Leia's POV:
Earlier, I pretended to cry before Lucien, hoping he would falter, maybe soften even a little. But he didn't.
"That jerk," I muttered under my breath, wiping the corners of my eyes with the back of my hand. "He doesn't even flinch at a woman's tears. And yet, he once said he hated seeing women cry. What a hypocrite."
With a frustrated sigh, I dropped onto the mattress and hugged the nearest pillow. The fabric felt cold against my cheek as I let my thoughts spiral.
"At least... they're not forcing themselves on me," I whispered, a small relief blooming in my chest. "I'm glad I kept resisting. No matter how exhausting it's been."
I rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling. 'Kieran... when will you come back?'
Suddenly, there was a knock.
"Knock, knock! It's me, Leia. I'm coming in."
I shot up, completely startled. Before I could even respond, Lucien walked in.
"We need to talk, Leia," he said firmly.
I turned away from him with a defiant glare. "We have nothing to talk about." I felt him sit beside me and he grasped my chin to look at him.
"Leia, it's not good to show the resistance, you know. I was giving you enough time so that you could adjust here. And I didn't send anyone away. You are mistaking me," Lucien said.
"I don't believe you," I said. "Let me go out freely. Give me a phone. Allow me the freedom and I'll start believing you."
I wondered if he would accept my request or not. But it would make me understand the more of him. After all, he was the Alpha of this pack and winning him was crucial.
"Fine, I'll give you everything you desire, but you need to let me get close to you as well," Lucien stated.
"You want my body, don't you?" I asked, not blinking.
"What if I say yes?" Lucien asked.
"I don't wish to give you my body," I replied. Would he hit me? He was stronger than me and could easily push me to the bed. Despite that I was pushing his buttons.
"I'll provide you phone and will allow you to go out. However, one bodyguard will always accompany you. Since you don't trust me, I don't trust you either," Lucien told me, his grip on my chin loosened.
He stood up and continued, "Since you willingly didn't agree to accompany me. So, now, I'm giving you an order. Be ready this evening. You will accompany me to a party."
I didn't protest or argue and watched him walk away. As she reached near the door, Lucien again said, "Don't test my patience anymore. Everything has a limit, Leia."
I rolled my eyes and watched him stepping out of the room.
"Well, the party can be a good way to interact with the others," I murmured. Putting on my slippers, I went out only to hear the house butler's voice, speaking about Kieran's return.
"He's back!" I made my way to the staircase and descended them as fast as I could.
I went straight to his room and pushed the door open. "Kieran, I missed you. Why didn't you–"
I paused seeing the woman beside him. An unknown woman, who was standing too close to Kieran.
"I will come later," I said and turned to leave.
"You can stay. I'm the one, who should leave," said the woman. I noticed she waved at Kieran, who smiled at her before she was out of his sight.
"Who was she?" I inquired.
"My secretary at work," Kieran replied as he took off the tie, along with the blazer. "You were saying you missed me," he asked me with amusement dancing in his eyes.
"I did. Also, you didn't contact me. I don't have a phone, but you could have called Lucien and asked him to make me talk to you," I said, pouting my lips.
"That's something new I'm hearing from you," Kieran said and he approached me.
"I am sorry. I have many meetings within these few days, so I couldn't call," Kieran said. Before I knew he hugged me, his warm breath I felt on the crook of my neck.
"I thought you were upset with me," I whispered.
"I wasn't. You think a lot," Kieran said. He pulled back and pinched my cheeks, making me yelp in pain.
"I bought something for you, Leia," Kieran said and took a few steps back before heading to the couch, where a duffle bag was placed.
"Close your eyes, Leia," he told me as he took the item out.
"Why? You can show me the gift. It's not a surprise anymore," I whispered.
"Just close your eyes," Kieran said and finally stood before me.
I shut my eyes while biting my bottom lip. When did the last time I received gifts from anyone? It was on my birthday, which my so-called best friend gave to me.
I felt something cold landed on my neck and I opened my eyes. I found Kieran putting on a pendant on my neck and I lowered my eyes. It was a tiny heart shaped pendant with a diamond engraved in the center.
"Isn't this expensive?" I asked, looking into his eyes.
"Price doesn't matter for me," Kieran said. "I felt your neck shouldn't be empty. I hope you liked it."
"I did. It's beautiful," I said, touching it, feeling happy. "Thank you."
Kieran smiled at me and I felt his fingers tucking my loose hair behind my ear. "I will buy a phone for you in the evening."
"Lucien said he would give me. I have to accompany him to a party. And he has given a order this time. Honestly, I don't wish to go with him. I don't like him," I said. "Kieran, why don't you take me out in the evening? I would be happy to spend the evening with you rather than being with him." Then, I hugged Kieran, hoping he would fight with Lucien for me.