CHAPTER 46: HIS BURDEN TO BEAR

Upon reaching the mansion, Leia walked ahead without uttering a word. The three brothers followed her in silence.

"Did you know the truth?" Kieran asked, glancing at Lucien.

Lucien shook his head. "Delia never confessed. I thought Leia deserved to hear it first, whatever it was," he said, keeping his voice low.

They entered the living room and paused. Leia had stopped in the center, her back still turned to them. For a moment, none of them moved.

Then, slowly, Leia turned to face them. Her eyes shimmered with tears. "Do any of you know who Grayson Zirren was?" she asked.

Lucien’s brows furrowed. "I’ve heard the name... when I was a child," he admitted, casting a glance at the others. "But I don’t think Ronan or Kieran have."

Ronan gave a slight shake of his head. "Never heard it," he said, and Kieran echoed the same.

Leia took in a trembling breath. "He was my father," she said, her gaze dropping to the floor. "And I didn’t know... I always believed he was someone noble. A respected man. I thought... he was good."

Tears slipped down her cheeks as she fidgeted with her fingers, struggling to process the truth she discovered from Delia.

Lucien stepped forward with a soft expression. "Don’t believe everything Delia says," he murmured.

Leia looked up at him, her teary eyes making his heart ache. The pain in them was too real to dismiss.

"She had no reason to lie this time," Leia whispered.

"Delia’s lied before," Kieran said gently, moving closer. He reached out and brushed the tears from her face with the back of his hand. "Maybe she misunderstood something. We’ll get to the truth with a proper investigation. Don’t let her poison your heart."

Leia’s voice cracked. "And what if my father did do it?"

Lucien’s jaw tensed. "Then it was his burden to bear, not yours," he said. "Delia let hatred consume her and used the bond you shared for her own vengeance. Even if Grayson Zirren was guilty, there might be more to the story, more than Delia knows. We’ll uncover it. I promise you that. But don’t let the shadows of the past break who you are today."

Kieran touched her shoulder gently. "Come upstairs. Wash your face. We’ll have breakfast together," he coaxed her.

Leia inhaled shakily and stepped back. "I’ll go myself," she replied. "Wait for me in the dining room."

Without another word, she turned and slowly ascended the stairs, leaving the brothers watching her retreating figure in silence.

"Allow me to kill that witch!" Ronan snarled, his eyes blazing with fury.

"We can’t act without Leia’s permission," Kieran interjected. "If we do, she might—"

"She won’t hate us," Lucien cut him. He didn’t need Kieran to finish the sentence. "As for Delia... we’ll wait. Just a little longer."

Kieran gave a reluctant nod, though his concern lingered in his eyes.

"What about the battle you planned?" he asked, shifting the conversation.

Lucien’s gaze hardened. "Preparations are complete. We’ll move at night," he said coldly. "Delia is in our custody, so I’m not worried. Malrik crossed a line the moment he set his sights on Leia. For that, he will pay."

Without waiting for a response, Lucien turned on his heel. "Let’s go. Breakfast is waiting," he added, already heading toward the dining hall, the brothers falling into step behind him.

~~~~

Malrik paced restlessly across the grand hall as he waited for his beta to return with news of Delia. His eyes flicked toward the entrance every few seconds.

The beta finally stepped in, but his face was grim.

"Did you find her?" Malrik demanded.

"She’s... gone, Alpha. There’s no trace of her," the beta replied, lowering his gaze.

Malrik’s roar thundered through the hall. "Where the hell did she disappear to?!"

Simon, standing nearby, clenched his jaw, a troubled look crossing his face. ’Lucien... did he get to her? But how? She was still in our pack last night...’

Just then, a warrior burst into the room, breathless. "Alpha! It’s a message from Lucien!"

Malrik’s eyes snapped to the messenger, the rage in them replaced by a dangerous glint. "Read it," he growled.

"Malrik, I hope you survive tonight. Your end is near."

The messenger’s voice faltered as he finished reading, his hands trembling before the parchment slipped from his grasp. He fell to his knees, chest heaving from fear.

Malrik’s eyes darkened, his rage boiling over. "That bastard!" he snarled, and in the next instant, his claws elongated.

Simon stepped forward cautiously. "Malrik, let’s stop here," he urged. "This... it sounds like a final warning. Lucien isn’t bluffing anymore."

But Malrik scoffed, his voice filled with fury and pride. "You think I’ll lose just because Delia isn’t here to guide me?" He let out a low growl. "Lucien made a mistake challenging me. I’ll rip him apart with my own hands and claim the she-wolf as mine."

Simon lowered his head in silence. There was no doubt left, his brother had crossed into madness. But with Delia gone, Malrik’s grip had weakened. This was their chance.

Without a word, Simon turned on his heel and strode out of the hall. Within minutes, he was behind the wheel, speeding toward the Darkmoor Pack to meet Lucien.

Just as the road curved along the mountain edge, a massive wolf lunged from the woods.

"BAM!"

The wolf slammed into the side of the car. Simon’s eyes widened as the vehicle skidded, tires screeching. He slammed the brakes hard, but it was too late, the car flipped and teetered toward the gorge.

Simon flung the door open and leapt out before the vehicle plunged into the ravine, crashing below with a blasting sound.

Gasping, he landed on the rocky edge. Blood trickled down his forehead from a gash above his brow. He wiped it off quickly and staggered to his feet.

Seven or eight wolves emerged from the treeline. Their fangs were bared and eyes were glowing under the dim sky.

Simon squared his stance. "Did Malrik send you to kill me?" he growled, baring his own teeth.

Then, he lunged forward, transforming into his beta-wolf form.