Ruby’s POV
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When my eyes opened, I knew something had changed. My body was wrapped in soft sheets, and a faint scent of lavender lingered in the air. I blinked a few times, adjusting to the dim light in my room.
A deep warmth spread through my chest as memories of that night resurfaced. Killian’s touch, his lips, the possessive way he held me in the water–and all of that. My face burned at the thought, and I groaned, pressing my palms against my cheeks as if I could erase the heat.
Did he carry me back here?
I sat up, suddenly realizing that my clothes had been changed. Someone had dressed me, though I had no memory of it. The loose silk nightgown draped over my body barely concealed the lingering tingles from Killian’s touch. I swallowed hard, torn between embarrassment and something deeper: a longing.
But soon, my mood shifted as I remembered that we hadn’t played for too long. I sighed. At least it had been incredible.
Shaking my head, I forced myself to focus. My stomach growled, reminding me of how hungry I was. A tray of food sat on the bedside table, likely left by the palace staff. I bit into the warm bread and fruit, letting the flavors awaken my senses. The plate was empty in no time.
Fortunately, I was alone. It would have been a blow to my dignity if anyone had seen me eating like a starving beggar who hadn’t had a meal in a week.
With my stomach full and my body warm enough to rest again, sleep still refused to come.
“Come on, eyes. It’s still one in the morning,” I muttered.
But my eyes remained wide open. I turned over and buried my face into the pillow, groaning in frustration. I probably wouldn’t be able to sleep again until morning.
“So annoying.”
Letting out a sigh, I got out of bed and draped a shawl over my shoulders. I needed to move. Maybe then, sleep would finally come to me. Besides, it was also a way to escape Killian’s constant presence in my mind. The longer he lingered in my thoughts, the more restless I became though Leia would no doubt make some sarcastic joke about it.
Quietly, I pushed open the door and stepped into the dimly lit corridors of the palace. It was eerily silent.
This was even more unsettling than the manor at The Winterdawn Pack when the night fall. Truly. The corridors stretched endlessly, bathed in the eerie glow of torches lining the walls. This palace was even bigger than I had realized, and wandering through it at night made me feel like a ghost drifting through a forgotten kingdom. I traced my fingers along the smooth stone walls, my footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors.
I had no real destination in mind, just a simple desire to walk away from my restless thoughts–until I turned a corner and nearly collided with a solid figure.
“Luna?”
I looked up to find Beta Leonidas standing before me, his sharp golden eye watching me with curiosity. He was still dressed
as usual, though the top buttons of his shirt were undone, as if he had been preparing to retire for the night.
“Leonidas,” I exhaled, pressing a hand to my chest. “You startled me.”
He smirked. “Apologies. But what are you doing wandering the halls at this hour?”
I shifted uncomfortably. Telling the kingdom’s Beta that I couldn’t sleep because I kept thinking about his King seemed…
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Chapter 73
inappropriate.
“I just needed some fresh air,” I decided, offering him a small smile. “And maybe some company.”
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Leonidas raised an eyebrow but nodded, stepping aside and motioning for me to walk with him. “Then allow me to be your escort, Luna.”
“Are you serious?”
He tilted his head, wearing that unsettlingly innocent mask. It didn’t suit you at all, big brat..
“Do you doubt my good intentions?” he countered.
I rolled my eyes, clutching my shawl tighter. “You might have some ideas I won’t like.”
“Ah, I wouldn’t dare. Especially now that my King has claimed you, Luna.”
Instantly, I felt a burning sensation at the tips of my ears. My frown deepened. I wanted to refuse him. What worried me was that this could turn into a scandal. I didn’t know everyone who lived here or how they viewed me, having been sheltered in the right wing like a caged dove. The Beta’s demeanor was a secondary concern.
“Well? What will it be, Luna?”
I let out a long sigh. “I’ll accept your generous offer,” I answered reluctantly.
He chuckled. “Glad to hear that.”
I walked beside him, feeling oddly comfortable despite having wanted to strangle him earlier. We had only known each other for a few months, ever since the betrayal of my false family and that forbidden kiss. And yet, this man had already managed to plant his feet in my personal space.
He was decent enough for conversation. Beyond that, I had my doubts. He was the cold, calculating type who had his own way of luring in his prey. A masterful flirt just like his King. Maybe it was in their shared blood.
That included their features and appearance. In other words, he could stand beside Killian in an entirely different way, yet his presence was no less striking.
“So, tell me,” he said after a moment, glancing my way. “You seem restless. Is this about the King?”
I flinched slightly. “He… is busy.”
Leonidas nodded as if he understood something unspoken from me. “Well, that assumption isn’t wrong. There was an urgent matter that called him away tonight. He didn’t say when he’d return.”
My heart sank. Left behind again, without a word. The best response I could give was, I see.
He studied me, his gaze assessing. “You really care about him, don’t you?”
I opened my mouth to deny it, but the words refused to form. Did I? Care about him?
Killian was cruel, dominant, and at times utterly unbearable–especially when he slipped into his authoritative mode.
And yet… he was also my strongest ally, my protector, and—dare I admit it?
He only one who had ever truly made me feel wanted.
Not to mention, he showered me with attention, whether he was aware of it or not. I pushed away that familiar warmth. He only did it because I was his precious little doll.
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I didn’t answer, and Leonidas seemed to take my silence as confirmation that I wasn’t comfortable with the question. He shook his head, amused.
“You know, you’re not like the others I’ve seen
by his side.”
“Did you just compliment me?” I scrunched my nose.
He smirked. “Not really. You should see how the palace reacts to you. Everyone knows you’ve tamed the beast.”
I scoffed at the ridiculous statement. “Tamed? Hardly.”
Leonidas chuckled again before stopping in front of a large window overlooking the dark city below. “Do you miss your old home, Luna Ruby?”
The question caught me off guard.
Thinking back, I had always had a home. The Pack and everything in it had belonged to me, without exception. But sometimes, home wasn’t just about a building.
“I don’t know if I ever truly had a home. Not since my parents died,” I answered, feigning indifference.
Leonidas let my words pass without comment. “I see. And I have to ask–do you want to see them again?”
I turned to him, confused. “See who?”
“Your former family.”
His golden eyes locked onto mine. My breath caught in my throat, and my head spun. I had nearly forgotten they even existed.
“You mean… Nathaniel? Camilla?” I asked grimly, shifting my gaze elsewhere. “Why would I want to see them?”
Leonidas tilted his head. “Closure? Revenge? Or maybe just to remind yourself that you won?”
My hands clenched at my sides. “They’re prisoners now, awaiting trial. What more could I possibly gain from seeing them?”
Leonidas shrugged. “Maybe nothing. But if you ever feel like visiting them and playing the role of a hidden villain, I’d be happy to escort you.”
A laugh burst out of me. Tears nearly pricked the corners of my eyes. Meanwhile, Leonidas remained silent, though his gaze spoke volumes.
“You think this is some kind of soap opera?” I wheezed through my laughter.
“You always
take my good intentions the wrong way.”
“How could I not? Your intentions are completely misguided!”
He waved a hand dismissively. “Trust me. Show up as the most ruthless villain in front of their faces. After all, didn’t they always believe you were nothing more than a disposable side character?”
My laughter faded. A part of me did want to go down to the dungeons and see them rot in their cells. But another part of me: I had suffered under their cruelty for so long wasn’t sure I could face them again. No matter how much hatred and resentment burned inside me, I just wanted this to be over.
“I’ll think about it,” I finally said.
Leonidas smiled. “That’s all I ask.”
