CHAPTER 36: WAS IT BECAUSE OF ME?

"I can’t stay upset all the time just because I miss my mother," Leia said, her voice tinged with both strength and sadness. She gently placed the ice cream cup back into the bag, then turned her gaze to the window, watching the world blur past.

Kieran glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his jaw tightening.

’Think before you speak,’ he mind-linked Ronan, his tone stern.

’I was just curious,’ Ronan replied defensively, though there was a flicker of guilt behind his words.

Without warning, Kieran pressed the brakes, the car lurching slightly as it came to a sudden stop.

Ronan gripped the handle beside him. "What the hell, Kieran?"

But Kieran didn’t respond immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the road ahead.

Leia turned from the window, confused by the abrupt stop.

"Ahh!" Leia screamed, clutching her ears when the car had been struck from behind. The force threw Kieran and Ronan forward in their seats.

Without wasting a second, both men threw open their doors and jumped out.

A pack of four wolves circled the car growled low.

"Stay inside, Leia!" Kieran barked, slamming the door shut behind him to keep her protected.

Ronan stepped forward cautiously, scanning the wolves. His eyes narrowed, and he tried reaching out mentally, attempting to calm or understand them, but something blocked him.

"These wolves... they’re being controlled," Ronan said. "I can’t connect with their minds at all. It’s like there’s a wall."

Kieran’s expression darkened. "How could that be possible?"

Before he could finish, one of the wolves let out a feral snarl and lunged at him with lightning speed.

Kieran barely turned in time, but before the wolf could sink its teeth into him, a blur of motion shot past.

Ronan had already shifted.

His massive wolf form collided with the attacker mid-air, sending it crashing to the ground with a thunderous impact. Brown-golden fur shimmered under the bright light.

From inside the car, Leia’s eyes widened in awe and shock. She had seen werewolves before, but never like this. Ronan’s wolf was formidable, regal and feral all at once. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched him run in a lightning speed.

In moments, the other wolves charged, but they never stood a chance.

Ronan knocked one aside with a swipe of his clawed paw, then pounced on another, pinning it down. The final wolf tried to retreat, only to be flung across the road.

One by one, they lay on the ground, whimpering, subdued but alive.

Ronan shifted back into his human form. Leia’s eyes widened once again, not just at the transformation, but at the sight of his clothes remaining perfectly intact.

’How is that possible?’ she wondered, deeply intrigued. His shirt and trousers hadn’t even a wrinkle. It was as if the shift had never happened.

Kieran rushed over to his brother. "Why did they attack us?" he asked, eyes scanning the unconscious wolves sprawled across the ground.

"They weren’t after us," Ronan replied in a grim tone. "They came for Leia."

At that, Kieran’s expression hardened. Without wasting a moment, he pulled out his phone and called Draken, the pack warrior. "Get to our location now," he ordered. "We’ve got four rogues. They are unconscious, but still breathing. I’m sending you the location."

Meanwhile, Leia stepped out of the car, brushing off her skirt. Her heartbeat was still uneven, but she refused to cower.

"Are you both okay?" she asked, concern lacing her voice as her gaze flicked between the brothers.

Ronan gave a brief nod.

Kieran, still on the call, glanced her way and mirrored the gesture before returning to his conversation.

Leia exhaled, but she was terrified from inside.

Ronan stepped toward Leia, his gaze softer now. He reached out and gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from her cheek.

"Everything’s fine," he murmured, trying to ease the worry in her eyes.

Leia looked up at him. "Why did they attack us? Was it because of me? Did Delia tell more people about me?"

Ronan exhaled slowly. "We don’t know yet."

Just then, Kieran joined them, his phone call over. "Those wolves... they were ours," he said grimly. "Someone hypnotized them."

Leia’s brows knitted together in confusion and alarm. "How? Is that even possible?"

Kieran shook his head slightly. "It’s never happened before. Not like this. Which makes it even more disturbing."

"Can witches do something like this?" Leia asked.

"They can," Ronan answered. "And if Delia really is behind this, then we need to figure out how she pulled it off."

Before Leia could respond, Kieran’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, Lucien’s name flashing on the screen again. He answered immediately, lifting it to his ear.

"How’s Leia?" came Lucien’s direct voice.

"She’s fine," Kieran replied, glancing briefly at her. "Did Draken update you?"

"Yes. Listen, have Ronan take Leia home. You stay on-site until we get there. We’re on our way."

Kieran nodded instinctively. "Understood."

He ended the call and turned to his older brother. "Lucien wants you to take Leia back to the mansion. I’ll stay here until they arrive."

Ronan gave a short nod and turned toward Leia, silently assuring her with a steady look.

Leia, still processing the whirlwind of events, simply asked, "Is this going to keep happening?"

"No," Ronan said, taking the car keys from Kieran.

"Don’t fret, Leia. We won’t let anything happen to you," Kieran told her in a soft tone before guiding her to the car’s front seat.

Ronan settled in the driver seat and lowered the car’s window. "If anything happens, call me," he said.

"Hmm," Kieran nodded and watched them drive away.

"Will Kieran be fine by himself?" Leia asked Ronan, who was driving at a faster speed.

"Yeah. He is good at fighting," Ronan replied. "Do you know how to fight?"

"No. I never learned or get trained for it. Among the humans, I never felt the need of it," Leia answered.

"I can teach you if you want," Ronan offered.