Chapter 65
Killian’s POV
The room was silent, except for the rhythmic breathing of the woman lying in my bed. My Ruby. The soft glow of the fireplace cast a golden hue on her porcelain skin, illuminating the gentle rise and fall of her chest. She looked so peaceful, so untouched by the nightmares of the world when she was like this.
The spell was enough to ward off any disturbances.
I carried her here myself. When she started to grow tired, I lifted her without a second thought, paying no mind to the whispers of the servants or the startled expressions of the guards. They had never seen their King act this way–gentle, attentive, devoted. None of those words were true. I was simply doing what I wanted.
Ruby was mine. She had been mine since the first moment I laid eyes on her. The world just hadn’t realized it yet.
My fingers traced along her arm, careful not to wake her. She shifted slightly but did not stir.
Good. Let her rest. Let her good dream.
For now.
But soon, I would carve my name into every part of her life until there was no way out. Until she stopped pretending she didn’t want me the way I wanted her.
She sighed in her sleep, her lips parting slightly, and I clenched my fists against the heat that surged through me. No man had the right to see her like this–only me. No one else.
Elysian’s voice echoed in my mind. “Have you claimed her already? How amusing.”
“Shut your mouth, El.”
“Hoho, coming from someone who claims not to need affection.”
I grit my teeth. “Just because you are a part of me does not mean I tolerate your behavior.”
“And what? Are you ashamed to admit you’ve fallen?” Elysian sneered.
“Love has no place in my vocabulary,” I replied, my gaze never leaving the Luna before me. “I am simply keeping my treasure close.”
“We are one soul, Killian. Lying is not an art we excel at,” he retorted.
The idea of love and my life of sin did not belong in the same sentence. I had long accepted that. I had chosen solitude for the sake of my ambitions. For an immeasurable span of time, since I sought immortality and power, I had never had a
else. It was a curse I had come to embrace, and I did not care. companion like everyone
And now, with one woman throwing my world into chaos, I had to question my own principles.
“You can be honest with me, Killian. I have never betrayed my own soul,” Elysian added, his tone almost gentle.
I did not answer him. I simply stood there, drowning in the warmth of Ruby’s breathing in the stillness of the room. But my peace was short–lived.
There was unfinished business. I instructed Elysian to table the discussion for later.
Pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead, I inhaled the intoxicating scent of her skin before forcing myself to rise. A reluctant departure, but a necessary one.
09:31 Fri, 25 Apr
Chapter 65
There was a rat in my dungeon that required my attention.
97%
+50)
The dungeon reeked of blood and filth–a fitting place for a traitor. Dominic slumped against the cold stone wall, his wrists shackled in silver, his once–pristine face now marred with cuts and bruises. A masterpiece by Leonidas. My dear cousin hadn’t stopped showing it off. Though I could sense a tinge of disappointment in him, because the so–called mighty Alpha Dominic wasn’t nearly as formidable as the rumors claimed.
Dominic hovered between consciousness and oblivion. His breaths were shallow, as if each inhale was a reminder of his impending demise. I wondered which part of his body Leonidas had broken to make the arrogant man struggle to breathe.
Leonidas stood beside me, arms crossed, watching our prisoner with a mix of disgust and amusement.
“You should have killed me,” Dominic spat, blood dripping from his lips.
I chuckled. “Why would I grant you that mercy?”
Dominic’s eyes burned with hatred. “You stole everything from me!”
“Stole?” I feigned shock, clenching my chest as if hurt. “What exactly did I steal from someone like you, Dominic?”
And then I crouched before him, gripping his chin harshly, forcing him to meet my gaze. “Everything that happened–you brought it upon yourself.”
“And do you know what I despise the most?” My growl rumbled in my throat, my dominant aura slipping free. “You tainted the pack that was once the jewel among wolves. You spat on its legacy, twisted its traditions, and dared to name it as if you had the right!”
He flinched, but his stubborn pride kept him from looking away.
“You think you deserve that Alpha title?” I sneered, laughter spilling from my lips. “You’re nothing but a poor substitute; a pathetic shadow of what the Winterdawn Pack once was! Nathaniel should have known better than to entrust it to you!”
Dominic snarled, his body trembling against the force pressing down on him. “Nathaniel gave me that position because he trusted me! The old ways were weak! I built something stronger.”
I laughed, throwing my head back before shaking it in disbelief. “You built nothing but a rotting foundation. Your strength is nothing but an illusion, Dominic. You rule over traitors, liars, and cowards who cower the moment they witness true power!”
His jaw clenched, his breath coming in ragged gasps. I could see the fury boiling inside him, but he was powerless against me. How pitiful.
I leaned in closer, my voice dropping
to a
whisper. “And you
made one fatal mistake.”
Dominic’s breathing grew erratic as I curled my claws around his throat, applying just enough pressure to see the panic flash across his face.
“You hurt what’s mine,” I hissed, venom lacing my
words.
His fingers clawed at my grip, but I only tightened it. His body trembled, his lips parting as if to beg for air. But I was not feeling merciful. Not yet.
“Did you really think she would suffer under you forever?”
I saw fear flicker in his eyes. I squeezed harder, his words cutting off into strangled gasps.
“She belongs to me.”
Dominic’s face turned red, his body convulsing as I stole the breath from his lungs. Just a little longer. Just enough to remind him that I could end him whenever I pleased. That his life was in my hands.
09.32 FI, 25 Apr
Chapter 65
Then, I let go.
He collapsed forward, choking and gasping for air, his entire body trembling violently.
With disgust. I wiped my hand on his tattered shirt. “You’re not even worth a stain of her blood.”
Leonidas stepped forward, his expression unimpressed despite the blood splattered on my white shirt.
“Shall we chain him back up. Your Majesty?”
I turned away from Dominic, already bored. “No. Let him stew in his own misery
I was done wasting my breath on him.
And tomorrow, I had three more sewer rats to deal with.
Perhaps a bath and joining Ruby for the night would be a far better use of my time.
B
