Chapter 11
Killian’s POV
The sharp crash of glass shattering out through the oppressive silence of
of the dining room. All eyes turned to Camilla, who swayed in her chair, her face pale as though she might faint at any moment. The scene that unfolded next was as predictable as it was tiresome. Dominic was the first to react, rushing to her side with a panicked urgency that bondered on comical. My amusement deepened as Ruby’s parents followed suit, hovering over the delicate creature as though her collapse might signal the end of the world.
Ah something is happening here,
I leaned back in my chair, watching the display with barely concealed disdain. It was theater, nothing more, and I had little patience for such antics. When Dominic stammered out an excuse and requested permission to retire, I gave a dismissive noel, waving him away is one might a bothersome insect. Ruby’s parents followed shortly after, fussing over Camilla as they escorted her out of the room.
And just like that, it was the two of us.
Well not entirely. The servants lingered at the edges of the room, silent and inconsequential. But who cares about the extras,
I let my gaze settle on Ruby, taking in her composure. Or rather, her lack of reaction. She remained seated, her expression unreadable, her posture rigid. There was no trace of concern for her sister, no flicker of emotion that might suggest she cared about what had just transpired. Intriguing.
Well Luna, it seems we’ve been left to our own devices.”
Her eyes flicked to mine, the faintest glimmer of defiance in their depths. “It seems so, Your Majesty.”
I allowed myself a small smirk, leaning forward slightly. “Your sister’s condition appears.. precarious. Yet you seem entirely unconcerned. Why is that, I wonder?”
She hesitated, the silence stretching between us as she carefully considered her response. Finally, she spoke, her voice measured. “Camilla’s health has always been fragile. It’s nothing new. Shell recover, as she always dons.”
A lie. Or at least, not the entire truth. I tilted my head, studying her with the intensity of a predator circling its prey.
“You’re quite certain of that,” I said softly. “Yet your certainty feels more like resignation. Tell me, Ruby, is there more to this story than you’re willing to share
Her hands tightened around the edges of the table, the only indication of her unease.
“What do you mean, Your Majesty!”
1 smiled, leaning back and drumming my fingers lightly on the table. “Simply that I’ve seen a great many things, Luna, Lies. Betrayals, Secrets. They’re written on the faces of those who think they can hide them. And yours, dear Ruby, tells me there is far more beneath the surface than you’d care to admit.”
Her silence was telling. She didn’t attempt to deny it, which only piqued my curiosity further. This woman was a puzzle, her beauty and composure masking a storm of emotions and secrets that begged to be unraveled.
1 let out a sad sigh. “Really, it hurts me to see you being ignored by Alpha Dominic. Or maybe it’s just my misunderstanding?”
Unfortunately, the woman no longer responded.
Ruby’s silence grated against my patience as she quietly finished her dinner. When she finally met my gaze, she wore a mask of composure so thin it was almost laughable, I could see the strain in her eyes, the effort it took to maintain her façade.
for her induference or her
She begged to leave after dinner, her voice polite but distant. She offered no answers to my questions, no explanations for he sister’s theatrics. It was as though I had been dismissed. Me. The Lycan King
Anger simmered beneath my calm exterior, but I allowed her to go, waving her off with a lack of my hand. She left the dining hall with that same forced grace, her back straight and her steps measured. It was an impressive act, but one I saw through all too easily.
By the time I returned to my chambers, the anger I had kept at bay erupted like a storm. I swept my arm across the table, sending a decanter of wine and several crystal glasses crashing to the floor. The sound was satisfying but not enough to quell the fury burning within me. How dare she ignore me? How dare she walk away as if I were no more than a passing inconvenience!
“Beta” I growled.
Leonidas entered moments later. He had served me long enough to know better than to ask questions when my temper was on edge. I turned to face him, my eyes burning with a heat I knew he felt
Chaper 11
——
010 de
Mi
Tappening in this pork,” Tondered, my snice low fat venuations. Every serper. Every lie. I want wit
teluly “As you command, my King. Is there a particular matter you wish
uestion buddly, knowing full well the implications of his words. My He was no fool, he had seen my interest in study, my fixation i slir presented. When I didn’t respond immediately, he pressed further, his tone careful.
