The door closed behind me with a resonating thud, sealing me inside the Great Lycan King’s chambers. My heart pounded as Estepped forward, the sound of my footsteps swallowed by the heavy silence. The air felt thick with his presence, an almost tangible weight pressing down on me as I approached.
Killian Rudwick stood by the far window, his back to me. His broad shoulders and tall frame formed a commanding silhouetie in the morning light. As he turned around, breath caught in his throat. Her bloodshot eyes glowed faintly, their intensity piercing and ready to devour anyone. His face, with its sharp lines and striking symmetry, was the kind of perfection that seemed almost cruel. The open collar of his shirt revealed a hint of the power beneath–a scarred and chiseled chest that suggested a hard–won battle. An aura of authority surrounded him, gold and unyielding, yer incredibly attractive.
He was the definition of death itself.
“Luna Ruby. Sit here.” he ordered.
He gestured to the chair in front of him. I hesitated, my pulse quickening
“No. Your Majesty,” I replied, my voice shaking slightly despite my best efforts. “It is not appropriate for me to sit. Not when my purpose here is far from noble.”
He raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. “Not noble? How curious.”
I swallowed hard, his words penetrating my resolve. She already knew. Of course he knew. There was nothing to hide from a man like Killian Rudwick. Mustering what little courage I had left, I knelt before him, my hands clasped tightly in front of me.
“Your Majesty” I began, my lips trembling “1. I have come to beg for your help.
His gaze still contained the same intensity.
“Speak”
The dam broke, and the words rushed out of me.
“My daughter, I choked out, tears streaming down my face. “She is gone. Taken from me too soon. And then Martha.. my loyal servant, my confidant, murdered because she knew too much. And my husband…
My voice trailed off as memories of Dominic and Camilla’s betrayal clawed ar my mind.
“My alpha betrayed me, I continued, bitterness seeping into my tone. “He chose my sister, his mistress, over Luna. And now she’s carrying his child
while I…”
I trailed off, shaking my head. “It doesn’t end there. My parents, the ones who me, planned to kill me. They tried. And all because of LL
“Take it easy, Luna. I’m always listening for you.”
- d. “Just tell me, why and what motive did they
hey have to commit such a betraya
My body stiffened and I tried to stay calm. Then, Killian continued, “Just
I stared at him, the words catching in my throat. He towered over me, his crimson eyes boring into me, demanding that I reveal all honesty. My hands trembled as I spoke the words that had haunted me since I found her.
“Because I am not their daughter.”
It was a pathetic fact that I didn’t want to reveal considering how much I loved them even still remained in my heart
“…I am the daughter of the previous Alplu. Your friend. The one who died under mysterious circumstances,” I continued with overwhelming sadness.
His expression darkened, a glimpse of something unreadable flashed across his face.
“Dorian Lucienne.”
The name was like a ghost in the air. I nodded, the weight of my confession crushing me.
1
They killed him. My father. And my mother. And they y let me live only to use me as a pawn, to take wealth and power that didn’t belong to them”
Tears flowed faster, my voice breaking with my despair.
1/2
Chapter 17
“I want revenge.” I said, my words shaky but firm. “For my daughter. For Martha. For myself. They’ve taken everything from me, and I…I can’t fight
Killian was silent for a few moments, his gaze never leaving my eyes. His presence was overwhelming, and I felt small and exposed under his scrutiny. But I didn’t look away. I couldn’t. My entire being was laid bare before him, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t feel ashamed of my brokenne
Killian’s crimson eyes burned with great intensity as he spoke, his voice carrying a cold, authoritarian tone that sent chills down my spine.
“Texpected this”
There was a hint of disgust circling his lips. “You don’t resemble Nathaniel or his wife at all. You, my Luna. You are a Lucienne in every them.”
way. Not like
I flinched at the disgust in his voice, but I said nothing. His words were the truth, and the truth is often more piercing than bes. He placed his cigar in the gilded ashtray and stepped towards me. My breath caught as he closed the distance, his body again looming over me. When his hand reached out and tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze, I felt completely exposed. His touch was so gentle, in contrast to what was hidden beneath his layers of skin.
“I can give you your revenge,” he sings more softly as he caresses my chin. “Spectacular revenge. I can break them, crush them, make them kneel before you. And I will support you as you rebuild what they tried to steal from you. There is nothing I cannot accomplish.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, spilling over as his words sunk in. “I… I would do anything for that
“Anything
I nodded, unable to speak through the lump in my throat. My heart raced as his gaze searched me, unrelenting
His grin widened into a cruel grin. “The price is cheap, my dear Lun.”
I could feel the weight of the price he would prepare for me and I felt like sealing the decision with the demon That is the entire herd. Ravenhold will be under my control. And you, Luna Ruby… you will be mine.” The room seemed to tilt, her words echoing around me like bell. Being his? Why should I be surprised?
That was exactly what Leonidas said. But still, the thought sent a wave of conflicting emotions crashing pull. Bound forever to this most dangerous of men, it meant my life was bought..
Z over me. Fear. Anger. A strange, undeniable
Killan doesn’t give me time to respond. He pulled me to my feet with a force that left no room for resistance, his hand still under my chin as he brought my face inches from his. His unirk deepened, his breath warm on my lips.
“Time to seal the deal,” he murmured.
And then his lips pressed against mine.
It was unlike any kiss I’d ever experienced–possessive, commanding, and filled with an intensity that stole the breath from my lungs. It was as if he was staking his claim, marking me as his own. My hands instinctively gripped his arms, usure whether to push him away or pull him closer The sheer force of the moment overwhelmed me, making my entire body tremble
When he finally broke the kiss, his eyes met mine, a dark triumphi glearning in their crimson depths.
Killian Hudwich declared like a velvet growl
“Now, there is no turning back”
