CHAPTER 33: PRICE OF THE PORTION

Leia stopped in front of them, her face lit up with a cheerful smile. "I’m ready. Let’s go," she said, her gaze lingering on Kieran.

"Hm," Kieran responded with a subtle nod, and went ahead.

Leia waved at Ronan, then turned to follow Kieran. Once inside the car, she adjusted the seatbelt across her chest. Just as she settled in, Kieran glanced at her and said casually, "You look pretty."

The unexpected compliment caught Leia off guard. "Ah... thank you," she murmured, folding her hands neatly in her lap and turning her eyes forward, her cheeks faintly flushed.

Kieran started the engine, easing the car forward, only to hit the brakes moments later.

"Ronan!"

Leia exclaimed in surprise as Ronan opened the door and climbed into the backseat with a grin.

"I thought you said you weren’t coming with us?" she asked, twisting in her seat to face him.

"You were practically begging me to come," Ronan teased, making himself comfortable.

"I never begged you," Leia snapped, glaring at him.

Kieran’s lips curled into a small smile as he glanced in the rearview mirror. Despite the bickering, he was glad Ronan had decided to come along.

"You did, back when we had coffee this morning," Ronan said with a smug grin.

"You two had coffee?" Kieran asked as he drove smoothly.

"Leia was already up early. I didn’t expect to see her in the kitchen at that hour," Ronan murmured.

Leia raised an eyebrow, turning toward the two of them. "Do you both go running in the mornings?"

"Sometimes," Kieran replied, glancing at her briefly. "Though not recently. I prefer nighttime runs, it’s quieter."

"I’m more of a midnight runner," Ronan added with a casual shrug.

Leia tilted her head slightly. "What about Lucien?"

"He runs whenever the mood strikes him," Ronan answered. "He’s no fixed schedule."

"I see," Leia said quietly, her thoughts drifting.

’Was it Lucien in the morning? Did he see me? If he did... why didn’t he chase me? He could’ve easily caught me.’

"Do you enjoy running in your wolf form?" Kieran asked as he kept his eyes on the road.

Leia blinked, pulled from her thoughts. "Yes... I do."

"Then let’s go for a run tonight, if you’re up for it," Kieran offered. "Your wolf must be missing coming out in the open," he added.

"Tonight?" she echoed, unsure if she’d heard him right.

He gave a faint nod. "Hmm. Why? Don’t feel like running?"

’But I already ran in the morning,’ Leia thought.

"She might not want to show us her wolf," Ronan chimed in from the backseat, half-teasing, half-curious.

Leia hesitated, then replied honestly, "I’ve never shown my wolf to anyone. Only my mother has ever seen it."

"Well, you’re going to be with us forever," Ronan said with a casual smile, "so you shouldn’t be shy about showing us your wolf."

Leia furrowed her brows together. "I don’t want to show myself to either of you."

Ronan’s smile faded slightly. "Why not?" he asked, a faint frown creasing his brow.

Kieran spoke before Leia could answer. "When you’re ready, come run with us. If you feel more comfortable running alone for now, that’s okay too."

He glanced at her briefly. "Just don’t keep your wolf caged for too long. It’ll start affecting you... emotionally, even physically. Let her breathe."

Leia gave a small nod, appreciating Kieran’s gentler approach. "Thank you for understanding."

~~~~

"Malrik, you need to stop before Lucien wipes us out," advised his younger brother, Simon.

"You want me to surrender to him like a coward!" Malrik yelled at his brother.

"That’s not what I meant. You are aware of the strength the Darkmoor Pack holds. Lucien is no ordinary alpha. Did you forget how he wiped out the existence of the biggest werewolf clan at the age of fifteen? The Alpha King haw bestowed his special favors on him. You should simply apologize to Lucien and end it. Innocents may die if you won’t stop him," Simon reasoned, wanting his brother to think with a calm mind.

Malrik stormed across the room, grabbed Simon by the collar, and slammed him against the wall. His hand pressed hard against Simon’s throat as he growled through clenched teeth, fury burning in his eyes.

"If you can’t help me, then stay the hell out of it," he spat. "You’ve always been a coward. That’s why you ended up as a beta, despite being born to two alphas. You’re a disgrace to our bloodline."

The words stung deeper than any physical blow. Simon had endured his brother’s brutal remarks for years, but they never stopped cutting deep.

Malrik pulled back with a sneer. "If you won’t stand with me, then keep your mouth shut. I’ll kill Lucien with my own hands. I had Leia, but... I made a minor mistake. I should’ve taken her myself."

Simon’s eyes narrowed, hatred flickering in his gaze. "Because of your pride, our pack is heading toward ruin. Fine. I won’t stop you," he said bitterly. "But don’t come crawling to me when death comes for you, and it will."

"You think I’ll beg you," Malrik laughed at his brother’s words.

With that, Simon turned and walked away, leaving Malrik alone with his rage.

"Such an insolent brother I have," Malrik muttered.

He looked for his phone and called Delia.

The call was answered shortly as Delia spoke from the other side, "So, you finally want my help."

"Yes. I want that portion from you," Malrik said.

"But remember the price of the portion," Delia said.

"Yes, I remember. Just deliver it to me," Malrik requested.

"I’ll see you later in the evening," Delia said with a smirk.

As the call ended, Malrik smiled. "Lucien, just wait and watch. How I overpower you in this battle. Not only your pack will be mine, but also the she-wolf you’ve captured. I’ll be worshipped by all the wolves then, including the Alpha King himself," he pronounced with a smirk while already imagining the victory.