CHAPTER 115: WARM AND ROMANTIC

"You’re overthinking now. It’s obvious that your brothers love and respect you. And I know they understand you more than anyone. You always deserved the position of the Alpha," Cesar stated, halting slowly and turning to him.

"Cesar, thank you for those words," Lucien said with a smile. "It’s already late. We should leave."

"Yes. By the way, have you started the matter my father discussed with you?" Cesar asked.

"Not yet. It may take some time," Lucien said. The two of them walked outside where their respective cars were awaiting them.

Cesar gave a gentle wave to Lucien before entering his own car and drove away. After him, Lucien slid into the car’s backseat. The driver started the engine and drove back to their pack.

"Here’s water for you, Alpha," the driver said, passing the bottle to him.

"Thanks," Lucien said and opened its cap. As he drank the water, his thoughts drifted to Leia. Lowering the bottle and closing it, he took out the phone from the pocket of his coat.

Surprisingly, there were a few messages from Leia. He opened them and smiled.

"I’m on my way to the home."

He put the phone aside, thinking she must be sleeping. But to his surprise, his phone rang and her name flashed on the screen.

Lucien furrowed his brows in worry and answered the call.

"Why aren’t you asleep? Where are Ronan and Kieran?" asked Lucien.

"They are sleeping on the bed. They refused to leave my side. I am unable to sleep," Leia whispered, looking out of the window. "I feel better though. Their pheromones helped me in a much better way."

"I see. Just go to bed," Lucien said.

"When will you return?" asked Leia.

"It will take at least three hours... Maybe after midnight," Lucien replied. "But don’t wait for me. Just go to bed. If I find you awake, I’ll punish you."

"How?" Leia pressed.

She could feel him grin. "You aren’t forgetting I was sleeping the entire day," Leia whispered. "Fine. I won’t wait for you." With annoyance, she hung up on him and moved toward the table to keep the phone there.

"Leia," Ronan called out her name, and she promptly turned around.

"I woke you up!" Leia felt guilty. "I tried to speak in a low voice," she again whispered, making sure Kieran’s sleep wouldn’t break this time.

Ronan appeared before her in a blink of an eye, flustering her. She felt him holding her hand and took her out of the room.

"Where are we going?" Leia asked.

"To the garden, of course. You’re unable to sleep. Then, we must walk for some time," Ronan suggested. "But are you able to walk?" He stopped, turning to her.

"Yes. I feel better now," Leia answered. "I told you my heat usually aren’t that intense. Only this time, everything jeopardized," she added.

She walked in front of him while he followed her closely.

"Leia, I want my wolf to talk to yours as well. When in the day Kieran said his wolf could actually connect with you, it made me upset, jealous and angry. But thankfully, even Lucien’s wolf hasn’t responded to yours," Ronan said.

Leia gulped, recalling the truth.

"Maybe when you train me, our wolves connect," she pointed, giving him hope.

"So far I’ve not seen what your wolf looks like. Kieran mentioned that you’re white like moon when you turn into your wolf form," Ronan said, descending the stairs, again holding her hand.

"Kieran seems to be charmed by my wolf. Zei is white in color," Leia replied. "Ronan, you don’t have to feel jealous of anyone. You’re the first one with whom I got the scent of my mate," she asserted.

Though it wasn’t entirely true, it wasn’t false either.

Lucien was the first one from whose scent she was getting affected. But she couldn’t confirm it until her heat appeared.

As they stepped into the garden, the cool night breeze welcomed them. Leia let go of his hand and ran ahead. During the day, she felt so weak and needy, but now, she felt so much better that she felt like flying.

"Hey, don’t run like that. You are still in a recovery mode," Ronan said, running toward her.

Leia pivoted on her heels, smiling. "My injury is gone. I checked my wound earlier," she said.

"Ahh!" Her slipper met a pebble, and she wobbled. Ronan was quick to reach her and steadied her.

