Chapter 208 - Leland Is Working Hard To Be Stronger

Sophie woke up after a week and was unaware of what happened. The last thing she remembered was she was having a picnic dinner with Leland outside. She saw Leland beside her who looked worried sick and she touched his hand. "Leland?"

"Sophia!" the Alpha's expression was utter relief because she still woke up.

He had been so afraid that this time she wouldn't make it. However, as she gave him a weak smile, his worry was eased a little. It seemed like everything he did for the past week truly helped improve her condition.

"What happened?" she asked.

"You passed out..." Leland softly said. "Sophia, I thought that you were slowly recovering. You've been moving around and active, but suddenly you passed out again. You were forcing yourself, weren't you?"

"I don't like staying in bed all the time, because it makes me feel as if I really am sick." Sophie bit her lip and she shook her head. "Even though I sometimes feel weak, as long as I get up and exercise, eat well... I do feel better after some time, Leland."

"Sophia, there is no harm in resting if your body feels like it needs it," the man said in concern. "I understand that feeling very well. I myself don't like staying in bed doing nothing, but I hope that you can still take it easy."

Sophie looked at him sadly. "I'm terribly sorry for worrying you. I didn't expect that this would happen at all since I am taking it easy. I'll be more careful next time when I'm feeling faint or tired. But it must have been freezing last night..."

The Alpha's heart was crushed by the thought that his mate assumed that it was only one night but it was far more than that.

"Do not worry, I will share my strength with you," Leland said.

"Leland, you already are." Sophie fluttered her lashes when she heard his words uttered in a serious tone. "You are the reason I am still alive now."

"I am, but I will do my best to maintain my own strength further so the two of us can share it even further." Leland explained. "Perhaps in the last few months, I've been needlessly too focused on rebuilding the Blood River Pack..."

"You are working extremely hard indeed." Sophie touched his arm. "Even if it wasn't for me, Leland, I want you to also take care of yourself. I am sure that we can still grow the pack's power even if it is slower than you want to."

"Thank you, Sophia." Leland smiled. 

"You're welcome…" Sophie felt frustration in her chest as she held onto Leland's arm. She was doing her best to comfort him, but all she could think about was how she was slowing him down. 

Not only was she a half lycan who couldn't shift, she was even weaker now.

Why couldn't she be stronger for her husband?

Perhaps if it was just Leland alone, he would be able to fully concentrate on growing the Blood River Pack's power once more. And maybe they would even have succeeded with conquering Riga if not for her!

"I think the pace is just fine now." Leland grabbed her hand and smiled gently as he felt the frustration of his mate throb within him. "You do not need to worry about how long it will take."

Sophie leaned against his chest and sighed. "I… I guess you're right. Perhaps a lot can still change as you grow in power? What if humans and lycans can get along suddenly. A peace treaty would be wonderful."

Leland loved his mate for that optimism in her heart and he held her close. "We will see what can happen, but I want you to focus on regaining your health first, alright? Worry about the whole thing when you are much better."

"Okay," Sophie nodded slowly and smiled. She found his steady heartbeats a comforting thing. "Thank you for always taking care of me, Leland…"

"Always." 

Before the Alpha knew it, his mate ended up falling asleep on his chest. She must have been still so weak and her body still demanded her to rest. Leland gently placed her back on the mattress.

"Sophia…" he slowly breathed.

After a couple of minutes, Leland forced himself to step out of their chamber. He needed to work once again for her sake. 

If it was his strength that contributed to her health and wellness, then he needed to grow in power and also keep his own condition optimum.

"Alpha!" Several lycan warriors stood attentively in the hallway. Among them were the familiar faces of his trusted aides, Max and Duncan and it made Leland halt. They were the few people that he could liked and could trust like Lucas.

"Have a healthy breakfast prepared for the Luna and make sure that you carefully watch its preparations and have a female lycan deliver it to our chambers, Sophia can eat once she wakes up."

Now, he always made sure to have someone trusted to watch whatever food and drinks served to his mate. He didn't want to lower his guard like the last time and gave the opportunity for someone like Dinah to poison Sophie.

"Yes, Alpha!"

"Duncan, you can go watch over and take care of Luciel and Jan for this morning. I will be meeting with Lucas," Leland ordered as he left the hallway to locate his Beta.

***

"Alpha, shall we head back to the mountains?" Lucas bowed his head in greeting Leland. "I have our men prepare the battle circle already."

"Yes, let us go." Leland nodded. 

For the past week, he had concentrated on taking care of himself while pushing his own skills and capacity. 

It was good for him to maintain his health, eat well, and train with Luciel and Jan but if he could increase his strength then it would be a boost to his mate.

Included among the marks of strength was his capacity for combat. 

Leland had probably grown a tad weaker during his stay in Riga when he was preoccupied with attending balls and parties as Duke Romanov. The Alpha still trained but he was also fully more devoted to his mate and their children back then.

Now it was time to hone his strength once more.

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From Missrealitybites:

While Nicholas is trying to get away from an arranged marriage, Leland is collecting kudos points from Sophie.

It will be interesting to see how Nicholas will catch up on his missing points. XD