CHAPTER 34: ARE YOU IGNORING ME?

"Alpha, we’ve traced Delia’s phone signal," Caleb announced, stepping back into the room where the strategic planning had been underway with a tablet was in his hand. "Her current location has been extracted."

Lucien took the device, his sharp gaze scanning the pinpointed address on the map.

"Then let’s catch her," he said, rising from his seat.

"I’ve already deployed a surveillance team to monitor her movements," Caleb informed him quickly.

"Tell them to keep their distance," Lucien instructed, narrowing his eyes. "We still don’t know the full extent of her powers. I don’t want any missteps this time."

"Understood, Alpha." Caleb nodded and immediately made the call, issuing the new directive.

Lucien gestured for him to follow as they exited the room and headed straight for the black SUV waiting outside. Once inside, Lucien leaned forward and ordered the driver, "Drive to Hotel Platinum Residency."

Caleb finished the call and turned to him. "It’ll take us around two hours to get there. I’ve already spoken to the hotel staff, they’ve been instructed not to let Delia leave under any circumstances."

Lucien nodded as the car sped off. Though he could teleport straight to the hotel using his ability, but he didn’t wish to use his energy when he might’ve to fight a witch.

His phone buzzed and he checked the notification popping on the screen. It was a message from Leia.

"My first step toward the Pack Development Coordinator!"

There was Leia’s picture attached in the same message, giving a victory sign while standing outside the large pack house.

Something strange happened in Lucien’s chest. He couldn’t help but smile, but didn’t give any reply.

Just then, another message popped up.

"Are you ignoring me?" Leia sent with an emoji, fuming with anger.

Lucien smirked and typed, "I’m not free." He turned the phone silent and put it on the seat beside him.

Meanwhile, Leia laughed reading Lucien’s response.

"He’s such a jerk," Leia rolled her eyes when a kid held her leg.

"Luna, I’ll show you my room! Please come with me," the young boy said eagerly.

The word ’Luna’ caught Leia off guard. She stammered, "I—I’m not your Luna." She dropped to her knees, gently holding the boy’s arms. "What’s your name?"

"My name is Nino, Luna," the boy replied without hesitation.

"That’s a lovely name," Leia smiled softly. "But I told you, I’m not your Luna. Why do you keep calling me that?"

"Everyone says you are our Luna. The elders don’t lie," Nino insisted with innocent certainty.

"Oh, my boy, sometimes elders do lie," Leia said kindly.

Nino’s brow furrowed. "Then who is our Luna?"

Leia sighed. "I don’t know. Your Alpha is a frightening man. I doubt anyone would want to be his Luna."

"But our Alpha is kind. He saved my mother," Nino defended.

Leia hesitated, then admitted, "Well... he can be kind sometimes." She stood and took Nino’s small hand. "Let’s go inside. Your mother must be waiting for you."

Inside, Kieran and Ronan were deep in conversation with the pack elders when they noticed Leia.

"Luna," Nino called out again, motioning for her to kneel.

Leia bent down as Nino whispered into her ear, "Alpha’s second brother is scary. They say he brings bad omens to the pack."

A frown appeared on Leia’s forehead at Nino’s words. She cast a quick glance at Ronan, then back at the boy.

"If you’re going to call me Luna," she whispered, lowering herself again, "will you believe me if I tell you the truth?"

Nino nodded earnestly, his wide eyes full of trust.

"Alpha’s second brother is kinder than the Alpha," Leia said gently, brushing her fingers softly through his hair. "He’s a great warrior and often saves us all from big, bad wolves. So don’t ever speak poorly of him, okay? Do you understand, Nino?"

Nino’s eyes flickered with thoughtful wonder. "If the Luna says so, then I’ll believe her," he declared.

Leia smiled warmly, ruffling his hair affectionately.

Just as Nino turned to run off, he suddenly paused. Then, with innocent sweetness, he pressed a soft kiss on Leia’s cheek before darting away.

Kieran smiled warmly, watching how even the youngest in the pack adored Leia. Her cheerful and magnetic personality seemed to draw everyone in effortlessly.

Leia rose gracefully and approached the elders, greeting them politely as Kieran introduced her. She was soon welcomed by the older she-wolves, some as aged as grandmothers, who regarded her with gentle, knowing eyes.

One of the elderly women looked at Leia with a steady gaze and asked, "When are you going to take on the role of Luna?"

Ronan and Kieran exchanged curious glances, silently wondering how Leia would respond.

Leia hesitated, then forced a small smile. "I—I don’t know. I don’t think I’m suitable to be Luna."

"That’s nonsense!" a second elderly woman snapped. "The Alpha has chosen you and that means you will be our Luna."

Leia’s eyes widened slightly, surprising the elders as she replied, "But it’s not a choice I made. I haven’t given my consent yet."

Another elder shook her head gently. "Why? You should consider it a blessing to become Luna. Usually, Alphas take someone of noble blood as their Luna. Many women in the pack have long wished for this honor."

Kieran stepped forward and spoke in a calm tone, "Leia is new to the pack. Please give her some time to adjust." He glanced around at the elders. "As for the next Luna, the Alpha has not made any official announcement yet. I ask that you respect her need for space and patience."

Ronan chuckled softly and looked over at Leia. ’She really doesn’t like Lucien,’ he thought, ’but he’s one of the most reasonable Alphas out there, lenient and fair with Leia.’

Leia looked over her shoulder at him, arching a brow at him. Ronan shrugged his shoulder and walked away to some isolated place.

’What’s his problem? His gaze told me he was mocking me silently,’ Leia thought.