Chapter 163 

Killian’s POV 

“Please, answer honestly.” 

Ruby flinched, quickly stepping forward to shield Alice clearly trying to protect her. Alice looked hesitant and distressed upon seeing me. 

“I heard everything from the beginning.” 

My inner wolf urged me to stay calm and not let my emotions spiral out of control. I exhaled sharply, massaging the bridge of my nose. 

“My anger is not directed at my family. I would be cursed to take it out on you. So, can we please talk about this properly so I can sort out this unnecessary mess?” 

The firmness in my voice echoed through the room. 

“I don’t want to see Alicia lying in her bed, mourning someone unworthy of her heart. She needs to wake up and see that the world is still bathed in beautiful sunlight,” I explained firmly. 

“My dear Killian, please… let’s talk about it tomorrow, alright?” Ruby pleaded, her eyes reflecting desperation. 

Just as I was about to respond, Alice suddenly darted out from behind her mother’s back. The young woman immediately threw herself into my arms. Gradually, the burning waves of rage within me began to subside. Her embrace was like balm to my temperamental soul. 

“I’m sorry, dad. I never meant to hide anything from you,” Alice said. 

The girl’s arms tightened around me. “At first, I wanted to tell you right away. But Alicia made me swear not to tell anyone especially you.” 

“I swear to you, Father, Joshua has already learned a bit of a lesson. I know that’s not enough. S–so I broke my promise, and I hope that’s not going to be a problem,” she said through trembling words and stifled sobs. 

Ruby wore a sorrowful expression. Her tearful eyes met mine, and she blinked as if to say, “Your daughter is scared.” 

And so, I felt the tension seep from Alice as I returned her embrace just as tightly, gently stroking her hair. 

“I understand.” 

Alice’s sobs grew louder. My hand gently patted her shoulder as I felt the pulse of that unmistakable bond between a parent and child. My beloved daughter. Moments like this were the reason why I sometimes became a truly terrifying man. 

The children born from Ruby and Mikael’s marriage had long since become part of what I considered mine. 

And for that reason, I would become wildly, even painfully, protective. All in the name of keeping them safe. This world is cruel. I am not ready to let them go into a universe this vicious. 

Kindness is like a needle in a haystack. It’s hard to see someone’s actions without suspecting a hidden agenda. Just like what happened today. 

“We’ll make them pay!” 

The snarling hatred of my inner wolf echoed through my mind. I had already agreed with the idea before it was even voiced. 

“You’re not angry, are you, dad?” 

A faint smile traced my lips. I had come to cherish that new title just as much as ‘king. 

“Why would I be angry with you? You are my star, Alice. That hasn’t changed, just like your dad Mikael always saw you as the brightest light in this universe,” I replied, loosening the embrace to look into the teenager’s eyes. 

“What you did for your twin sister that intention wasn’t wrong. Though I do wish you had come to one of your parents.” 

My hand cupped her right cheek, my gaze softening as I saw the vulnerability in her. 

“Leave the rest to me, alright?” 

Alice nodded, wiping away her streaming tears. I guided her back toward her mother. Ruby looked torn as she heard my final words, and I met her gaze with a neutral expression. She had some idea of what I was about to do and she certainly wouldn’t approve. 

I’d rather ask for forgiveness than permission. 

And the reason behind it was more than enough to justify my actions. 

20 

Three days before the party, Alicia’s cheerful side had returned. The sadness and gloom that once shrouded her had completely vanished. It was as if that pathetic, snot–nosed boy had never even been born into this world. 

Ruby had learned not to ask any further questions. My tendency to inflict pain would only ever be directed at those who dared to harm my family or this kingdom. 

Well then, so this was peace or so I thought until Leonidas came running toward me in a frantic rush. His clothes were disheveled, wrinkled in every direction, his hair sticking out wildly, and love bites visible from his jawline all the way down to his chest. A few of the werewolf soldiers nearby let out snide chuckles and low gossiping noises at the sight of the Lycan King’s second–in–command in such a state. 

My nose twitched. The stench of sex lingered in the air. 

“Before you start lecturing me, let me just apologize in advance.” 

I held back from hissing in disgust, unwilling to lower myself to such indecency. Leonidas cast a venomous glare at the gossiping pack behind him, which only caused their laughter and murmurs to grow louder. 

“Get out of here morons!” 

I shook my head. “So, what is this about?” 

I instructed the pack to return to their posts, while Leonidas handed, me a crumpled sheet of paper barely worthy of being called a letter. I was just about ready to curse him for dragging me into whatever ridiculous mess this was, until my eyes fell on a single bold sentence scrawled in thick black ink: 

‘The kingdom will fall, and victory will be ours‘ 

This wasn’t the first time I’d received such a worthless threat. We usually ignored them. Seeing that Leonidas had willingly pulled himself away from the warmth of his mate, I gave this one a bit more consideration, it might actually be serious. 

What a coincidence. It had been a while since I’d stretched my muscles. 

“Leonidas, a word with me.” 

He swallowed hard. “I recognize the handwriting.” 

“Oh? And who might that be?” 

“Robertus Rudwick.”