CHAPTER 109: BEFORE YOU EXPLODE?

"What’s this?" Leia asked, eyeing the small pill resting in Greta’s palm. Her voice trembled with unease. "I shouldn’t take more... I’m already freaking out."

Greta gently closed the distance between them. "It’s a special heat suppressant. You should definitely take it, Leia. Do you really want the Alphas to come near you right now? You told me yourself, you’re still unsure about everything."

Leia hesitated, her eyes darting toward the pill again. "I already took two a few hours ago... but they didn’t help. If anything, I feel even hotter now."

"That’s because this one’s different," Greta said, her tone reassuring. "It’s a stronger formula. Hybrid-tested," she added with a slight smirk. "You know I’m part human, part wolf. For hybrids like me, heat cycles aren’t as intense as they are for pure-bloods, but I still take this when it gets overwhelming."

She reached out, gently placing the pill in Leia’s palm and curling her fingers around it.

"Just trust me on this," Greta said softly. "You’ll start feeling better soon. And don’t worry, you don’t even need water. It’s chewable."

Leia stared at the pill in her hand and lifted it to her mouth.

Just then, the door opened and Lucien walked in. He was quick to move by Leia’s side and took the pill from her hand.

Greta promptly stood up and lowered her head.

"How dare you give her pill?" Ronan growled at her.

"Alpha, I merely wanted to help Miss Leia. This one is stronger in formula," Greta stated, keeping her eyes low.

"Yes, she’s right. Give me the pill. I can’t stand so many pheromones at once," Leia extended her hand out, but Lucien took a step back.

"You will no longer serve in this mansion. Pack your bags and leave after taking your paycheck," Lucien ordered.

Greta’s eyes widened, and she quickly got on her knees.

"It’s of no use to beg in front of me. Just leave before I punish you for what you’ve done," Lucien said sternly.

Greta stood up and silently walked out of the room.

"Why are you three here?" Leia snapped at them. "I told you all to stay away. Don’t you understand simple words?"

Lucien slowly dropped to his knees before her.

Her brows furrowed in confusion as she looked down at him. Kieran and Ronan stood just behind him, their eyes fixed on their brother.

Lucien lifted his gaze to hers. "Leia, you know an omega doesn’t always need to get intimate with an alpha during heat. There are other ways, which are much gentler, to ease the discomfort," he said softly.

Reaching for her hands, he took them carefully in his own, allowing his pheromones to slip into the air.

"We’re not here to take advantage of you," Lucien continued. "We know how overwhelmed you must feel, especially with all three of our scents surrounding you."

Leia’s breath trembled as her lashes fluttered. The throbbing in her head eased slightly.

"You calmed me during my rut, just by being close, just by letting me feel you near," he reminded her gently. "Let us do the same for you now. There will be no lines crossed as long as you don’t want it. It will only simple touch... just holding you close, if you’ll allow it."

Leia nodded slowly. "...Okay," she whispered.

"Leia, my wolf responds to you, doesn’t he?" Kieran asked, feeling excited.

Leia gave a small nod. "Yes... Zei is happy to find Eryx as one of her mates."

Kieran’s face lit up with warmth, but before Leia could say more, Lucien’s voice cut in.

"Ronan and I can’t sense your wolf," he said.

Leia’s expression faltered for a second. ’What is he talking about? His wolf definitely connected with Zei before...’ she thought silently, confused.

"They’ve always troubled you," Kieran added, almost defensively. "Maybe that’s why their wolves are silent. Wolves don’t ignore pain. Zei must be protecting herself."

Without waiting for a reply, Kieran sat down beside her and gently guided her hand to her own head, coaxing her to relax as he stroked her hair.

Then, breaking the moment’s stillness, Leia looked between them and spoke softly. "Ronan kissed me earlier... when I asked him to."

Lucien stiffened. Kieran’s hand paused mid-motion. Both looked at her in surprise.

"He’s... a gentleman, though," Leia added, glancing at Ronan who stood in silence nearby. "He made sure I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable."

Kieran blinked, digesting the words, while Lucien’s jaw tightened just slightly, not in anger, but perhaps something closer to his own restrained emotions.