Tes scourern Lana Ruby, perhapur
narrowend my eyes, “What do you make of her relationship with her Alpha
Leonidas unhesitatingly replied and the revelation almost disgusted fr
“Their bond is strained, to say the least,” he replied. “The pack whispers of discord, particularly after the birth of their child. It seems the Alpha’s disappointment stems from the fact that Luna Ruby did not bear a son as her firstborn–a child to inherit the Alpha’s position. Such outdated exportations, but ones he appears in hold dearly”
I chuckled darkly, the sound low and humorless. “Well, who would have thought that guy was a misogynist
Leonidas observed me carefully, his hands clasped behind his back. The Alpha’s content has not gone unnoticed, my King. It is said he is easily swayed by others. His loyalty to his Luna i- questionable at best”
A slow smile spread across any face, cold and predatory,
“Interesting. Very interesting
And a realization hit me, aved the interaction carlier, between Camilla and Dominic. Their parents. Did that mean th
they were like I thought!
Chapter 12
Ruby’s Pov
What does my existence mean in this life! Fate’s
stoy or the punching bag of my karma in my Į
past livest
Even if it is, tell me what sins I have committed in the past to deserve all this suffering
I had just come out of the dining hall, escaping the clutches of the manor’s new resident, the cruel Lycan king. And still, my heart was set on a lady younger than me, my sister. Or at least it was until the truth was legitimately confirmed.
All those truths spilled out like a waterfall when I was just about to reach the door, with the kind intention of visiting Gamiffa who was pregnant. Pregnant with my Alpha. No matter how much my heart ached, no matter how broken. I hear them. That’s how my life an Ruby Lucienne is done.
My heart is broken into pieces because of it. To my sister, my parents, and someone 1 love with all my life. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and 1 kept my hands to cover my mouth as much as possible so as not to let out a pitiful sob.
“You and that fool Dominic couldn’t even keep your sordid relationship a secret. Now there’s an undecided pregnancy to deal with. How do you think this looks, Camilla?”
My breath hitched, and I froze. Undecided pregnancy? My stomach churned as I pressed myself against the wall, straining to hear.
“Don’t blame me for this, Camilla snapped. “You were the one who insisted we play the perfect family. How was I supposed to know he’d get so careless?”
My eyes widened in shock as 1 recognized that familiar voice. Is that really mom’s voice? Is mom screaming violently!
“Do you want the entire manor to heart! Or worse, the Lycan King? If he finds out what’s happening here, we’re as good as dead”
A small memory of the story between the King’s relationship with the previous Alpha floated in my mind.
There was a heavy silence, broken only by Nathaniel’s growl. “Martha had to go. That woman knew too much. Do you think I wanted to kill her! But she was dangerous. She would have ruined everything. And now Ruby..”
My heart stopped. My knees felt weak, and I gripped the doorframe for support. They had killed Martha‘
“Ruby is already suspicious, Nathaniel continued. “If she finds out the truth, all of this is over. We need to act quickly, or everything–the treasures, the inheritance, the pack–everything will slip through our fingers. She’s the sole legal heir to my brother’s estate. You both know what needs to be done
“Of course,” Nathaniel snapped. “She’s a liability. The only reason she’s still alive is because we needed her to maintain control of the estate. But now, with the Lycan King sniffing around, we can’t afford her curiosity.”
“I’m tired of this,” my mother’s voice broke in, weary and half–digusting, “I’ve had enough of playing the doting mother. Ruby’s insipid questions and her constant presence. Dominic can’t stand being with her, and frankly, neither can I. Let’s end this charade and be done with it.”
Camilla also added, “I don’t want to anymore either, Mom. You didn’t see earlier that I was humiliated by that Lycan King! And why can’t you refuse his presence!
“Be nice, Camilla Lucienne. It’s fortunate that your fake sister was able to distract him. You have no idea what kind of things he’s capable of!”
Mother’s voice interjected. “For now, we’ve agreed to keep poor Luna alive?”
Dominic let out a mocking laugh. “Three days is no big deal. I’ll still take care of Camilla and anyway the Lycan king cares more about the relic than the pack’s internal relations. You must recognize him well, right, father–in–law?”
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