CHAPTER 76: WATCHED HER MORE TIMES

The next morning, Leia left the bed early in the morning. She cleaned the house before the Calandrino Brothers would be awake and also did the packing.

At the end, she sat down with an album in her hand and looked at the pictures in it. ’Forgive me, Mom. I ended up being with the wolves. But they aren’t entirely bad,’ she thought, stroking the old photo of her mother.

"Good morning, Leia," Kieran greeted her as he was the first one to wake up. She was quick to close the album in her hand and slid it inside the bag she had placed beside her on the sofa.

"Morning," Leia said and looked at him. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah. You cleaned the entire house yourself," Kieran said, noticing the bags she had packed, "and even packed everything."

"Yeah. I knew you three were tired, so I decided not to bother any of you," Leia replied. "Did Ronan wake up?"

"Not yet. I think we got better sleep here than our own house," Kieran said. "I’ll prepare the breakfast. I suppose I’ve to pick up some groceries," he asserted.

"Yeah."

"Let’s go out then and pick a few groceries," Kieran suggested. "I think my two brothers will remain asleep until we return," he murmured.

"Sure. I’ll bring the wallet. Then, we will go," Leia opined.

"I already have it. Let’s just go," Kieran said and dragged her out with him.

"Honestly, this place is much better and I’d say peaceful. I realise why you were so upset when Lucien initially brought you to our house," Kieran said. His damp hair slowly dried because of the breeze that was blowing since the early morning.

"Yes. And I’ve to leave this place forever," Leia murmured, sighing.

"We can keep visiting this place," Kieran told her.

"Hmm." She looked at her hand which Kieran had held and then him. ’I don’t know what I feel for you yet. But I can’t ignore this fact that you’re the kindest toward me. You made me feel most comfortable in the house.’

"Leia, tonight we can go for clubbing as well," Kieran said, tilting his head down to look at her.

"Sure. It will be fun," Leia said. "We need to turn left," she added.

"Oh, Leia, dear!" A lady’s voice came through.

The two of them halted and turned to look around.

"Oh, dear! Where have you been? You suddenly disappeared without informing any of us!" The middle-aged lady said.

"Good morning, Aunt Stacy," Leia greeted her first. "Ah, I am shifting for a new place. It was an urgent plan, so I didn’t get time to inform anyone," she replied.

"I see. And who’s this man?" Stacy asked with a smile. "Don’t tell me you’re getting married, Leia," she teased her with a smile.

Kieran smiled to hear that. "Yes, we will get married someday," he said, not letting Leia speak. She gazed at him in disbelief, wondering why he said that.

"Oh my goodness! You two are dating. That’s such a great news, Leia. You rejected so many proposals I brought you in the past. I’m so happy that you got the right man for you," said Stacy, laughing and smiling.

Leia had to pretend with Kieran’s lie and glared at him for a brief moment.

"Oh, dear! I would love to talk to you more. But I’ve to go now for the work," Stacy stated.

"Sure, Aunt. Please be careful while taking the bus," said Leia.

Stacy nodded and walked ahead of them. Both Leia and Kieran waved at her.

"That was one sweet aunt," Kieran said.

"Why did you say that to her?" Leia questioned.

"Because I believe someday you’ll respond to my feelings," Kieran said, smiling. "And it’s not wrong to imagine a future with you. Ah, the time is running. We should quickly shop the groceries and leave then."

