"WHAT ARE YOUT TALKING ABOUT.


    RUBYIN


    The atmosphere in the banquet hall crackled with tension, the weight of Dominic''s anger pressing down on everyone present. Except on the royal side. His fist mmed into the table, rattling the cutlery and drawing gasps of admiration from some of the attenders. However, I did not turn to him. Not once. My gaze remained fixed on Killian, his crimson eyes staring at me with an intensity that was both terrifying and maic,


    I''m getting used to those eyes"


    I stood up gracefully, ignoring Dominic''s outburstpletely.


    "Your Majesty" I reiterated my statement. "fulfilling your request is not only an honor but also proof of Ravenhold''s loyalty to the Lycan King of the Sundrench Kingdom. Our pack has sworn to always remain steadfast in loyalty to you.


    Dominic''s anger exploded again, while Cami who was on his right side desperately protected her stomach while asking Dominic to stop.


    "You have no right to make that decision. Ruby!" he shouted, his face turning bright red. "You''re not the Alpha of this pack!"


    Tensions were rising. On our side, people were trying to block Dominic.


    "I''m more powerfull I''m the leader!"


    "Why are you acting like you can decide when your Alpha says i


    s nol


    Dominic bravely once again pointed his hand at Killian


    "Are


    you fucking blind that he''s a Tyrant? Dominic yelled hatefully.


    At Killian''s side, his men tensed, their hands inching towards their weapons and some already had their ws out. I can see the barely contained bloodlust in their eyes, their veiled desire to end Dominic''s Humiliation with a swift decapitation. But Killian Killian prevents it.


    The King''s hand rose inmand and ncing at his faithful Beta.


    "Return to your ces."


    Beta Leonidas looked less than impressed. "This is an insult to you and to our kingdom. Are you going to allow it!"


    "Ah, I''m sure Alpha Dominic doesn''t mean that."


    "As you say, Your Highness.


    Beta Leonidas and the men returned to their ce with rather gloomy expressions. They still wanted Dominic''s head in their hands.


    I didn''t me them. Dominic had always had a bad temper and when there was a problem? like this, I was the one who had to mediate so that the man wouldn''t die ridiculously. If it wasn''t for me, Dominic would have died long ago at the hands of many packs because of his arrogance and short-sightedness!


    I caught the faintest trace of a smirk curling the corners of his lips, which he made no effort to hide from me. That expression made my stomach. twist. Killian Rudwick was showing restraint, but not for Dominic''s sake. No, it was for his own pleasure. He wanted the satisfaction of slow. deliberate revenge, not a quick reprieve with an immediate death.


    I got to know him a little bit better after being with him the past two days and it confirmed most of the rumors I''d heard about him.


    The personification of death itself.


    "Be careful, Alpha Dominic. You almost forgot your ce."


    Killian''s words sea aclull through the room. Even the guards-both Dominic and Killian-shifted uneasily. This was the Lycan King showing "kindness", a warning before the inevitable atrocity I knew better than to believe it. That cold grin was a promise of suffering toe. Kilian rose from his seat with


    an effortless grace that silenced the hall. His crimson gaze swept over all of us, then stopped right at me.


    "Luba Ruby." The curve of his lips softened slightly y for me. "I wanted to speak with you in private. We have a lot to talk about regarding the


    heirloom."


    Dominic''s chair squeaked on the floor as he was about to cross from his seat and several people reached out to catch him. He was shaking with rage.


    Chapies 22


    Betone Loomvart, Beta Leonidicuntved. He


    "Ait shomes, Alpha" Leonidas housed dangerously. "Daless you want to lose more than just your dignity.


    Nathaniel, whos had been silent, kuch on one kuce, his lunds resulding as he pleaded.


    "Your Highness, please forgive the impertinence of Alpha Domine, my son-in- low"


    I made a face as I stared at the secr


    "Domnic didn''t mean to be disrespectful. He''s just concerned. And he only


    Killian did not nce at Nathaniel "Leonidas"


    Lesusidos released Dominic with a shitsig mail squickly returned to his king''s side. The hall fell silent, save for the sound of Killian''s boots hirring the stone tous as he walked towards the evil


    The banquet ended badly, the scent of the King''s promised deaths hanging in the air like a storm in the middle of winter, I did not linger. As soon it was appropriate,


    I slipped out, wanting to just some distance between myself and the chai


    was hallway along the corridor when I head boosts bride. I did and in know who it


    was


    "Ruby"


    I stopped, my spine stiffening as I turned slowly to face him. Dominic. His face contorted with anger, both fists clenched at his sides.


    "What so you think you''re doing?" he deminuleit


    Itibed my head as if I didn''t understand the point of his question.


    "You humiliated ane in front of everyone!"


    I said nothing, just kept my expression neutral. Theck of reaction only seemed


    to make him angrier.


    "Hose dare you ignore me?"


    Dominic stepped closer, his hand raised threateningly.


    Before he could touch me, a strong, familiar hand caught his wrist. Dominic froze, his eyes widening as Killian stepped out of the shadows


    "I wouldn''t do that if I were you"


    Killian Rudwick stares collly at Dominic. His grip on Demusic''s wrist tightens, and I see a sh of pain in Dominic''s eyes. And then Killian''s gaze shifted to me, his crimsont eyes sparkling with something dark and possessive.


    "Air yo


    you okay, Luna Rubyt"


    I nodded, my heart pounding as I met his gaze. Then, the man let Dominic go I


    didn''t see what happened because Killian had led me away from there.


    like a piece of junk and ordered Leonidas to handle Dominic. I


    Killian ced his hands naturally on my w


    waist, squeezing it gently as we walked together.


    "I''m sure you wa


    want to show your loyalty about the heirloom Will you escort me to


    your family''s vault?" he purred


    The tips of my ears turned red, my whole body felt heated as I found the man''s


    lips touching my car.