1 slammed the door behind me. locking it with shaking hands. My chest pounded as I tried to calm the storm raging inside me: The memory of Killian—his touch, his voice, his kiss–lingered like a brand. My fingers brushed my lips that were still swollen from his kiss, and I felt a shiver. That was it. The moment I sealed the deal, the moment I sold myself to the Lycan King.
1 had made my choice. There was no turning back now. Revenge is my goal, my only reason to endure the pain and humiliation. I will live for it. And if I had to sell my soul to achieve it, so be it.
I closed my eyes, clutching my hands to my chest.
“Would you hate me, my sweet Alicia?“
I thought my daughter’s innocent smile, the light she brought into my life, and the sobs clawing at my throat,
“Would you be disgusted with your mother for what I’ve done, my child!”
Martha’s face appeared in my mind, her kind eyes and unwavering loyalty. Would she judge me for this decision? And my biological parents, the ones I barely remembered but were still connected to my heart what would they think of me now?
Tears spilled down my cheeks, and I wiped them away furiously. This was no time to be weak. I had to stay focused. My revenge would not wait, and neither would the traitors who walked these hall.
Steeling myself. I stood up and straightened my clothes. The first step was to face her. Camilla. My fake little sister.
I walked towards her quarters. When I reached the door, I paused for a moment, molding my face into a detached expression of serenity. I knocked once and entered without waiting for an invitation.
Camilla was reclining in an easy chair, her hands resting on her bulging belly. She looked up, surprised by my arrival.
“Sister Ruby…
I approached her slowly, my face putting on a neutral face. “I came to check on you. You and the baby”
Her expression changed, guilt showing in her eyes. “I… thank you. That’s very kind of you
I said nothing, just watched her as she sat down. She looked fragile, and for a moment, 1 was reminded of the bond we once had. However, the thought of her betrayal extinguished any remaining affection. She wasn’t my sister.
“Sister”
She began hesitantly, her hands wringing in her lap. “I have to say… I’m sorry. For everything. For what I’ve done to you. I never meant for it to happen like this.”
Camilla’s apology meant nothing to me, yet I forced myself to nod, pretending to accept.
“Go on
She lowered her gaze.
“I love Dominic,” she admitted. “And I love this baby. I know this doesn’t excuse what I’ve done, but I can’t regret it. Not when it gives me
She placed her hands on her stomach, her lips curving into a faint smile.
Hatred smoldered silently inside me, a fire that threatened to consume me entirely. I wanted to scream, to attack, to destroy everything she held. dear. But I didn’t. Instead, I nodded again, my face saying nothing.
“I understand,” I said quietly, “I hope you find happiness in what you have chosen, Camilla”
Her eyes widened slightly, as if she hadn’t expected me to say such a thing.
“Ruby, 1
“Rest Ic
I cut in, standing up. “You and the baby need it.”
“Do you hate me?” she asked hurriedly
1/2
Chapter 19
Pausing for a momen, I turned my head slightly toward her.
ael & n
I walked away and left the room. My hands clenched into fists as I walked away, my nails digging into my palms.
You will pay, Camilla. All of you will payr
The burning anger threatened to consume me, but I knew better than to let it. Pausing by the wall, I pressed my trembling hands against the cold stone, taking deep breaths to calm myself. This wasn’t the time to lose control. I have a promise to fulfill
The words of my promise to the king rang in my mind as I straightened and adjusted my clothes. The heirloom that the man wanted would be gotten and whatever it was, it was the king’s business. I didn’t care. All that mattered was proving my loyalty and completing this task. The Lucienne family vault was a great place to start.
I navigated the dimly lit corridors carefully, keeping my steps natural. The vault was heavily guarded, as expected. Two men stood guard, their expressions bored but alert. Taking a deep breath, 1 approached confidently, chin raised.
“Gentlemen.” I greeted with an aura of authority. “Alpha Dominic requested that I retrieve something from the yult. It’s urgent business. Please step aside.”
The guards exchanged wary glances.
“We are not allowed to let anyone in without direct permission from the Alpha,” one of them said, his tone apologetic.
I squinted, summoning the haughty demeanor Dominic often displayed.
“Are yo
you questioning Luna’s orders!”
“Do you think I’d w
I waste my time on petty
petty tasks? Step aside, or I’ll make sure the Alpha knows of your insubordination!” I shouted.
The bluff worked. They reluctantly stepped aside. I stepped past them wordlessly, my heart pounding as I reached the heavy vault door.
The lock was complicated, but I’d seen it opened enough times to mimic the sequence. With one last twist, the mechanism clicked, and the door creaked open, revealing the treasure inside.
Inside, rows of shelves stretched out before me, each laden with artifacts, relics, and heirlooms. The faint golden glow of the magical objects bathed the room in an eerie light. My heart felt tight at the sheer number of objects.
How was I supposed to know which ones the King wanted
I was a fool not to ask first.
I moved carefully between the shelves, my fingers running over the polished surfaces of the various artifacts. Each object had a nameplate, the writing faded but still legible. Some objects looked ancient and powerful; others looked ordinary.
My frustration peaked as I explored further. There were too many, and none of them stood out as I might have imagined. Nothing specific. I considered taking something at random, but I hesitated. If I brought the wrong thing, it right undo everything I had worked for.
An idea struck me at that moment. Why not bring Killian here?
Let him choose for himself. It would be a sign of trust and proof of my loyalty. It was as if I didn’t care about this relic anymore. It was a symbol of a family that had betrayed me, nothing more.
With that decision, I turned around and quietly slipped out of the vault. The guards barely glanced at me as 1 passed, and their disinterest is a blessing. I hurried down the corridor, fixing my clothes and straightening my hair. My mind raced with thoughts of how to tell Killian this, the right words to say to solidify my position in his favor.
Whil
singl
