Chapter 38: Domination and Authority 

Killian’s POV 

The Kingdom of Sundrench stood as a testament to power, its golden towers piercing the sky, its endless obsidian walls forming an impenetrable fortress that had withstood centuries of war and betrayal. It was a kingdom of unmatched wealth and fear, where order was absolute and crime was nearly nonexistent. Not because justice was fair but because punishment for defiance was swift and merciless. 

A man named Killian Rudwick had ruled for nearly a thousand years–an immortal king with a legacy drenched in blood. He had seized the throne with his own hands, tearing out his father’s throat and claiming power in a single ruthless stroke. He was a tyrant, a warlord, a ruler whose mere presence could bring lesser men to their knees. Yet, despite his brutal 

reputation, the Kingdom of Sundrench flourished under his reign. His people knew peace–not out of love for their king, but 

out of sheer terror. 

And that Killian Rudwick was me, now standing as the embodiment of that very terror. 

I stood amidst the carnage, blood dripping from my hands and staining the stone beneath my boots. Around me, the lifeless bodies of the Silver Fang Pack lay scattered, motionless, and unbreathing. Their foolish Alpha, Julius, knelt at my feet, sobbing uncontrollably. The bald, overweight man clutched at my boot, pressing his lips against it with utter desperation. 

Pathetic. 

“Please… please, Your Majesty. Mercy. I–I was tempted, I was foolish, but I swear it meant nothing. I’ll do anything. Anything! Just let me live!” 

My expression remained utterly devoid of emotion as my gaze drifted toward the vast blue sky above him. Perhaps, at this moment, they believed that I–the Lycan King–was contemplating various ideas. Ideas of murder. 

Julius trembled beneath me. “Your Majesty… please, just this once, hear my plea. I swear I will never commit such disgrace again, Your Majesty!” 

I exhaled through my nose, unimpressed. 

Beta Leonidas, standing beside me, pulled a cigar from inside his coat and casually placed it between my lips. A flick of his lighter, and soon, smoke curled into the air, mingling with the scent of blood and death. 

I inhaled slowly, letting the unbearable silence stretch as I stared at the traitor kneeling before me. 

My dear ally, my trusted friend–Julius had conspired with the enemies of the Northern Kingdom to have me killed. All for wealth, status, and slaves to indulge his depraved appetites. 

His audacity made my blood boil. 

“I trusted you, Julius,” I lamented, my voice laced with feigned sorrow. Exhaling a plume of smoke, I watched it drift over the pool of blood surrounding us. “After everything I’ve done for you… is this how you repay me?” 

Julius choked on a sob. “It was a mistake! I-” 

I raised a hand, silencing him. 

“Leonidas,” I said lazily, not even bothering to tear my gaze away from the sniveling disgrace before me. “What is the appropriate punishment for betrayal?” 

Leonidas barely blinked. “Death.” 

Julius let out a broken wail, clawing at my leg. But before his filth could stain my trousers any further, my claws sliced through his throat in one clean motion. His head tumbled to the ground, his body collapsing beside it, twitching once before going still. 

Satisfaction settled deep in my chest, the wolf within me howling in agreement. I stepped closer to the corpse, glancing at Leonidas. 

“What time is it?” I asked, flexing my fingers as if I hadn’t just torn out a man’s throat. 

Leonidas arched a brow. “Midnight.” 

“Perfect.” I grinned. “I have something important to do.” 

Not really. But it had become my favorite pastime. 

“Something important, Your Majesty? Now I’m curious, Leonidas and core, though I could still hear the mischief laced in his tone. 

Successfully unlocked! 

“That’s right. I’m sure you have a few guesses as to why.” 

He let out a faint scoff. “Of course, Your Majesty.” 

Beta Leonidas followed closely behind me, along with a few of my finest soldiers. The magic portal stood wide open before 

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Chapter 38: Domination and Authority 

us, and together, we stepped through it, letting the light consume us–leaving behind nothing but ruin and death 

Upon returning to my grand kingdom, the last thing I expected was a work–related interruption. Not something like this 

Beta Leonidas blocked Daphne Marjorie from approaching me. 

