Chapter 57 

Killian’s POV 

‘So, do you agree?” 

She nodded firmly. “Your plan is far more brilliant than mine, Your Majesty.” 

“In that case, you can just sit back and enjoy the show after this.” 

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” 

Ruby had placed her trust in me to execute the final part of our revenge. That alone was enough to amuse me because she knew I would enjoy making it far more complicated than she had planned. Ruby’s strategy was methodical, designed to make them suffer, but it lacked the finesse of true punishment. No slow, drawn–out agony. No orchestrated downfall for everyone involved. Just a gradual decay. 

It’s less fun. 

So I reworked it, adding my own signature–cruelty and patience–and she agreed without much question. 

A clever woman. 

And yet, no matter how perfectly everything had fallen into place, I found myself delaying her departure. She needed to return soon, or suspicion would arise, but something within me–a possessive beast growling deep inside–wanted to keep her here a little longer. 

“Ask her for a name.” 

I nearly growled out loud. “Are you insane?” 

“Give me a name, you idiotic Tyrant.” The wolf’s voice rumbled in my mind, half–angry. “I’d much prefer if she were the one to do it.” 

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “I already named you!” 

“A title. Not a name. It’s not the same! And besides, it’s ugly!” my wolf sneered. 

My eyebrow twitched in irritation. “This is utterly ridiculous! You just want to humiliate me!?” 

“Do I look like I care? Oh, not at all!” 

“Now, ask her!” 

I gritted my teeth. One day, I would find a way to rip that damn wolf out of my inner world and roast him over a bonfire. 

Exhaling harshly, I caught Ruby’s curious gaze. 

“Forgive me, Your Majesty. Is something wrong?” 

I cleared my throat. “No. But I suggest you stop calling me that so formally. I’m starting to find it annoying.” 

A flush of red spread from her cheeks to her ears. She shook her head, seemingly about to protest, only to clamp her lips shut when two of my fingers flicked her forehead lightly. 

“Don’t pretend to refuse. You’ve slipped up and called me by name more than once.” 

Ruby stammered in panic. “I–I… but-” 

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09:30 Fri, 25 Apr 04. 

Chapter 57 

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“Even without the surname, I emphasized. 

For a moment, she looked down, embarrassed, before glancing up at me through her long lashes in a way that was… intriguing. 

“Killian, then,” 

I let out a quiet scoff, the corner of my mouth twitching in amusement. “As you should.” 

My wolf barked in outrage as I nearly forgot his request. I quickly grasped Ruby’s wrist before she could step any closer to the portal. The look on her face told me she already knew something was off. 

“Killian?” 

My pride protested fiercely against what I was about to say, but that damn wolf was relentless. 

“Give me a name,” I muttered, my jaw tightening. 

Ruby blinked rapidly. “What?” 

“My wolf” I exhaled slowly, trying not to feel like an idiot. “He wants you to name him.” 

Silence. Then, an unexpected sound–a soft, breathless laugh. Ruby pressed a hand to her lips, shaking her head. 

“Are you serious?” 

I frowned. “Apparently, he likes you enough to ask for your approval.” 

Her amusement only grew, and though I was irritated, I found myself staring at her lips, watching how they curved as she laughed. 

Damn woman. 

“Alright,” she mused, tapping her chin. “If he insists so much, I suppose he should have a name fitting for a beast like you.” 

I crossed my arms. “Choose wisely.” 

She tilted her head, thinking. The way her expression softened, the glint in her eyes as she pondered, made something tighten in my chest. And then, she smiled. Stunningly. 

“Elysian.” 

The wolf inside me stirred, suddenly ecstatic, as if fireworks were exploding above his head. 

“I love it!” 

“Shut your mouth, you insane wolf!” 

Ruby looked at me with hopeful eyes. “Do you like it?” 

No. But my damn wolf was purring in satisfaction. I let out a sigh. 

“Unfortunately, yes.” 

Her grin widened. “Tell him, your wolf. Elysian. That name means beautiful.” 

Of course. Just as I expected. Elysian only grew more deliriously pleased. I rubbed my temple, trying to ward off the headache he was giving me. 

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09:30 Fri, 25 Apr 

Chapter 57 

Shaking my head, I placed my hands on her waist and pulled her close. 

“You’re troublesome,” I murmured, brushing my lips against her temple. 

Her breath hitched, a teasing glint slipping into the blue depths of her eyes. “Hm… isn’t it the other way around?” 

Damn it. 

“Minx.” 

I kissed her before she could say anything else, my lips claiming hers in a possessive, lingering embrace. When we finally pulled apart, I pressed my forehead against hers. 

“Go. Before I change my mind and keep you here.” 

With one last glance, she stepped through the portal, vanishing from my sight. 

And suddenly, my kingdom felt empty. Everything seemed darker. Colder. The satisfaction from our earlier conversation faded the moment she left. But at least I had another distraction–like dealing with Dominic’s pathetic excuse for spies lurking in my lands. 

I had just begun making my way to the dungeons when one of my guards came sprinting toward me, his face pale. 

“Your Majesty-” 

Before he could finish, an enraged scream echoed through the halls. 

“WHERE IS SHE?” 

Oh, for fuck’s sake. Again? 

Daphne Marjorie stormed into the corridor, her elegant gown billowing behind her, her eyes wild with fury. 

“Killian Rudwick!” 

I pinched the bridge of my nose. I had already spoken to Daphne’s parents about her problematic behavior and her horrifying obsession with me. The outcome had been satisfactory enough. Her parents chose to heed my warning rather than risk losing their d their lavish lifestyle. 

“I already forbade you from coming here. Are you disobeying your parents, Daphne?” I shouted. 

She shoved past the guards, fists clenched, completely deaf to my words. 

(+50) 

“I have information. It-” She cut herself off, nostrils flaring. “You have another new toy, don’t you!? Now, show me. Where is that bitch?” 

A wave of heat surged through my veins, boiling beneath the surface like a volcano on the verge of eruption. 

“You are treading on dangerous ground, Daphne.” 

She ignored the warning. “You’ve been entertaining that pathetic Luna from Ravenhold. You are the Lycan King! You don’t need a discarded wife to warm your bed—” 

That was when the last shred of my patience snapped. A sharp slap cracked through the air, sending her sprawling to the ground. 

“How many lives do you think you have, to dare call my woman a bitch, Daphne Marjorie?” 

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