CHAPTER 162: THE PERFECT BAIT

"I suddenly remembered my mother," Leia whispered. Lucien’s fingers moved gently across her scalp, guiding the water from her hairline to the nape of her neck in steady, soothing motions. "Once, when I broke my arm, she washed my hair just like this. It feels strange... maybe that’s why I had such a disturbing dream."

Lucien tilted his head, his hands never pausing. "What was it about? Sometimes sharing eases the weight on your mind."

Leia’s eyes fluttered shut. "I heard people screaming... like a fire had broken out. Then suddenly, I saw my mother’s face."

Lucien’s brows drew together in thought, his expression darkening at her words. He couldn’t understand why she would see such visions, but now wasn’t the moment for questions. What mattered was comfort. "I’ve noticed you speak about her often," he said softly. "Perhaps it’s because you miss her most. That’s why that longing shapes itself into your dreams."

Leia opened her eyes, searching his face for reassurance, but he was already finishing.

"All done," Lucien murmured. He squeezed the water from her hair with careful hands, then wrapped a towel snugly around her head. With steadiness, he helped her rise to her feet.

"Go to your room. I’ll clean the bathtub," Lucien said.

"Thank you," Leia replied softly before leaving.

Lucien finished tidying the bathroom quickly and returned. He found her sitting comfortably on the bed, propped against pillows.

"What would you like for dinner?" he asked.

"Whatever the others are having," Leia said. Then, after a pause, she added, "But before that, let’s call Ronan."

Lucien gave a small nod, picked up her phone from the table, and handed it to her. His gaze lingered on the screen which was filled with several missed calls from Ronan.

"Gosh, I missed his calls," Leia murmured, realizing the phone was still on silent.

She dialed back, switching it to speaker. The line clicked, and soon Ronan’s voice came through.

"Hey, Ronan. I’m so sorry I couldn’t answer earlier. My phone was on silent," Leia said.

"It’s alright," Ronan reassured quickly. "How are you?"

"I’m feeling much better," she answered with a faint smile. "The wound is healing quickly. I’ve even been taking those bitter tonics." Then, glancing at Lucien beside her, she nudged lightly, "Say something to Ronan."

"Lucien’s there!?" Ronan’s voice sharpened in surprise.

"Yeah," Leia replied honestly. "He helped me wash my hair."

"We’ll talk later," Lucien said firmly. His eyes flicked toward Leia before he added, "Spend time talking to her. She’s the one who’s been missing you. It’s only been a few hours since you left." Without another word, he slipped out of the room, giving them space.

But as he stepped into the hallway, a familiar energy stirred in the mansion. Lucien paused, senses sharpening as he felt his beta’s presence.

Moving to the glass railing, he spotted his beta pacing across the living room below. Lucien descended the staircase.

"Why didn’t you ask me to return earlier?" Caleb’s voice rose the moment he saw him. "I’ve already heard about everything that happened these past few days!"

"You needed the break, that’s why," Lucien replied evenly, motioning for Caleb to sit. "How was your vacation?"

Caleb hesitated before answering. "It was... great. Relaxing, even. But surprisingly, Alpha Lucien made sure no one told me anything about the pack." He was upset at his friend. "Meanwhile, you were attacked by a hybrid, grandmother’s life-threatening illness came to light, and now a hunter came after Leia. And you kept all of this from me."

His gaze hardened with a disappointment clear on his face. "As your Beta, I should have been called back immediately. That was my duty, Lucien, and you know it."

"Yes, I knew. But it’s not like you get vacation every few months. So, just chill and calm down," Lucien told him.

Just then, Fleur stepped into the living room. Her face lit up as soon as she spotted him.

"Caleb!" she exclaimed joyfully, striding toward him with open arms.

"Fleur!" Caleb rose at once, embracing Lucien’s aunt warmly.

She gave his back a gentle pat before pulling away, her smile touched with fondness. "It’s so good to see you after such a long time."

"Me too," Caleb replied with genuine warmth. "Did Travis and Inara come as well?" His curious gaze searched her face.

