At night, Travis and Kieran sat together in the garden with the wine glasses in their respective hands.
"Grandma looked truly happy at dinner," Travis said after a mont, swirling his glass thoughtfully. "Tell , Kieran, do you think Leia will really marry you three soon?"
Kieran leaned back, his gaze drifting to the stars scattered above. He took a slow sip before answering. "Soon is a relative word. Ronan’s been away for so ti now, and Leia... well, she’s not one to be rushed. I think she’ll take her ti before making that step."
Travis gave a small nod, his lips quirking into a hesitant smile. "I’ve started seeing soone," he confessed, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret with the night itself. "She’s a beta."
Kieran raised his brows, curiosity flickering across his face. "Now that is interesting."
"I’ve always been drawn to her," Travis admitted, his tone softening. "So I finally decided to take the chance. So far, I’ve only told my mother. Inara doesn’t know yet, she’s too young for these sorts of things. She’d end up blurting it to her friends, and I’d rather not have the news out before it’s official."
Kieran nodded slowly, understanding. "You’re being careful," he said. "And that’s wise. But do you want to marry her, or is this just—"
"I’m serious about her," Travis cut in firmly, his voice carrying a conviction. "I know the tradition that an alpha should marry another alpha. But with her, it feels different. The bond between us... It’s real. Even though betas aren’t supposed to sense it the way we alphas do, sohow, with Celina and , it’s undeniable."
Kieran studied him for a mont before setting his glass down with a soft clink. "I understand, Travis. At the end of the day, if she makes you happy and you make her happy, then that’s what matters most."
Travis exhaled, so of the tension easing from his shoulders. "Grandma brought it up again. She wants to introduce my girlfriend to her."
"And what did you tell her?" Kieran asked, leaning forward with interest.
"I have not told her. I’ll speak with Celina first. It has to be her decision too. Then... we’ll see where it leads."
Kieran gave a small nod, a rare flicker of approval in his eyes. "As you feel is right."
~~~~~~
Lucien stood on the balcony of the hotel as he stared at the city lights.
Caleb stepped onto the balcony, a tablet in hand, with a serious expression on his face.
"I’ve gathered everything on Rurik," he said, extending the device toward him. "You should take a look."
Lucien turned, his sharp gaze flickering from Celeb’s face to the tablet. He accepted it without a word, his fingers brushing the edge of the device as he brought it closer. He read all the details and gave it back to Caleb.
"His mother was a witch who she’s been dead for years," Lucien began.
Caleb’s brows rose. "And you don’t think the attack could be tied to that?"
Lucien’s jaw tightened as he lowered the tablet. "Of course it is. The day she died was the sa day I lost control, after... after my parents." His eyes darkened, haunted by the mory. "Rurik’s mother died because of . Now he’s coming after , taking revenge for her death."
Caleb stepped closer. "No, Lucien. That wasn’t your fault. The witches tried to use you for their ritual. You turned 18 at that ti, and you lost control because of them. And your parents..." His voice faltered before he steadied it again, though his eyes reflected worry. "They were victims too. None of this should rest on your shoulders."
Lucien’s silence stretched as the guilt once again started consuming him. "If you’re right about Rurik, then you need to speak to his father. He deserves to know the truth before this escalates further."
"You really think anyone would want to hear my explanation?" Lucien’s tone turned cold and bitterness filled it. His gaze hardened as old mories clawed at him. "I had no choice. I killed them because they brutally killed my parents right before my eyes. If Rurik cos for , I won’t spare him. That’s the law of our kind. In the world of wolves, you live or you die. Explanations have no place in blood debts."
Caleb’s eyes softened. "Whatever path you choose, you know I’ll stand by you. But still... among the hybrids, I can’t help but feel there’s a misunderstanding about what really happened. They don’t see the whole truth about you."
Lucien’s jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "And what do you expect to do? Go to each of them and beg for forgiveness? I won’t. I never considered it a mistake in the first place."
If he was ever guilty, then it was toward his brothers and his pack.
"I am an Alpha, and when it cos to protecting my own, I am dangerous. Ruthless. In those monts, I don’t care who dies or how many lives are shattered in the aftermath." His brow furrowed.
Caleb studied him in silence. After a mont, he gave a small nod and turned away, leaving Lucien alone on the balcony to wrestle with his thoughts.
The night stretched on, cool air brushing against Lucien’s skin as he stood there, unmoving. Eventually, he exhaled sharply and returned inside. Caleb was on the couch. He didn’t speak, and Lucien didn’t ask, each gave the other their silence.
Lucien’s gaze fell on his phone resting on the table. He picked it up, retreating into the bedroom. Settling into the chair near the window, he scrolled to Ronan’s number and dialed it.
"Lucien," Ronan’s voice ca through. "I was just about to call you."
Lucien leaned back, his tone low but edged with curiosity. "What did you find out?"
"I’ve uncovered sothing about Leia," Ronan said.
Lucien straightened, his eyes narrowing. "What do you an?"
"Leia’s na has been known among the hunters for quite so ti," Ronan explained. "I believe her mother concealed the truth about her father deliberately. And there’s more. Delia was seen in North Calimore a few months ago. That visit wasn’t coincidental. You need to question her again."
Lucien’s grip on the phone tightened. "Go on."
"One more thing," Ronan added. "Don’t tell Leia any of this. She’s still in the dark, and until I’m certain, it’s safer that way. The hunters aren’t targeting her just because she’s a she-wolf. Her mother and she lived into human society for a reason, and it wasn’t simply to hide from wolves. There’s sothing far bigger buried in her past... sothing we’ve only begun to uncover."
"Ronan, do you think this is connected to her father?" Lucien asked with suspicion. "Delia once said he killed witches in the past."
"I believe so," Ronan admitted. "Her father remains a mystery to us. But you might find answers from the Alpha King, or the elders. If anyone rembers, it would be them. From what little I’ve pieced together, he was considered one of the strongest Alphas of his ti."
Lucien’s eyes narrowed as he stared out the window, thoughts racing. "I’ll look into it. You’re right, the elders may know more than they’ve ever let on."
There was a pause before Ronan spoke again, his tone heavy. "Hunters are many, Lucien. They’ve grown into entire families now, generations deep. I don’t have the strength to kill the young kids. Also, what they did to Leia was unforgivable, yes, but striking them head-on would be reckless. It wouldn’t just put us in danger, it would put her in greater danger too."
"Then return. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you," Lucien said firmly.
"Sure," Ronan replied.
"Be careful on your way," Lucien added, concern softening his tone.
"Don’t worry," Ronan assured him. After a brief pause, he asked, "By the way, did you get a chance to talk to Leia earlier? Aunt ntioned she’s considering marrying us. I haven’t had ti to speak with her yet."
"I’m not in the mansion today," Lucien replied, leaning back in his chair. "I’ve been away handling so work. I’m as clueless as you are."
Ronan nodded thoughtfully. "I see. I think the three of us need to sit down together to make sure Leia never feels unsafe or uncomfortable around us."
"Agreed," Lucien said. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Let’s et tomorrow. Then we can talk to Leia first. She’s still not giving the answer I’m dying to hear."
"You an about the mark!?" asked Ronan. "She will let Kieran mark her first. I know Leia. She is a woman of her words. Besides, Kieran had always been so humble and respectful toward her since the beginning. It’s not like she won’t let you mark her. So, don’t be worried," he opined, asking Lucien to relax about it.
"I’m crazy for her, Ronan. And every ti she gets injured, it aches too deeply," Lucien affird.
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