CHAPTER 37: NOT YOUR MATE

"Sure," Leia replied, accepting his offer. "I think... the attacks on me will only become more frequent from now on."

Ronan’s eyes lingered on her for a moment, taking in her soft features and the simplicity in her demeanor.

In a world as ruthless as theirs, Leia seemed gentle and unguarded. But being the last she-wolf, it made sense that so many eyes were watching her, some with curiosity, others with darker intentions.

"You ever thought about getting marked?" Ronan asked.

Leia blinked with a puzzled look. "A mark? What kind of mark?"

"For your protection," he explained, his voice steady. "Even if you’re far away, I’d be able to sense danger. I’d know if something was wrong."

He let out a small chuckle, brushing a hand through his hair while keeping the other on the steering wheel. "Wolves usually mark their mates. It strengthens the bond. It makes their connection unbreakable."

Leia’s lips parted slightly in understanding. "Ah, you mean that kind of mark," she murmured. Then she looked away with a firm voice. "But I’m not your mate, Ronan."

"Of course, you’re not," Ronan said quickly, though he found himself staring at her. He wasn’t sure why he’d even brought it up. The word mate... it carried weight. A promise, a bond deeper than any instinct.

"I must say, you fight well," Leia remarked, her voice soft yet sincere. "And your wolf... it’s so big and beautiful." Her words flowed gently as she tried to distract herself from the lingering fear and negativity that had settled in her mind.

Ronan was taken aback. No one had ever described Theron that way. Powerful, intimidating, deadly, those were the usual words. But beautiful? That was new.

Though Theron remained still within him, unfazed by the compliment, Ronan himself couldn’t ignore the unusual warmth that bloomed at Leia’s words.

He didn’t respond right away, and the silence stretched for a moment longer than necessary.

Leia noticed it and cleared her throat softly, trying to steer the conversation forward. "When did you awaken your wolf?"

"When I was twelve," Ronan replied as if recalling a memory long buried. While parents would celebrate their kids awakening ceremony, in his case, it didn’t happen.

"Oh," Leia murmured. "You awakened it quite early."

"Alphas awaken their wolves in their early teenage years," Ronan said, his voice steady as he glanced ahead. "What about you?"

"I was around fifteen or sixteen when I awakened my wolf," Leia replied thoughtfully. Her fingers brushed over her arm unconsciously, as if recalling the moment her wolf first stirred within her.

As she looked out the window, she found they were in the estate.

"Show me how your wolf looks someday," Ronan said, his voice low but curious.

Amelie nodded, then glanced at him thoughtfully. "I’ve been curious... why don’t your clothes tear when you shift back into human form? It doesn’t happen like that with me."

Ronan offered a faint smile. "Alphas and some betas are blessed with that kind of rare ability. It’s part of our lineage. But for omegas, unfortunately, it’s not possible."

Amelie looked down for a second, quietly processing his words. "That’s strange. Why the Moon Goddess has to become partial to the omegas?" she muttered.

Ronan offered a faint smile and eased his foot off the accelerator as they neared the mansion’s gates. The guards, recognizing the vehicle, promptly opened them, stepping aside to allow the car through.

As the vehicle rolled to a stop in front of the grand entrance, Ronan shifted into park and glanced at Leia. "We’re home," he said simply.

"Yes, we are finally home!" Leia said with a small smile.

~~~~

Kieran checked his watch when he heard the sound of approaching vehicles. Turning his head, he spotted three dark SUVs speeding toward him.

The vehicles came to a halt in quick succession, their doors swinging open in unison. From the lead car, Lucien stepped out briskly. He strode straight over to Kieran.

"You alright?" he asked, his eyes briefly scanning Kieran before shifting to the unconscious wolves sprawled across the ground in their human forms.

Kieran gave a small nod. "Yeah, I’m fine."

Lucien didn’t reply immediately. Behind him, Draken issued a curt command. "Secure them. Take them to the holding cells."

Warriors moved swiftly, lifting the limp bodies and loading them into the last SUV.

"The wolves are from our pack," Lucien remarked with a clenched jaw.

"That’s the strange part," Kieran responded, his brows furrowing. He proceeded to recount the entire incident, how the ambush unfolded, the aggression of the wolves, and the odd sense that something else had been controlling them. "Do you think it was Delia?" he asked.

Lucien’s expression darkened. "Only a witch can hypnotize both humans and wolves," he replied. "I went after her earlier, but she slipped right through my fingers. She’s cunning, but today confirms it. Delia wants something from Leia. That’s the only explanation for her leaking Leia’s existence to our rival pack."

Kieran exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. "That means Leia can’t go anywhere alone, not until Delia is captured."

Lucien nodded in agreement, his gaze growing colder. "And it won’t be easy. Delia won’t face us directly. She’ll manipulate others, mostly our rival packs, perhaps even our allies. She’s going to weaponize Leia’s identity, use it to turn the world against us."

"At this rate, everyone will know who Leia really is," Kieran said, his voice laced with worry. "And once they do, they won’t stop until they get to her."

"You think I will let it happen," Lucien muttered. "I’ll find out Delia soon and end her game."

"What about the war you’ve already decided to go with?" Kieran asked.

"It will happen too," Lucien said, sliding his hands into the pockets of his trousers. He felt the buzz of his phone and took it out.

Answering it, he said, "Yes, Ronan?"

"Malrik’s brother, Simon, is here. He demands to see you," Ronan informed him.

"Tell him to wait," Lucien replied and hung up the call.