Chapter 5: The Ruthless King

Killian's POV:

The halls of the Ravenhold manor reeked of desperation. Every step I took on the polished wooden floors seemed to reverberate through the walls, an unspoken announcement of my presence. The air hung heavy, charged with fear—the kind that made my lips curl into a satisfied grin. My boots left a faint imprint of blood on the rug, a gift from my last “encounter” on the way here.

Ah, how kind I am.

I was here for business, of course. The Ravenhold Pack harbored something I wanted. A magical artifact. It is said that the Ravenhold Pack keeps it. That artifact is very useful for the middle of the war and I want it. The fools didn’t even know how to wield it properly. Yet, here I was—to reacquaint myself with old “friends” and take what I required. A fair trade, I’d say. After all, my presence alone was a gift.

As I turned a corner, the familiar scent of aging bones and feeble determination greeted me. Nathaniel Lucienne. The former Alpha of Ravenhold had not aged well. His silver hair was sparse, his once-proud frame hunched like an old willow. I could almost hear his heartbeat quicken as he caught sight of me.

Ah, but my attention shifted swiftly, drawn to something… someone.

She was standing just behind him, her delicate frame wrapped in sorrow like a shroud. Tear tracks glistened on her pale cheeks, and her fiery hair spilled over her shoulders like liquid embers. She was stunning—a fragile work of art marred by sadness. My grin widened as her scent hit me.

Not just beauty, then. Power.

Nathaniel opened his mouth, likely to grovel or protest, but I silenced him with a raised hand.

"Just tell me. Her name."

Nathaniel stammered, his fear palpable. “This is Ruby. My… my daughter. Eldest daughter and the Luna of the Ravenhold Pack.”

I was expecting it. Ruby Lucienne. Of course, I've heard of Nathaniel's eldest daughter. Her reputation as a cerads and brave Luna is well known, her strength, her beauty from her childhood until now. Who is the lucky man to have this woman in his arms?

But the titles, roles, allegiances—they were of no concern to me. What intrigued me was the fire flickering behind her eyes, buried beneath layers of sadness. This one had spirit.

“Ruby Lucienne,” I mused, letting her name roll off my tongue like fine wine. “Interesting. But I’d much rather hear it from her own lips. Well, my dear? Do you speak for yourself, or is your father’s shadow too comfortable?”

Ruby’s hands trembled for a moment, but then she straightened her shoulders. Brave little thing. Her gaze met mine, hesitant yet defiant.

She didn’t answer, but the sharp intake of her breath told me enough. I chuckled and stepped back, allowing the tension to ease—for now.

“Your company has been most enjoyable,” I said, my tone light, as though we were old friends parting after tea.

“Perhaps we’ll speak again before I leave. I do enjoy a good chat, my beautiful Luna.”

The satisfying sound of Nathaniel's labored breathing filled the hallway as I patted his frail shoulder. I smiled with a sweet taste mixed with venom.

"Ah, my friend. Nathaniel. We have some things to discuss, don't we?" I slid my arm around his trembling shoulders, steering him forward. "Lead the way, old friend~"

He hesitated, glancing back at his daughter, Ruby, as if she could save him. But she remained rooted in place, her face a mask of forced composure. I flashed her a grin before nudging Nathaniel forward, my grip tightening slightly—a not-so-subtle reminder of who was in control.

The walk to his private study was silent save for the faint creak of the floorboards and Nathaniel's uneven breathing. When we arrived, I pushed the door open without waiting for an invitation and gestured for him to enter first. The room smelled of old wood and despair, a perfect setting for the conversation to come.