CHAPTER 47: TREATED LIKE AN OUTCAST

Lucien was in the study with his Beta and several warriors discussing about the battle when a knock broke their conversation. The door creaked open, revealing the house butler standing stiffly in the doorway.

"My Lord," he said, bowing slightly, "Simon is here. He insists on seeing you... and he’s in a terrible state."

Lucien frowned and rose to his feet. Without a word, he strode out while the others followed him closely.

They stepped outside the mansion, and stopped.

Simon stood barely upright, his body drenched in blood, deep gashes lining his arms and chest.

"What happened?" Lucien demanded.

Simon tried to speak, his lips trembling. "The passages... you have to—"

But he collapsed mid-sentence and his body hit the cobblestones with a thud.

"Take him to the hospital," Lucien ordered. Then he turned to the others, "This meeting is over."

He walked into the mansion and thought, ’It seems Malrik again found out Simon is betraying him. He must be wanting to eliminate him.’

"Was that Simon?" Ronan asked as he returned from the terrace.

"Yeah," Lucien replied. "He was covered in wounds. I’ve sent him to the hospital."

Before Ronan could respond, an elderly voice echoed through the living room.

"Lucien, my child!"

Startled, both brothers turned toward the sound. A stately figure stood at the entrance, Azalea Calandrino, their grandmother, graceful as ever, with her signature cane.

Lucien and Ronan immediately bowed with respect.

Azalea returned Lucien’s gesture with a warm smile, walking over to embrace him tightly. She gave him a hearty pat on the back, as if reassuring herself of his strength.

"Grandma," Lucien said, surprised. "Why are you here?"

Azalea’s proud gaze swept over him. "Take my luggage to the room," she instructed the servants briskly, before turning her sharp eyes back to Lucien.

She made no acknowledgment of Ronan, who stood a step behind.

"Isn’t it my home too? It’s been long since I last saw my both grandsons," Azalea stated.

Ronan felt low to hear that statement. Their grandmother still didn’t acknowledge him as her grandson.

"Grandma, I wanted you to be at the aunt’s place for another two weeks," Lucien stated, clearly annoyed with her sudden arrival.

"I’ve got to know you’ve brought a future Luna for yourself. I couldn’t wait to see the last she-wolf," Azalea said with a smile. With that, she brushed past Lucien and sat on the center of the couch.

Lucien gazed at Ronan, realizing his discomfort.

"So, where’s the girl?" Azalea asked.

"Leia isn’t home," Ronan replied.

"I didn’t ask you," Azalea sharply said. "Why are you even here? Did I not make myself clear last time to stay out of my sight when I’ll be in the mansion?" she frowned as she fixed the glasses on the bridge of her nose.

"Grandma, you’re not allowed to speak in such a tone with my brother. If you want to keep this up, I’m afraid but I’ve to send you back to the aunt’s house," Lucien warned her.

Azalea grabbed the glass of water, which the servant had brought and sipped it slowly to quench her thirst.

"Where’s Kieran?" she then asked, wandering her eyes around.

"He’s with Leia. They’ve gone to the pack house for some work," Lucien answered.

Ronan quietly slipped away from the living room, realizing he wasn’t needed there.

"You involved the girl already in the pack activities. You should’ve studied her well. She’s not been among wolves for a long time. How is she supposed to be trusted?" Azalea frowned while being skeptical.

"Grandma, you don’t need to concern yourself with my decisions. I request you to not create troubles for anyone here," Lucien stated. "And don’t make Ronan feel out of this place. He’s my brother. Even if you consider him as a nobody, for me, he’s my greatest strength."

"Have you forgotten what he did in the past? He almost brought our pack to the ruins," Azalea said sharply.

"My parents died while saving me. I was the reason of all that destruction, not Ronan. Do you’ve to open the wounds of the past? And Ronan... He was never wrong. He has always protected this pack. Even when he was treated like an outcast. You and Father... you both made him feel worthless. But tell me—if you had been treated the same way, how would you have felt?"

Azalea lowered her gaze while keeping her hands firmly on the cane.

Just then, he felt the presence of Leia and Kieran. He turned around and saw them entering with smiles on their faces.

Leia was the first to turn her face to Lucien, but for a brief moment, their eyes locked as her gaze landed on the elderly figure on the couch.

Kieran was surprised seeing their grandmother.

’Wasn’t she supposed to come after two weeks?’ Kieran promptly mindlinked with Lucien.

’She decided to come here without informing me,’ Lucien replied through the same link.

"Grandma!" Kieran called as he walked over. Azalea rose from her seat just in time to receive his embrace. She hugged him warmly, giving a few gentle pats on his back before pulling away to inspect him.

"You look much healthier than the last time I saw you," she remarked.

"You always say that," Kieran replied with a small smile.

Before Azalea could respond, Lucien stepped in. "Let me introduce you to the last she-wolf."

Kieran moved aside, casting a supportive glance toward Leia, who stood just a step behind him.

"This is Leia Solayne," Lucien said, placing a hand lightly on her back. "Leia, this is my grandmother, Azalea Calandrino."

Leia offered a nervous smile, unsure of the proper formality. After a brief hesitation, she bowed to Azalea. "It’s nice to meet you, Grandmother."

"You’re beautiful," Azalea complimented her as she stepped toward. Holding Leia’s chin, she lifted it and gazed into her eyes. "You’re an omega, but better than the hybrids. So, when are you going to take the official title of Luna?"

"Grandma, let’s drop those questions for now," Lucien said sternly. "Come, I’ll show you to your room," he said, gesturing to her to follow him.