CHAPTER 99: BETTER BE CAREFUL

Leia slowly got out of the bed and moved slowly toward the washroom.

"Why didn’t you call for help?" Lucien grabbed his arm and carried her from behind, flustering her.

"I didn’t wish to disturb anyone. It was just going to the washroom," Leia said as he walked inside while carrying her.

"Exactly. You’re not allowed to move without a help. Your wound on the leg was deep," he said, putting her down near the sink. "Call me once you finish," he said, walking out and shutting the door behind him.

"What was that?" Leia murmured.

After some time, she opened the door and found Lucien was standing right there. "I can walk. You don’t have to–" She couldn’t finish her words as Lucien already scooped her up in his arms.

Gently settling her on the bed, he put a pillow on her back and let the blanket rest around her belly.

"You look upset," Leia said.

"Really?" Lucien chuckled before sitting in front of her.

"Yeah. Kieran earlier told me he and Ronan got punished. They both had to patrol the border for two days. Don’t you think you are harsh on your brothers?"

"I took the decision as the Alpha of the pack. I clearly instructed both of them not to let you alone. Yet, they neglected the order of their Alpha. I should discipline them, so that no such mistakes are repeated in the future," Lucien explained.

"But they didn’t do it intentionally," Leia argued. "Kieran was busy at work and Ronan must be worried about his stolen battle technique. Besides, I am fine. Just call them back."

Lucien simply stared at her face. "If there were someone else in their position, would you have said the same words?"

She turned quiet, refusing while shaking her head lightly.

"I can’t show bias just because they’re my brothers," he said. "They made a mistake. And mistakes have consequences."

Leia stared at him. "So if I mess up someday, will you punish me too? Will you send me off to some faraway border post?"

Lucien’s eyes softened slightly with intrigue. "That depends on how serious your mistake is."

"I’d better be careful then," she muttered.

A knock interrupted them.

Lucien rose and opened the door. Two servants entered, quietly setting the dinner on the bed tray before stepping out.

Leia reached for the spoon, but her hand trembled slightly from strain. Lucien noticed and took it from her hand without a word. He scooped a spoonful of the warm mutton soup and held it to her lips.

"Won’t you eat?" she asked.

"I already had dinner with my brothers before they left," he replied, feeding her gently.

Leia hesitated. "Kieran said the culprit was caught... and that you killed him."

Lucien nodded, unfazed. "I did."

"Why?" she asked softly.

His expression darkened. "He targeted you. He frightened you. He hurt you." His voice dropped into a low growl. "That’s enough reason."

Leia lowered her gaze, sensing his possessiveness.

"Now hush," he added, calmer this time. "Eat."

Leia quietly finished the meal as Lucien continued feeding her. When she was done, the servants returned to clear the dishes. Lucien handed her the medicine and waited until she swallowed it.

She took it with a few sips of water, and he gently took the empty glass from her hand.

"I don’t think I’ll sleep so early," Leia said, settling back into the pillows. "I already slept too much earlier... Can I watch TV for a while?"

Lucien nodded. He grabbed the remote, turned on the TV, and handed it to her. When he sat beside her and slipped under the blanket, Leia blinked in surprise.

"What are you—" she tilted her head toward him.

"I have to stay by your side," Lucien said simply, his eyes fixed on the screen. He crossed his arms, making himself comfortable.

Leia’s lips curled into a small smile. ’Why did I smile?’ she thought, puzzled by her own reaction. She turned her attention back to the TV and finally stopped flipping channels when a movie caught her eye.

"How much did you smoke today?" she asked suddenly, glancing at him sideways.

Lucien raised a brow. "Does it smell that bad?"

"No," she said with a soft laugh. "But my sense of smell is sharp. Perks of being a werewolf, remember?"

He looked mildly amused. "Not much."

"It smells like you finished the whole box," she teased, her tone lighter. Their shoulders were gently brushing now, a warmth settling between them. Leia tilted her head to look at him again.

Lucien didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turned his head slightly, their faces now only inches apart.

"You were injured," he said. "I was losing my mind. It’s a habit that has grown for years. And it helps me think."

Leia looked at him for a moment longer before and pressed a sudden kiss on his lips.

He stopped blinking while Leia looked straight. "You-you won’t smoke anymore. I’ll help you get rid of this habit," she muttered with a determined tone. She could feel her cheeks turning warm.

"Leia, you know that your single kiss is enough to ignite my deeply buried desires," Lucien murmured, looking at her side face.

"Then, learn to control. I’m injured," Leia said.

Lucien mused. "Then, if you weren’t injured, you would have allowed me to let my desires take in."

Leia gulped hard, her lower lip moved between her teeth. He simply smiled, noticing the expression on her face.

"Don’t speak anymore. I need to watch the movie," Leia said, creating a small space between them by moving an inch away.

Lucien chuckled and focused his gaze on the screen. Though he was never interested in watching movies, but he was enjoying it.

After a while, he felt Leia’s head touch his shoulder. He tilted his head only to find out Leia was asleep. The strong medicine was the reason behind it.

Lucien slowly brushed away the tiny strand of hair from her face. His eyes lingering on her lips, but he didn’t kiss her. He gently laid her down on the mattress and using the remote he switched off the TV.

Then, switching off the lights, he too, slept beside her.