Ruby''s POV


    Killian''s words fromst 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 ss 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  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 ss. 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 yer-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


    09:30 Fri, 25 Apr


    carried herself with theposed demeanor I hade 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 in


    wax. There was no indication of its sender


    "Thank you, Amara," I said, epting 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 particrly fond of excessive formality, Amara. Just rx 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 rtionship with Cami. 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 Cami''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 truthes to light.


    I have given up on Cami. My only concern now is the child she carries. Whatever happens, I want to protect my son or daughter. They deserve better than the lies and deceit surrounding them.


    Please, Luna Ruby, let me know how we should proceed. And if you hear of anything suspicious.. I beg of you, don''t let this go unanswered.


    019


    09:30 Fri, 25 Apr.


    Yours sincerely,


    Jake Smith


    I folded the letter with trembeling hands, my chest tightening under the weight of anger and grief Jake''s words echoes in my mind-his desperation, his fear.


    Cami. Of course, it was her. That woman''s cruelty knew no limits. She had deceived and ruined so many lives, and now she was trying to silence the one person willing to stand against her.


    A bitter taste filled my mouth. I couldn''t let this go on. Jake''s life was in danger because of Cami''s lies, and I would not allow him to be another casualty of her twisted games.


    My fingers curled around the letter as 1 slipped it into a drawer and locked it away. My thoughts raced, spinning through ns and contingencies. It was time to act. Cami had forced my hand, and I would make damn sure she regretted it.


    But Jake..... I couldn''t just ignore his plea. I had long since drowned in the abyss of my own sins, choosing the path of a viin to ensure those traitors paid for their wickedness.


    Yet that didn''t mean I would stand by and let someone like Jake-someone good- suffer because of them.


    I had to see him, to make sure he was safe, and to secure the evidence he had promised. If he was right—if something happened to him-then I would be the one to deliver the truth.


    I clenched the letter tightly.


    "Hell ising for you, Cami. Be ready."