Leia hummed and the two went ahead.

~~~

Lucien scratched the back of his head as he dropped onto the living room sofa, freshly showered. "Where did they go?" he asked, glancing toward Ronan, who was finishing a glass of water in the kitchen.

"Probably outside," Ronan replied, setting the glass in the sink. "Leia’s mother did a great job hiding her. This whole locality’s human. No way anyone would’ve guessed a she-wolf lived here."

Lucien nodded in agreement. "True."

Just then, the doorknob turned, and both looked toward the entrance. Kieran walked in carrying a grocery bag, with Leia beside him.

"We just went out to pick up a few things," Leia said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Then her gaze landed on Lucien. "Lucien, please put on a shirt."

"I’m feeling hot," Lucien replied nonchalantly. "Besides, it’s just us in the house. What’s the harm?"

"Why don’t you help Kieran with breakfast instead?" Leia suggested, already heading toward her room. "I haven’t even bathed yet. Been up and working since morning."

"I don’t know how to cook," Lucien grumbled.

"Then you should learn," Leia said, throwing him a firm look. She had planned to prepare breakfast herself, but his laid-back attitude pushed her to delegate the task instead.

"We’ll handle it, Leia. Go take your bath," Kieran offered calmly.

Leia hummed in response and disappeared into her room, closing the door behind her, leaving the three brothers to figure things out in the kitchen together.

"We could’ve ordered from outside," Lucien said.

"Home made meal is much better," Ronan remarked.

"So, what are we eating? Just prepare anything," Lucien told them.

"And you won’t help us!?" Kieran arched his eyebrow.

"I will by watching you how to cook," Lucien said.

"I also know cooking," Ronan told him.

"When did you learn?" Lucien frowned.

"That’s a basic survival skill," Ronan scoffed.

"I’ll be back in a few seconds," Lucien said, heading back to the room.

As he opened the bag and took out a sweatshirt, he heard the sound of buzzing of phone. Walking to the table, he picked it up and checked the caller ID. It was from the Alpha King.

Lucien swiped the call to answer it and brought it to his ear.

"Your Majesty, good morning," he started with a humble greeting.

"Good morning, Lucien," the deep voice of Alpha King Francis came from the other side. "I hoped your presence for this ball. I am sure my son sent the invitation to you."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I wished to attend the ball this year, but because of unforseen circumstances, I couldn’t. I will come to the palace to personally apologize to you," Lucien said in a polite tone.

"That’s not needed, Lucien. I understand why you refrain from attending the ball," Francis said from the other side. "I’d like you to meet me. I’ve something important to discuss with you," he said in a serious tone.

"Sure, Your Majesty. I’ll come to the palace next week," Lucien replied.

"Very well. Then, I hang up," Francis said. The line went dead before Lucien lowered his hand.

"I wonder what the Alpha King wants to discuss with me," he mumbled. He put on the sweatshirt, and went to the kitchen to help his brothers.

~~~~~

Leia remained in the bathtub, her fingers gently cupping the water before splashing it over her face. A sigh escaped her lips as she leaned back against the edge.

"My heart is reacting strangely to all three of them," she murmured. "How did this happen? I was supposed to make them turn against each other... but instead, I’ve softened."

Her gaze fixed on the ceiling as doubt crept into her voice. "This wasn’t part of the plan."

She remained still for a while, letting her thoughts swirl with the lukewarm water. Eventually, as the bath grew cold, Leia slowly rose, water cascading down her skin. Reaching over, she pulled the drain plug and wrapped the towel around her.

She blew dry her hair and changed into a comfy pair of clothes. Heading out of the room, she found the three of them setting the table.

"Leia! The breakfast is ready!" Kieran said with excitement.

"Let’s see what’s you three have made," Leia said and sat on the chair.

A few of her hair strands came to the front when Ronan caught them from behind. "I’ll tie a bun for you," he murmured.

Leia stilled slightly at the warm contact against her nape, her heart ticking a bit faster. "How do you know how to do that?" she asked, glancing up at him with mild curiosity.

"Mom used to tie her hair the same way every morning," Ronan said softly. "I watched her more times than I can count."

Lucien and Kieran looked at their brother. They both were aware how much Ronan craved to be near their mother. However, their father never allowed him.

"It’s done. Now, you can enjoy the breakfast," Ronan said, pulling out another chair beside her.

"Thank you," Leia told him. "Did Lucien help you both? Or did he just order you two?"

"I did help in preparing this soup," Lucien replied.

"You almost added sugar instead of salt," Kieran chuckled. Ronan laughed at that.

"Well, it was difficult to recognize what was what. Both were white," Lucien muttered. "Anyways, I’m sure Leia will love the soup." His eyes locked with hers, anticipating her response.