CHAPTER 161: THE MOST ADDICTIVE WAY

Leia jolted awake, her body burned with sweat while her breath was ragged as though she had been running for her life.

"What was that?" She murmured hoarsely, her brows knitting together in confusion and dread.

Fragments of the nightmare still clung to her mind, fire roaring in the darkness, the screams of unseen people, and, most haunting of all, the image of her mother’s face, covered in fear. Her heart was beating strangely against her chest, making her press her hand on it to calm her racing heart.

For a long moment, she sat still. Then, with effort, she forced herself to take in her surroundings.

It was late evening, the room cloaked in shadows. Only a faint glow from the lamp at the top of the window let the room lit dimly. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and reached for the light switch. The room brightened abruptly.

She lowered herself into the recliner by the corner.

"I’ve never had a nightmare like that before," Leia murmured to herself again, feeling scared for some reason.

A soft knock broke through the stillness. She lifted her head, startled, to see Lucien standing in the doorway. His sharp gaze immediately caught the worry etched on her face.

"What happened?" he asked. "Is your wound hurting?"

Leia shook her head and slowly pushed herself to her feet. "No... it’s not that."

"Then why do you look so pale?" Lucien stepped closer, closing the distance until he stood right in front of her. His eyes searched hers. "Could you not sleep?"

She hesitated, confusion pulling at her expression. "I... I saw a nightmare," she admitted softly. "I hardly dream at all, but this one... it felt so real."

"Maybe because you’re injured. You aren’t supposed to overthink over a nightmare," Lucien opined.

"I saw my mother’s face. The fear in her eyes as if she’s losing something. I never saw such a nightmare before," Leia stated, her lips quivering before she pursed them together.

"It happens when you’re seriously injured," Lucien said gently. "The mind plays tricks, shows you things you fear, things you miss. Perhaps... you’re longing for your mother."

Leia hummed softly, acknowledging the truth in his words. Still, a faint smile tugged at her lips as she tilted her head. "And what about you? Ever had such nightmares?" she teased lightly, half expecting him to brush her off.

"Yes," Lucien answered without hesitation. "Many times."

Her brows knit together, her smile fading as she studied him more carefully.

"When my parents passed away," he continued, his voice lower now, steadier than the grief it carried, "some of the elders declared me Alpha. But I wasn’t ready. I couldn’t recover from the loss. I couldn’t even feel anything. People think I smoke because of stress, but that was never the reason." His gaze darkened, distant. "I started because I didn’t want to sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, they were there, my parents, in nightmares that wouldn’t let me rest."

Leia froze upon learning the truth behind his smoking habit that he kept buried in his heart . She hadn’t expected him to open up like this.

"You’re the first person I’ve ever told this to," Lucien admitted, his voice softer than before. There was a vulnerability in his eyes, as though each word cost him something, but he offered it to her anyway, piece by piece.

Leia’s heart swelled. She reached forward, her fingers gently wrapping around his hands. "And yet, despite it all, you became a remarkable Alpha," she said, her voice trembling with quiet conviction. "Your parents would be proud of you, Lucien."

His lips curved into a faint, wistful smile. "I like to think so," he murmured. "But truth be told, I believe my brothers... suffered even more than I did."

"They did suffer," Leia agreed softly, squeezing his hands. "But they had the chance to grieve, Lucien. You didn’t. You were forced to shoulder the weight of an entire pack. Not just against rival packs, but against the enemies lurking inside your own walls. That burden was yours alone."

Then, Leia rose to her feet. She lifted both hands and cupped his cheeks. "I’ll make you proud of me someday," she whispered with a smile.

Lucien’s eyes darkened, a flicker of heat flashing within them. "Leia," he breathed, his tone husky, "you know that when you do things like this... it turns me on."

Her eyes widened in shock. "What?" Flustered, she instantly pulled her hands away, her cheeks warming.

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest as he tilted his head. "Still afraid of intimacy," he mused, catching her chin between his fingers and holding her gaze captive. "But I like it. Do things like this more often. I like it when you touch me as though I’m yours... and yours alone."

Leia’s breath hitched. "I’m not afraid of intimacy," she muttered defensively, her heart beating rapidly. "You just tease me too much. Now move, I have to call Ronan." She tried to step around him, but he didn’t budge.

As she brushed past, his hand shot out, firmly catching her arm. She turned back to face him, startled, just in time for his lips to claim hers. The kiss was sudden, urgent. When she tried to retreat, his hand slid to the back of her head, holding her in place, deepening the moment as if he refused to let her slip away again.

’Why does he always kiss me in the most addictive way?’ Leia thought breathlessly. ’Once he starts, I can’t stop myself...’

She had expected Lucien to go on, unwilling to release her, but instead, he surprised her by pulling back. His lips trailed lower, brushing against the curve of her neck before sinking into the delicate skin with a firm bite.

"Ahh!" Leia gasped, a small cry escaping her lips as heat rushed through her body. She caught the mischievous smile tugging at his mouth when he drew back, clearly enjoying her reaction.

"Hey! Why did you bite me? Why do you anger me?"

She glared at him, her hand instinctively flying to cover the tender spot on her neck. "Just wait," she snapped, her pride flaring. "I’ll make you so jealous you’ll kneel before me, begging me to love you the same way I do Ronan and Kieran!" The words tumbled out before she could stop them.

"You can’t make me jealous," Lucien said with quiet certainty.

"You don’t know me," Leia shot back, lifting her chin with a boastful little smirk. "Now, move. I need to wash my hair, so get out."

"Let me help you," Lucien countered smoothly.

Her eyes widened. "What? No!" She thrust her palm up between them, stopping him in his tracks.

"Inara went out with Kieran and Travis. Aunt Fleur is with Grandma, and the maids—" his lips curved into a knowing smirk, "are too busy with their chores."

Leia folded her arms, refusing to have his help. "I can wash my hair myself. And if I need help, I’ll ask one of the maids."

"They’ll listen to me before they listen to you," Lucien said calmly, his eyes glinting. "If I tell them not to help, they won’t. And besides..." He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "I won’t let you strain yourself or put pressure on your head. It’s not as if I’m asking you to strip bare. So, stop arguing, and follow me into the washroom."

"No, I’m not following you," Leia snapped, folding her arms.

"Really?" Lucien’s brow arched, his tone mocking her defiance.

"Yes!" she insisted.

A low chuckle escaped him before, without warning, he bent and swept her into his arms. His hold was careful, mindful of her injury, yet firm enough to silence her protest.

"Lucien!" Leia gasped, swatting at his shoulder in playful outrage as he carried her toward the washroom. "Why do you always have to annoy me?"

"You annoy me, Leia," he shot back firmly, his lips quirking with amusement. "You never listen. If Ronan or Kieran had offered to help, you would’ve agreed without a word."

Her cheeks flushed at the accusation, but before she could retort, he stopped at the bathtub and gently set her back on her feet. Without missing a beat, he turned to the wall cabinet, and took out a towel.

Lucien turned back and found Leia already seated on the rug, her back resting against the tub. "Do it then, okay? And... be gentle," she murmured.

He noticed she had already removed her loose top, leaving only a thin tank top clinging to her.

Slowly, he knelt in front of her, carefully cupping her neck to guide her closer. With gentle hands, he draped a towel around her shoulders and let her hair fall loosely over the edge of the bathtub.

’His pheromones are always so hard to resist,’ Leia thought.

Once she was settled, he shifted to the shelf, picking up the shampoo with care.