Chapter 55
Ruby’s POV
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The small crate felt heavier than it should as I carried it to my room. Every time I took a step, my panic increased and my wolf paced anxiously inside me. Jake Smith looked worse than the last time we’d met, his exhaustion clearly drawn on his gaunt face. The puffy bags under his eyes were darker than the ink on the evidence he’d handed me.
It wasn’t guilt that bothered me. I couldn’t be blamed for the torture Camilla relentlessly inflicted on the man but I couldn’t ignore her despair.
A dashing Beta being destroyed so easily because of a woman. It was unbelievable.
Amara had done a good job, making sure the room was well guarded. I spread the contents of the crate out on my
desk, my fingers trembling slightly as I sorted through the letters, receipts, photos, and other incriminating evidence of their relationship. Each piece of evidence was a nail in Camilla’s coffin, and I locked them all in a double–security safe behind the wardrobe.
I smiled faintly. How would Dominic react when he saw all this evidence?
I’m not sure Camilla will escape death so easily for deceiving him. But then, aren’t they a match made in heaven for being a fellow deceiver and traitor?
The sun had just risen, but my head was already throbbing from the pressure of my plan. My mind raced as I considered how best to use this against her. There were so many options to destroy her life piece by piece.
However, I had to be smart in my choice. Because I want her to be destroyed until the last thing she wants is to die.
Camilla wouldn’t have any idea what hit her.
On that day, I had just returned from a visit to an orphanage, seeking solace in the laughter of the children. They are the best medicine for me right now. Especially reminiscing about my late daughter.
“I’m glad you’re feeling a little better, Ruby.”
I sighed comfortably feeling the wave of contentment my wolf sent through our bond.
“Yeah, but if I get overly happy like this, there’s definitely trouble on the horizon.”
My wolf grunted, “When has this pack ever been calm? Never.”
And my wolf’s words were proven in less than five minutes. The warmth I had just felt from the children’s excitement faded the moment I stepped inside the orphanage. The sounds of my fake parents‘ anger and hatred rang out in the corridor. I stopped, my wolf prickling with warning.
I pressed my body against the wall, carefully tilting my head to listen.
“We have to get rid of her…”
“If we don’t move soon, it will be too late!”
And then, Nathaniel responded with a growl and a loud bang.
“My patience is running out!”
“Ruby has become a bigger threat than we anticipated,” my stepmother added with a reflection of the same emotion as her husband. “And this itching-”
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Chapter 55
He trailed off, groaning in despair. “I can’t focus on anything with my skin burning like this. Nathaniel, fix it!”
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I imagined him scratching furiously at the wound, his nails digging into his pus–ridden skin. That image alone gave me an immense sense of satisfaction, but I listened anyway because this was the second encouragement today that pleased my heart.
“I don’t care about your damned itch!” Nathaniel snapped. “The Lycan King is targeting her. If he gets too involved, we’ll lose our chance. We must act now!”
“Do you think that tyrant is really interested in Ruby?” Dominic’s voice began to sound, slightly exasperated. “Why would someone like him care about her?”
My blood boiled at his arrogance.
“He’s a man, Dominic!” Nathaneil hissed, accompanied by the echo of punches from inside. “And Ruby… you’re not blind to who her parents are, are you? She’s irresistible to any man!”
“…If she gets that damn king’s protection, we’ll never be able to touch her again. Do you want that?”
There was a faint sigh from inside.
“That’s right. As a woman, I wasn’t blind to the displeasedly.
way
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that looked at Ruby from the start,” my stepmother piped up
“We should have dealt with that bitch sooner,” Camilla finally chimed in, venom dripping from every word. “I told you, she’s dangerous! She’s manipulative, always pretending to be a dutiful sister. If we don’t act, she’ll ruin everything!”
Hearing their vile words lit a fire in my chest. My fists clenched at my sides, my nails dug into my palms.
“Why do you think that about her? I think she’s still just a stupid, easy girl,” Dominic argued.
“My dear Dominic, I have a skill in assessing people. She’s not what she used to be! I’m sure of it!”
Dominic sounded more exasperated than ever. “I don’t think so. She’s just acting like she’s strong. Ruby won’t be able to fight us. She’s too sanctimonious.”
Those damn sinners! They wanted to kill me immediately than before. My vision blurred with anger as I stepped back, my breath catching. My mind spun out of control, wolves clawing to be released.
And now, they’ve realized my special closeness to Killian. Granted, those fake parents of mine and Dominic still clung to their ideology that I was just another innocent Ruby. Except, Camilla. That’s a little dangerous.
‘I must admit Camilla. You’re pretty smart‘
The moment I was able to move back from my spot, a bright swirl of light appeared before me. I froze, startled by the sudden appearance. The light swirled with blinding intensity, and before I could react, it pulled me in.
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When the light subsided, I found myself standing in a vast hall that I did not recognize. The gilded arches, the magnificent tapestries, and the massive throne that dominated the room–that was Killian’s throne room.
And there he was, sitting with all the pomposity of a king without equal. His crimson eyes stared at me, and his lips curled into his characteristic smirk.
“Leave us,” he ordered.
His guards and advisors rushed out, leaving just the two of us.
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Chapter 55
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Killian rose from his throne. He descended the steps with predatory grace, his gaze never leaving my eyes. I stood rooted to the spot, my earlier anger still simmering beneath the surface.
“Ruby,” the king said, his tone softer than before as he approached me. His hand touched my arm, encouraging me. “You look like you just went through hell.”
I pulled my arm away, looking up at him. “That’s because I am. My family is planning to kill me. Maybe tomorrow, maybe now, whatever.
My voice trembled, not with fear but with anger. “They’ve decided my time is up.”
For a split second Killian’s expression darkened. “Really? Or is it just their usual nonsense?”
“They are in deadly earnest this time, Your Majesty. I… Uh- w–what the…”
I didn’t realize that I had moved until I found myself sitting–not on a chair, but on his lap! My heart skipped a beat as his strong arms embraced me, his touch both possessive and comforting.
“Y–your Highness. What are you doing? Why am I-”
“Helping you relax,” he purred right in my ear, making me shiver. “You carry too much burden, Ruby.”
I wanted to protest, but his warmth seeped into me, calming the raging anger in my chest. For a moment, I let myself lean against him, my head resting on his broad shoulders.
“I called you here for a reason,” he said after a moment, his tone turning colder. “We have a common interest in dealing with your traitor. But there is one thing I need to discuss with you.”
My brows furrowed as I straightened up, meeting his bloodshot eyes.
“Who?”
He leaned closer, his lips almost pressed against mine as he spoke.
“Dominic.”
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