. I’m just thinking from the perspective of our dying grandmother," Kieran stated.

"Let’s not talk about it now," Lucien said. "It’s too late. You two shall go home. I will stay here. Kieran, take uncle to our home. He also needs rest."

Kieran didn’t argue with him and stood up. "Uncle, let’s go home."

Vladis nodded. "If you will need anything, just call me," he stated.

"Sure," Lucien stated.

Kieran helped his uncle rise, and together they left the corridor in silence, the soft shuffle of their footsteps fading down the hall. Once they were gone, Lucien went inside the room.

~~~~~

Leia woke up early that morning. She turned slightly and found Ronan’s arm draped around her, holding her close in his sleep. With careful movements, she eased his embrace away and slipped quietly out of bed, making sure not to disturb him.

The first thing she did was reach for her phone and step outside the room. She dialed Lucien’s number, and almost instantly, the call was answered as if he had been expecting her.

"Yes, Leia?" Lucien’s voice came through, followed by a faint yawn.

"Lucien," she began quickly, her words tumbling over each other, "how’s Grandma doing? What do you think she should have for breakfast? Also, you and Kieran should take some rest today. I’ll stay at the hospital during the day."

"Leia, calm down," Lucien said gently.

"I am calm," she insisted.

"Maybe a light, healthy porridge would be good for Grandma," he suggested after a pause. "As for Kieran, I sent him home with Uncle last night, so he’s resting now. You, on the other hand, woke up quite early." His voice softened, almost a mutter.

"What about you?" Leia asked, her tone carrying a trace of worry. "You’re awake early too."

"The doctor came earlier," Lucien explained quietly. "Since there’s no real treatment left... all we can do is keep her comfortable at home. I’ve noticed the change in her too, her weight has dropped so quickly. She’s grown so thin in such a short time." His words trembled with an ache.

Leia’s chest tightened. "I’m sorry you all have to go through this," she said softly. "I’ll come as soon as I can. And Lucien, you were alone all night. You could’ve called me. I’ve pulled long nights before. Back when I was working at the company, before I met you, I did it all the time." Her voice carried a firm reassurance, as though trying to shoulder his burden.

"I wanted you to rest too," Lucien replied.

Leia fell silent for a moment. "I’m hanging up," she whispered, and without waiting for a reply, she ended the call.

Lucien stared at the darkened screen, a long sigh escaping his lips. For a while, he just stood there before finally turning back toward the room.

When he entered, he found his grandmother speaking softly with the nurse. But the moment they noticed him, their conversation ended. The nurse gave a polite nod, checked the glucose pack, and then slipped out, leaving Lucien and his grandmother alone.

"Grandma," Lucien began, "why did you choose to call me? You were upset with me before. Uncle told me."

Azalea’s frail eyes lifted to meet his, filled with a weary tenderness. "Because, my dear, if something had happened to me during this time, you would have blamed yourself. And I couldn’t let you carry that burden." She paused, her lips trembling faintly before forming a sad smile. "I know I wasn’t always good to my grandsons, especially to Ronan. I was harsh with him in ways I shouldn’t have been. Now that I count my days, I feel the weight of how wrong I was."

Her voice broke slightly, but she pressed on. "I truly failed Ronan... yet, Leia surprised me. I thought she would hide about my call from you, but she’s honest in everything. And now I understand why you trust her so deeply." Azalea’s faint smile lingered on her lips.

"Leia has always been true to me. From the beginning, she would say everything at my face. No other woman ever did that. Almost everyone wanted to please me with the good words. However, Leia was different from the others. As for Ronan, he never had any ill feelings toward you. He always saw you as an elder. And just kept his distance from you as you always ignored her," Lucien explained.

"But it’s not the time to think about any of this. Grandma, you’ll live your best days in these two months. I promise." Lucien held his grandmother’s both hands and then kissed her forehead. "I love you, Grandma. I always have."

Azalea pulled his cheek and smiled brightly. "I love you too, my eldest grandson. I still remember the first time I held you in my arms. I’m so proud of you for becoming such a responsible man."

Lucien tightly hugged his grandmother, silently praying for a miracle to happen.