Leia shut the door quietly after Kieran fell asleep. She went down the corridor and reached the living room.
"Ronan, you’re back! Where’s Lucien?" Leia asked, halting slowly near him.
"He’s still investigating," Ronan said, lowering his hand to his hand from which he was pressing the back of his neck. "How’s Kieran?"
"Better. I gave him dicine earlier. He’s sleeping now."
"That’s a relief," Ronan said, lowering himself to the couch.
"Kieran believes the wolf attacked him on purpose," Leia said, settling onto the couch across from Ronan. Her gaze held his steadily. "He thinks it was a calculated move, to test his strength. Like there’s a deeper motive behind it."
Ronan nodded slowly. "We’ve been thinking along the sa lines. But Lucien’s trying to dig deeper. Until he finds sothing concrete, it’s all speculation."
Leia leaned back, thoughtful. "Dinner should be ready soon. Hopefully, Lucien returns by then."
Ronan stood, stretching slightly. "Don’t count on it. He’s going to be late." He gave her a brief smile. "We might have to eat without him. I’ll go freshen up."
Leia humd in response, watching him disappear down the hallway. Once alone, she pulled out her phone from the pocket of her jeans and opened her ssages. Her fingers danced across the screen as she typed a quick note to Lucien.
[When will you return?]
After sending it, she scrolled through a few other ssages, none of which caught her attention. Just as she was about to put the phone away, a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Excuse , Miss," the house butler said politely.
Leia looked up quickly. "Yes?"
The butler stepped forward with a slight bow. "Greta wishes to see you."
Leia blinked in surprise. "What? She’s here? I thought Lucien fired her."
"Well, that’s true. Greta is waiting for you at the mansion’s gates. She worked here for a long ti, that’s why I accepted her request to talk to you once. Would you like to see her or–"
"I want to," Leia said, promptly standing up. "I’ll go outside. It’s better not to let her enter the mansion. Lucien might throw a fit about it if he learned that I allowed Greta to be here."
"Sure, Miss," the house butler agreed, leading her way outside.
After five minutes of walk, they finally were near the giant gates. Leia asked the security guards to open the gates. They nodded and opened them for her.
She stepped out and held Greta’s hands. "Sorry, I couldn’t call you inside. And I’m sorry for being unable to contact you after that day."
"I should apologize for what I did. I should’ve listened to the Alpha," Greta said, keeping her head low. Tears rolled down her cheeks. "The debt collectors ca to take their money. I have nothing left. And I-I am unable to find any job in the pack because of the punishnt," she murmured.
Leia was shocked to learn that. "Look at , Greta," she said, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "Why would you not get the job? What punishnt are you talking about?"
"I dared to go against the Alpha’s command, so he made sure I wouldn’t survive. I-I am not here to complain, Leia, but only you can help . Just give one chance. I beg you," Greta pleaded.
"Don’t say that, Greta." Leia hugged her. "I promise I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll talk to Lucien regarding this."
Then, pulling away, she continued, "Where are you staying? Did you eat well these days? You look... So thin." Leia’s eyes filled with worry.
"I was living in a shelter ho. But after they found out what I did, they kicked out," Greta said, wiping the tears from the back of her palms.
Leia felt upset to learn that. ’Why did Lucien have to be so strict? It’s not like Greta tried harming ,’ she thought.
"Co inside. You’re staying here until I make everything right for you," Leia stated, taking a step back, wanting Greta to follow her.
"No. I can’t step inside, Leia. Alpha will get angry at you and may-may punish you," Greta refused going inside the mansion.
"It won’t happen. And if it does, I’ll tell him that I’ll also leave with you," Leia said. She held Greta’s hand and took her inside with him.
As they reached near the mansion, Leia turned to the house butler. "Please take her to the servants’ quarters. I’ll talk to Lucien once he returns."
"Miss, the Alpha may not be pleased with your decision," the house butler warned cautiously.
Leia gave a small, calm smile. "I’m used to his anger. Please make sure Greta is served food as well."
The butler hesitated but eventually nodded. "As you wish." He turned to Greta. "This way, please."
"Thank you so much, Leia," Greta said softly, her voice laced with gratitude.
Leia reached out and gently patted her arm. "Go rest. You’re safe here now. Don’t worry about anything."
Once Greta and the butler disappeared down the hallway, Leia turned to head back into the mansion, only to find Ronan standing a few steps away with his arms folded, leaning casually against a pillar.
"Lucien’s going to question that decision," he said. "You’re not supposed to interfere in the Alpha’s orders."
Leia raised an eyebrow and began ascending the few marble stairs toward him. "Since when have you been standing there?"
"I arrived just a few minutes ago," Ronan replied, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
Leia stopped in front of him. "If Lucien scolds , you’re going to protect ."
Ronan chuckled under his breath. "You’ve got so nerve, Leia."
"And you love that about ," she teased before walking past him with a composed smile.
"Of course, I do. Even without your asking, I was going to defend you," Ronan replied, smiling. He held her hand from behind, thus stopping just in the middle of the hallway.
"Huh? Do you have sothing more to say?"
"No." Ronan pressed a firm kiss on her lips. "I wanted to do this," he whispered, peering into her eyes.
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