"I thought Leia was my mate and I wanted to make her feel better. She suddenly had lost her mind," Ronan murmured.

"Your scent is most calming," Leia said, passing him a smile.

"What about me? I thought mine was..." Kieran murmured, feeling a bit low. As for Lucien, he didn’t say anything. He was happy that at least, Ronan would feel special in such a way.

A smile formed on Ronan’s lips to hear her words.

Ronan turned to Kieran, a sudden thought lighting up his face. "Kieran, let’s cook something for Leia."

"Huh? Why? We can just ask the palace cooks," Kieran replied, blinking.

"No. It has to be us," Ronan said, already pulling him toward the door. "Lucien’s terrible at cooking, but you’re good. Let’s do it together. Leia hasn’t have her lunch yet."

Kieran hesitated for a second, then nodded slowly, his spirits lifting a little.

"Weren’t you two fighting earlier?" Leia squinted her eyes.

"It’s common among siblings," Ronan stated, dragging out Kieran with him with a bright smile.

Once they were gone, Lucien rose from the floor.

"Why did you take the pill from Greta?" he asked.,

Leia crossed her arms. "And why did you fire her? She was only trying to help me."

"Was she?" Lucien let out a dry chuckle. "I spoke with the pack’s doctor. You shouldn’t be taking any more suppressants. They’re starting to affect your wolf."

Leia’s eyes widened. "What? That can’t be. I’ve been fine all this time."

"But the body changes as it matures," he said, stepping closer. "What once worked, may not anymore. You need to start understanding that, Leia."

Without warning, he lowered himself onto the bed, his knees parting her legs gently as he leaned into the mattress. Leia’s breath hitched as his presence hovered close.

"You lied," she whispered, trying to steady herself. "You said your wolf didn’t connect with Zei. But Theron, he said her name."

Lucien exhaled slowly, brushing a strand of her hair away. "Because Ronan hasn’t sensed your wolf yet. He’d feel left out. Earlier, he called himself cursed. He thinks he’s the only one disconnected from you."

Leia’s expression softened.

"Kieran and Ronan fought because of it. I don’t want Ronan sinking deeper into that self-doubt," Lucien added.

His hand moved to the back of her head, drawing her in gently. "You really do smell like fresh strawberries," he murmured against her ear, brushing a kiss over her earlobe.

Leia bit down on her lower lip, her thighs instinctively trying to close, but Lucien was in between them, holding her gently yet firmly.

"So, do we have to keep lying to Ronan?" she asked.

Lucien’s lips grazed her skin. "Yes. I want him to feel better."

His hand moved to her neck, tilting it slightly as he placed a lingering kiss there. "God, Leia... why do you smell so damn sweet? In my rut, I could feel them, but they weren’t this strong."

His lips latched onto her neck, sucking gently before his teeth grazed the skin.

"Mmm..." he exhaled, leaving behind a blooming red mark.

"Lucien," Leia whispered in a quivering voice. "I feel... strange down there. Please... stop before..."

He silenced her with a kiss. His hand moved to her belly, slipping lower.

"Before you explode?" he asked against her lips, his voice laced with mischief. His fingers slid under the hem of her skirt, brushing against her smooth thigh.

Leia’s eyes fluttered closed as her breath caught. Her heartbeat was thudding wildly in her chest.

"Lucien, this isn’t a good idea," she said, trying to anchor herself.

"I didn’t ask if it was," he murmured. "Just tell me, should I stop?"

"You’re teasing me," she whispered, swallowing hard. "I need to be in control..."

Even as she said it, her thoughts battled her rising desire. She told herself to resist, to hold on, but the scent of him, the warmth of his breath, and the gentle dominance in his touch made it harder with every second.

Lucien kissed her chin, then hollow of her neck. "Say it, Leia. You are taking too much time," he whispered.

Leia cupped her face, bringing it close to hers. "I told you I wanted to do all of this after falling in love. Don’t play with my mind," she stated.

Lucien withdrew his hand and a smirk played across his lips. "You’re so strong-headed even in your heat. Ronan mentioned that you begged him to take you."