Chapter 44: A Thorn is Removed 

Killian’s POV 

I had just started making plans to visit Ravenhold when Daphne Marjorie appeared, an unwelcome presence. She stood at the doorway of my study, arms crossed, a sour expression on her face. 

For a moment, I wondered if I had been too tolerant of her over the years, allowing her to believe she held any real influence over my affairs. Arrogance had long been ingrained in her, and her persistence was nothing short of unbearable. Or perhaps, the woman had simply forgotten her place. 

“What is it, Daphne?” I asked, already growing weary of the conversation that was bound to happen. 

“I need to speak with you,” she demanded curtly. 

I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly. The veins in my head felt like they were about to bulge. 

“I don’t have time for this,” I replied coldly. 

Her lips pressed into a thin line, but I saw the hesitation in her eyes. She was desperate for an answer–perhaps one she already knew but refused to accept. 

“Go back to your room,” I ordered, not bothering to look at her as I skimmed the documents on my desk. “I’ll call for you when I have the time.” 

She frowned and stepped forward. “Can’t we do this now? I need to talk to you–this is important, Killian.” 

My patience thinned. 

“Daphne,” I said, my tone laced with a warning of imminent doom, “I have no interest in your requests. Step back before you make me regret allowing you to linger here for so long.” 

Something in my voice must have unsettled her because, for once, she retreated cautiously. Without another word, she turned sharply and left. Good. 

Leonidas was already waiting outside when I stepped out of my study. The Beta wasted no time voicing what I was already thinking. 

“Shall I escort her home, Your Majesty?” 

“I do appreciate your sharp mind, Leonidas.” I tossed the document onto the desk, having lost all interest in working on it, and glanced at the Beta. “Yes, she has outlived her usefulness here. Make the necessary arrangements for her departure.” 

Leonidas curled his lips into a smirk and gave a brief nod before walking away to ensure everything was taken care of. 

Shifting my focus back to more important matters, I considered the evidence I had and the woman who would soon be brought to her knees. I should bring her something–a gesture of generosity for my visit. Perhaps jewelry or diamonds? That would certainly suit her. Ruby was the kind of woman who could wear anything and make it look flawless. 

I knew this well. Yet, Ruby was a woman who found joy in simple things, as her husband was too busy with other women to pay her any real attention. 

I summoned the butler and instructed him to prepare an assortment of the finest chocolate–based confections to bring with me tomorrow. There was no need to bother bringing anything for anyone else–only Ruby. 

By the time evening arrived, I had nearly forgotten about Daphne–until the servant I had sent to fetch her announced her arrival. She entered without the slightest show of respect (one day, she might lose a few fingers–or her head–if she kept this up), her usual elegance tainted by the barely concealed anger in her steps. 

“I’m not here for pleasantries.” 

I regarded her with an expression devoid of emotion, allowing her to spill whatever she had come to say. 

“Why?” she asked, her emotions rising with each word. “Why are you involving yourself with Luna Ruby?” 

Ah, so they had been caught. Not that I was unaware or particularly concerned about others knowing a little about my illicit affair with the Luna of the Ravenhold Pack. It simply didn’t matter. 

I didn’t even bother looking up from the map spread across my desk. “Stay out of my affairs, Daphne.” 

She scoffed. “I saw you with her at Sullivan’s masquerade ball. You escorted her back to the ballroom.” 

I finally looked at her, my expression cold. “And?” 

“She’s married, Killian,” Daphne hissed. “And you–you are the Lycan King! You shouldn’t be entangled in this mess.” 

I leaned back in my chair, regarding her with veiled disgust. “My relationships are none of your concern.” 

Her anger fractured, replaced by something far more desperate. 

“I’m doing this because I care about you,” she said, her voice trembling. “I don’t want your reputation to be ruined over a woman whose pack is drowning in scandal.” 

1/2 

Chapter 44. A Thom is Removed 

I exhaled slowly before rising to my feet, my presence towering over her. 

“Enough!” I growled. 

She flinched in place, stepping back in fear as my power leaked through, ready to choke the very air around her 

“You have overstepped the limits of the tolerance I have granted you, Daphne.” 

Daphne paled gradually, stumbling over her words. “I didn’t mean it that way. My intentions were only-” 

“Good intentions?” I laughed, a cruel, mocking sound that openly ridiculed her feeble excuse. “No. I have respected you as my cousin from the very beginning, and yet you have never once done the same for me, Daphne Marjorie” 

“Do not set foot in this palace again until your mind is capable of comprehending my words,” I hissed, my gaze cold and unyielding. 

I turned to the guards stationed at the entrance, unwilling to waste another second looking at her. “Take her away. Send her back to her parents‘ home. I want her belongings removed from my kingdom before sunset.” 

Daphne’s eyes widened in horror. “Killian, wait-” 

“Now.” 

The guards moved swiftly, seizing her arms as she struggled against them. “You can’t do this! I’m your cousin! Killian!” 

Her screams faded as she was dragged from my study, her protests falling on deaf ears. 

Silence, at last. 

I exhaled, rubbing my temples. 

Finally, I could focus on more important matters–like the woman waiting for me in Ravenhold. 

“What could that woman be doing right now?” 

I recalled the masquerade ball. It was, perhaps, a moment I rather enjoyed after not seeing her for so long. It only confirmed what I already knew–she was bound to me, whether she realized it or not. Waiting for me every night. It wouldn’t be long before she truly fell into my grasp. 

I wanted to bring her here, to my kingdom. That way, I could see her whenever I pleased. And, well, she was useful–far more capable than most women I had encountered, who clung to me with nothing but a pretty face as their only asset. 

Beauty without intelligence was nothing more than a pebble. 

I took one last look at the evidence Leonidas had given me before securing it away safely. I supposed, in some small way, I 

could admit that I missed her. 

Perhaps visiting her chamber tonight wouldn’t be such a bad idea. 

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