CHAPTER 160: RECLAIM WHAT WE’VE LOST

After Jennifer left, Lucien went toward the staircase for the way up when saw Kieran descending it. He was holding a tray in his hands and stopped.

"I gave tonic to Leia which Jennifer prepared for her," Kieran said. "Let’s have lunch. Our cousins are waiting for us," he suggested. "Leia is sleeping for some time. You can’t neglect the fact that our cousins are here too."

By then, a maid approached and took the tray from Kieran’s hands before quietly walking away.

"Sure. Let’s go," Lucien said, and the two brothers made their way toward the dining room.

As they stepped inside, the lively chatter of their cousins filled the space. At the table, Inara was already teasing her brother, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Travis, you’ve found a mate, haven’t you?" she asked, her tone dripping with amusement.

"Shut up," Travis chuckled, lifting a spoonful of rice to his mouth as if the food were more interesting than his sister’s prying.

"That’s big news!" Kieran remarked with a grin, pulling out a chair and settling into it.

Travis groaned. "That’s not true. Inara is just blabbering."

"Brothers, don’t believe him," Inara countered with exaggerated seriousness. "I caught him talking late at night with some mysterious girlfriend of his! I’m sure she’s his mate."

"Why are you hiding it from us?" Kieran mused as a maid set his plate before him.

"We aren’t official yet," Travis admitted with a shrug. "I like her, but nothing’s been said between us." His eyes narrowed at Inara. "And you, stop prying so much into my life."

"Of course, I have to!" Inara retorted with a laugh. "I should know what my brother is up to. Besides, you’re hopeless when it comes to dating. I may be younger, but I understand these things better. Girls, their hearts, I can read them far better than you can." She finished with a smug little nod.

Travis sighed, shaking his head. "Don’t talk while eating," he reprimanded, though his tone carried more exasperation than anger.

Lucien, however, remained quiet, Inara’s words lingering in his mind.

’Are you thinking what I am?’ Theron, his wolf, rumbled at the back of his consciousness.

’Yes,’ Lucien answered inwardly. ’Inara might be the one who can help me understand Leia’s heart. She keeps pushing us away, but maybe Inara sees what we’re missing. I’ve never been close with women, and neither have my brothers. Perhaps she can help me find the answer.’

"Brothers," Inara chimed in again, completely unaware of Lucien’s thoughts, "I heard from Leia that she isn’t ready for marriage yet. Won’t Grandma be upset if she finds out?"

"Inara, that isn’t your place to speak," Travis scolded sharply. "Stay quiet and finish your meal."

"I’m just curious," Inara muttered, lowering her gaze but still defiant.

Across the table, Kieran’s eyes flicked toward Lucien. He noticed the troubled look shadowing his brother’s face but chose not to voice his concern.

Once lunch was over, everyone drifted back to their own rooms. Lucien walked silently down the corridor, his thoughts heavy, when Kieran suddenly stopped him.

"What’s bothering you?" Kieran asked, studying his brother’s face. "Is it Leia? I know she isn’t ready for our mark yet, but don’t take it so deeply to heart. She cares for all three of us, maybe she just can’t put those feelings into words. Women are... difficult to understand sometimes. And honestly, we’re no better. We’ve kept ourselves apart from women for so long. The only woman we ever truly knew was Mother."

Lucien took a deep breath. "I’m worried," he admitted quietly, "that if Leia keeps delaying this, the pack elders and the influential families won’t take it well. You know as well as I do that they’re already watching us closely. And you also know..." His voice dropped, weighted with hesitation. "I’ve resisted taking a Luna for so long. Now that I have Leia, the thought of losing he, or being forced into something against her will, it unsettles me more than I can say."

Kieran nodded slowly. "I know. Perhaps you should talk to Leia about it," he suggested. "That day at the hospital, I let my emotions get the better of me after hearing about Grandma’s condition. You were right. Forcing Leia into marriage then, just because of Grandma’s illness, would have been wrong. But if you explain the responsibilities you carry as Alpha, she might understand. Leia has to make a choice sooner or later, especially if she intends to step into the role of Luna."

