CHAPTER 154: TO HURT YOU THIS BADLY

"You’d better bring that hunters’ clan to their knees, Ronan," Lucien’s voice thundered in fury. "If you fail, I swear I’ll never forgive you. I don’t care how many days or weeks it takes. But hunt them down, every last one of them. That’s the price they’ll pay for daring to harm our mate."

"Lucien, don’t say that," Azalea cut in. "Ronan didn’t let this happen on purpose. Let Leia wake up first, let her speak, then decide."

But Ronan lowered his head, guilt weighing heavily in his chest. "No, Grandma," he refused while admitting his fault. "Lucien is right. This is on me, and I’ll see it through. I’ll bring that hunter clan down, no matter what it costs me."

"Leia is going to be upset with you," Kieran said to Lucien, meeting his gaze. "We need to hear her side as well, to know what truly happened."

"Whatever the details, one thing is clear, she saved my life," Azalea interjected, pressing a trembling hand to her chest. "She didn’t hesitate, even knowing she could lose her own life. That woman was ruthless... fast." Her voice shook with lingering fear.

She extended the same hand toward Ronan. "Take me to Leia’s room. I’ll stay by her side."

"Grandma, you should rest," Lucien tried to reason.

"I was resting," Azalea countered firmly. "But lying in that bed only makes me feel weaker. Don’t argue with me."

With gentle care, Ronan helped their grandmother to her feet. She steadied herself, then turned to Fleur. "You should go to your room, child. Try to settle down."

"Sure, Mom," Fleur murmured, watching anxiously as Azalea, leaning on Ronan’s arm for support, slowly made her way upstairs.

"I’m sorry, Aunt... you had to witness all of this," Lucien said.

"Don’t worry about it," Fleur said, caressing his arm. "But Leia really fought bravely. If not for her, Mom could have been gravely injured. And as for Ronan, he arrived at the right time and saved them. So, don’t be too angry with him. He must be bewildered by all of this. Leia is his mate too." She asked him to consider forgiving Ronan.

Lucien remained quiet, his anger still hadn’t gone.

"Are the rooms ready?" He gazed at the butler.

"The rooms are ready," the house butler announced promptly, stepping forward with a slight bow. "Allow me to show you the way." He exchanged a quick glance with Fleur and her son, Travis, silently urging them to rest.

"Lucien, if you need any kind of help, then—" Travis began, but Lucien cut him off sharply.

"Not now. Just take some rest," he insisted, his voice leaving no room for argument. His eyes, shadowed by suppressed fury, flicked away as he turned on his heel.

Without another word, Lucien left the house. The night air hit him like a slap, cold but grounding. He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed.

The line clicked. "Alpha, I was just about to call you," Draven’s voice came through.

"I found out everything," Lucien said flatly, striding toward his car. His grip on the phone tightened. "Are you at the prison house?"

"Yes."

"Good. I’ll be there shortly," Lucien replied, before ending the call.

Lucien drove to the prison house. Shortly, he reached there.

He stepped into the cell, where Eshira was caged. Without hesitation, Lucien pulled an iron rod from the furnace.

He stopped before her, his eyes glaring at her. "I’ll ask only once," he said. "Why did you target Leia? Answer me, or this rod goes straight through one of your eyes."

Eshira’s throat bobbed as she swallowed hard, but fear never reached her face. Hunters had a creed–to never bow before wolves. Even if death waited, pride was their weapon.

"I’ve had her in my sights for a long time," Eshira spat. "The night she returned to the humans’ town with you three, it was then I knew that this last she-wolf must be hunted down to death. Since that day, I’ve been tracking her... and you. Lucien, your so-called strength is a joke. Your security is laughable. And your brother?" She smirked darkly. "He believed a hunter’s words without question. Wolves... are always this stupid."

Lucien didn’t hesitate and shoved that hot iron rod directly into her abdomen.

"Ahhh!" A sharp cry echoed in the entire cell. Eshira violently thrashed against the shackles, trying to break free from them, but her attempt was in vain.

