Ruby’s POV
“You know, I only came to check on you, but it seems like…”
སོ .97%2
Nora dicked her tongue, her emerald eyes sharpening as they took in the scene before her. “I’ve just walked into an impending bloodbath. Perhaps I should leave before I’m cursed for witnessing a massacre.”
1 let out a sigh, casting her an apologetic glance. “Forgive me, Nora. I’ll explain everything later.
Her gaze softened, and with an understanding nod, she took a step back.
“Very well, my dearest friend. But don’t make me wait too long,” she said, her words accompanied by a playful wink.
Nathaniel couldn’t hold back his disdain for Nora, and he voiced it loudly, earning displeased looks from several of Leonidas‘ soldiers. I recalled that the grand mages had good relations with many kingdoms, and it seemed that Nathaniel’s prejudice would eventually come back to haunt him.
As Nora turned to leave, I caught her gaze lingering on Leonidas–and, to my disbelief, the golden–eyed lycan was looking right back at her. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
Were they locked in some battle of wits and temptation? This world might just split in two!
Returning to the matter at hand, Leonidas turned to Nathaniel.
“Get Dominic out of here. Now,”
Leonidas‘ voice grew harsher as Nathaniel dared to interrupt. “I doubt your son–in–law will survive if the King is greeted by his pathetic face.”
Nathaniel, his face pale, barked orders at the nearest guards. Dominic, barely conscious, was carried away to the infirmary. His in–laws stepped forward, their expressions filled with terror. They knew what was coming.
And then he arrived.
A portal split the air, tendrils of energy crackling as Killian Rudwick stepped through with the grace of a ruler and the presence of a deadly storm. The moment his boots touched the ground, the weight of his power pressed upon everyone in the courtyard. His crimson eyes, glowing with dangerous delight, swept over the gathered crowd.
Nathaniel and his wife immediately bowed deeply, their trembling bodies betraying their fear.
“Your Majesty!” Nathaniel exclaimed, sweat beading on his temples.
“I–it is an honor to welcome you to our pack-” he stammered, glancing around nervously before gripping his wife’s hand. “Nevertheless, I would like to offer my sincerest apologies for-”
Killian flicked his hand, a silent command for Nathaniel to stop talking, his gaze sweeping over the destruction left in the wake of the previous battle. His eyes settled on Leonidas.
“Explain.”
Leonidas straightened. “Alpha Dominic shifted and attacked me. I merely acted in self–defense.”
“As expected,” Killian murmured, shaking his head. “And where is he now?”
“In treatment, Your Majesty,” Leonidas‘ Beta replied.
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09:31 Fri, 25 Apr
Chapter 61
“It seems you were angry enough to put an Alpha in the infirmary”
The one–eyed Beta barely concealed his satisfaction at his king’s remark.
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“Quite entertaining, though I’m hardly pleased that the man dared to insult you,” he stated.
Killian let out a quiet, disappointed sigh. His gaze flickered toward Nathaniel, utterly unimpressed. “And you must already be aware of your son–in–law’s crimes without me having to explain them.”
Nathaniel panicked. He rushed forward, falling to his knees before Killian, pressing his forehead to the ground. “Your Majesty! I beg you, please show mercy. Dominic may be reckless and arrogant, but he is still my son–in–law. Please, spare him!”
His wife followed suit, her voice trembling as she echoed his plea. “He is still young, my King! We will discipline him properly!”
Desperation creeping into her voice, the false mother added, “Please, punish him if you must, but do not take his life!”
Pathetic. They truly believed they could appeal to a mercy Killian did not possess.
Disgust was plain on Killian’s cold features. He offered no reply, leaving the two immoral creatures groveling at his feet. He exhaled deeply before shifting his gaze.
“Ruby.”
I jolted at the sound of my name. As if on cue, I automatically stepped forward, my body stiffening under his crimson gaze as he extended a hand toward me.
I hesitated before placing my hand in his. A smirk curled at his lips as he lifted my hand, pressing a kiss to my without once breaking eye contact.
knuckles
I blushed, the tips of my ears burning. Meanwhile, Killian was thoroughly enjoying my reaction, and I exercised great patience not to glare at the infuriating Lycan king.
“You look well,” he spoke as if we were the only two people in the courtyard. “Tell me,
did you miss me?”
I nearly choked. Murmurs of confusion and hushed whispers erupted in the background. Damn it, was he really going to expose everything now? This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen, but the bastard looked far too amused by it!
“Y–Your Majesty, I doubt this is the time for small talk,” I stammered.
“Nonsense. I always have time for you, darling.”
My traitorous heart stuttered at the way he said it. But then, his gaze shifted–darkening with something I didn’t want to decipher.
His grip tightened slightly. “Your husband has betrayed me.”
The words fell like stones, silencing the courtyard. Then, Killian turned his attention to my deceitful parents.
“I assume you, my dear Ruby, were already aware now, given how much your husband hate me so much,” he lamented, like a theatrical actor.
Nathaniel and his wife went completely pale, frozen in place. Killian cast me a dramatic look, running his thumb over the back of my hand as if he genuinely regretted the situation.
“I despise traitors. Truly.” He sighed wearily before lifting his gaze back to me. “Ruby, my dear, I apologize in advance. But Dominic must be punished. I trust you
understand.”
0931 FI, 25 Apr
Chapter 61
A chill crawled down my spine. Everyone in the courtyard remained frozen, holding their breath, waiting.
Nathaniel let out a strangled sound. “Your Majesty, please! There must be another way-
“Like the gift I sent this morning
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Nathaniel’s wife clutched her husband’s arm, her face turning ghastly ugly pale. She covered her mouth, collapsing to the ground as if the executioner’s blade hung over her head. The realization crashed over them like a wave of ice. They had all seen the gruesome message Killian had sent. They knew what it meant for Dominic.
Nathaniel trembled violently in a way I found most satisfying. His body sagged in defeat, yet his lips still quivered, desperate to plead. I had expected Killian to be ruthless, but witnessing it firsthand….
Magnificent.
Killian’s crimson eyes softened slightly as they met mine, even his lips twitching in amusement at my silence.
“Wouldn’t you agree, my dear?”
“I trust Your Majesty’s judgment,” I finally replied.
AD
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