"It’s nothing. Just a small pebble," Leia said, feeling his sudden intense gaze on him. Then, she recalled how she begged him in the morning. Embarassment clouded her features, and she bit her lower lip.

"What are you thinking?" Ronan’s voice turned low.

"Nothing," Leia said promptly.

"I’ve good hearing abilities. I wake up even to the slightest noises," Ronan told her. "It happened because I usually had to station near the borders for the first few years after I turned eighteen."

"That explains why you woke up when I had kept my voice low." She took a step back, but Ronan held her hands firmly, wanting her to stay close.

"You’re in your right mind now. Can I kiss you?" Ronan asked, his eyes searching hers.

"Why do you want to kiss me suddenly?"

"I want to tell myself that it’s real," Ronan replied. "That I’ve you, who won’t leave me alone."

Leia didn’t blink for a moment and quickly leaned in, pressing a kiss on his lips. She lifted her eyes slowly when his lips met hers. He gently nibbled her lips, his hand circling around her waist at the same time, thus pulling her closer.

After a while, they stopped and Leia lowered her gaze, the smile on her face encouraged Ronan.

"Leia, you have no idea how beautiful you are, not just outwardly, but in the way your heart shines," Ronan said softly, lifting her hands to his lips. He pressed a tender kiss to her knuckles, feeling his heart flutter with affection.

Leia hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "There’s a bit of confusion inside me."

"Hmm? Tell me what’s on your mind," Ronan encouraged gently.

"Loving three men at once... it’s something I never imagined myself dealing with," she admitted. "I spoke with Lucien earlier today. He told me I should take my time to understand everything and get comfortable with the three of you. And about the mark... I’m not ready yet. It feels like a marriage bond, and I don’t want to rush into it. So all three of you will need to wait."

"Of course, Leia," Ronan said sincerely. "We’ll wait as long as you need. I never want you to feel pressured. And I don’t want us thinking about heirs or commitments like that until you’re truly ready."

A soft smile touched her lips. "That’s exactly what I needed to hear."

As she stifled a yawn with her hand, Ronan noticed and brushed a few loose strands of hair away from her cheek. "Getting sleepy?"

"Maybe a little," she admitted with a sheepish smile. "But before heading to bed, let’s go over there." She pointed toward the northwest corner of the garden.

Ronan nodded, slipping his hand into hers as they walked together. They soon arrived at the gazebo, and his eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Soft yellow bulbs were strung around the beams, casting a warm, golden glow that transformed the place into something intimate and enchanting.

"I decorated it yesterday," Leia said, noticing his expression. "I was planning to come here this evening but never got the chance. I still need to do a bit more on this side."

Ronan smiled, taking in the cozy atmosphere. "It’s already beautiful. Warm and romantic. Just like you."

"You think I’m warm and romantic?" Leia arched her eyebrows.

"Of course, you are!" Ronan nodded his head.

"I didn’t do anything romantic so far," Leia said and she settled on the white bench in the gazebo.

"Every small act of yours where you show the care is warm and romantic for me," Ronan stated in a serious tone. "You know that women hardly looked toward me. I’ve rumors about me, so I don’t blame them. But you didn’t see me with those eyes. That’s why I feel warm around you. My heart feels more at peace whenever you talk to me, sit with me."

"Ronan, why did you go to that hill?" Leia touched a topic regarding which he didn’t even answer his brothers. "I know it’s not something I must ask, but now I’m curious. You were badly injured. What were you exactly planning to do?"

"I wanted the cure for my curse," Ronan replied, "and someone said I would find it in those hills."

"But you’re not cursed. You don’t need any cure," Leia declared.

"I hope so. But sometimes I do feel I am. A lot happens within the pack whenever I return to the mansion. When you fall in danger–" he couldn’t finish off as Leia interrupted him and stood up.

"None of that happened because of you. Please don’t think like that. Also, you’re savior for everyone in this pack," Leia pronounced. The next second, she closed the distance between them and hugged him.