CHAPTER 164: SORRY, I’M TAKEN

Kieran was the first to pull away, his thumb brushing across Leia’s lips with tenderness.

"Your cheeks turned red. Did I make you blush?"

"Kind of," Leia admitted softly. "But you’re also releasing pheromones."

His mouth curved into the faintest smile. "That wasn’t intentional. When I’m with you, Eryx loses control. Zei feels the same, doesn’t she?" His fingers slipped into her hair, twirling the silky strands as though he couldn’t stop himself. Leaning down, he buried his face in the crook of her neck, breathing in her scent like it grounded him.

"Leia," he murmured, his voice husky, "you might not see me around next week."

"Why?" she asked, tilting her head, the half-finished ice cream still in her hand.

"My rut is near," Kieran replied, finally lifting his gaze to hers. "Now that I’ve found my mate in you, it’ll be harder for me to stay in control. Unlike Lucien and Ronan, I’ve never had the strongest grip on myself during that time."

He helped her to her feet, guiding her gently to sit opposite him. Leia set the ice cream cup on the table and looked him straight in the eye.

"I’m willing to help you through it," she said with a small but certain smile.

Kieran blinked, caught off guard. "Really?" His voice carried disbelief, as though he expected her to take it back.

"Yes. We’re mates. I don’t mind helping you through your rut... as long as I don’t end up pregnant," she added lightly, though her cheeks flushed again.

His gaze sharpened into an intense stare. "You mean... you’re willing to give me your first time?"

Leia’s breath caught, but she nodded firmly. "Maybe," she whispered, lowering her head before lifting a spoonful of melting ice cream to her lips. Slowly, she met his gaze again as she ate.

Kieran leaned back slightly, studying her every movement. "Do you love me, Leia?" His tone softened, but his words were edged with sincerity. "Because I don’t want you to do this just to satisfy my need."

Her lips curved faintly, but her eyes held steady. "I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t sure of my feelings. It’s strange, isn’t it? How quickly I’ve fallen for you and Ronan, or maybe it’s more accurate to say how late I’ve realized it. I love Lucien, too, but I plan to tease him for a while. He deserves it for all the trouble he caused me." Her eyes glittered playfully as she spoke.

Kieran chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. "Leia, you’re really something. To confess your love so casually, so unexpectedly..."

"You did the same," Leia reminded him, scooping another bite of the ice cream before it melted completely. "You dropped it on me out of nowhere. I didn’t even have time to react, and then you got upset when I didn’t respond the way you wanted."

He raised a brow. "And how exactly did you know I was upset?"

Leia smirked knowingly. "Because I understand you... just as well as you understand me." She pushed the cup toward him. "Now, enough talking. The ice cream is melting. Let’s finish it before it’s gone."

Kieran smiled softly and gave a small nod.

"Uh, by the way," Leia began, her eyes brightening with sudden excitement, "I was thinking... we should throw a party for Ronan’s birthday. I’m hoping he’ll be back by then."

Kieran tilted his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Ronan doesn’t like celebrating his birthday. You know that."

"I do," Leia admitted quickly, her voice warm with conviction. "But this year has been different, for him and for all of us. He found me, he made peace with Grandmother... so much has changed. I just think he deserves something special. We could throw him a surprise, something small but meaningful. And maybe we can even tie it to a community event so it’s not just about him, but about everyone coming together."

Kieran studied her, silent for a moment as her words sank in. He could see the hope in her eyes, the way she always thought beyond herself. And even if he knew Ronan’s dislike for birthdays, he also knew Leia’s heart was in the right place.

Hearing her suggestion, Kieran found himself unable to refuse her.

"Well, that’s not a bad idea. Maybe as brothers, we were never able to truly understand him," Kieran admitted.

Leia’s brows furrowed slightly. "What do you mean?"

"You see," he began, leaning back as his gaze drifted toward the window, "Ronan never stayed home for his birthday. And Lucien and I... we never bothered to call him back. We thought leaving him alone was what he wanted, what was best for him. But now, I think if we had tried, if we had planned even small surprises, he might have felt more... cherished."

Leia’s lips curved into a soft, knowing smile. "Well, that’s true. You both failed to do that. But I’m sure you two always prayed for his happiness. That still matters."

Kieran turned his head to look at her, his eyes softening. "A woman makes far more difference in the life of a man than a man actually realizes," he said. "The day Lucien told us he would be bringing home a mate, I was excited. Not just because we’d finally have a mate... but because there would be a woman in the house. A presence that changes everything. A house becomes a home because of her. That’s what I always believed, after watching my mother."

"Hmm. I’m glad I could become that kind of woman," Leia said. "Kieran, you know since the very beginning, your thoughts always touched me deeply. Maybe that’s why I unknowingly fell for you. You always tried to make me feel special and most comfortable."

Then, carrying the ice cream cup, she finished the ice cream before it could melt further.

~~~~~

Lucien set the whiskey glass down with a quiet clink, his sharp eyes narrowing at the woman who had been circling him with flirtatious persistence.

"You don’t look like you belong to this place. Mind sharing where you’ve come from?" the blonde asked, her smile edged with curiosity, and a hint of challenge.

"Does that matter?" Lucien replied coldly. "I thought everyone was welcome in Eboncrest, as long as they stayed within their territories and didn’t disturb the peace of the hybrid packs here."

The blonde chuckled lightly, swirling the drink in her hand. "Why so defensive? You’re single, aren’t you? An Alpha without a mate, it’s hard not to notice."

Lucien’s lips curved into the faintest smirk, though his eyes remained cold. He lifted his wrist, letting the dim light catch the bracelet wrapped around it, a simple piece of string, but one tied by the only person who mattered.

His Leia.

"Sorry," he said, "I’m taken. You should find another man for yourself."

The blonde’s smile faltered, irritation flashing in her eyes before she turned on her heel and left without another word. Lucien didn’t bother watching her go. He lifted his glass, downed the last swallow of whiskey, and set it back down.

"Another," he told the bartender, his tone leaving no room for hesitation. The liquid soon filled the glass again.

His gaze swept across the room, faces half-hidden in shadow, conversations whispered too quietly for even his keen hearing to catch.

’How am I supposed to dig anything out here?’ he thought grimly. ’The hybrids keep their walls high. Everyone’s too damn quiet as if whispers and gossips don’t float in such places.’

"Rurik again started it!?"

"Yeah! He pissed off his father by attacking some Alpha."

The sudden spike of conversation cut through the low hum of the bar, and Lucien’s attention snapped toward it. His hearing sharpened instinctively as he couldn’t miss a single word.

"Apparently, Alpha Adrian punished him. But guess what? He escaped from his room. Adrian found out and, now Rurik’s being forced to marry my sister."

Lucien’s fingers tightened around his glass.

The name wasn’t unfamiliar. He angled his head just enough to get a better look at the group of four men striding toward the lounge. Their steps carried arrogance, the easy confidence of wolves who thought they owned every room they walked into.

One of them caught his eye, a man in a white shirt, his back turned toward Lucien. He was the one who was complaining about Rurik.

’I think I’ve found the one, who attacked me that night. Now, I’ve to find out why Rurik attacked me,’ Lucien thought. He paid the bills and quietly walked out of the bar in the cool evening air.

He looked around himself and gave a hand to a passing taxi. Getting inside, he said, "To Pine Moon Hotel."

The driver pressed the accelerator and drove Lucien to the hotel. Upon arriving, Lucien paid the taxi driver and went to the suite. Removing his overcoat, he called Kieran, "I won’t be home tonight or maybe I’ll be out tomorrow too. Make sure you keep an on everything."