Marked By Destiny: Claimed By Three Alpha Brothers-Chapter 179: Dragged into danger

"Leia!"

"Rhea!"

Both exclaimed with joy the moment their eyes met. They rushed into each other’s arms for a brief hug before Rhea pulled back, grinning. "Finally, we’re going to have some fun!"

Her gaze flickered toward Lucien, who cleared his throat.

"Alpha," Rhea greeted respectfully with a light bow, before taking the trolley bag from his hand. Turning to Leia, she added warmly, "I’ll head inside first."

Leia watched as Rhea disappeared into the house, the sound of the door closing behind her. When she turned back, Lucien was already in front of her. His hand came to rest gently on her shoulder, his eyes holding hers.

"Have fun," he whispered.

"I only wanted to stay for one night. Why did you insist I remain here for a few days?" Leia asked, her brows knitting.

Lucien’s gaze softened. "Didn’t you say you wanted freedom? Besides..." his eyes dropped briefly to her neck, "you carry my mark now, so I’m less worried."

As he spoke, his fingers brushed against the pendant around her neck. The pendant glowed faintly under the soft light of the lampshade. He adjusted it carefully so it rested at the center.

"Kieran gave you his lucky charm," Lucien murmured.

Leia’s lips curved into the faintest smile. "He gave me this a long time ago," she replied softly. "And you noticed it too late."

Lucien leaned down and pressed a sudden kiss to her lips, catching Leia off guard. "If you miss any of us, just give me a call. And don’t worry about Grandma," he said firmly.

"Sure," Leia replied with a roll of her eyes. "You’re talking as if you’re dropping me off at a hostel. This place is barely a distance from the mansion." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Since the day I brought you into my home, I’ve never let you stay anywhere else. That’s why," Lucien countered. His gaze lifted briefly to the sky as the low growl of thunder echoed above them. "Go inside. Have your dinner on time, and don’t touch alcohol."

"I won’t," Leia promised. She took a step back, giving him a playful little wave. "Now go."

"Go in first," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"No, you should go first," Leia shot back, narrowing her eyes in defiance.

Lucien exhaled through his nose, his lips twitching in faint amusement. "Just go in. I won’t leave until I see you walk through Rhea’s door."

"Fine." Leia huffed, but there was no real annoyance in her voice. Turning around, she walked to the door and, just before entering, glanced over her shoulder to wave at him again.

Only after watching her disappear inside did Lucien finally head to his car. A moment later, he started the engine, and drove back toward the mansion.

Inside Rhea’s house, Leia entered the room adjacent to her friend’s.

"Oh my god!" Leia gasped, her eyes lighting up as she took in the star-shaped fairy lights draped near the curtains. "Did you prepare this just for me?"

Rhea grinned. "Of course. I thought I should make some special preparations. Besides, we’re going to watch television together. I wanted you to stay in my room, but honestly, it’s a mess and doesn’t have much space. So, I figured a separate room would be better, for your clothes and whatever else you might need."

Leia turned slowly in a circle, her expression glowing with genuine delight. "Thank you, Rhea. I really like it."

Rhea’s gaze, however, had shifted to the side of Leia’s neck. Her smirk widened as she lifted her finger and lightly tapped the mark. "And I see the Alpha made sure to leave this right here. He wanted it visible, huh?"

Leia’s cheeks warmed under her friend’s teasing tone.

"He’s madly in love with you, Leia," Rhea added with certainty, her eyes glinting with amusement. "It shows every time he looks at you."

"Well, I’ve noticed that too," Leia admitted softly.

"So, you finally made him bow to you," Rhea said with a bright smile. "Lucien isn’t the kind of man who gives in easily. Gosh, so many tried to win his heart, but he has a type. He always wanted someone pure-blooded. That’s why no one else ever stood a chance before our Alpha."

Leia exhaled, lowering herself onto the bed. "But love can happen with anyone, Rhea. I don’t think Lucien ever really cared about feelings."

Rhea slid onto the other side, propping her elbow against the pillow as she watched Leia closely.

