Chapter91 Suspicious 

Chapter 91: Suspicious 

Ruby’s POV 

The clock in my room kept ticking relentlessly. It weighed on me like a thousand mountain stones, too heavy to bear. Ever since I returned from the magic tower, I had shut myself away within these walls, allowing only Amara to enter. I knew my behavior had started to draw attention. First from Beatrice, then Leonidas, and even the castle guards who were used to seeing me in the halls. But I couldn’t let them see me like this. Not when my world had changed so suddenly, so violently. 1 could barely endure it. 

I hadn’t even moved from my bed. Sitting still like a wax statue, my eyes empty. 

Amara, sweet and loyal as always, had taken it upon herself to make sure I didn’t neglect my basic needs. She helped me clean myself up, brought me food, coaxed me to take small bites, and made sure I drank my vitamins even when my stomach churned in protest. 

“Luna,” Amara murmured as she set down a tray of warm broth and plain bread. “You need to eat more than just a few bites. You’re pale enough to be mistaken for a ghost.” 

“For last time, I think you should stop calling me Luna. I’m not your Luna anymore, Amara,” I told her softly. 

“Old habits die hard. And to me, you’ll always be Luna.” She lifted a spoon, guiding it toward my lips. “Come on, Luna. Open your mouth.” 

I stared at the spoonful of broth and forced a small smile. In the end, I accepted her offering, and a bright grin spread across her face. She fed me with gentle patience, and I almost felt embarrassed. I must have looked like a five–year–old. 

After that torturous meal, Amara studied me closely once more. 

“You’ve barely spoken since you came back. Are you feeling unwell, Luna?” 

Pain. The word stabbed through me, rattling my bones. If only it were that simple. 

“I’m just tired, Amara,” I said, reaching for the glass of water on my nightstand and taking a sip. “You’re overreacting. I’ll be fine after I meet my pillow tonight.” 

“You’re a terrible liar, Luna.” Amara dropped herself onto the bed beside me, her voice laced with concern. “Something’s wrong, and if you don’t tell me, I’ll assume the worst.” 

I turned away, focusing on the bright–colored bouquet beside my bed. How could I tell her? I was terrified. Even the thought of Killian finding out sent a shiver down my spine. 

Amara sighed, standing up and smoothing out her skirt. “I won’t force you to talk if you’re not ready. But please, whatever it is, don’t keep it bottled up. You have people who care about you.” 

She reached out, giving my hand a gentle squeeze before stepping away. “Please, call me if you need anything, Luna.” 

“Thank you for your concern, Amara. Go get some rest.” 

The door closed behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I sat in silence, my fingers trembling as I placed them over my stomach. A new soul was growing inside me. 

The fear was suffocating, yet beneath it, another emotion pulsed. It terrified me as much as it thrilled me. Love for the tiny, fragile being who knew nothing of the world it had been brought into. Love for the man whose presence had consumed my thoughts long before I even knew this life existed within me. 

But love was dangerous. Love had been used against me before. Could I survive if I let it take root again? 

A knock at the door startled me, jolting me from my thoughts. 

“Ruby.” 

The deep, commanding voice sent a shiver through my body. 

Killian. 

God, should I pretend to be asleep? No, bad idea. Killian would know Amara had just left my room. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stand tall. My heart pounded as I adjusted the blanket around me, trying to compose my expression. 

“Come in,” I said. 

The grand bedroom door swung open once more, and there he stood dressed in a simple black tunic and matching trousers. Even in such casual attire, he looked every bit the ruthless, brutal king, painted in a way that was almost devastatingly beautiful. 

His crimson eyes swept over me, sharp and scrutinizing. “Why have you shut yourself away?” 

“I haven’t.” I forced a small smile, clasping my hands together to keep them from trembling. “I’ve just been busy with pack matters. Sometimes, it gets exhausting.” 

1/2 

Chapter 01 Suspicious 

He didn’t look convinced. Slowly, he stepped closer, his dominant presence filling the room in an instant. 

“Leonidas said you’ve barely left this room.” 

I shrugged, hoping to appear indifferent. “I’m just in a bad mood.” 

Killian tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. Then, in one swift motion, he settled on the edge of the bed close enough that his scent, a mix of forest and spice, something uniquely his, wrapped around me. 

“Hmm, is that so?” His fingers brushed against my cheek, lifting my chin upward so I had no choice but to meet his gaze “Since when does my Ruby let something so trivial keep her away from me?” 

I swallowed hard, the warmth of his touch searing through me. 

“No one is tormenting you today,” I replied flatly, though my emotions were anything but steady. 

His lips curved into something between a smirk and a pout. “That’s the worst excuse I’ve ever heard” 

Before I could protest, his hands encircled my waist, effortlessly pulling me onto his lap. I gasped in surprise, my palms pressing against his chest, feeling the firm muscles beneath. 

“Killian-” 

“Shh.” 

His fingers traced down my spine slow, deliberate, reverent. 

“I missed you, love.” 

I stiffened. “You saw me in the morning, Killian.” 

He chuckled, low and rich. “Oh, please. It will never be enough.” 

My heart pounded, my thoughts tangled in the sensations of his touch. He always did this disarming me with a single caress, making me forget everything except him. 

His lips brushed against my ear, sensual and lingering. “Tell me what’s wrong, my love.” 

I couldn’t. Even if I wanted to. 

Instead, I leaned forward, pressing my lips to his in a desperate attempt to silence the thoughts clawing at my mind. His response was immediate; his grip tightened, his kiss deepened, claiming me with a burning intensity that made my entire body ache. I let myself drown in him, pretending just for a moment that everything was okay. 

That he wouldn’t hate me when he finally learned the truth. 

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