“Killian! Oh gods, seriously? It’s midnight, and you’re still out playing in a lake of blood?” 

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Cousin, I should be the one asking you that. What are you doing here? 

“Oh, just a friendly visit, Killian. Why so stiff with me?” Daphne pouted. 

“Are you blind? It’s the middle of the night,” I scoffed. 

She crossed her arms. “Excuse me, oh mighty Lycan King. I’ve been here since noon! And guess how long I’ve been waiting for you!?” 

“Then go back to your chambers and talk to me in the morning. I’m exhausted,” I replied weanty. 

That part–about being exhausted–was the truth. But the real reason was that I simply had no interest in dealing with her. 

I suspected she suffered from some sort of cousin complex, likely fueled by our childhood and the close bond my late mother had with her family. 

The thought of prolonged interaction with her disgusted me. The only reason I still tolerated her presence was because ! needed her and her family–for now. 

With her growing boldness, perhaps it was time for a reminder. 

A warm visit to the branch family might be in order. Now that I thought about it, it had been a while since I last visited the Marjories. 

Yes, a perfect idea. After all, parents are the best tool to remind their children when they start behaving abnormally. 

“Killian, are you even listening to me!?” 

I cast a glance her way. “Yes, we’ll talk tomorrow over tea. You’re such a kind soul, aren’t you?” 

“I’ll hold you to that,” she grumbled. 

Beta Leonidas still stood between us, blocking her from getting any closer, and I silently thanked him for his efforts. I wiped my neck, where the blood of the traitor I had just slain had splattered and clung to my skin, grimacing in disgust. Damn it, I need a holy bath after this. 

“Go back to your chambers now, Daphne. I won’t tolerate defiance twice,” I warned. 

Daphne suddenly froze, her face flashing purple for a brief moment. Fear flickered in her eyes at my veiled threat, and it dawned on me that she must have really tested her courage just to push this far. 

“F–fine. Good night.” 

Then, with her nightgown billowing behind her, she disappeared down the hall. I wrinkled my nose, nausea rising in my throat. No, that is not the kind of nightwear a woman should be wearing while staying at a relative’s residence. 

“Has she lost her mind?” 

Beta Leonidas, overhearing my muttered words, responded, “Is something wrong, Your Majesty?” 

“Your cousin. Do you have any ideas on how to curb her… excessive attention?” I asked, irritated. 

“Ah, you mean her obsession?” 

I shot him a sharp look before turning away. “Yes, something like that. I might end up killing her if she doesn’t change her behavior within the next week.” 

As I made my way to my chambers, Beta Leonidas remained at my side, faithfully escorting me back. 

“Would you be sad if Daphne Marjorie died?” I asked after a long silence. 

“I don’t think so, Your Majesty,” he replied. 

“Hm… I suppose I always suspected you weren’t that fond of her.” 

The Beta offered a smile, though it never reached his eyes. “There are a few reasons for my lack of sympathy toward 

I nodded, not inclined to drag the conversation further. 

“You can return to your quarters, Leonidas. We’re done here,” I dismissed him as we reached the massive doors of the King‘ s main chamber. 

Beta Leonidas bowed. “Good night, Your Majesty.” 

Upon returning to my place, I wasted no time cleansing myself of the blood and changing into a fresh silk shirt and dark trousers. Then, I stepped into my private study, where the air was thick with the scent of old books and smoke. 

With a flick of my wrist, the magical device on my desk activated. 

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Chapter 38: Domination and Authority 

A vortex of shimmering light appeared before me, forming several floating screens. Each displayed a different part of the Ravenhold Pack–the training grounds, the pack houses, and the surrounding forest. But my focus was fixed on only one. 

Ruby Lucienne’s room. 

This was the hobby I had mentioned earlier. 

Ever since I had placed surveillance in every corner of the Ravenhold Pack, watching Ruby Lucienne had become my personal indulgence. 

I leaned back in my chair, lazily swirling the brandy in my glass as I observed her. She had no idea she was under my constant gaze–every movement, every expression, entirely mine to witness. 

My lips curled into a smirk as I took another sip. 

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