Chapter 211: Suspect my next move
"Yes, the Alpha King can’t be trusted," Grayson admitted. "He wants Lucien’s power, and he’s the reason our pack was wiped out."
Leia felt a cold spike of anger settle in her chest. "How do you plan to take him down?"
Grayson paused, studying her face. "Lucien didn’t tell you?"
"He never tells me anything about this," Leia said, struggling to keep her tone even.
"He’s trying to keep you safe," Grayson said gently. "You’re his mate, Leia. If you want answers, ask him yourself."
He offered a brief, quiet smile and turned, disappearing down the corridor before she could demand anything more.
Leia pushed open the door to Lucien’s room and stepped inside without knocking.
"Lucien, where did Ronan go? And why didn’t you tell me you already have a plan to take down the Alpha King?"
She cut herself off. The room was empty. Lucien wasn’t at his desk, and his distinct scent didn’t linger in the air.
"Where did he go?" she murmured into the silence.
Her gaze drifted across the room to the table near the window, where an old book lay open. Curiosity pulling her forward, she crossed the chamber and lifted the heavy book from the desk.
"What is he reading?" She frowned at the page, running a finger over the strange, archaic script. "I can’t even read this."
Leia whipped out her phone and snapped a picture of the page, searching for any translation or reference online.
"A lost language of the wolves," she murmured, scrolling through the limited results. That was all the search engine provided. There was no background, no forums, no history available for it.
"What are you doing?"
Lucien’s voice made her jump. He had materialized in the center of the room as if he’d been there all along.
Leia spun around, her heart racing. "This book... it’s written in some strange script. I looked it up; it’s supposed to be an ancient language of the wolves, but there’s nothing else about it." She gestured to the open volume, then let her hand drop, her expression hardening.
"Dad told me you have a plan to take down the Alpha King. Why are you keeping that from me? And where did Ronan go? He wouldn’t say a word, either. Why do you two insist on hiding everything?"
She crossed her arms, waiting for an explanation that felt long overdue.
"We aren’t hiding anything," Lucien said, closing the distance between them. "You were with Kieran earlier, so I planned to discuss everything with both of you together. As for Ronan, he left to fetch a moonstone."
"A moonstone? What is that?" Leia frowned, offering a laugh. "Don’t tell me it actually comes from the moon."
"In a way, yes," Lucien replied, his tone remaining serious. "There is only one true moonstone in existence, and its exact location has been lost for centuries."
"Then how is Ronan supposed to find it?"
"Because I managed to decipher one of its locations," Lucien said, gesturing toward the old book on the table. "I can read our ancestors’ language, Leia. It’s an inherent ability, something I’ve always understood without explanation."
"You’re special indeed. That’s why the Alpha King is after you," Leia said, her gaze fixing on the old book.
"Hmm," Lucien acknowledged quietly.
"You shouldn’t have sent Ronan alone, though," Leia said, her voice laced with sudden concern. "What if something happens to him out there?"
"He will be fine," Lucien replied, entirely unbothered.
"How can you be so sure? Remember when he disappeared for days, only to come back bleeding and bruised because he managed to fall off a hill?" Leia asked, bringing up the memory with a faint scoff.
"I remember," Lucien said. "Ronan didn’t go alone. He took a specialized unit with him, so don’t worry. Besides, this mission requires absolute secrecy. Leia, we shouldn’t discuss this openly, not even around the pack servants. I believe the Alpha King has eyes inside these walls."
Leia’s eyebrows shot up. "What? You think he placed a spy here?"
"I suspect there are spies among us," Lucien replied, his tone growing darker. "If so, the Alpha King might already suspect my next move. That’s why Ronan volunteered to slip out unnoticed while attention was elsewhere. The moonstone is essential for us because we cannot defeat the Alpha King without it."
Leia sighed, realizing the days ahead would be filled with danger and tension. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest to offer what quiet reassurance she could.
Lucien’s arms pulled her against him, holding her firmly.
"Tell me if you need my help, Lucien," Leia said, pulling back slightly to look up at him. "I don’t know what I can do, but I’ll do whatever it takes."
"Having you beside us is enough," Lucien said, his gaze steady on hers. "A fated mate makes their partner stronger. That is what you have done for me, and for my brothers."
Their eyes locked in the quiet space between them. Leia lifted herself onto her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
"I hope I awaken whatever abilities I inherited from my parents," she said, pulling back with quiet resolve. "Then maybe I can offer real help."
"I believe in proper timing," Lucien replied, smoothing a lock of hair from her face. "When the moment comes, your wolf and your dormant abilities will answer."
He leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss into the crook of her neck. Leia closed her eyes, her fingers gripping his shirt tightly. But just as the heat began to rise, Lucien abruptly pulled back.
"Go to Kieran before he starts looking for you," he murmured, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Besides, you ran away from me earlier."
"Ah, that... That was..." Leia stumbled over her words, completely caught off guard, which only widened Lucien’s smile.
He leaned in again, pressing a light kiss to her chin before trailing up to her lips. "Shy little wolf," he whispered against her mouth, then captured her lips once more.