Louisa's POV
Leo closed the book and said, "The traveling druids are the offspring of the Gifted Ones. After they were cast away from the mainland by King Czar the Great's First Ruling, they were planning to come back and revenge. They went to great lengths in order to come back and eventually attained the Clemency Ring. With the power of the ring, they exempted themselves and started to get back to the mainland. All these years, they have done a lot of bad things. Generations of wolf kings wanted to eliminate them, but they couldn't get rid of them. The late King Duko had planned to negotiate a deal with them, and it was taken as a sign of his weakness, which played an important role when he was declared a traitor. My brother said, those traveling druids have planted bad seeds in our society and tried to manipulate our minds."
"Why do they want to cheat Darren and his brother? What do they want?" I asked.
Leo shook his head and said, "I didn't know exactly why, but it seemed a long time ago, they offered a deal to Lucas and he rejected them. That's why they hated him and wanted him dead. You know, just like they said, vampires forgive, but they never forget. Druids never forgive, even when they forget."
"They came for Lucas? But why...? I mean, how could they communicate? Nobody could hear their voices on the mainland."
"Lucas had Derek with him at that time. He was Darren's brother and he was also a hybrid of a human and a warlock. That's why he could talk and communicate with the druids. But somehow, the whole thing went south. I was very young at that time, so I couldn't remember everything clearly. But I knew Derek was imprisoned, tortured, and eventually killed. Lucas was very angry at that time, that's why he took Darren in possession and tortured him like that." Leo said and took a pause.
"Louisa, I'm going to be very honest with you. I have never liked Darren. The moment I saw him for the first time, I knew he was going to kill every single one of us. There's something dark in his eyes. That's why I couldn't let him take you away like that."
"He just wanted to protect me because Lucas wanted to kill me," I said.
"It's not Darren doesn't have a right to take you away from us. It's just..." Leo said and sighed.
"...I have my reason as well." He stared at me and said.
I recognized the look in his eyes immediately.
He was no longer a teenage boy.
He was a grown-up young man, looking at his beloved one.
No. This can't happen. Leo's just a boy. What's on my mind? I lowered my head and thought to myself.
Then, I realized that the needle had already been stabbed into my finger.
I instantly pulled it out. Blood started to get out of my wound.
Will must have smelt the scent of blood and jumped up.
He bounced in front of me, checking my hand.
"Ah, it's bleeding..." Will frowned.
I swung my hand and said, "It's OK."
Before I realized it, my hand had already been taken by Leo.
He looked at the wound and lifted his eyes.
"Does it hurt?" he asked.
"No, Leo. It's fine. It's just..." I didn't finish my words before he put my bleeding finger in his mouth.
A wave of warmth originated from the tip of my finger, spreading and electrifying my entire body.
His tongue was gently licking my finger while his tender lips were carefully sucking it.
"Leo... Don't..." I whispered and withdrew my hand quickly.
My face was burning.
I had to turn back, so he wouldn't notice the blush on my face.
Just when I was panicking, I heard some noise coming from outside.
"Don't stop me! Let me get inside and talk to that bitch!"
It was Josephine's voice.
What now? Can't she just leave me alone? I thought to myself while walking to the entrance of the tent.
Josephine was standing out of the tent with her arms crossed.
"You!" Josephine's eyes narrowed when she saw me. "You filthy little whore! What did you do to Lucas last night? Why did he decide to take you to the lake house instead of me?!"
"Go away, Josephine. I don't have time for this," I said and turned back, trying to get into the tent again.
Josephine grabbed my arm and said, "Don't you dare walk away from me! I haven't done talking to you! You filthy little bitch!"
"I don't care if you're done. I don't have any time to talk to you. Just go away." I threw her hand away and said.
She grabbed me again. This time even harder.
"What kind of shameless bitch are you?! You've done everything to lure Lucas into bed and try to steal him from me! I don't care what filthy idea is in your head now, but let me tell you, you will never steal him from me! My brother Kylo is his most trustworthy Gamma. No matter what kind of blow-the-belt gimmicks you're pulling, you will never get what you want!" She shouted in my face.
Then, I saw Gianna slowly walking towards us with some soldiers.
She looked very pale for a pregnant lady.
Josephine saw her as well, so she intentionally raised her voice and said, "Do you think people are all blind?! My maids told me everything! You tried to seduce Lucian multiple times! You were standing in front of him, stripped naked, and flirting with him! He took you to a crayfish restaurant and you two had a date! Don't you know that he has a pregnant wife at home?! Don't you have any moral in your stupid dumb head?! Shame on you!"
I knew she was just trying to say these things to anger me and alienate Gianna from me. So, I didn't respond and tried to walk into the tent.
Josephine pulled me violently from behind and said, "Don't you try to run away! Gianna is here now. Explain to her and talk to us! Why did you try to seduce her husband while sleeping with Lucas at the same time?!"