Simon nodded in thanks as the servant handed him a glass of water. He took a few slow sips. Once done, he placed the glass gently on the table in front of him.
"If you’re hiding any ill intent," Ronan began, "you should reconsider staying here. Lucien won’t show rcy. He’ll have you locked up and tortured until Malrik breaks."
Simon let out a dry, bitter chuckle. "Even if I were on my deathbed, my brother wouldn’t co for ."
Leia and Ronan exchanged a brief glance, startled by the unexpected response.
"What do you an?" Leia asked, her voice gentler now. "Aren’t you two real brothers?"
Simon nodded. "We are. But I’m a beta." He paused, then looked away as he added, "And my brother despises for it."
"Why?" Leia’s brows knitted in confusion.
"If your parents are both alphas," Simon explained, "then their child is expected to be a born alpha. Malrik was... and I wasn’t. I was born a beta, a disappointnt in his eyes. He sees as weak."
Leia scoffed, shaking her head. "That’s ridiculous. Strength isn’t just about rank."
Simon gave a faint, sad smile. "Maybe. But in his world, in our pack... rank defines your worth."
Leia had heard similar words from her mother countless tis growing up, cryptic warnings and vague pieces of advice she never fully understood. But now, sitting in this room, hearing Simon speak, those words finally began to make sense.
"Many are desperate to claim the last she-wolf for themselves," Simon said calmly.
Leia exhaled softly, her gaze drifting toward Ronan. "I’ve heard that a lot," she murmured, then looked back at Simon. "But I never asked for this... this world full of werewolves and power gas. I never even wanted to co here."
She let the silence hang for a mont before asking what had been on her mind. "Did Delia say anything to Malrik? Do you know what she told him?"
Simon raised a brow. "How do you know Delia?"
Leia hesitated, her pulse quickening. "I... I just know her," she replied with a slight stamr, unwilling to reveal that Delia had once been her closest friend.
"Well," Simon said with a sigh, "she told Malrik about you, about the power you carry, and what he stands to gain if he mates with you."
Leia’s brows furrowed. "What kind of powers are we talking about?"
Simon leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "You’re a pure-blooded she-wolf. That alone makes you valuable. Offspring from a union with you would be stronger than any hybrid. That’s why so many alphas are after you. Mating with you would increase their strength tenfold. Delia fed my brother all this."
Leia’s expression hardened. Her voice ca out colder than before. "So, to all of them, I’m just a vessel? A ans to produce powerful heirs?" She glanced at Ronan, who also wanted to mate with her.
Simon looked regretful but didn’t deny it. "To many... yes. That’s how they see you."
"You should tell us the real reason you’re here," Ronan said.
Simon didn’t flinch before replying, "I want to help your Alpha take down Malrik."
"And why exactly should we trust you?" Lucien’s intimidating voice cut through the living room. .
Simon t Lucien’s glare as he rose to his feet. "Because I don’t want to be part of his madness any longer. He’s willing to sacrifice countless lives just to satisfy his own twisted desires that benefit no one in our pack. I refuse to stand by while innocent people are dragged into a war they never asked for. That’s why I’ve co here."
Lucien didn’t pay heed to his words, "Bring Delia to , and I’ll consider trusting your words."
"How will he even bring Delia to you?" Leia murmured.
"That’s on Simon. I need him to bring Delia to by tomorrow," Lucien replied coldly, his gaze locked onto hers. "I don’t trust enemies unless they prove they’re worth trusting."
"I’ll do it," Simon declared firmly. After casting a glance at everyone, he turned and walked out.
Leia folded her arms. "Do you always treat your guests like that? He was offering you a chance. He doesn’t want a war that’ll cost innocent lives just to satisfy his Alpha’s thirst for power."
Lucien closed the distance between them in a flash, catching her off guard. He gently gripped her chin, tilting it to inspect her face.
"What are you doing?" Leia snapped, yanking her head away from his touch.
"I offer chances, not the others. Also, I’m checking for injuries," Lucien said calmly. "You were close to the attack."
"I was in the car. Ronan fought the wolves, not ," she retorted.
"That doesn’t matter. You won’t step outside this house until I say it’s safe," he said, already turning to leave.
Leia clenched her jaw but said nothing. It wasn’t the right mont to argue.
Just then, Caleb burst into the room, breathless and holding a thick file. "Alpha! I’ve gathered everything on Delia," he said, trying to catch his breath.
Lucien turned on his heel, returning his attention to Caleb, who handed over the file without a word.
"Let’s see how much our little kitten knows about her so-called best friend," Lucien said with a faint smirk, his voice edged with mockery as he flipped open the file.
Leia stiffened at his words, while Ronan and Kieran’s eyes instinctively turned to her.
Lucien’s gaze scanned the pages, then stopped. His brows arched.
"Interesting," he murmured. "The boyfriend Delia ntioned when she was here... never existed." He looked up, eyes locking onto Leia’s.
Leia blinked, stunned. "What...?"
"She lied, Leia," Lucien said.
"I think you were just too easy to catch, naïve from a young age," Lucien said coldly. "A witch befriended you, and not once did you suspect her. Not even your mother had the foresight to keep a witch away from the last she-wolf."
His words stung like poison, and Leia’s fists clenched at her sides. She stord toward him, eyes blazing, and snatched the file from his hands.
"Don’t drag my late mother in our conversation," she said through gritted teeth.
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