Chapter 10
Rudy’s POV
My body trembled uncontrollably as I knelt on the cold floor. My daughter’s mysterious death, the betrayal of my sister and my mate, Martha’s Imutal murder, and now this, My real parents–the Alpha and Lam–murdered by the very man I called Father. What sins had I committed to deserve this endless onslaught of tragedy?
Lcould barely breathe, let alone move. The journal lay heavy in my lap, its truth etched into my mind. My hands shook violently as I clutched it. unwalling to let go, but a sound from the hallway snapped me out of my dare. Footsteps echoed just beyond the door.
Panic surged through me. I scrambled to gather the letters and journal, stuffing them back into the chest with frantic hand I pressed the chest back into its hidden compartment and slid the tile into place just as the door splintered open with a loud crash
Guards. Three of them stormed into the room, their heavy boots thudding against the floor. My heart pounded as I dove under the narrow bed frame, the wood pressing uncomfortably against my back. My breaths came in shallow gasps as I willed myself to stay silent.
“Search the place, one
Scolded! By whom?
e of them barked. “If we don’t find anything, we’ll be the ones getting scolded.”
The sick feeling in my stomach deepened. Who had sent them here, to Martha’s sanctuary! What were they looking for?
The guards began tearing through the room, overturning furniture, rifling through drawers, and scattering Martha’s belongings. Every crash and thud made me flinch, my body pressed tight against the cold floor. My hiding spot was precarious at best. The bed frame offered little cover, and it wouldn’t take much for them to find me.
One of the guards crouched near the bed, his face mere inches from where I lay hidden. I bit down hard on my lip to stifle a gasp, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth. My pulse roared in my ears as he reached underneath, his hand groping blindly. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for the inevitable.
But he stopped short, muttering something under his breath before standing and moving on. Relief flooded me, though it was short–lived.
The guards continued their search, overturning every last corner of the room. When they finally left, it was with curses and complaints about their wasted time
I waited, motionless, until their footsteps faded down the hall. Only then did I dare to crawl out from under the bed, my limbs stiff and aching. Tears streamed down my face as I surveyed the wreckage of Martha’s roomL
My knees buckled, and I sank to the floor, my sobs breaking free. The guards‘ intrusion was proof enough. Someone was trying to hide the truth Martha had left behind. Someone who feared what I might discover. And also, that means Martha’s killer is very close to this place.
Then that meant the journal, the letters, and everything Martha had written, it was all true.
1 clutched my chest, struggling to steady my breathing. I have to move fast. Whatever it took. I would find the answers and expose the lies that had stolen my family and my life.
But first, I needed to plan.
The atmosphere in the dining room was suffocating, as though an executioner’s blade hovered just above our necks. The tension coiled in the air and every clink of silverware felt like a warning. Normally, Dominic presided over these dinners. But tonight, the Lycan King, Killian Rudwick, had seized control.
Killian sat at the head of the table, his crimson eyes scanning the room with cold amusement. His very presence dominated the space, rendering Dominic’s attempts at authority feeble and laughable. Sadness clung to me like a shroud, but anger burned homer, especially when my gaze fell on my sister and his proximity to Dominic
Killian’s voice broke through my thoughts, smooth and deceptively sweet
“Camilla, dear,” he said, his tone almost affectionate, “Are you feeling well! You seem flushed”
Camilla’s head snapped up her cheeks reddening as she fumbled for a response. “I’m fine, Your Majesty. Thank you for asking.”
I gripped the edge of the table, my nails digging into the wood. Did he know? Did Killian know about her betrayal, about the child growing within
My stomach twisted at the thought. As much as I loathed them both, the revelation would spell disaster for the pack. Gossip would spread like wildfire, tearing through what little respect Ravenhold still commanded.
12
mirabelit.
gore lingered on Camilla for a monsent longer before shifting to me. Ilis expression softened slightly, though the sharp edge of his emment remainedd.
Ruby, my beautifull Luna. You and your sister
sister share the same golden hair, yet.. somehow, you
ou feel entirely different.”
Aty breath caught, and I stiffened under his scrutiny. I suppose appearances can be deceiving, Your Majesty.
His smirk widened, as though he found my
discomfort entertaining.
“Indeed,” he murmured. “However, what I want to discuss is something else. You remind me of someone, Ruby. Alpha Dorian’s beloved Luna. A woman of rare beauty and grace—a tric jewel of the Ravenhold Pack.”
A murmur rippled through the room, and I felt the weight of every gaze settle on me. Killian’s words carried a gravity that made my chest tighten. *She was extraordinary,” Killian continued, his tone softer now. “Her hair could change color with the seasons, a gift of her bloodline. She was part season elf, you see. A rarity among Lycans. The connection she had with the world around her was unparalleled.”
1 forced myself to meet his gaze, even as my heart pounded in my chest. “You speak of her as though she was close to you, Your Majesty,”
His smile faltered, and a shadow passed over his face. “She was. As was her mate, Dorian. He was an ally and a friend. His death it remains a loss I reve deeply”
The room fell silent, the weight of his words pressing down on us all. Nathaniel’s face darkened, though he said nothing. My mind raced as I tried 10 process what Killian was implying. Dorian.. Nathaniel’s half–brother. My stomach churned as fragments of Martha’s journal flashed through my thoughts. The pieces of the puzzle were shifting, aligning in ways that both terrified and intrigued me.
Plus, this guy is immortal. Of course, his words can be proof. He has lived a very long time and knows everything.
Killian’s gaze lingered on me, his crimson eyes piercing. “You bear her spirit. Ruby. A strength and fire that cannot be extinguished. It is a rare thing, and it should not be squandered.”
My hands clenched in my lap, hidden beneath the table. His words felt too deliberate. Did he know the truth about my lineage? Did he suspect?
The silence stretched, and I forced myself to nod. “Thank you.
- Your M
Majesty. Your words honor me.”
His smirk returned, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Oh my dear Luna. That’s just a small compliment compared to what you have right now. It must be… Alpha Dominic is very lucky to have you, isn’t he?”