"Yes, they’re here. Currently, they have gone out with Kieran," Fleur nodded. "Mother is ill... and she wanted to spend whatever time she has left with all of us under one roof." Her voice faltered, and her eyes shimmered as the weight of her mother’s condition pressed on her.

"I’m so sorry, Fleur," Caleb said softly. "I wish there were something we could do for Grandma."

Fleur offered a faint smile, though her grief lingered in her gaze. "Yes... but for now, let’s make her comfortable. You should sit. I’ll ask the maid to bring your favorite cookies and coffee." With that, she turned toward the kitchen.

"Fleur is as lovely as ever," Caleb remarked with a faint smile. Then his expression grew thoughtful. "Honestly, I didn’t think Grandma would ever return. I mean, last time you were so firm about keeping her away from here. Tell me... is she still treating Ronan poorly?"

Lucien shook his head. "No, not anymore. Only two months are left before..." His remaining words caught in his throat. He exhaled slowly before continuing. "She’s been treating Ronan with exceptional kindness. And you know as well as I do when someone is in their final days, holding on to anger feels... wrong. Besides, Leia was the one who insisted I call her that day. I wasn’t even answering her calls at first."

He let out a deep breath, tension lining his features. "But there’s something else, Caleb. I think Sorin is playing a dangerous game with me. He’s the one who told the hybrid about me. He won’t admit it, but my instincts say he had a hand in that attack."

Lucien’s jaw tightened as he went on. "I was investigating the mysterious deaths of wolves linked to the witches when the news came that Leia had been attacked by a hunter. She fought back bravely, saved my grandmother too."

"I’ll look into the attack on you. Don’t worry about it," Caleb assured him.

"Thanks," Lucien said simply.

Caleb’s eyes narrowed in thought. "But the attacks on Leia, they’re becoming too frequent, don’t you think? What if someone actually wants her dead? Draven told me the hunters were after her, but I doubt it’s only because she’s the last she-wolf."

"Ronan has gone to North Calimore to investigate that," Lucien replied.

Caleb’s head snapped up. "North Calimore? The land of hunters? Lucien, don’t tell me you sent him there alone!"

Lucien’s jaw tightened. "I did. I was angry at him for neglecting Leia, for failing to recognize a hunter when it mattered. But Ronan also wanted this. He’s determined to bring those hunters down, no matter the risk."

"By the way," Caleb began, his tone shifting, "I don’t think the rumors about Enigma are true. Someone spread them on purpose."

Lucien frowned. "What do you mean?"

"During my vacation, I befriended a few humans," Caleb explained. "In one of those conversations, I learned it was they who started the rumor. They wanted fear to spread among the wolves."

Lucien’s brows knitted. "What? Why would humans do that?"

"For power, of course," Caleb said firmly. "They want the Alpha King himself to bend before them. But no matter how far they go, they know the truth, wolves are stronger than humans. Fear is their only weapon."

Lucien leaned back, processing the weight of the words. "If that’s true, then I’ll have to inform the Alpha King immediately."

"Yes. Talking to those humans, I felt that such rumors are being spread to create fear and instability. If there were truly an engima, we would have known," Caleb stated.

"Hmm. But Enigmas were said to be mysterious. Even for me it was hard to believe that there were an engima," Lucien muttered.

Just then the maid arrived with coffee and cookies for them, causing both of them to turn silent.

~~~~

Aaron stepped out of the airport as he reached into his pocket and retrieved a small bottle. Twisting the cap, he tipped a pill into his palm and swallowed it dry before flagging down a car.

The driver quickly loaded his luggage into the trunk and gestured for him to get inside.

"I’d like to go to Darkmoor Pack for the annual technical meeting," Aaron instructed as he settled into the back seat.

With a nod, the driver started the engine and steered the car out of the airport.

Aaron leaned back, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. ’Leia... we’ll be meeting soon. And when we do, I’ll set the perfect bait to drag your father out of his hiding.’ His eyes glinted with satisfaction, as though the game was already his to win.