Marked By Destiny: Claimed By Three Alpha Brothers

Lucien's POV:

Once Leia left with Kieran, I turned my attention back to the call I had been on earlier.

Just then, Ronan's voice reverberated in the living hall. "You brought a rebellious she-wolf into our pack!"

I ended the call, placing the phone beside me on the couch before meeting Ronan's glare.

"I'm curious," he continued before taking a seat across from me. "How did you even find her?"

"I had eyes everywhere," I replied calmly. "My spies were stationed across the territories. One of them came across an auction house owner who had seen heard about the last she-wolf. He contacted me immediately after capturing her. That's how I located her."

I 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 of our conversation. "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."

I nodded. "Which is exactly why I went after Leia." My 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, I 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," I replied calmly, leaning back against the couch and tilting my head to rest.

Ronan's eyes narrowed. "What if she tries to run away again?"

"She won't," I said with confidence, my fingers absently brushing over the crimson stone ring on my 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," I said flatly.

He 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."

I chuckled, a cold sound. "You think I've gone soft for her?" I turned my gaze to him, 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 I finished, my phone buzzed on the table. I glanced at the screen. It was Kieran.

I picked it up, bringing it to my ear.

"It's me," came Leia's voice from the other end.

I 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 in a soft voice. "I thought I'd get something sweet before we head back."

"Bring whatever you want," I said.

"Alright." And just like that, she hung up.

I lowered the phone, wondering why she suddenly buying dessert.

"You don't even eat sweets," Ronan remarked, watching me carefully. "Still going to tell me there's nothing going on?"

"I'm a man of my own motives," I replied coolly, rising from the couch. "Don't mistake my strategy for sentiment." I turned to walk away. "You should rest. You've had a long journey."

But as I started for the stairs, my beta's voice reached my ears.

"Alpha."

I turned, finding Caleb standing a few steps away.

"I've gathered the information you requested about Leia," he said, stepping forward and handing me a neatly bound document.

I took it and flipped through the pages, my eyes skimming the contents.

"Interesting," I murmured, pausing as a particular detail caught my 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."

My gaze snapped up to meet his.

"There's more," he 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."

I folded the document slowly.

"If she's been using suppressants for that long…" I muttered, my 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," I 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 was Delia upto? Since she's a witch's daughter and sold Leia's information so easily that means something was in her head," I instructed my beta, who nodded his head.

As he left, I glanced at Ronan. "Don't speak about it in front of Leia." With that, I went upstairs to my bedroom.