CHAPTER 23: BY MY LUNA ONE DAY

"Why did you go to the hill?" Lucien asked after tucking Ronan in bed.

"Kieran asked me the same question. I don’t wish to tell any of you," Ronan said, turning on the TV using the remote.

"If it is because you are looking for a cure, then you must stop. What our father used to say about you, I never believed it. You don’t need to dwell in the past and get hurt because of it," Lucien suggested.

"Do you think your mere words can comfort the storm in me?" Ronan questioned.

"They cannot, but they can at least make you feel lighter," Lucien said.

"Someone told me that I could find the cure to my curse in Cinderglow Hills," Ronan began.

Lucien frowned to hear that. "You aren’t cursed. You lead so many battles and protect this pack. And you went to such a tough terrain knowing how difficult it is there. But the mark on you was of a werewolf, no? Who hurt you? I’ll send a team to chase that wolf," Lucien asserted.

"I don’t remember. I fell down a steep edge before a hazy wolf figure appeared. Before I could react, it attacked me and I fainted right away," Ronan explained.

Lucien hummed and decided to visit that hill by himself.

"You should rest and recover well. And please, stop thinking that you are cursed," Lucien urged.

"You were never in my position to feel what it feels like to be hated by your own father. I wanted to prove to him that I was as normal as the others. Our mother indeed remained sick because of me," Ronan said with a guilt in his tone. "I would like to be alone," he added.

Lucien quietly turned toward the door and left.

He then went upstairs to check on Leia, but stopped at the door when he heard Kieran proposing to her to date him.

’Kieran doesn’t stop flirting with women,’ he thought, and quietly walked away, leaving them alone.

Meanwhile, in Leia’s room, she remained flustered with the fact that Kieran liked her.

"I will see you at dinner. Don’t cry, okay?" Kieran rose to his feet.

"I want to work," Leia pronounced. "If possible for you, then hire me. I am good at accounts and finance. I don’t want to stay idle all the time," she asserted.

"Sure. By the way, did Lucien give you a phone?" Kieran inquired.

"Not yet. After Ronan got gravely injured, I’m sure he must have forgotten," Leia said. "If you give me a job, then I will be paid. I can buy a phone then," she added.

"You sound as if I am treating you badly," Lucien’s voice came through the doorway. It flung open and his figure was revealed to them.

Kieran stood up from his place. "That’s not what she meant," he asserted.

Lucien walked in with a bag in his hand. He straight walked to bed and handed it to Leia.

She blinked in confusion and slowly took it, peering inside. Her eyes grew wide seeing a new phone box inside. She took it out and heard him say,

"I was supposed to give you this earlier," Lucien said. "You asked me to let you work with Kieran. I allow you," he asserted.

Leia was shocked hearing his words.

"Are you serious?" Leia asked to confirm.

"I don’t speak casually," Lucien told her.

"Thank you," Leia said and passed a smile to him.

This was the first time since her arrival that she smiled at Lucien. He wasn’t expecting it, but it felt different seeing her smile.

"Hmm."

Leia began unboxing the phone. It left her in awe seeing the light purple colored phone. "How do you know I like this color?" she asked with a surprised gaze.

"I randomly picked it," Lucien replied. "The SIM card is provided too. Also, don’t talk to unnecessary people. I meant the humans or witches. I don’t trust them," he affirmed, turning serious.

"I don’t even have many friends. Also, even if I talk to them what will I say to them? That a big red bad alpha has bought me?" Leia scoffed and looked at the tiny envelope of the SIM card.

Kieran laughed a little. "She called you big bad alpha," he muttered.

"Can’t you ever compliment me?" Lucien chuckled.

"There’s nothing in you to compliment about," Leia said and inserted the SIM card in the phone. "Once I earn money, I’ll definitely return it to you," she said.

"Who asked you to pay me?" Lucien glared at her.

"You bought me for such a huge amount. I feel unworthy, so I must tell you. " She asserted.

"I told you that you aren’t getting free. You’ll be my Luna one day," Lucien announced.

Leia and Kieran were left speechless to hear him. Before any of them could speak, he left.

"He joked, right?" Leia asked, looking at Kieran.

"My brother never jokes," Kieran replied. He felt uneasy but he masked that feeling with a small smile. ’Does Lucien also like Leia?’ he thought.

"If he’s not joking, then it’s bad. I can’t be his luna," Leia murmured, looking at at the phone in her hand.

"Why?" Kieran curiously asked.

"Because I hate him. He snatched my freedom," Leia muttered. She recalled how he tried to assert his dominance over her.

Kieran was relieved to hear that. ’I need to make more efforts to make Leia mine alone. She can’t be with my brother. I don’t want her to stay upset while taking care of the kids,’ he thought.

"I almost forgot to ask why Ronan is home? Wasn’t he supposed to stay a few more days in the hospital?" asked Leia.

"Ronan’s wound has healed at an exceptionally fast rate. So, he insisted on getting discharged. The doctor will visit him tomorrow for the checkup," he explained.

"I see," Leia said. She wanted to see Ronan, but at the same time, she felt staying away from him would be the best.

Suddenly, the phone in Kieran’s pocket buzzed and he took it out. A frown appeared on his forehead at the sight of the name.

"I’ll be back soon," Kieran said and excused himself.