Bought By The Ruthless Alpha King (Ruby) novel Chapter 71

Ruby’s taste still lingered on my tongue, intoxicating and unbearably sweet. It wasn’t enough. Never. My hands rested on her waist, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my fingers. The bathwater around us rippled softly, while her voice was drowned out by the unsteady rhythm of her breath.

I wanted to devour her, to drown in her, to mark her in a way no one else could erase. But she had made a demand of me–a question I would have rather ignored in favor of the far more pleasurable distraction in my arms. Honestly, who cared about that wolf–headed swine?

And yet, this woman had a way of pulling me into her world, making me respond to her desires even when I had no intention of doing so.

She was looking at me now, waiting, her ocean–blue eyes too wide, too trusting. Innocent in a way that made my throat tighten. That feeling came again. It wasn’t about the water. It was something much deeper–something only this woman possessed.

“Killian, I asked yo. Please, answer it.”

I sighed. I could hear the pout in her voice, no matter how well she masked it beneath that gentleness.

Her lips pushed forward slightly. “I already agreed to pay, you know.”

The topic was less than pleasant. The blood on my hands wasn’t mine, but explaining the details of my fight with Lucius would only sour the mood. I wanted Ruby to stay in my grasp, didn’t want her to look at me with the same horror others did when they saw the monster I truly was.

“Hm, you’re actually considering someone else’s feelings now. Surprising.”

Again. Elysian.

“Just admit how important she is to you.”

I could almost picture Elysian wrestling within my mind right now, his thick fur ruffled in frustration. I’ve started liking her too! That damn she–wolf is always humming songs to me. I’m losing my mind in here!”

I was utterly stunned. “Wait–are you serious?”

“Yes,

you

idiot king! But that can wait. Just take care of our woman first!”

In an instant, Elysian vanished, leaving me with a thousand unanswered questions. Meanwhile, in front of me, Ruby was already annoyed. I had no way to dodge this, and if anyone could make me surrender, it was this damn woman.

“If I tell you exclusively, what do I get in return?” I rumbled, my lips brushing against the shell of her ear. A shiver ran through her, and I smirked at her reaction. “Everything has a price.”

Ruby frowned, pushing lightly against my chest, though it was a futile attempt against my grip.

“But I already made my payment earlier!” she protested.

I shook my head, tucking a damp strand of hair behind her ear. “I thought you knew me better than that.”

“Y–you tricked me?! Killian!”

Laughter rumbled through the bathhouse. That shade of red suited Ruby perfectly. I was thoroughly entertained; she was far too easy to deceive, like a rabbit walking straight into a lion’s trap.

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Chapter 71

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“Not exactly. I did intend to share the opening part of the story, as per the price of that kiss,” I paused, watching the crease of irritation deepen on her forehead. “But of course, there’s an extra charge if you want the full story.”

Ruby’s expression suddenly went blank..

“You know, it’s been a long time since someone pissed me off this much,” she admitted.

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Is that a compliment?”

“NOT AT ALL! YOU BASTARD!”

I chuckled, tilting my head to press a kiss against the base of her throat. “I won’t deny it.”

In the end, she stopped being angry. Her hands hesitantly rested against my skin, pure desperation seeping through her touch as she tried to coax an answer out of me.

“Stop being cruel to me this time. There’s no harm in telling me, is there?”

I pulled back slightly, watching uncertainty flicker across her face. “You really want to hear about Lucius?”

I murmured, my fingers tracing nonexistent patterns along her bare back. “Even knowing the details… isn’t pleasant?”

“So it is about the King of the Northern Kingdom?”

She nodded immediately, determination settling in her expression. “I want to know.”

“Even if it’s boring?”

She splashed water at me. “I doubt anything involving important people like you all could ever be boring. So just spill it.”

Foolish girl. Sweet Luna. My little wolf.

“Alright. If you fall asleep listening to it, that’s on you.”

“As if I would,” she muttered, annoyed.

“It’s a simple story. I actually arrived on time and got here. And yeah, bastard that I am, I got news,” I started in a sour tone.

“My loyal Gamma is dead.”

My grip on her tightened slightly–a subconscious response to my own fury as the memory resurfaced.

“Of course, that wolf–headed swine did more than just that. Lucius is an arrogant man. He thought he could lay his hands on what’s mine and walk unscathed.”

away

Her breath hitched slightly, her eyes widening like an owl’s as the story took a darker turn. She already had an idea of what was coming next.

I continued, “He ambushed my men. Killed one of my most loyal soldiers. He thought I wouldn’t retaliate.”

I scoffed, my voice dripping with lethal amusement. “I made sure he regretted it.”

“I didn’t hear anything about you. Not even a whisper of chaos in your ranks.” She lowered her gaze, looking guilty. “The kingdom was so quiet that I thought everything was fine.”

“Nothing is wrong here.” Unconsciously, my tone softened, accompanied by an absentminded caress. “I always make sure not to bring trivial problems into the palace. There are many members who prefer peace–myself included.”

“I understand. It’s just that… you know. It doesn’t feel right to stay silent while others are getting hurt,” she murmured softly.

Chapter 71

I dismissed her veiled apology. “The healers and the others were already in place, just beg you put to yo

Ruby’s fingers curled around my arm.

“But you got hurt too, in the end,” she said sadly, her eyes tracing the beading wounds on my doodter wh des rest only a little,”

“Yeah, turns out that old bastard’s strength isn’t as rusty as I thought I assured her. “And Lucas is a baking bear the now. Besides, I’m more than capable of handling him”

The difference was, I didn’t hate it coming from her.

I had never truly considered that someone might care whether I lived or died, Genuinely care. I was eternal, forced nature–something to be feared, not fretted over,

Slowly, I tilted her chin upward, forcing her to meet my gaze.

She huffed, her cheeks darkening. “Of course I’m worried. You can’t just throw yourself into danger and expect me to-