CHAPTER 17: SHOWING CONCERN FOR ME

Once the doctor left, Leia went inside too. However, she didn’t go near the bed as she saw the two brothers speaking to Ronan.

"Leia saved you," Kieran informed Ronan, whose eyes widened in surprise. He then turned his head to the door. "Here she is!" His eyes lit up seeing Leia and he asked her to come closer.

Leia passed a small smile and walked to the bed. "How do you feel?" The first question Leia asked.

However, Ronan didn’t answer her and simply stared at her.

"Say thanks to her. Because of her, your blood requirement was fulfilled," Kieran pressed Ronan.

"Thank you," Ronan said. His voice was graced with humility, something Leia hadn’t noticed since the day she had first interacted with him.

"Hmm." Her vision blurred suddenly and she closed her eyes for a moment. Lucien noticed that and reached her.

"You should go home and rest," he whispered.

Ronan and Kieran were a bit surprised seeing Lucien’s humble side.

"I am fine," Leia said with a smile, trying to stand straight. But her body betrayed her. Leia almost blacked out when Lucien reacted swiftly and caught her in his arms.

Leia could hardly open her arms, but she felt his warm arms around her and also the warm breath that fanned her nose.

"We need to take her to the doctor," Kieran said with a panicked gaze.

"I will take her. You must stay with Ronan," Lucien said and walked out after carrying Leia in his arms.

"Why did she save me?" Ronan asked, tilting his head. "Did she want freedom? Did Lucien grant it?" he inquired.

"Out of kindness, Brother. She’s not like us," Kieran snapped, his voice carried the disappointment that Ronan thought Leia had hidden motives behind that help. "You should be thankful to her for coming forward to save your life," he stated. "These flowers, she bought them for you despite what you did to her in the past. Didn’t you see how weak she has gone after giving her blood to you? Yet, she came here to see you and you’ve to think so low about her. I didn’t expect this from you."

Ronan turned quiet after hearing an earful from his younger brother.

Kieran sat on the chair next to the bed as he began peeling the oranges for him. "I was scared for you. Why do you have to disappear without informing Lucien once?"

"Do I have to report everything to him?" Ronan muttered in frustration.

Kieran met his gaze. "Of course! He’s the Alpha and our brother. Indeed, we have grown distant after passing away of our parents, but we can’t let the enemies break us. Aren’t you aware how many want our pack to dismantle?" He forward the plate to him. "Eat them," he said.

"Don’t act like we truly care for each other. While you were pampered by everyone in the pack, it wasn’t the same for me," Ronan remarked.

Kieran realized that even after so many years had passed, Ronan couldn’t forget the suffering from his childhood. It was true that Kieran was the most pampered one among them while Ronan always craved for the love.

But Kieran didn’t mind Ronan’s harsh words on him. He watched Ronan eating the oranges and a smile formed on his lips. ’Maybe someday you’ll consider me a good brother of yours,’ he thought.

~~~~

"Did you not hear what the doctor said?" Lucien scolded softly, his voice laced with worry as he looked down at Leia resting on the hospital bed.

"Don’t start again," she muttered, eyes still closed, too tired to argue but not willing to let him win so easily.

Lucien sighed and gently cradled the back of her head as he took a seat beside her. His touch was tender, despite the frustration in his tone.

"Why are you always bothering me?" she murmured as she felt something press against her lips.

"It’s just an energy drink," Lucien replied, easing the straw into her mouth. "You need it."

His other hand moved slowly through her hair, fingers brushing with care, trying to soothe her even as she resisted his concern.

Leia could finally open her eyes and tilted her head up to look at him.

"You can let me go," she said.

"Stay quiet," Lucien told her.

"Until yesterday you were acting like I didn’t exist," Leia snapped at him.

"It was you, who kept ignoring me," Lucien corrected her.

"I never did that," Leia mumbled and sipped the energy drink. Finally, it finished and Lucien threw the can into the bin.

"I’ll ask Kieran to take you home later," Lucien said, putting her head back on the pillow.

"Why don’t you take me home?" Leia asked. "You must be tired from staying awake the entire night," she pointed.

"What are you doing?" Lucien squinted his eyes.

"What?" Leia arched her brow in confusion.

"Showing concern for me," Lucien replied. His fingers brushed against her forehead. "I thought you hated me." His index finger slowly traced her jawline to stop near her lips.

"Yes, I hate you for isolating me. I used to do job, have fun outside and do parties with my friends. Now, I stay at the mansion all the time," Leia truthfully told him. "And anyone can show the concern for you at such a time," she added.

Lucien pulled back his hand and tucked his hand into the pocket of his trousers. He turned around when Leia held his hand.

"Where are you going? Aren’t you going to stay longer? Ronan has Kieran. But I have no one," Leia whispered in her soft tone.

Lucien looked at their hands, and then into her eyes. He wasn’t affected by any woman’s touch as he was with Leia’s. Something was wrong with him, but he didn’t hate this touch.

"I will call Caleb to take care of you," Lucien said and walked out of the room.

"Jerk! He’s so tough to even please," Leia murmured.