Don't manipulate Leia

Lucien's POV:

I returned halfway after being alerted that Leia had run away. The moment I stepped into the living room, I heard Ronan screaming at the servants for not keeping an eye on an omega.

"It was you because of whom she escaped!" Kieran snapped at Ronan.

"What did you say to her?" I asked, approaching Ronan in the blink of an eye.

"He called her a slave and told her to prepare herself tonight!" Kieran revealed.

"I wasn't wrong. An omega shouldn't speak the way she does!" Ronan yelled.

"You won't see Leia for a week once I return with her," I said, glaring at him before leaving the mansion.

Leia's scent was imprinted in my mind. The lingering fragrance of fresh peonies still hung in the air. I headed to the back of the mansion, right below the window of the room assigned to her.

I didn't need to shift into my wolf; I already knew exactly where Leia had run. Even in my human form, I was faster than normal Alpha wolves. I reached the forest, where Leia's scent was strongest, and finally spotted her lying naked on the ground.

"Don't look at me. Please."

Her voice trembled as she urged me, and an odd sensation stirred in the back of my head. My wolf growled slightly, but I was quick to drape my overcoat over her and lift her into my arms.

Leia didn't look good when she cried. I had thought she was the kind of she-wolf who never feared anyone.

When I taunted her about it, Leia shouted at me. "I hate you. I hate you the most." Even with her remaining strength, she hit my chest multiple times. "I will not bend down and let you have me. You will regret buying me."

That burning defiance in her eyes appeared again, and I couldn't help but muse. I had never regretted my decisions.

"I think you'll regret saying those words," I told her, wanting her to etch them into her mind. I could feel the shiver in her body, so I quickened my pace until we reached the mansion.

Kieran rushed toward us, but I gestured for him to stay back, along with Ronan.

"Omega, you should not have run away! This is our territory," Ronan declared proudly.

"Leia, are you alright?" Kieran asked, his tone filled with concern.

One was insensitive, while the other was too hyperactive. I needed to ensure Leia felt safer here and wouldn't attempt to run away again.

"Both of you stay back unless you wish to spend the next few days in the dungeon," I threatened my brothers. That was the only way to make Leia feel better. I looked at her and found her eyes were shut. Without wasting another second, I ascended the stairs and stopped only in Leia's room.

Laying her on the bed, I covered her with the duvet. My knee remained on the mattress as I tucked strands of hair away from her tear-stricken face. This time, she didn't refuse my touch.

"I want to be alone. I don't want anyone to disturb me," Leia said.

"As long as you don't attempt to run away," I responded, locking my gaze with hers. "Give your wolf some rest. She is weaker than you."

"Don't act as if you're an idol of kindness," Leia snapped at me.

"I never did," I said with a smirk. "Wear something before you go to sleep. Also, I am going to stay in this room the entire time," I pronounced and stood straight.

"You can't do that!" Leia said in shock.

I moved toward the window and shut it. "You should have thought about that before jumping out of this window," I remarked before glancing at the chair.

"I promise I won't do it again," Leia said, meeting my gaze.

"Words can be deceptive, Leia," I stated firmly.

"Then leave for a moment. I need to wear clothes," Leia said.

"I am not going anywhere," I told her in a stern tone. "You can take your clothes from the cupboard."

I could see her holding back her anger, but this was my way of keeping Leia in control. The last she-wolf didn't need pampering.

In my eyes, what she needed most was discipline, which I was more than willing to provide. I unbuttoned my cuffs and folded my sleeves before unbuttoning my shirt halfway.

I felt Leia's gaze on me, making me arch a brow at her.

She quickly turned her back to me, clutching the duvet tightly. I slumped into the chair, absentmindedly moving my fingers over the ring on my middle finger.

After more than fifteen minutes passed, I pushed myself up from the chair and walked to the other side of the bed to check on Leia.

Getting on my knees, I found her fast asleep.

"It's easier to submit than to defy, Leia. Once you breed the pups, I will grant you the freedom you desire. But doing it against your will is impossible. I hate it when women start crying," I murmured before standing up.

I took a few steps back before leaving the room.

As I entered the living room, I found my brothers seated on the sofa chairs as if waiting for me.

I sat in the middle of the couch and looked at Ronan. "Leia won't spend a night with you. I've decided she should be given time to adjust here. She has lived among humans for a long time, so she's less aware of our ways. Ronan, my earlier punishment remains the same. Don't go near Leia for a week. Defy me, and you'll bear the consequences," I warned. It was necessary because Ronan loved breaking rules more than anyone.

"I understand," Ronan replied.

"And you, Kieran, don't manipulate Leia. I know your tricks too. Keep in mind, I am your older brother." His deception was a dangerous tool, and Leia was a vulnerable fool who would fall for Kieran's tricks first, which I wouldn't want to happen.