CHAPTER 75: NO LONGER ALIVE

After dinner, Leia returned home with the three Alphas.

As soon as they stepped inside, Lucien casually slung his arm over her shoulder. "I’m sleeping in your room tonight. Ronan and Kieran can take the other."

Kieran clicked his tongue and moved closer, gently removing Lucien’s arm from Leia. "Leia is more comfortable with me around. I should be the one to stay with her."

"Let’s just ask Leia what she wants," Ronan said calmly, folding his arms.

Leia took a step back from both Lucien and Kieran, raising her hand to stop the argument. "I want all three of you to sleep in the same room."

She crossed her arms and added firmly, "I’ll set a mattress on the floor if needed, so space won’t be an issue. But if anyone insists on staying with me..." she looked between them, her expression sharp, "you’re welcome to check into the nearest hotel."

Leia quickly headed to her room, leaving the three brothers standing in the living room.

"Why are you so insistent on sleeping in her room?" Ronan asked sharply, shooting a glare at Lucien.

"The bed in the second room is too small," Lucien replied.

"Catch this," Leia’s voice called from behind.

Lucien turned and caught the mattress she tossed toward him.

"Are you seriously giving me this?" he asked. "You really think this is enough? I’m not used to sleeping on the floor."

"Then either Kieran or Ronan can take it," Leia said, pushing the mattress more firmly into his arms. "The bed’s large. You’ll manage."

Grumbling under his breath, Lucien carried the mattress into the second room. Leia followed him with a bedsheet in hand. As he laid it down, she covered it and added a pillow.

"I’ll bring a blanket in a minute," she said.

"I’ve never slept on the floor before," Lucien muttered, eyes still on her. "Neither have my brothers. But listen, if it’s about trust, I won’t do anything, I promise. I won’t go to a hotel either. I was upset with you... Can’t you just consider this one small request?"

Leia paused, her expression softening slightly. "Then you’ll behave around the few friends I have here. And you’ll let me stay here until Sunday. It’s not easy to leave a place I’ve spent my entire life childhood, teenage years, and adulthood."

Lucien stared at her for a beat before nodding. "Fine. Two more days. I can handle that much."

He picked up the pillow and threw it on the bed.

"Are you two sleeping together?" Kieran asked, leaning against the doorway.

"Yes," Lucien replied flatly. "I’m sleepy." Without waiting for a response, he walked out of the room.

"Your elder brother is throwing tantrums, that’s why," Leia whispered with a sigh.

"I feel jealous," Kieran admitted, his voice low. "I’ve been waiting for your answer, yet you never gave it to me. Instead, you chose to..."

He trailed off, sensing Ronan’s presence behind him.

"Nevermind," Kieran said and walked into the room. Leia gazed at him and felt guilty for keeping him hanging. It was true that she had him hung up and never gave him a proper response after that day.

"The day was tiring for all of us. The duvet is in the cupboard. Good night," Leia said, smiling and walked out of the room.

She entered her room and saw Lucien on the bed.

Shutting the door behind her, she switched off the lights and quietly lay down on one side of the mattress while pulling up the blanket.

Lucien gazed at her in bewilderment.

"It wasn’t a nice idea to sleep together. Your brothers expect the same from me," Leia said, keeping her back toward him.

"Kieran always complains," Lucien murmured, turning his head to her.

"Because he’s the one who proposed me first," Leia revealed.

Lucien frowned to learn that.

"He wanted me to be his girlfriend, but I didn’t give him any response. However, I ended up sleeping with you in your rut. Though we only shared some kisses, but it feels like I’m hurting him," Leia said, feeling a bit low.

"So, am I coming in between you and Kieran? What do you want to say? You should explain yourself," Lucien demanded.

"I never said that," Leia said, blinking as she opened her eyes. "Let’s just drop it," she murmured.

