Lucien sat alone in the quiet, dark living room. He idly swirled the scotch in his glass, watching the liquid catch the low light, then took a slow sip just as he sensed someone else in the room.

"You should be sleeping, Mr. Zirren," he said quietly, not bothering to turn.

"I wanted to," Grayson admitted, sinking into the armchair across from him with a tired sigh. "But my mind wouldn’t shut off."

Lucien raised an eyebrow. "Drink?"

Grayson hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. Just a little."

Lucien reached for the empty glass on the table, poured a small portion, and slid it over. Grayson took it with a murmured "Thanks."

"Your brother finally down?" Lucien asked, leaning back. "Renzo’s still convinced we’re going to let Leia down that we can’t keep her safe or happy."

Grayson shook his head, a faint, weary smile touching his lips. "I don’t think that anymore." He met Lucien’s eyes. "You’ve protected her in ways no one else could have. If it weren’t for you, she might’ve ended up with someone far worse. Because of you, I even got to meet my daughter." He stared into his glass for a long moment, then drained it in one slow pull.

Lucien watched him. After a second, he tilted his head. "Kieran said earlier that Renzo thinks the Alpha King himself wiped out your clan and he even wants to use my power."

Grayson set the empty glass down with a soft clink. "Renzo spent time inside the palace, watching. Francis isn’t someone you trust, Lucien. And we’ve got reason to believe he had a hand in what happened to you, too, back when you were eighteen."

"His son, Cesar, he’s a good friend of mine," Lucien said, his voice carrying a note of genuine disbelief. "I’ve never once sensed that kind of darkness in the Alpha King. What if Renzo’s got it wrong?"

Grayson shook his head slowly, the shadows deepening the lines on his face. "Francis wanted my clan bent to his will. I refused as we were direct descendants of the Moon Goddess herself. He hides it well, Lucien. Maybe he’s never let that ruthless side slip in front of Cesar. But not everyone’s worthy of trust." He paused, his gaze distant, voice roughening with old grief. "The attack on us... it’s still a mystery that haunts me. I lost everyone who was dear to me. My mate, my brothers, my entire people. Leia and Renzo survived, thank the gods, but the ache from losing the rest... It never really goes away."

Lucien held his stare for a long moment. Then he lifted his glass, took a slow sip that drained nearly half of it, and finally set it down on the table with a soft clink.

"I’ll look into it," Lucien said with sincerity. "I want to trust you, both you and Renzo."

He rose slowly from his chair, the faint creak of leather breaking the hush. "You should get some sleep now," he added, meeting Grayson’s eyes. "Like I said before as long as you’re under this roof, you’re safe. No one will lay a hand on you, your brother, or your daughter." His tone was firm, almost protective, leaving no room for doubt.

Grayson pushed himself up as well, weariness etched into every movement. "You’ve promised us that, and I believe you. But I’m still worried, for you and your family. What if Francis somehow finds out we’re here?"

Lucien shook his head, a faint, reassuring smile touching his lips. "No one will know. Trust me on that." He paused, his gaze softening. "Since Leia is the mate to me and my brothers... Then her family falls under our protection too. So rest easy, Mr. Zirren."

With that, he dipped his head in a subtle, respectful bow and turned, climbing the stairs until he disappeared into the shadows of the upper floor, heading to his room.

Shutting the door of his room, Lucien moved to the bed. He slid inside the blanket and shut his eyes close, thus drifting off to sleep.

The next morning, sunlight was already streaming through the half-open curtains when Lucien stirred. He blinked at the clock on the nightstand and groaned under his breath.

"Damn it... past eight already?" he muttered, voice rough with sleep. "How the hell did I sleep that long?"

He pushed the blanket aside, about to swing his legs over the edge of the bed, when a soft, familiar scent hit him. His pupils sharpened instinctively. Leia was close to him.

"Oh, you’re awake!" Her bright voice came from the balcony doorway as she stepped back into the room.

Lucien’s gaze snapped to her, and for a second he forgot how to breathe.

She wore a simple collared dress the color of a summer sky, falling just to her knees, the fabric light and swaying with every step. A thin satin ribbon was tied around her head like a delicate headband, holding back a few strands while the rest of her dark hair spilled loose over her shoulders. She looked... unfairly adorable. Sweet enough to make his heart flutter.

"I put a little good-luck plant out on your balcony," she said cheerfully, gesturing behind her at the small potted greenery now sitting on the railing. "It’s supposed to bring calm and prosperity. Figured you could use both."

Lucien rose from the bed in one fluid motion, towering over her as he closed the distance until only a breath separated them. His eyes roamed over her slowly.

"What’s this, mate?" he murmured teasingly, the corner of his mouth curling into a slow, dangerous smirk. "You sneak into my room, dress up all cute like this, and stand right in front of me first thing in the morning..." He leaned in just a fraction, close enough that she’d feel the warmth radiating from him. "Are you trying to seduce me, Leia?"

"No. I’m going out with Kieran today," Leia replied. "And he gifted me this dress."

"Nice. When are you going on a date with me then?" Lucien’s eyes moved from her eyes to her lips.

"We had a date not long ago. On that island," Leia answered.