Lucien's attention returned to the call he had been on earlier once Leia left with Kieran.
Just then, Ronan's voice echoed through the living hall. "You brought a rebellious she-wolf into our pack!"
Lucien ended the call, placing the phone beside him on the couch before meeting Ronan's glare.
"I'm curious," Ronan continued, taking a seat across from Lucien. "How did you even find her?"
"I had eyes everywhere," Lucien replied calmly. "My spies were stationed across the territories. One of them came across an auction house owner who had heard about the last she-wolf. He contacted me immediately after capturing her. That's how I located her."
Lucien leaned back, recalling the moment. "Two years ago, I picked up her scent, just for a brief second, but it vanished before I could track it. Leia had been hiding too well. Living among the humans while masking her scent is no easy feat."
Ronan gave a short, wry laugh. "So that's why you were so sure she still existed. You always insisted there was a she-wolf out there." His expression darkened as he changed the topic. "Have you heard of the Crimson Blood Pack? They've seized the largest territory in the North. Rumor has it a war between packs is on the horizon."
Lucien nodded. "Which is exactly why I went after Leia." His eyes narrowed. "She's not just any she-wolf. Her bloodline is powerful and rare because she's the last one on the earth. With her, our pack's strength will multiply."
After taking a brief pause, Lucien continued, "The Crimson Blood Pack isn't acting alone. They're getting direct backing from the Alpha King. That's why they aren't fearing anyone. That's what I've found out from my spies."
"Did Leia come out of her room?" Ronan asked. "I heard she refused her lunch again. I don't understand these tantrums she's throwing."
"She went out with Kieran," Lucien replied calmly, leaning back against the couch and tilting his head to rest.
Ronan's eyes narrowed. "What if she tries to run away again?"
"She won't," Lucien said with confidence, his fingers absently brushing over the crimson stone ring on his index finger. "Her wolf is weak, and she knows well enough, I'd catch her before she took her second breath."
"You should put a leash on her," Ronan muttered. "Leia's not someone to take lightly."
"A leash is for dogs," Lucien said flatly.
Ronan didn't flinch. "And she's a wild wolf who needs to be kept in captivity. The more freedom you give her, the more she'll push the limits. I don't feel anything for her, but you... You seem too concerned about her feelings."
Lucien chuckled, a cold sound. "You think I've gone soft for her?" He turned his gaze to Ronan, letting it linger. "Don't forget what I'm known for. If there were even a sliver of emotion involved, I wouldn't have bought her. Instead, I would have freed her the moment I saw her in that auction house."
As Lucien finished speaking, his phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen. It was Kieran.
He picked it up, bringing it to his ear.
"It's me," came Leia's voice from the other end.
Lucien frowned and looked at the screen again. "Why are you using his phone?"
"I was just wondering… what do you like for dessert?" she asked softly. "I thought I'd get something sweet before we head back."
"Bring whatever you want," Lucien said.
"Alright." And just like that, she hung up.
Lucien lowered the phone, wondering why she was suddenly buying dessert.
"You don't even eat sweets," Ronan remarked, watching him carefully. "Still going to tell me there's nothing going on?"
"I'm a man of my own motives," Lucien replied coolly, rising from the couch. "Don't mistake my strategy for sentiment." He turned to walk away. "You should rest. You've had a long journey."
But as he started for the stairs, his beta's voice reached his ears.
"Alpha."
Lucien turned, finding Caleb standing a few steps away.
"I've gathered the information you requested about Leia," Caleb said, stepping forward and handing Lucien a neatly bound document.
Lucien took it and flipped through the pages, his eyes skimming the contents.
"Interesting," Lucien murmured, pausing as a particular detail caught his attention. "Her best friend betrayed her… and sold the information out to the owner of the auction house."
Caleb gave a sharp nod. "Yes, Alpha. And that so-called friend isn't just anyone—she's the daughter of a witch."
Lucien's gaze snapped up to meet Caleb's.
"There's more," Caleb continued. "I dug deeper and confirmed that Miss Delia and Miss Leia were childhood friends. It also appears Leia's been on a suppressant for years to mask her true identity."
Lucien folded the document slowly.
"If she's been using suppressants for that long…" he muttered, his gaze lowering in thought. "Her heat cycle will be brutal and painful whenever it will come."
"That's the best time to make her pregnant. Don't you think?" Ronan's voice came through.
"Not by force," Lucien reminded him. "And you are supposed to stay out of her sight for a week."
"Don't remind me about it again and again," Ronan said annoyingly.
"Caleb, find out what Delia was up to. Since she's a witch's daughter and sold Leia's information so easily, something was in her head," Lucien instructed his beta, who nodded in response.
As Caleb left, Lucien glanced at Ronan. "Don't speak about it in front of Leia." With that, he went upstairs to his bedroom.