Then, after a brief moment, Leia spoke again. "I lied to Avery about us. I told her I know you three through my mother. I just... I don’t want them to know I’m an omega werewolf."

Lucien raised a brow. "Why? Planning to leave this place forever without telling them anything?" he asked with a dry chuckle. "You confuse me, Leia. I always thought you were upright about everything."

"Avery hates wolves," Leia confessed. "I know I’ll never come back here, but still... I don’t want her to remember me as a wolf. It’s hard to explain."

Lucien’s voice softened. "All right. I won’t say a word to her." Then, after a second, he asked, "Now, why don’t you sleep facing me?"

Leia slowly turned, her eyes locking with his. His eyes had a faint red glow, and something about it made her pulse quicken.

"You seem genuinely happy here, among the humans," Lucien murmured, watching her closely. "I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile like that in my pack."

"Now you know where my true happiness lies," Leia replied with a smile. "But I can’t stay here. I still have to find out the truth about my father. And I can’t keep hiding. Sooner or later, I’ll become a target. You were right... you gave me time, unlike the other alphas. I’ve heard rumors about how ruthless they can be."

Lucien gave a soft, humorless laugh. "Only for you, I’ve tried to stay soft. But don’t forget, I can be ruthless too. Maybe someday, you’ll call me cruel again."

Leia hesitated, then shifted the tone. "So... who was that girl everyone in the pack used to whisper about?"

Lucien’s gaze narrowed slightly. "First, tell me—who mentioned her to you?"

"An old lady," Leia answered. "I don’t know her name, but she seemed to adore you. I’m sorry I went through your cupboard that day. I must’ve lost my mind completely."

Lucien’s expression changed as if he recalled a memory from the past. "Her name was River," he said. "We became friends from the school. Because her father was my father’s beta, she would come to our house and most of the time, she would be with us."

"Then, where is she now?" Leia asked gently.

"She’s no longer alive," Lucien replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "She died with her father... in an accident."

Leia’s expression softened. "I’m sorry," she murmured, feeling more guilty now. She hadn’t meant to reopen old wounds, especially not ones so deep.

"It’s fine," Lucien said quietly, though his tone suggested the pain still lingered. "But I am curious about that old lady. How does she know so much?"

"I’ll introduce you to her once we return to the pack," Leia assured him.

"Sure," Lucien agreed with a nod.

Leia shifted, lying flat on her back. The silence in the room deepened, wrapped in shared memories.

"What are you thinking now?" Lucien asked, his voice soft and near.

"I’m wondering what my mother’s reaction would have been," Leia said, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. "She never liked wolves, but... maybe she would’ve liked you three. I’m not sure. Losing her still aches. No matter how much time passes, a parent’s absence never fades."

Lucien nodded solemnly. "You’re right. My parents died saving me. That’s the weight I carry every day."

Leia turned her head sharply. "What?" she breathed in shock as her eyes went wide.

"Yes, Leia. I regret losing them," Lucien admitted. "You might see me angry, always serious, always on edge. That’s because I’ve already lost two of the most precious people in my life. Kieran and Ronan are my world now. I can’t afford to show weakness, not to anyone."

He paused for a breath, then added more softly, "And now... you’re a part of that world too. So I have to protect you as well."

Realizing he had said more than he intended, Lucien quickly backtracked with a slight chuckle. "Anyway... let’s sleep. You must be tired after the trip. Want me to hug you to sleep?" he teased with a small smirk.

Leia blinked at him, a little surprised. This version of Lucien, which was full of care, warmth, even playfulness was rare. And it made her heart flutter for reasons she didn’t want to explore just yet.

"No," she replied softly, her eyes fixed on his face. "But... thank you." Leia pulled up the blanket, smiling a little when she felt Lucien moved closer to her.

"You make me think a lot, Leia. Your words do something to me. I don’t know what kind of change is happening in my behavior, but I don’t hate it entirely. I love the fact that I found you," Lucien whispered, not blinking even once.