Lucien pulled it out and threw it on the floor. Grabbing her throat, he took in a sharp breath. "You touched the wrong person. I’ll end your entire clan. Every single one will pay the price for what you did to Leia!" He declared.

~~~~~

Leia’s eyes fluttered open. Her chest rose unevenly as the sharp sting in her abdomen reminded her of what had happened. Blinking slowly, she scanned her surroundings.

Familiar voices drifted to her ears. It was of Ronan and his grandmother, Azalea.

"Grandma... are you alright?" Leia’s voice cracked, weak, as she tried to push herself upright. The sudden pull of pain made her wince.

Azalea leaned forward quickly, her hand already smoothing down Leia’s hair with tender care. "Yes, child. I’m fine. Don’t move," she said softly with love. "Your wound hasn’t healed yet. You need rest more than anything."

Ronan stepped closer, his eyes carrying visible relief at seeing her awake. "You scared us," he admitted, his hands curling into fists at his side. "If I had been even a second late in defending—" He cut himself off, unable to finish the thought.

"Ronan, I will live long," Leia said softly, her lips curving into a faint but hopeful smile.

The smile that should have comforted him instead pierced Ronan’s heart. His eyes misted, tears threatening to spill over. Without a word, he turned sharply, his shoulders rigid as he tried to hide the fear within him.

Just then, the door creaked open. Kieran stepped in, carefully balancing a tray in his hands. His expression shifted instantly when he saw her.

"Leia! You’re awake!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with joy and relief. He quickly crossed the room and placed the tray on the table. A fragrant bowl of porridge sat at its center, prepared for their grandmother, to accompany the medicines she needed.

Leia’s brows knit together. "Kieran... why are you back? Has Lucien also returned? Did I... again become the reason for you two to leave your work in the middle?" Her voice wavered with guilt.

Kieran shook his head firmly. His gaze softened, but his words were resolute. "Leia, no work is more important than you."

Noticing the turmoil written on Ronan’s face, Kieran walked over to Leia’s side. He lowered himself beside her bed, gently brushing a few strands of hair away from her forehead.

"You were brave today," he told her with quiet pride. "You saved Grandma as well. I’m proud of you."

Leia’s tired eyes glistened, her lips parting to respond, but before she could, she heard the faint sound of the door closing. Ronan had silently slipped out of the room, unwilling to let her see the battle raging within him.

"Why did he go?" Leia asked softly, her eyes flickering toward the door where Ronan had just disappeared.

Azalea hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line before she sighed. "Lucien was angry at Ronan earlier," she blurted out.

Leia’s eyes widened in confusion. "What? Why?"

Kieran exhaled heavily. "Because Ronan allowed a hunter into the mansion. And worse, he believed the story that the hunter told."

Leia’s face fell, shock written across her features. "But it’s not his fault. I was the one who trusted Eshira’s words. I truly thought she needed help and even called the pack’s doctor. She tricked us by saying she was from the Moonlit Pack. Ronan isn’t to blame at all!" Her voice grew urgent as she struggled to sit up. "Where’s Lucien? I need to see him. I’ll explain everything to him!"

Kieran gently pressed her shoulder, stopping her from moving further. "Leia, calm down. You know Lucien. He’s overprotective when it comes to you. Ronan is only upset because a hunter got close enough to hurt you this badly. They’ll work it out, give it time."

Leia bit her lip, torn between frustration and pain, but Kieran continued with firm gentleness.

"What you should worry about right now is healing. The rest, we’ll handle. You’ve already done enough, Leia." He glanced toward their grandmother, forcing a small smile. "Grandma, you should eat that porridge before it gets cold. You need your medicine too."

Azalea nodded quietly, though her gaze lingered on Leia, still worried about the storm brewing between her grandsons, especially between Lucien and Ronan.

"Leia, I’ll bring porridge for you as well. You didn’t take your lunch I found out from the butler," Kieran opined and rose to his feet.

"Tell Lucien to see me. And if possible, go to Ronan. Tell him not to be upset anymore. I’ll be fine soon," Leia pronounced.