CHAPTER 81: TO RETURN THE FAVOR

Leia paused in the corridor, suddenly realizing she hadn’t even told Lucien why she’d gone to his room in the first place.

She hesitated, torn between returning or letting it go. After a brief moment of indecision, she turned back and walked slowly toward his door, lifting her hand to knock.

But before her knuckles could touch the wood, the door swung open.

Startled, Leia quickly tucked her hand behind her back. "I... I just wanted to let you know I’m heading out to a club," she said, trying to keep her tone casual. "I’m not going alone, so there’s no need to worry. Kieran’s going with me."

Lucien gave a quiet "Hmm," without meeting her eyes, and brushed past her without another word.

Leia stood there, her brows knitting in a faint frown as she watched him descend the stairs.

"I thought he’d try to stop me," Leia murmured under her breath as she entered her room.

After rifling through a few outfits, she finally settled on a high-waisted pair of jeans and a fitted crop top, layering it with a denim jacket. She left her hair loose, the waves falling effortlessly around her shoulders. Slipping into a pair of knee-length boots, she gave herself one last glance in the mirror before hurrying downstairs.

"I’m ready!" she called out, her voice halting Kieran and Ronan mid-conversation.

"Are you coming too?" Leia asked Ronan, tilting her head slightly.

"I’ve never been to places like that," Ronan admitted, a hint of awkwardness was visible in his tone.

"Then you definitely should," Leia said with a bright smile. "It’s going to be fun."

Ronan shook his head gently. "I’ve got some work to take care of. You two go ahead."

But even as he said it, his gaze lingered on Leia, admiring her silently. "You look pretty," he whispered.

"Thank you," Leia said. Then, she glanced at Kieran, who already left his seat. "Bye," she waved at Ronan before walking away.

As they stepped into the car, Leia checked her phone. Avery had dropped a message for her. She opened it and smiled before lowering her phone to her lap.

"Kieran, do you smoke too?" Leia asked.

"No, why do you ask?" He arched his brow.

"Umm... Lucien smoke a lot," Leia replied. "And he takes pride in that," she asserted.

"He has his reasons," Kieran said, moving the car smoothly through the road.

"What reasons?" Leia questioned.

"It’s a way to relieve his stress. I know it’s not a good one, but that’s how he copes with it," Kieran replied. "And I think he’s smoker for over fourteen years. It’s been so long since he started."

"Why did he start? Was it just for fun?" Leia inquired.

"No. When our parents passed away if someone was more than traumatized, then it was Lucien. Well, I do feel he could’ve been more careful that night, but sometimes things are bound to happen. I blamed him too, and so did the pack’s people. He worked hard day and night while staying awake for late hours to make the pack stand where it is today," Kieran explained to her.

Leia was shocked to learn the truth. Lucien, too, suffered, and he never shared his pain with anyone.

"He was a heavy drinker too. Luckily, he left drinking a year ago. But it’s hard for him to stop smoking," Kieran stated.

"Oh." Leia fidgeted with her fingers,recalling how Lucien asked her to kiss him daily to make sure he would leave this habit.

’That sounds ridiculous,’ Leia thought. ’If I fulfill this demand of his, then, he will demand more. After all, he’s a manipulative alpha.’

~~~~~

Lucien flipped through the file in his hands, his eyes scanning the numbers and fine print. After a moment of silence, he set it down on the desk.

"Move forward with the investment," he said firmly.

Caleb nodded his head and took the file from him.

"Alpha, you need to address the young trainees tomorrow. I thought I’d remind you in advance," Caleb informed him.

"Ah, yes. Thanks for the reminder," Lucien nodded. "Also, clear my schedule for the next two or three days. I need to visit the palace. The Alpha King has summoned me."

"I’ll take care of it," Caleb said with a respectful nod before exiting the study.

Lucien leaned back in his swivel chair, letting his eyes drift shut for a moment until a familiar voice broke the quiet.

"I have something to talk to you about... if you’re free," Ronan said as he stepped inside.

Lucien opened his eyes and straightened in his chair. "I’m free. Have a seat."

Ronan sat down with a serious expression on his face. "You sent Grandma away because of me, didn’t you?"

Lucien exhaled slowly. "That’s partially true. She crossed a line, meddling in things she shouldn’t. And the way she treated you, forcing you to live in a hotel when this house is just as much yours... I couldn’t ignore it."

"But it’s also true that a lot of what happened in our lives, especially with our parents, was because of me," Ronan admitted, lowering his gaze.

Lucien shook his head gently, a rare softness entering his voice. "I’ve never seen it that way. I consider you my lucky charm, Ronan. We’ve never lost a battle with you by our side. You are the core strength of this pack... and of me."

A warm, reassuring smile curved his lips as he looked at his younger brother.

"I thought you’d be going to the club with Leia and Kieran," Lucien mused, casting a sidelong glance at Ronan.

"I’m not a fan of crowded places," Ronan replied calmly.

Lucien smirked. "Well, it doesn’t hurt to explore that side of life once in a while."

He stood from his chair and stretched. "Come on. Let’s go."

"What? Where?" Ronan blinked at him in confusion.

"To the club," Lucien said with a mischievous grin. "I want to surprise Leia. She sent me a photo just to tease me, and now, it’s my turn to return the favor."

He held up his phone and showed Ronan the picture, clearly amused.

Ronan raised an eyebrow. "She knows exactly how to seduce you."

Lucien’s smile faded slightly, his eyes narrowing at the screen. "That’s what gets me. She pushes all the right buttons... then suddenly pulls away like none of it happened."