Chapter 126: Nostalgic 

Chapter 126: Nostalgic 

Killian’s POV 

The room reeked of politics, ego, and self–interest. A semicircle of council members sat on their high–backed chairs, their robes far too pristine for people who hardly lifted a finger. I stood before them, hands clenched behind my back, jaw tight, holding back a string of very colorful curses. 

I had seen empires rise and fall, I had ruled through fire and shadow. Patience was never my natural trait. I had to learn and force it into my bones over centuries. And still, even that had its limits.. 

Frankly, they were lucky they weren’t dealing with the tyrant version of Killian. Otherwise, the floor would already be painted red. 

“Three confirmed sightings,” I said, voice low and coarse like gravel. “One human dead, two missing. All near the eastern sector. The bite marks are undeniable. They were vampires.” 

Some council members exchanged unimpressed looks. 

“Are you sure it’s not rogue witches again?” chimed in Councilman Veris, a shapeshifter better known for his tail than his brains. 

My lip twitched. “Witches don’t drain their victims dry and leave them strung up like slaughtered livestock.” 

“Maybe it was isolated. A wandering nest, perhaps. Not worth inciting panic.” 

rung up on a 

“Tell that to the mother of the girl they strung up on a lamp post!” I snapped. 

The air thickened with tension. My killing intent flared, rising like a storm cloud behind my golden eyes. If not for the iron chains of self–control I kept wrapped tightly around my fury, the room would be knee–deep in blood by now. 

“I faced one myself today. Lucky me, right?” I smiled coldly, the kind that made more than one councilman shift in discomfort. “Imagine that. A king, just trying to enjoy a casual ride, and he stumbles across a sewer rat on the road?” 

I leaned back against the chair, resting my chin on one hand. If anyone had the right to be arrogant here, it was me. Not them. 

“I built this place. Don’t you think it’s a little unethical for you to sit here lounging while I clean up your mess?” I hissed. Councilman Veris flinched, enraged at the accusation. 

“Your Majesty! You have no right to speak to us like that!” he barked. 

“Oh, I have every right. Shall I show you what power really looks like, Veris?” I challenged. 

“Enough.” 

The word sliced through the noise like a blade. Advisor Arwen rose to her feet. She was small in stature, with eyes far too sharp and fierce for someone so quiet. A witch of ancient lineage, and the only one in the room who didn’t flinch under my gaze. 

“The threat is real,” she said. “And if King Killian claims this is a coordinated attack, we’d be fools not to act.” 

Her words, though pointed, carried a calm and steady tone. I felt the tightness in my chest loosen just slightly. Slowly, the rage began to ebb with Arwen’s partial understanding of my concern. The truth was, I had worked too damn hard for too many centuries to let everything fall apart now, certainly not because of a handful of godforsaken vampires. 

Arwen stepped forward, raising her voice just enough to command attention. 

“Let me handle the diplomatic approach. If we can reach the vampire envoy before the bloodshed escalates, we might be able to avoid another purge.” 

I didn’t like diplomacy. I preferred clean cuts and scorched earth. But Arwen’s proposal wasn’t a bad one. A ceasefire for 

now. 

The meeting ended with reluctant agreement. Most of the council still underestimated the threat, but Arwen’s voice carried an air of undeniable authority. I felt a flicker of relief knowing that at least my choice for advisor wasn’t a mistake. I couldn’t imagine what this council would be like without a few sane minds left. 

I didn’t waste another second with their empty posturing. I swept out of the chamber, ignoring the hollow bows cast in my direction. 

I hated this place. Look at how the council dragged their foot Mavha it had been a mistake to build this hall with t ope 

of uniting scattered species under one roof. M Successfully unlocked! ended, the place would turn into a goumn 

tea party. I’d need to speak with Arwen about this: Soon 

“Killian!” 

The voice stopped me in my tracks. I turned to see Alpha Jayden leaning casually against a marble pillar, arms crossed, that all–too–familiar smirk playing on his lips. 

1/2 

Chapter 126: Nostalgic 

“Still scaring the kids, I see.” 

I raised an eyebrow. “Still pretending to be charming, Jayden?” 

He pushed off the pillar with ease. “Come on. You look like you could use some tea and sugar. My treat.” 

“I’ll accept your generous offer,” I said coolly, “if you answer why you skipped the meeting” 

He tilted his head slightly, his mouth tightening. “I’m not the only Alpha in this city, you know. And besides, I’m not on the council. Not interested, either.” 

“I seem to remember nominating your name myself.” 

He hummed indifferently. “So, is that a ‘yes‘ to the tea?” 

I let out a long sigh at his attempt to change the subject. But in the end, I gave in partly because I could use the distraction, and partly because Jayden, for all his antics, was one of the few kind–hearted Alphas I trusted. 

The café was a small spot tucked away at a street corner, run by dryads. Calm, warm, and filled with the scent of herbs and fresh pastries. Jayden ordered a cup of wildberry tea and a plate of butter cookies. 

I sat across from him, arms folded, eyes lost in the distance. 

“You used to like these,” Jayden said, nudging the plate toward me. “Well, at least, during the years we were friends, tyrant.” 

Staring at the flour–based treat, I decided to take one. The moment I did, memories surged forward. I recalled soft laughter pale hands, and a warm voice that once called me back from the darkness in my mind. I also remembered a garden, and lazy afternoons filled with the same scent. Sometimes, those peaceful moments would drift into the music room, where we‘ d take turns showing off our piano skills. 

“Killian?” 

I blinked, finding Jayden watching me. I cleared my throat, masking the slip in my 

“Don’t get sentimental on me, Jayden.” 

He leaned forward, eyes narrowing in curiosity. “Who was she?” 

My smile was brief and sharp. “You’re assuming it was a woman?” 

demeanor. 

Jayden blinked, caught off guard. “Well, who wouldn’t? You spaced out like that over a butter cookie. If that’s not nostalgia, I don’t know what is.” 

“But we’re not here to talk about my life,” I said, a bit more curtly than I intended, shifting in my seat. “What do you want, Jayden? You rarely reach out to me since you got married.” 

Jayden grinned. “Fair enough. I think we need to get serious about this vampire issue. Not just politically. Tactically. I want 

in.” 

“You want in?” I repeated, questioning his sanity. “Fine. Just make sure to draft your will first, for your family’s sake.” 

He laughed heartily, giving me a thumbs up. “There he is. That’s the tyrant I know.” 

I made a face at his antics, reaching for another butter cookie. For a fleeting moment, it felt like something lost had returned. 

Ruby used to make these for me. 

Would she do it again if she’s been reincarnated in this life? 

A 

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