Chapter 18
Ruby Veyle stretched lazily on the cushioned chaise of her private balcony, the afternoon sun warm on her skin. A glass of chilled white wine dangled from her fingers as she typed away on her phone, bored out of her mind. Then movement caught her eye.
The little werewolf runt hurried out of the gallery doors below, cheeks flushed, steps quick and uneven. Ruby’s lip curled.
Look at her, Ruby thought, eyes narrowing. Strutting about like she owns the place. Like she belongs here. A wolfless little mutt playing queen. She won’t last a month before Derek tires of her.
She took a slow sip of wine, savouring the taste. “Pathetic,” she muttered under her breath. “All that beauty and no wolf to back it up. He’ll send her packing soon enough p>
She was about to turn inside when the gallery doors opened again.
Brian stepped out.
He paused on the threshold, running a hand through his hair, jaw tight, eyes scanning the corridor as he adjusted his shirt. He looked… exactly like a man who had just finished a hunt.
Ruby froze.
Her gaze flicked from Brian back to the empty spot where the werewolf had disappeared around the corner. Then back to Brian again. A slow, wicked smile curved her lips.
Oh.
The little werewolf queen and Derek’s favourite cousin, sneaking out of the same room looking like that? Her heart gave a delighted kick. This was better than any gossip she had heard in months.
Is she already spreading her legs for someone else? The thought sent a thrill through her. Cheating on the king right under his nose?
Ruby set her glass down carefully, excitement curling in her chest like smoke.
Today had just become ten times more interesting. She leaned against the railing, watching Brian stalk away, and whispered to the empty air, “Keep going, little wolf. Give me something I can use p>
Her smile widened.
Derek was going to love this.
Later that evening, Derek’s car pulled up in front of his mansion. His driver hurried out and opened the door for him. He was exhausted from the dealings of the day. The board meeting had left him seething with rage. The multi-billion-dollar acquisition of a rival energy firm he had been pursuing has collapsed at the last minute because a trusted board member leaked details to a competitor in a drunken stupor.
It had been a hell of a day; now, all he needed was to soak himself in a warm bath before he reviewed the reports from global operations. As he walked up the wide front stairs, Ruby appeared at the top landing. She carried a slim leather folder tucked under one arm, her expression carefully composed.
She had changed into a simple navy dress; nothing flashy, nothing that screamed seduction, just enough to look professional and trustworthy.
“Your Grace,” she said softly, dipping into a small curtsy. “I’ve compiled the latest pack welfare report. The down villagers are showing improved birth rates, but the medical supplies are still short. I thought you might want to review it tonight p>
Derek barely slowed his stride. His jaw was set, eyes shadowed with the day’s frustrations. “I’ll look at them tomorrow,” he said curtly, already moving past her.
Ruby didn’t step aside. She fell into step beside him instead, voice gentle, almost hesitant. “Of course. I only wanted to make sure you weren’t too overwhelmed. You’ve had a long day p>
He gave a short, dismissive sound, half snort, half sigh, and kept walking.
She waited two more steps before asking, quiet as a whisper, “Do you love her? The werewolf girl p>
Derek stopped.
The question hung between them like smoke. He turned his head slowly, amber eyes flat and unreadable. “My marriage is none of your business, Ruby p>
She didn’t flinch at the ice in his tone. Instead, she lowered her gaze, lashes sweeping her cheeks in a perfect show of concern. “I know. I just… I’ve seen you hurt before. The way you closed yourself off after everything. I don’t want to watch that happen again.” She lifted her eyes, soft and earnest. “And from what I saw earlier… I don’t think you should trust her completely yet p>
Derek’s expression didn’t change. Not a flicker. But his shoulders tightened, just enough for someone who knew him well to notice.
Ruby pressed on, voice barely above a murmur. “Brian came out of the gallery right after she did. They were both… flushed. Dishevelled. I don’t want to accuse anyone, but it looked like he might be making a move on your new wife p>
Silence stretched, thick and heavy.
Derek stared at her for a long beat. No growl or any flare of temper. Just that cold, impenetrable mask he wore like armour. At last he spoke, voice low and even. “If you want to report such things, Ruby, come to me with undeniable evidence. Not speculation or whispers. Proof p>
He turned away without another word and continued up the stairs, shoulders rigid, every line of his body screaming dismissal.
Ruby stood frozen, watching his retreating back until he disappeared through the glass doors of the upper hall.
Only then did she exhale, a slow, satisfied breath, twirling a loose strand of hair around her finger, lips curving into a small, private smile.
“At least I’ve planted the seed of doubt in his mind,” she murmured to the empty air.
Derek didn’t let Ruby’s words take root. Or so he told himself. He strode into his private quarters and started up the stairs, already mentally sorting through the reports he still needed to review. Then a shrill voice pierced the hallway, unmistakably Kira’s, loud and unrestrained.
He paused, head tilting. Why the hell was she shouting at the top of her lungs? With a low scoff, he stormed the rest of the way up. Did she think this was some kind of asylum?
When he reached her room the door stood slightly ajar. Inside, Kira was dancing.
ON. THE. BED.