Leia - POV
Kai's angry grunt silenced the gossiping she-wolves, who cowered in fear. Xavier approached me, glaring at the offenders. Vincent, who was following the Alphas, chimed in.
"Vincent, dismiss this battalion from their post for disrespecting Leia," Xavier said bitterly.
"Alpha, forgive us; we need the job," the she-wolves pleaded.
"You should ask forgiveness from Leia, not us," Kai ordered, causing the mocking she-wolves to feel remorse for their actions.
"We apologize, Ms. Leia; we said those words and hurt you. Please forgive us and spare us this time," the she-wolves begged in unison, bowing their heads in apology. I was used to being picked on and looked down upon, so I didn't know how to react.
"Leia, are you alright?" Daisy asked, noticing my body shiver. I had endured the mockery and shaming of being wolfless in the Blue Wood pack. I felt the weight of Kai and Xavier's gaze on me, unsure how to comfort me.
"Take them away from here," Xavier ordered, and Vincent followed his command, leading the she-wolves out of the training arena.
"Leia," Xavier said gently.
"I'm sorry you had to see this, Leia," Kai added with emotion, surprising me. Their warm gesture dissipated my fear.
"Thank you, brothers," I whispered. Xavier and Kai paused, and I sensed an emotion that didn't seem happy. Were they bothered by my calling them "brothers," or did they sympathize with me because of the gossiping incident?
"Leia, we've arranged a small party for your return home. I'll make sure the Pack knows that Agnor is back in the Blackmoon Pack," Xavier said.
"I think it's a bad idea; I hate attention," I replied, without much thought.
"Are you worried about what others will say?" Kai asked. "You need not worry; no one will ever utter anything bad to you."
"Though you can make their mouths shut with fear of your power. But that won't change their minds about Agnor being a traitor unless they know why Alpha Reo made my father leave the Pack like a traitor," I said, challenging them. Xavier and Kai had poker faces, and Daisy looked terrified, knowing my words could cause trouble.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that," I whispered, aware that snapping at the Alphas in front of the battalion was unwise.
"Don't apologize, Leia; you're right. We'll find the truth and bring it to light soon," Xavier said. I was surprised that the Alphas agreed with me.
"Did he just agree with me?" I muttered.
"I'm shocked too. Alpha Xavier and Kai never agree to things so easily. They're mostly self-centred playboys. I wonder what's changed," Daisy whispered.
"What will happen to those she-wolves?" I asked as Daisy walked me to town. "They will most likely be jobless and may never find work in the pack until you forgive them."
"What? I should forgive them. I don't want them to suffer because of me." Daisy shook her head.
"Why be so nice to those lousy mouth bitches? They hurt you, and you want to forgive them," Daisy hissed.
"You don't understand how difficult it is for someone when the pack shuns and bullies you; they will struggle to find work to make ends meet." I came to a halt and turned back to the training arena. I sniffed the air to find Vincent and started walking, with Daisy following behind.
I saw Vincent writing something on the paper, and those she-wolves had grief in their eyes. "Vincent, don't fire them. I forgive those she-wolves," I said. The she-wolves' eyes snapped in my direction.
"You don't have to force your forgiveness; they deserve punishment," Vincent hissed.
"Please, Leia, help us; we will make sure never to speak ill about anyone in our life," Clara, Natasha, and Ivory introduced themselves.
"Vincent, please let them go," I pleaded. Vincent sighed as he tore up the firing letters, which would have advised businesses not to hire Clara, Natasha, and Ivory.
"Thank you," the three she-wolves chorused together.
"We will repay your kindness," Natasha added.
"How about trying to silence others who try to speak negatively about Leia and make sure you guys remind them of the consequences you faced," Daisy suggested. They nodded and left.
"That was mean, Daisy."
"They started it. You need to stand up and not always be the kind person," Daisy added.
"I understand their suffering, and if I weren't kind enough to forgive, we wouldn't be having this conversation," I explained. Daisy looked away from me, hiding her guilty face.
"Touche," Vincent said.
The three of us strolled back to the mansion and found Xavier and the women standing close to each other. Kai was talking to a beautiful lady.
"Daisy, Vincent, how are you guys doing?"
"Ana," Daisy said with a forced voice. Oh, so she's Xavier's girlfriend.
"Long time no see, you both. How have you been?" Caroline asked, holding Kai's arm. I recalled that Caroline was Kai's girlfriend.
"It was amazing," Caroline added, referring to her photo shoot. Ana held onto Xavier as if they were marking their man, or maybe I was reading too much into things.
"Hello, I'm Leia, Xavier's and Kai's step-sister," I introduced myself. I could see Xavier and Kai were uncomfortable, and my heart sank at seeing my stepbrothers so close to other beautiful women. I pushed the thought away.