CHAPTER 22: DATE ME INSTEAD

Leia glanced at him in disbelief, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. How easily he spoke of killing as if ending lives was second nature to him. The burning red in Lucien’s eyes radiated a fierce fury, it made her skin prickle. He had the look of a man who was used to silencing defiance with blood.

Turning to Delia, Leia’s voice trembled, though she fought to keep her emotions in check. "You sold out my identity," she said coldly, inching away from Lucien’s side. "You know what happens to women in the auction house. We’re sold to men."

Delia dropped her gaze, shame flooding her face. She had no words.

"I can never forgive you for this," Leia continued, "That’s why you need to leave."

Tears brimmed in Leia’s eyes, threatening to fall, but she refused to let them win. Her pride held them back.

"Please, Leia... don’t end our friendship like this," Delia pleaded softly with desperation in her tone.

Leia’s eyes turned cold. "You were the one who cracked it first, Delia," she said. "You made the choice. Now live with it."

Just then, the atmosphere shifted as Kieran and Ronan entered the living room. Both men froze at the palpable tension in the air, their eyes scanning the room in confusion.

Without delay, Kieran supported Ronan and helped him settle on the couch, while Leia and Lucien turned to them, startled. Why was Ronan here? Shouldn’t he be in the hospital?

Lucien broke the silence. "You heard Leia. Now get out before I throw you out myself."

Delia flinched at his words. Swallowing her pride, she turned and walked away without another word. The house butler followed her closely, making sure she caused no trouble before leaving the estate.

Lucien finally let go of Leia, who ran upstairs to her room.

"What happened to her, and who was that woman?" Kieran asked with a worried gaze. The servant brought water for them, serving them.

"Leia’s childhood friend, Delia," Lucien replied.

"How did a witch find the address to our pack? Don’t tell me Leia contacted her." Ronan frowned as he held the glass of water.

"No, she didn’t. Delia found out about her through the auction house," he asserted. "Delia is the one who sold Leia’s information to the owner at the auction house for money," he added, sliding his hands into the pockets of his trousers.

"Why did you come home when you haven’t fully recovered?" Lucien asked with concern.

"The wound’s healed," Ronan replied calmly, setting his glass back on the table with a soft clink. "It was annoying to stay in the hospital any longer."

Lucien didn’t press further. Instead, Kieran stood and excused himself. "I’ll go check on Leia," he said quietly and walked upstairs.

Reaching her room, he paused outside the door and knocked gently. "Leia, can I come in?" When there was no response, he noticed the door slightly ajar and pushed it open.

Inside, Leia quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks, trying to compose herself. But it was too late, Kieran had seen the redness in her eyes and the quiver in her breath.

He stepped in and took a seat on a chair a respectful distance from the bed. His voice was quiet. "Lucien told me Delia came by."

Leia turned her head toward him, her nose red, her gaze heavy with emotion. "We grew up as neighbors," she began. "I told her my real identity because I trusted her. Being the last she-wolf... It’s not easy, Kieran. I’ve been sheltered my whole life. My mother warned me never to reveal who I am, but... I let my guard down."

She paused, her voice cracking as she sniffled and wiped the edges of her eyes. "I wanted to believe she was family. But in the end, to save her boyfriend’s life, she sold me out for money. My life meant nothing to her. That’s what hurts the most."

"I’m sorry, Leia," Kieran said softly. "No one should have to go through that kind of betrayal. And I understand now... why you’ve kept your distance and hate us. Why were you so guarded?"

Leia shook her head gently. "I don’t hate you. You didn’t buy me. You didn’t see me as someone who has to bear pups. You saw me as a person."

She looked away, her voice growing quieter. "My mom’s been gone for a long time. Delia was all I had left that felt like home."

Kieran leaned forward slightly. "Sometimes the people closest to us hurt us the most," he murmured. "But Leia... if we hadn’t found you, someone else would’ve. Lucien told me once that many alphas were looking for you. Not all of them are with good intentions."

"I know," Leia said with a hollow laugh. "That’s why I spent years hiding. I didn’t date anyone. I didn’t talk too much because I was always afraid my secret would come out."

Kieran’s expression softened as he smiled. "Then maybe... It’s time to stop running."

Leia gave him a puzzled look.

"Date me instead," he said gently, a playful glint in his eyes. "You are going to stay in this pack forever. If we fell in love, my brothers won’t come after you. You can consider dating me."

Leia stared at him in disbelief, her lips parting slightly. "You must be jesting," she said with a soft, incredulous chuckle, trying to brush it off.

But Kieran didn’t flinch. His gaze held steady. "No, I’m serious," he said. "I do like you, Leia."

The laughter in her throat faded. The room fell into a hushed stillness as Leia looked at him, unsure of what to say. Her fingers tightened slightly on the edge of the blanket as her mind swirled with thoughts she hadn’t dared to entertain.

She didn’t respond. Just stared at him with wide eyes.

Kieran didn’t push. He simply sat there, giving her the space she needed, letting his confession settle between them like a fragile thread waiting to be acknowledged.

And in the quiet, the sound of her heartbeat seemed to grow louder in her ears.