CHAPTER 74: SET HER BODY ABLAZE

The next day, as planned, Leia made her way to Velmora City.

"Turn right and stop at the first house you see," Leia instructed the driver, her voice brimming with anticipation. Her eyes lit up as familiar streets came into view, streets she once walked every day.

Within moments, the car came to a stop in front of her old house. Without waiting for assistance, Leia quickly stepped out from the backseat and hurried toward the gate.

Lucien paid the taxi driver, while Kieran and Ronan retrieved the two trolley bags from the trunk. With a nod, the driver closed the trunk and drove off.

Leia stood before the gate, her gaze lingering on the lock. "The day I was kidnapped... I lost the keys too," she said softly, looking at Lucien.

Lucien moved forward and grasped the lock, inspecting it when Ronan stepped up, holding a heavy stone. "Get back. I’ll break it," he said.

Leia and Lucien stepped aside as Ronan lifted the stone and brought it down with force. The lock shattered, and he pushed the gate open, revealing the path to the house.

Leia stepped inside first. The three brothers followed closely behind. When they reached the front door, they were met with another lock. Ronan again raised the same heavy stone and broke it cleanly.

The moment they entered, they found the house was dusty because of her absence for almost a month.

"Leave your shoes here. I’ll get you three some slippers," Leia said, opening the shoe rack. She found three pairs and placed them neatly by the entrance. "They’re a bit small, but I think you can manage."

"Yeah, don’t worry about it," Kieran replied with a reassuring smile.

Leia returned his smile and led them further inside. As her gaze swept across the living room, her expression tightened. Empty beer cans were scattered across the table. She quickly gathered them in her arms.

"My house isn’t as large as yours, so don’t mind the—" Her words stopped abruptly when Ronan spoke.

"It’s beautiful," he said. "Warm and cozy."

A small smile returned to Leia’s lips. She disappeared into the kitchen, visible from the living room, and tossed the cans into the empty bin. Then she filled three glasses of water and placed them on a tray.

Meanwhile, Kieran let go of his trolley bag, his attention caught by a photo frame on the shelf. Leia returned and set the tray down on the table.

"That’s my mother and me," she said, noticing where his gaze had landed. "It was my graduation day."

She walked over to him and handed him a glass of water. "Here."

"Thanks," Kieran murmured, taking it from her and sipping slowly. His eyes moved to the wall, where more photos from her childhood were hung.

Leia’s gaze shifted to Lucien and Ronan, who had already made themselves comfortable on the couch. She hesitated before speaking again.

"The house is small. If you three prefer, there’s a hotel nearby where you can spend the night."

Ronan lowered his glass to the table and looked at her. "Why would we leave you alone?"

"There are two rooms. We’ll sleep in one," Kieran said, glancing around before walking over to Leia. Gently, he guided her to sit on the couch.

"I’d like to use the washroom," Lucien spoke up.

"I’ll show you," Leia offered, rising and leading the way. She stopped by a door and opened it, motioning for him to go inside.

Just as Lucien was about to step in, her voice stopped him.

"Are you still upset with me?"

He paused, glancing over his shoulder. Slowly, he turned to face her, silently giving her space to speak.

Leia lowered her gaze before continuing, "Your grandmother... she told me I should help you through your rut, and even get pregnant. The way she said it... it felt harsh to me. That’s why I told her I wasn’t interested in becoming your Luna. That she could find someone else for you."

Leia lowered her head and took a deep breath. "I’m sorry for hurting you, Lucien. It wasn’t my intention." She met his eyes again, startled because he was standing too close to her.

When did he close the distance between them?

"I-I shouldn’t have gone to your room that night," she stuttered while admitting her fault and taking a step back. Then, she turned around when he grasped her wrist. He drew her close to him such that her back hit his chest.

"This is the last time I’m forgiving you," Lucien whispered in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her skin, sending tingles down her spine.

Leia, who once felt nothing during such moments, now found herself reacting in unfamiliar ways. Ever since his rut period began, everything had changed. His touch, his proximity, it all set her body ablaze in ways she didn’t understand.

"I’ll make sure not to make a mistake like that again," she whispered, tilting her head slightly. She could feel how close his lips were, just a breath away from hers.

Then his voice deepened, laced with mischief. "The bed in this room will barely fit my brothers. You need to make it up to me... by letting me sleep with you."

Before she could even protest, Lucien gently nudged her out of the bathroom doorway and shut the door behind her.

Leia stood frozen for a second, wide-eyed. "That’s not right. We can’t sleep together," she muttered under her breath, just loud enough for him to hear. Rolling her eyes at his boldness, she turned on her heel and left the room.

As she walked out, Kieran waved his phone at her. "Leia, we’re heading out for dinner. I already found a cozy place nearby," he said, lowering his hand with a satisfied grin.

"Alright," she replied. "You two should freshen up once Lucien’s done," she added, trying to shift her mind away from the lingering warmth on her skin and the tension that refused to leave her chest.

~~~~

In the evening, they headed to a nearby dining spot close to Leia’s house. It wasn’t a large restaurant, but it had a warm, inviting charm, good enough for a peaceful meal.

"Leia! You’re finally here after so long!" exclaimed the owner, a woman in her mid-thirties, as she stepped out from behind the counter and pulled Leia into a hug. "I thought something happened to you. I even asked Delia about you."

"Avery, I missed this place too," Leia said with a small smile.

Before Avery could say more, her eyes shifted past Leia and landed on the three men entering the restaurant. Her jaw dropped slightly.

"Oh my god," she whispered, staring. "Who are those three hotties?"

Leia turned and saw Lucien, Ronan, and Kieran stepping inside. The effect was immediate as many heads turned, nearly everyone in the restaurant stole glances at the striking Alpha brothers.

"Leia, we should sit over there," Kieran called, gesturing to a table to their left.

"Yeah, sure. You three go ahead and take your seats," Leia replied quickly, then turned back to Avery. She gently took her hand. "Let’s talk in the kitchen."

Once they were out of earshot, Avery rounded on her. "Alright, spill. Who are those guys? What’s going on?"

"They’re just... friends," Leia replied, a little too quickly.

"Don’t lie to me, Leia. I know all your friends. Delia’s your bestie, and aside from a few coworkers, you don’t exactly have a new social circle."

Leia sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "You know my mom and I aren’t originally from here, right? Those guys are from... far away. It’s a long story. Let’s just say they’re acquaintances. For now."

Avery gave her a look that said ’I’m not buying it,’ but didn’t press. "Alright. But I better get the full story later."

"Of course!" Leia replied brightly.

"Then go on. I’m sure they’re waiting for you," Avery said with a smirk tugging at her lips.

"Hey, nothing’s going on," Leia retorted quickly, narrowing her eyes in mock annoyance.

"I didn’t say there was," Avery replied innocently, lifting her shoulders in an exaggerated shrug, her grin growing wider.

Leia rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile as she turned and walked out of the kitchen. She made her way to the table where the three brothers were already seated.

Sliding into the empty chair beside Kieran, she said quietly, "Avery is a friend of mine. She’s human, so let’s just... pretend. Okay?"

Lucien raised an eyebrow. "Pretend? Why?" he asked, his tone challenging. "I take pride in who I am."

Leia leaned slightly forward, lowering her voice as she grit her teeth. "Because this isn’t your pack or your territory. You need to understand that."

"I don’t want to. Also, you should’ve refused coming her knowing your friend is here," Lucien stated. "One day or the other people around you must find out who you are. You can’t hide your identity anymore, Leia."