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    Killian''s POV


    "This is not funny at all!"


    Ruby''s delicate fingers rested on my wrist, her touch firm yet trembling. Her sapphire eyes-usually filled with gentle emotions-were now clouded with unease, searching my face for an answer I had yet to give.


    (091


    "You''re leaving," she said, a mixture of displeasure and difort in her voice at the idea that she wouldn''t be allowed to show her face. "And I''m left here all alone. What''s so fun about that?"


    "I have my reasons, little wolf," I coaxed, my fingers threading through her golden strands.


    "I still don''t like it."


    I sighed, lifting my hand to cup her cheek.


    "It''s only for a while." My thumb brushed against her soft skin, and I could feel the warmth of her breath as she exhaled shakily. "You knew this would happen, Ruby."


    "I know,” she admitted weakly. "You''re doing everything, and I''m just... I don''t know. It feels unfair."


    "You''re talking about fairness to a tyrant?" I asked, amused, raising an eyebrow. "Tyrant or not, I still think it''s unfair to you," she replied stubbornly.


    I fell silent. No one had ever spoken of fairness for me like that before. Not that I ever deserved it, after centuries of sins weighing on my soul. And for it toe from a woman like her... I felt my chest tighten, warmth spreading through every cell of my body.


    What is this?


    Elysian scoffed through our bond. "I''m right, aren''t I? You''re more than just interested in her."


    "Are we really discussing this again?" I replied wearily.


    "Don''t you dare sigh at me when I''m the one guiding you through this," Elysian growled in annoyance.


    "We''ll talkter."


    The connection cut off, and my attention immediately locked back onto the woman who had been disturbing both thoughts and my soul.


    Ruby narrowed her eyes, muttering. "Were you dealing with your wolf again all of a sudden?"


    A smirk tugged at my lips. "Well, you know how he is."


    my


    Ruby shot me a sharp look before shrugging indifferently, turning her face away. When I reached out to touch her again, she brushed my hand off.


    "I''m still mad and I still hate this," she grumbled.


    "You don''t have to like it, just trust me." I leaned in again, inhaling her scent-a delicate blend of moonflowers and honey clinging to her skin. "And this is all for you. I''ll be back before you even have the chance to miss me."


    She scoffed, though the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her indifference.


    07:30 Sat, 26 Apr


    "Arrogant as always."


    "Confident," I corrected.


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    And then, my hand slid to the back of her neck, tilting her head upward to meet my lips in a slow, searing kiss. She melted into me, her fingers tightening around the fabric of my tunic, as if afraid I would vanish forever once we parted. Damn, I had never felt this needed-this desperate for someone.


    I was the one to pull away first, albeit reluctantly, resting my forehead against hers.


    "I have unfinished business, too."


    My cherry blossom swallowed, her blue eyes growing slightly cloudy.


    "The others?"


    I nodded. "Nathaniel, your fake mother, and Cami. Their time is up."


    Her hands clenched against my chest as she whispered hoarsely, "A-and the baby? What are you going to do?"


    "That will be answered by Cami."


    Ruby shook her head frantically, her grip on my clothes tighter than before.


    "P-please, don''t. The baby is innocent. You know how Cami is if..." she swallowed hard, her face pale as a ghost. "God, I''ve been watching her throughout her pregnancy. She has the potential to kill her own child as a threat!"


    I tilted my head, clearly confused. "You care that much about the baby? Even though it belongs to the woman who betrayed you?"


    "Yes! A child should never be punished for who their parents are!” she answered firmly, her voice zing with conviction.


    This went against my principles. Ruby still carried so much kindness within her, and it unsettled me. But at the same time, I didn''t want it to disappear. It was like an anchor, reminding me that there were still good people in this world. I felt bitterness gather in my mouth. Unfortunately, not everyone in my life was one of them. Only a handful.


    Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but she held it back. Instead, she reached out, tracing my jaw with a gentle touch,


    "I have never begged for my own life before you. But for that baby, I beg with my life on the line."


    "I''ll try to remember that." I pressed onest kiss to her lips before stepping back, watching her reluctantly let me go.


    And then, I left.


    The Winterdawn pack was eerily silent as I stepped through its gates. The scent of unease and uncertainty lingered in the air, and I relished it.


    Nathaniel was already waiting, his face lined with worry, yet he still had the courage to meet my eyes.


    "Your Majesty!" he greeted stiffly. "Truly, I''m d to see you. I hoped to-"


    I raised my hand, and the idiot fell silent immediately. My sharp crimson gaze swept


    over him.


    "I didn''t think you''d miss my visit this much, Nathaniel," I mused, my smirk


    widening just enough to make a few people take


    a step back. "You should have seen thising when you let your household rot from the inside."


    His jaw clenched. "If this is about our Alpha-"


    07:30 Sat, 26 Apr S.


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    "This is about all of you," I cut him off coldly. "I''m tired of this game, Nathaniel.


    Your lies. Your betrayals."


    I observed their bodynguage before finally dering, "Winterdawn is no longer yours. As of today, this pack falls under the rule of the Sundrench Kingdom!"


    Gasps erupted from the gathered crowd, and Nathaniel paled.


    "Y-you can''t do this, Your Majesty!"


    "I can. And I already have," I stated simply.


    That was when Cami appeared, her eyes wide with fear. She ran straight to us,


    torn between wanting to kneel on her big belly or whine to her parents.


    "My husband... where is he? When is heing back?"


    "I can''t be left alone. I have a baby with him, please. Bring him back!"


    As she pleaded, her mother lovingly held her body and whispered failedfort.


    And then, my expression instantly turning ice-cold.


    "Awaiting trial for his crimes."