Chapter 56
Killian’s POV
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I have summoned Ruby here to discuss Dominic’s crimes, to lay out my plan, and to continue his inevitable downfall. However, the moment I looked at her, the topic of conversation became secondary.
She was furious. Not at me, but at the betrayal she had endured. At the burden she called her family’s betrayal. The barely visible sorrow in her blue eyes only fueled the fire of my own rage.
I wanted blood. Now.
But Ruby, ever the stubborn one, was more concerned with understanding others‘ feelings. The most frustrating part? She acted as if she had to bear it all herself.
Sometimes, I wonder–how deep does Ruby’s purity run, even after all the pain she has suffered?
It turns out that revenge alone isn’t enough to turn someone into a demon. I don’t know whether to feel relieved or disappointed that I’ve lost my own wager.
“Tell me what Dominic has done,” she demanded, rubbing the tense vein at her temple. “Whatever crimes he has committed, I will hear them, Your Majesty.”
I studied her for a moment, my jaw tightening. Even now, she insisted on shouldering burdens that were never meant for her. The irony of it all.
“My dear, you sound as if you’re about to take Dominic’s punishment in his place.”
Ruby’s lips pressed into a thin line. “That man has never known the meaning of an apology. And no matter what, he is a member of the pack, an alpha, and I—”
“You don’t have to bear the sins of others, Ruby.”
My reprimand silenced her instantly. She exhaled, brushing a hand over her furrowed brow.
“We’ll discuss this self–sacrificing habit of yours later,” I told her firmly. She only nodded obediently, not daring to argue.
Leaning forward, my fingers traced invisible patterns along the armrest of my throne.
“Your beloved Alpha,” I shifted to the real topic, letting the title curl with mockery, “has been using members of the Ravenhold Pack to spy on me. And not just any spies–men posing as merchants, slipping in and out of my kingdom for months. His pathetic attempt at subtlety only made them easier to catch.”
Ruby tensed, horror flashing across her face.”
“Killian… I mean, my King,” she quavered, lowering her head. “As Luna, I apologize. It is unacceptable that someone from my pack would be involved in something so vile.”
“I don’t need your apology, little wolf. What I need is Dominic’s head,” I sneered.
She looked as though she might explode but instead bit her lip, her nails digging into her palms as she held back a mixture of shame and fury.
“And you will have it. I swear,” she declared firmly.
I tilted my head, intrigued by the certainty in her voice. She agreed so easily. And why wouldn’t she? That man had done nothing but destroy her life. And yet, this woman was the type to apologize even when something wasn’t her fault.
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Chapter 56
I didn’t like it.
My hand reached out, fingers curling under her chin, lifting her gaze to meet mine.
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“And what about your own plan?” I asked, losing myself in the stunning blue depths of her eyes. “I see nothing wrong with your brand of revenge. But if they’re planning to kill you soon, there’s no point in playing the long game. It’s time to speed things up.”
Ruby wavered at my reasoning, but she accepted it easily enough. Especially after hearing her report–those four cowardly pigs had dared to set a date for their Luna’s death. Oh, she could no longer afford patience.
“I agree, I think I’m tired of dealing with this too.”
Satisfaction curled in my chest.
“Good girl.”
I leaned back, my hold on her slipping lower to her waist as I pulled her closer until she was pressed against my chest. She gasped in surprise, but I took advantage of it easily, sliding my hands to her hips and stealing a kiss.
“When Dominic and the others are gone, what will you do?” I asked, watching her reaction closely. “Return to your pack and pretend none of this happened?”
Her brows furrowed in confusion. “I… I don’t know, Your Majesty. At the very least, I will focus on restoring my pack.”
I clicked my tongue in displeasure.
“That’s not the right answer, Ruby.”
She tilted her head, blinking at me in adorable bewilderment.
“Then what is?”
I smirked. “Stay with me.”
Ruby’s eyes widened, utterly speechless. She froze in place, as if she had just attempted to process half the books in a library at once. I couldn’t stop myself from laughing at her expression. She never failed to react so vividly.
“Why waste yourself on a pack that abandoned you?” My fingers threaded through strands of her golden hair, savoring its softness against my skin. “Stay in my kingdom. It would be fun, wouldn’t it?”
Ruby flushed, her lips parting as if to said ‘yes‘, but doubt flickered across her face.
“Your Majesty, I–I can’t. My pack—”
“They don’t deserve you,” I cut in smoothly. “You said you wanted to rebuild it, but do they deserve that gift?”
Her shoulders jolt as she gasper hear a painful honesty. She turned her face away for a moment, a trace of sadness visible to me. I pressed further.
“You speak of loyalty, of duty,” I continued, my voice as gentle as possible, my fingers tracing a slow path along her bare shoulder. “But when was the last time you thought of yourself?”
She frowned deeply. “That’s not-”
“That’s denial,” I interrupted. “And that’s the problem, little wolf. You give and give until there’s nothing left for yourself. And I won’t allow it.”
Her breath trembled against my lips as I leaned in.
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Chapter 56
“You should love yourself the way you fight for them.”
She swallowed hard. “I’ve always done that, Your Majesty. I love
“Lies,” I whispered, pressing my lips against her throat. “Let me make it simple for you.”
My grip tightened around her waist.
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“You need a new Alpha. Someone strong enough to take control. I can help you install one. And you, my dear, will remain the true power behind the throne.”
She trembled in my arms, her mind working through my words. I could feel her resolve waver, her body instinctively leaning into mine. So utterly satisfying–to see this little cherry melt so easily in my presence.
“It’s a brilliant plan, isn’t it?” I grinned darkly.
“I appreciate it. But I’m not sure, Your Majesty. Especially about myself” Her hands clutched at my shoulders.
“Hmm,” I mused, tilting her chin up. “And yet, look at your body. It’s already agreeing with me.”
Ruby glared at me. “Your Majesty-”
I silenced her with a kiss.
A deep, demanding kiss that stole the breath from her lungs, leaving no room for this little cherry to muster the courage to argue with her king. At first, she tensed, her hands pressing against my chest–but then, just like ice cream melting under the sun, her fingers curled into the fabric of my clothes.
I devoured her, drinking in the warmth of her surrender. My tongue swept against hers–coaxing, demanding. When I finally pulled away, my gaze roamed over my little cherry with obsessive hunger–her cheeks flushed, her lips swollen, her expression dazed with desire.
Amused, I traced my thumb over her lower lip.
“Are you mad?” I asked playfully.
She pouted. “You’re insufferable.”
I chuckled, savoring the heat of her body, the steady pulse of her life beneath my touch.
“And yet, here you are, my dear. Chained to me for life. Care to argue?”
She gasped when I smacked her ass, the red on her cheeks spreading down her neck and chest.
“Killian!”
My laughter filled the throne room, stoking her irritation. She shoved at my chest in frustration, but I only pulled her closer onto my lap, reveling in the fire in her eyes.
She was breathtaking when she fought me.
And I would never tire of it.
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