Lucien fell silent, his thoughts drifting back to the moment Leia had quietly asked him for more time. At the time, he had considered refusing her request, but now doubt tugged at him.

Jennifer’s words echoed in his mind, sowing uncertainty where there had once been resolve, making it harder to see clearly where duty ended and desire began.

"I’ll have to go outside in a while. Stay close to Leia," Lucien said, and he headed upstairs.

Kieran shook his head. "I have never seen Lucien this confused," he murmured.

~~~~~

"What? Eshira is caught!?" the leader of the hunters demanded through the dimly lit room. He stood with his back to the man behind him, the flickering light casting long shadows across the walls. Draped over his broad shoulders was a white artificial fur coat, and in his hand, a lit cigar smoldered, sending thin curls of smoke into the air.

"Boss," the subordinate answered cautiously, "I tried to dig up the details, but Lucien hasn’t let anything slip. Whatever he’s planning, only his most trusted wolves are in on it. But... Eshira was one of our strongest hunters."

At that, Aaron, the hunters’ leader, finally turned. His expression was hard, his eyes glinting with restrained fury. Without a word, he pressed the glowing tip of his cigar firmly into the ashtray.

"Leia must die soon before her father finds her, Shawn," Aaron muttered, a sinister smirk tugging at his lips.

"But... isn’t her father dead?" Shawn asked hesitantly. "The witch, Delia, told us he died long ago before she even had the chance to finish him herself."

Aaron’s eyes narrowed. "That’s not the truth. I saw Leia’s father with my own eyes, just a few years ago. He’s not the kind of wolf who dies easily. The rumors of his death were nothing but lies. That man... he killed my father." Aaron’s smirk faded, replaced by a deep frown. "I should have finished him that night, but my strength was nothing compared to his. Still..." His tone hardened. "We need Eshira out of Lucien’s dungeon. She’s one of our best hunters, and she must be suffering in there."

Shawn shifted uneasily. "It’s impossible, Boss. No one has ever escaped Darkmoor’s prison. And with Leia being Lucien’s mate, he’ll make sure Eshira pays the highest price. He’ll give her the most painful death he can devise. Just like Delia..." His voice lowered, fear flickering in his eyes. "I’ve heard she didn’t last long in that prison. Lucien made sure of it."

"Shawn, we can’t afford to lose against Lucien," Aaron said firmly, his eyes gleaming with resolve. "Delia once told me something interesting that Leia is the kindest, and therefore the most foolish, woman we’ll ever encounter. Now is the time to use that weakness. Now is the time to befriend her."

Shawn’s eyes widened. "Befriend her? What do you mean, Boss? Don’t tell me you’re planning to walk into Lucien’s pack! You know him, he’ll see through you. Eshira nearly had her chance when Lucien was away, but now the security around Leia is tighter than ever."

Aaron let out a low, humorless laugh. "You think I’d go in unprepared? No, Shawn. I already have something far bigger in mind. I’ve always enjoyed playing with fire." His expression hardened into a cold, unshakable glare. "Leia must die. That’s the only way to drag her father out of hiding. He’s out there, and he knows what he’s done. He knows the blood on his hands. And when he comes for her... I’ll be waiting ready to kill him."

Shawn watched the hunter leader silently, worry gnawing at him.

"And what will happen to North Calimore in your absence?" he finally asked.

Aaron’s eyes softened for the briefest moment. "You’ll take care of it," he said firmly. "You’re like a brother to me, Shawn, and I trust you more than my own life. You remember what Leia’s father did to us hunters; how he crushed us, weakened us to the core. Befriending Leia is our best chance to reclaim what we’ve lost."

He leaned closer, placing both hands on Shawn’s shoulders, his gaze piercing. "Shawn, you just keep watch over our clans. And you, make sure all the clans here remain under control. I’ll handle the bigger game from my end."

Though Shawn didn’t want to agree, but he reluctantly nodded, wanting to keep his faith on Aaron.

"But promise me, Boss, if you fall in any danger, you’ll inform me right away," said Shawn.

"I promise, Shawn," Aaron stated.