CHAPTER 88: RELEASING MORE PHEROMONES

"Leia, come in!" Rhea beamed, stepping aside to welcome her guest into the cozy warmth of the Rhodes residence.

"Mom, Dad! You won’t believe who’s here!" Rhea called out excitedly as she led Leia toward the living room.

Leia offered a polite smile. "Maybe they’re resting. It’s all right, we don’t have to—"

Before she could finish, a graceful woman appeared at the top of the staircase, her silvery hair cascading over her shoulders as she made her way down.

"What’s with all the excitement, dear?" Elara Rhodes asked. Her eyes quickly landed on Leia, and a flicker of recognition lit up her expression. "And who’s this lovely young woman with you?"

"Mom, this is Leia Solayne," Rhea announced proudly, practically glowing. "The pure-blooded she-wolf."

Elara’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, then softened with warmth. "Ah... yes. Of course. I’ve heard of the last she-wolf."

As she reached the last step, Elara approached Leia with grace and poise. Leia gave a respectful nod and greeted her.

"Welcome to our home, dear," Elara said kindly, ushering her gently toward the velvet-lined sofa. "Please, make yourself comfortable."

Leia sat down while Rhea took the seat beside her, smiling brightly.

"Mom, Leia is the new Pack Development Coordinator," Rhea shared proudly.

Elara’s brows lifted in pleasant surprise. "Oh, that’s wonderful news," she said. "Such a vital role, our pack will be lucky to have your guidance."

Leia smiled, a modest glint in her eyes. "Thank you. I’m honored to serve in whatever way I can. Thanks to Lucien I got such a role."

"Alpha Lucien is certainly thoughtful when it comes to such matters," Elara remarked with a knowing smile.

Just then, a servant entered the room, carrying a silver tray with a glass of water. She approached quietly and offered it to Leia.

"Here, have some water, dear," Elara said kindly.

"Thank you," Leia replied, accepting the glass. She took a slow sip, grateful for the refreshment after the long day.

Elara watched her with a soft expression. "Everyone is looking forward to meeting our future Luna," she said. "At last, our Alpha will have someone by his side to support him. It’s long overdue."

Leia offered a polite smile, her fingers tightening slightly around the glass.

Becoming Lucien’s Luna was never something Leia had envisioned for herself. Yet now, with her feelings for him growing stronger, it felt as if she was quietly, almost unknowingly, walking toward that very path.

"So, Leia," Elara asked with a warm smile, "where does your family live? Are they part of the pack as well? We’d love to meet them sometime."

Rhea, who had just taken a sip of water, carefully set her glass back on the table. "Mom," she said softly, "Leia lives alone. Her mother passed away a long time ago... and her father too."

Elara’s expression faltered, her smile fading as understanding dawned. "Oh... I’m so sorry, Leia. I didn’t realize."

Leia offered a gentle shake of her head and a small, composed smile. "It’s all right."

There was a brief, quiet pause before Rhea spoke again. "Mom, where’s Dad?"

"He’s gone out for some work. He should be back shortly," Elara replied, then turned to Leia once more. "Why don’t you stay for dinner tonight? We’d love to have you."

"I’d love to, truly," Leia said, glancing at the time as she pushed up her sleeve. "But I should be going. I only dropped by because Rhea kept insisting." She smiled at her friend, then slowly rose to her feet. "Maybe I’ll come another day, if that’s okay."

"Of course," Elara said, standing as well. "You’re welcome here anytime, dear."

"Come, we will see you outside. And how will you go back? Rhea can drive you back," Elara opined.

"No, thank you. I’ll book a cab," Leia said with a polite smile. "Please don’t trouble yourself."

Elara and Rhea walked her to the gate despite her insistence. Just as they stepped outside, they noticed Kieran standing a few steps away, seemingly waiting for Leia.

"Oh, Kieran!" Elara said, surprised but pleased. "Good evening, dear."

"Hello, Kieran!" Rhea chimed in with a bright smile.

Kieran offered a polite nod, his hands casually tucked into his coat pockets. "Good evening, ma’am. Rhea."

Leia glanced at him as she approached the parked cab. "Rhea, I’ll see you tomorrow," she said, giving her friend a small wave and then turning to Elara. "Thank you for the warm welcome, ma’am."

"You’re always welcome here, Leia," Elara replied sincerely.

Leia gave one last smile before stepping into the car.

"How did you find out I was here?" Leia asked.

Kieran kept his eyes on the road, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Well, someone mentioned it to me."

Leia narrowed her eyes slightly. "Who?"

"You don’t need to know that," he replied, glancing at her with a teasing smirk. "Seems like you’ve made a friend here."

"Yes," Leia nodded. "Rhea works at the Food Supply and Distribution Center. We met there. She’s quite persistent, and warm. When she invited me to her house, I didn’t feel right refusing."

He tapped his fingers lightly against the steering wheel, then asked out of the blue, "Have you been feeling hotter than usual lately?"

Leia blinked and turned her head toward him. "No... Why would you ask that?"

"Your heat period is near. I am just being cautious. That’s why I asked," Kieran replied.

"I told you not to be worried about it. I never felt that much discomfort," Leia assured him.

"I also told you that you’re among us... In a pack. It will be your first real heat, where you’re going to lose your sensations. I’m not terrifying you, but I don’t want you to regret it later. When an omega gets into heat, usually they want a partner to dissipate it. And they end up releasing more pheromones than usual," Kieran remarked while knitting his brows together.

Leia was a bit scared to learn that. She was feeling the pheromones of Lucien lately, but it wasn’t related to her heat, was it?