CHAPTER 28: DON’T CHANGE MY MIND

"So... feeding me soup is your way of saying thank you?" Leia asked, arching an eyebrow in disbelief.

"No," Ronan replied. "I’ll protect you."

Leia blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, really? I thought you just wanted to—"

"I’m sorry for how I acted, Leia," he cut her instantly. "You’re the first woman I’ve ever truly spoken to like this. I... assumed you’d follow orders like the others I’ve seen, hybrids who were trained to obey without question. But you’re not like them."

He looked into her eyes, his tone turning more serious, "You’ve lived among humans. You see things differently. You speak your mind. That’s not something I’m used to. In my world, everyone listens to the Alphas without hesitation... and I expected the same from you."

He let out a breath. "But you’re not like anyone I’ve ever met. You had the chance to earn your freedom by not saving my life. Yet, you chose to give me blood. For that, I’ll be forever grateful to you."

Ronan couldn’t believe how calmly the words had left his mouth. A part of him still marveled at how much this woman had changed his perspective in such a short time.

"I just... don’t want to live with the regret of not saving you," she said.

Leia lowered her gaze to the bowl in Ronan’s hands. "We take life for granted... until we come face to face with death," she murmured. "By the way, the soup’s getting cold."

Snapping out of his thoughts, Ronan quickly scooped a spoonful and gently brought it to her lips. Her words deeply touched his heart.

Once she finished, he set the bowl back on the tray and stood.

"Did Delia really tell the rival Alpha about me?" Leia asked suddenly.

Ronan paused, the tray in one hand. "Yes," he replied grimly. "Leia, remember this, no one does anything in this world without a motive. Kindness is rarely pure. Delia showed her true colors. You should’ve asked Lucien to finish her off when she came here last time."

He moved toward the door. "Rest up. I’ll see you at dinner."

Just as he reached for the handle, her voice stopped him.

"Where’s Lucien?"

Ronan glanced back over his shoulder. "He’s not in the mansion right now."

"When will he be back?"

"I’m not sure," he said, eyes narrowing slightly.

"I don’t want this war to take place," Leia said. "Take me to Lucien," she urged while dangling her feet down from the bed.

"Leia, let him do what an Alpha should," Ronan opined. "Also, get used to such battles. Malrik has been creating troubles for a while. Don’t fret. We are going to win this battle," he pronounced with a confident smile.

Before Leia could argue further, he shut her off and left the room.

"Seriously, a battle?" Leia frowned. She picked up her phone and opened Lucien’s number. However, her thumb didn’t press the dial as she recalled how in the day she yelled at him.

"But he’s not going to be upset with me," Leia murmured before finally dialing the number. The ring went by for a few seconds.

"He’s not picking up." She was about to cut the call when it was answered.

"Why are you calling me?" Lucien’s deep voice came from the other side.

"I want to see you," Leia said. "I heard from Ronan that–" She paused seeing Lucien in front of her.

"How did you-you come here?" she stuttered in disbelief. She saw how Lucien cut the call and slid the phone into the pocket of his pants.

"I heard it was Delia, who told Malrik about me. I don’t want you to fight with him. I’m safe. I didn’t even get injured as you saved me," Leia said, choosing her words carefully.

"I did give him a chance to beg for mercy and forgiveness, but he ignored. I won’t stop until I rip apart Malrik with my very hands," Lucien declared. His words sent shivers in Leia’s body.

"But many lives are lost when a war or battle is initiated," Leia reasoned and finally stood up.

Lucien stepped toward her, closing the distance between them. "Don’t change my mind. I hate it. Also, the Night Shade Pack has always been on my target. It’s the time I should end their Alpha and take control over it," he affirmed, not blinking even for a second while peering into her eyes.

"Ronan said that you saw me as a luna," Leia stated.

"But you’re one yet. I’ve not marked you, Leia," Lucien reminded her. "You’re no longer among humans. Learn to live like wolves. That’s your identity is. Embrace it and don’t ever run away from it," he asserted. "Your mother didn’t either give you enough training for the self-defense. You need to learn a lot, Leia."

He took a step back. "Don’t call me because I’ll be busy for a while. I’ll come to you when I get free," Lucien stated.

"Wait, Lucien. Please listen to me," Leia called out, her voice urgent. "If you’re set on fighting this battle, then at least consider capturing Malrik, punish him your way if you must. But you don’t need to—"

Her words faltered as Lucien stepped close and gently pressed a finger against her lips, silencing her.

"Don’t give me suggestions," he said firmly, his eyes dark with conviction. "I’ll do what I believe is right. He dared to kidnap you. He crossed a line. And now, he and his entire pack must pay for it."

Leia reached up and took his hand, gently lowering it. Her gaze didn’t waver. "Then know this, if you go after the innocent, I won’t speak to you again."

Lucien stared at her for a moment. "Don’t worry," he said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Not a single innocent soul will be harmed. I’m not that merciless."

He then added, "Kieran told me you refused to eat. Stop skipping your meals. Take care of yourself, Leia."

Then, without another word, he disappeared into the thin air, leaving Leia’s in a state of restlessness.