Bought by the ruthless lycan king (Ruby and Killian) novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Ruby’s POV

Killian’s words from last night lingered in my mind like a ghostly melody.

What did he mean by that?

I sat by my workspace window, the pale morning light spilling softly over the polished wooden floor. My fingers absentmindedly traced patterns on the glass as my thoughts churned realessly. Killian Redwick, the formidable Lycan King had confessed to feeling jealous.

Of me.

Was it real?

My hand drifted to my chest, feeling the fierce rhythm of my heartbeat beneath my skin. What could possibly make a cream like him–a king feared for his cruelty and insatiable thirst for power–experience something as human as powe

The thought was ridiculous.

And yet, the way he said it–the sharp glint in his crimson eyes–left no room for doubt.

Did that mean I had some hold over him? The idea should have thrilled me, but instead, it rattled me. Having power onet someone like Killian Rudwick was no gift.

It was a burden. And I wasn’t sure I was strong enough to carry it.

I sighed, resting my forehead against the cold glass. My emotions had betrayed me again. This wasn’t about Killian, not entirely. I had too much at stake to let my feelings blur my judgment. Revenge was still the driving force of my existence, and every step I took needed to bring me closer to that goal.

So why did I feel this relentless pull toward him?

Stop it, Ruby, I scolded myself. You cannot afford to fall into this forbidden temptation. We are nothing more than allies bound by mutual gain.

Nothing more.

Yet deep down, I knew I was lying. I was lying when I told myself I didn’t savor his touch, his attention, his praise—or the way he made me feel like I was something more than just a pawn in this life.

Frustrated, I ran my fingers through my hair, pressing my head against the window. I was in serious trouble.

“You like him.”

Three words. My wolf’s voice echoed in my head like a melody on an old record player–a quiet but insistent reminder.

That ache returned.

And I was terrified it might be true.

In the midst of the storm raging within me, a knock on the door pulled me back to reality. I straightened my posture, carefully molding my expression into a mask of calm before responding.

“Come in.”

Amara, my newly appointed personal maid, stepped inside. There was a flicker of hesitation in her youthful face, though she

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09:30 Fri, 25 Apr

Chapter 54

carried herself with the composed demeanor I had come to expect. Despite working under me for months, she still hadart entirely shed her fear of me.

“Luna Ruby,” she said, bowing respectfully, “this just arrived for you.”

I frowned, rising from my seat as she extended an envelope, sealed with plain wax. There was no indication of its sender

“Thank you, Amara,” I said, accepting the letter.

She nodded and turned to leave, but I stopped her.

“Wait, Amara.”

She immediately turned back, lowering her gaze the moment I addressed her.

“Yes, my Luna?”

I sighed, stepping closer and resting a hand gently on her shoulder.

“I hope that in time, you’ll learn to feel less afraid or nervous around me. I’d rather we see each other as partners, not just as superior and subordinate,” I said in a emphatically voice.

Her reaction was immediate–her eyes widened, her lips parted and closed again as if she were struggling for words. I let out a quiet chuckle.

“I’m not particularly fond of excessive formality, Amara. Just relax a little, alright?”

“Y–yes, Luna.”

I smiled. “Good. Now, you may return to your duties.”

With a faint flush on her cheeks and a bit more ease in her movements, Amara excused herself. As the door clicked shut behind her, I turned the nameless envelope in my hands, examining it briefly before breaking the seal. The parchment inside was slightly crumpled, as if handled nervously before being sent.

The letter:

Luna Ruby,

I hope this message finds you well. I write to you with the utmost urgency, as I find myself in an increasingly precarious position.

I have been working to gather all the evidence necessary to prove my relationship with Camilla. I know you are already aware of much of this, but I have secured documentation that will leave no doubt about the truth. If you are willing, please let me know how you wish to receive these materials.

However, there is a matter that troubles me greatly. For the past few days, I have been followed. I cannot say for certain who is behind it, but I suspect it might be Camilla’s doing. She knows I am a threat to her lies, and I fear she would go to great lengths to silence me.

I’m not writing this to burden you with my troubles, but if anything happens to me, I want you to have this evidence. It will be my only way of ensuring the truth comes to light.