"Lucien wasn’t like this before," Leia went on, her voice quieter. "He’s changed so much in the past few months. Now, it’s like he doesn’t care what anyone wants. All that matters to him is being obeyed. I get it, he’s the Alpha, authority is his right, but I hated it. I hated how he never listened." She paused, her gaze dropping. "Still, I’m glad he didn’t punish me for defying him."

Rhea burst out laughing at her serious tone. "Oh, Leia. Don’t you see? Lucien brought you here because he wants you to be his Luna."

Leia’s eyes narrowed. "No. He just wanted an heir. That was his real motive."

"Hm, but now his real motive is to win your heart." Rhea’s tone was half-teasing, half-serious, before her gaze softened. "By the way, how’s your wound? And did the hunter say anything? Why did she attack you? It wasn’t meant for Ronan, was it? She came straight at you. Many in the pack whisper, quietly, of course, that you must have angered the hunters before."

"I already know why the hunters are after me."

Rhea leaned closer, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "Why?"

Leia bit down on her bottom lip, hesitating. "I can’t tell you. Not because you’re not my friend... but because I don’t want you dragged into danger."

"Leia," Rhea said gently, placing a hand over hers, "you’re part of this pack. Our future Luna. For you, I’d do anything." She smiled warmly, almost reassuringly.

Leia forced a small smile back, but inside, her chest tightened with unease. ’Does she really mean those words?’ The memory of Delia’s voice echoed in her mind. She had once said the same, only to betray her later.

"Well, what would you like to eat?" Rhea asked brightly as she got up from the bed. "Since you’ve just recovered from an injury, I’ll make something homemade. If Mom were here, she’d have prepared a whole feast for you. I’m not that great a cook, but there are a few dishes I can manage well."

"I’ll help you," Leia offered, rising to her feet.

"What? No!" Rhea waved her hands quickly, shaking her head in protest. "You’re my guest. Guests don’t cook."

Leia smiled faintly. "I don’t mind helping. It’ll be fun."

Rhea gave her a playful look. "Don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you step into my kitchen, I might just put you to work like one of the maids."

"I won’t mind!" Leia chuckled, slipping her feet into the slippers before following Rhea to the kitchen.

As they entered, Rhea suddenly said, "By the way, Leia... I’ve started dating."

Leia’s eyes widened with interest. "Really? Who? Do I know him?"

"Yes. Kieran’s close friend, Jarvis," Rhea replied while pulling open the refrigerator.

A smile tugged at Leia’s lips. "He’s a wonderful guy. I’m happy for you. So, I’m hoping this is serious."

"Yeah, it feels serious for now," Rhea admitted, setting a few vegetables on the counter. "Let’s see how it goes in the future."

"Of course, it’ll go well. But come on, tell me, how did it happen?" Leia teased as she lit the stove and placed a pan on top.

Rhea’s cheeks flushed a little. "Actually, it started at a party. We were dancing... and then, we kissed. The next morning, he was waiting outside my house, asking if I’d like to date him. And I said yes."

Leia laughed softly, shaking her head. "That sounds just like Jarvis, straightforward and stubborn until he gets what he wants."

"How do you know he’s stubborn?" Rhea asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Well, Kieran told me once," Leia answered casually, pouring oil into the pan.

Before Rhea could respond, a loud crashing sound echoed from outside, startling them both. Their eyes met in alarm, and Leia instantly turned off the stove.

"Wait, I’ll check!" Rhea said, already rushing toward the door.

Leia didn’t hesitate and followed her. Outside, they found a man sprawled on the ground, his bike lying several feet away after skidding into an electric pole. Blood streaked down his temple, and his arm was bent at an unnatural angle.

"Are you alright?" Leia cried, pushing the gate open and running straight to him.

"N-no... my arm..." the man groaned in pain.

Rhea gasped, covering her mouth with trembling fingers. "Gosh! Your arm is badly wounded! Let me call an ambulance!" She fumbled for her phone in her pocket but couldn’t find it.

Before she run inside to take the phone, the man’s head slumped to the side as he lost consciousness.

"Rhea! He’s fainted!" Leia shouted.