Earlier, Leia had pretended to cry before Lucien, hoping he would falter, maybe soften even a little. But he didn't.
"That jerk," she muttered under her breath, wiping the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand. "He doesn't even flinch at a woman's tears. And yet, he once said he hated seeing women cry. What a hypocrite."
With a frustrated sigh, she dropped onto the mattress and hugged the nearest pillow. The fabric felt cold against her cheek as she let her thoughts spiral.
"At least... they're not forcing themselves on me," she whispered, a small relief blooming in her chest. "I'm glad I kept resisting. No matter how exhausting it's been."
She rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling. *Kieran... when will you come back?*
Suddenly, there was a knock.
"Knock, knock! It's me, Leia. I'm coming in."
Leia shot up, completely startled. Before she could even respond, Lucien walked in.
"We need to talk, Leia," he said firmly.
She turned away from him with a defiant glare. "We have nothing to talk about." She felt him sit beside her, and he grasped her chin to make her look at him.
"Leia, it's not good to show the resistance, you know. I was giving you enough time so that you could adjust here. And I didn't send anyone away. You are mistaking me," Lucien said.
"I don't believe you," she said. "Let me go out freely. Give me a phone. Allow me the freedom and I'll start believing you."
She wondered if he would accept her request or not. But it would make her understand more of him. After all, he was the Alpha of this pack, and winning him over was crucial.
"Fine, I'll give you everything you desire, but you need to let me get close to you as well," Lucien stated.
"You want my body, don't you?" she asked, not blinking.
"What if I say yes?" Lucien asked.
"I don't wish to give you my body," she replied. Would he hit her? He was stronger than her and could easily push her to the bed. Despite that, she was pushing his buttons.
"I'll provide you with a phone and will allow you to go out. However, one bodyguard will always accompany you. Since you don't trust me, I don't trust you either," Lucien told her, his grip on her chin loosening.
He stood up and continued, "Since you willingly didn't agree to accompany me, I'm giving you an order. Be ready this evening. You will accompany me to a party."
Leia didn't protest or argue and watched him walk away. As he reached the door, Lucien again said, "Don't test my patience anymore. Everything has a limit, Leia."
She rolled her eyes and watched him step out of the room.
"Well, the party can be a good way to interact with the others," she murmured. Putting on her slippers, she went out, only to hear the house butler's voice, speaking about Kieran's return.
"He's back!" Leia made her way to the staircase and descended them as fast as she could.
She went straight to his room and pushed the door open. "Kieran, I missed you. Why didn't you–"
She paused, seeing the woman beside him. An unknown woman, who was standing too close to Kieran.
"I will come later," Leia said and turned to leave.
"You can stay. I'm the one who should leave," said the woman. Leia noticed she waved at Kieran, who smiled at her before she was out of his sight.
"Who was she?" Leia inquired.
"My secretary at work," Kieran replied as he took off the tie, along with the blazer. "You were saying you missed me," he asked her with amusement dancing in his eyes.
"I did. Also, you didn't contact me. I don't have a phone, but you could have called Lucien and asked him to make me talk to you," she said, pouting her lips.
"That's something new I'm hearing from you," Kieran said, and he approached her.
"I am sorry. I have many meetings within these few days, so I couldn't call," Kieran said. Before Leia knew it, he hugged her, his warm breath on the crook of her neck.
"I thought you were upset with me," she whispered.
"I wasn't. You think a lot," Kieran said. He pulled back and pinched her cheeks, making her yelp in pain.
"I bought something for you, Leia," Kieran said and took a few steps back before heading to the couch, where a duffle bag was placed.
"Close your eyes, Leia," he told her as he took the item out.
"Why? You can show me the gift. It's not a surprise anymore," she whispered.
"Just close your eyes," Kieran said and finally stood before her.
She shut her eyes while biting her bottom lip. When was the last time she received gifts from anyone? It was on her birthday, which her so-called best friend gave to her.
She felt something cold land on her neck and opened her eyes. She found Kieran putting a pendant on her neck, and she lowered her eyes. It was a tiny heart-shaped pendant with a diamond engraved in the center.
"Isn't this expensive?" she asked, looking into his eyes.
"Price doesn't matter for me," Kieran said. "I felt your neck shouldn't be empty. I hope you liked it."
"I did. It's beautiful," she said, touching it, feeling happy. "Thank you."
Kieran smiled at her and tucked her loose hair behind her ear. "I will buy a phone for you in the evening."
"Lucien said he would give me one. I have to accompany him to a party. And he has given an order this time. Honestly, I don't wish to go with him. I don't like him," she said. "Kieran, why don't you take me out in the evening? I would be happy to spend the evening with you rather than being with him." Then, she hugged Kieran, hoping he would fight with Lucien for her.