Chapter 35
Ruby pushed through the heavy glass doors of the outdoor gym, stepping into the bright morning sun. The air felt cooler out here, carrying the faint scent of cut grass and pine from the palace grounds. She didn’t bother waiting for Sasha to catch up as she rolled her shoulders, still buzzing from the rush of pinning Kira to the mat again and again. The little werewolf’s face when she hit the floor the second time was priceless. Ruby’s lips curved into a slow and satisfied smile.
Sasha fell into step beside her, ponytail swinging with each stride. “Is that the woman we should all call our queen? A weak person who couldn’t even fight to save her life? She would only bring embarrassment to this pack.” She shook her head, voice low. “I’m sure His Grace must be regretting why he married her p>
Ruby snorted. “I’m sure he does. Being a queen isn’t for the weak p>
Sasha sighed. “Speaking of the King. Have you noticed he seemed a little cranky these days? And that fight with Master Brian… It’s been ages since he lost it like that in front of the pack. What could have made him so angry p>
Ruby let out a low, throaty chuckle that had nothing to do with humour. “It’s sure has been a long time since he has lashed out like that,” she agreed, her tone light. “Almost… personal p>
Sasha shot her a sideways glance. “What? You look way too pleased with yourself. Spill p>
Ruby kept walking, forcing Sasha to hurry to catch up. “Let’s just say I was a little birdie. I caught our little wolfless queen sneaking out of the gallery the other day. And guess who was right behind her? Brian. They looked very suspicious together p>
Sasha’s steps faltered. “Brian? As in… the King’s cousin Brian p>
“The very same.” Ruby’s smile sharpened.
Sasha sucked in a breath. “No. You think they p>
“Yes. They were alone in there for a good thirty minutes before they slipped out separately. I watched them long enough to be sure,” she lied.
Sasha let out a sharp breath. “You told the King p>
“Of course I told him. What kind of loyal subject would I be if I didn’t report suspicious behaviour from a werewolf in our palace?” Ruby’s voice stayed light, almost playful, but her eyes were hard.
She had expected Derek to drag Kira to the dungeons or at least tear a strip off her in private. Instead… he had called Brian to the training yard the very next morning and beat him bloody in front of half the guard. Left him looking like raw meat p>
Sasha stopped dead in the middle of the path. “Wait. You’re saying the King took it out on Master Brian instead of her? Because of what you saw p>
Ruby shrugged one shoulder. “Apparently so p>
Sasha stared at her for a long moment, wheels clearly turning behind her eyes. “That means… if he punished Master Brian instead of her, does that mean he has feelings for her? Is the King actually jealous p>
Ruby’s smile vanished in an instant. “Don’t be stupid!” she snapped. The idea made her face turn red with anger. “Feelings? For a wolfless runt? No. King Derek is just protecting his property. He doesn’t want the pack thinking another man can touch what belongs to the King. It’s about his throne, Sasha. Not love p>
“Yes, of course,” Sasha agreed too quickly. “It’s about his throne p>
Sasha didn’t look convinced, but she wisely kept quiet. They turned down the shaded colonnade that led toward the general wing where Ruby’s quarters were located. Their footsteps were the only sound between them for several paces.
Inside Ruby’s head, though, the thoughts were loud and vicious.
He protected her.
The words looped over and over, stinging more each time. She had spent years learning every line of Derek’s temper, every flicker in those amber eyes, every tell when he was close to breaking his famous control. And now this wolfless little thing from Moonfang had managed to crack that control without even trying.
She needed to change that.
She needed to make him and the entire pack see her for what she really was: weak, defective, and an embarrassment.
Reporting her to Derek clearly didn’t work as she had expected. It had only landed Brian in trouble. But Ruby knew she had just started a rumour that would spread like wide fire and make the pack turn on the wolfless queen.
She almost smiled, giving Sasha a furtive glance, knowing full well Sasha would spread it that the queen might be loose and had cause a fight between the King and his cousin. She would make sure to destroy Kira for daring to take her place.
If Ruby played this right, she could turn the King’s irritation into disgust. She could remind him why werewolves were never meant to stand beside Lycans. She could make him remember who had always been there, loyal, strong, and waiting.
A plan was already forming in her head, subtle at first. A whisper here, a rumour there. Maybe a carefully timed “accident” during training. Nothing that could be traced back to her. Just enough to push Kira until she broke in front of everyone. Until Derek had no choice but to see her as the liability she was.
They rounded the corner toward the main hall that led to Ruby’s private corridor when a young maid appeared from the side path, cheeks flushed from running. She dipped into a quick curtsy, eyes down.
“Lady Ruby,” the girl said, voice breathless. “His Grace sends for you. He requests your presence in his private study immediately p>
Ruby’s pulse gave a quick jump. A private meeting in his study was exactly what Ruby needed. Maybe he finally believed what she had said and wanted to talk about it. But she smoothed her expression into perfect calm. “Of course,” she replied smoothly. “Tell him I’m on my way p>
The maid bobbed another curtsy and hurried off.
She gave Sasha a smug look and turned toward the main palace wing, already imagining the look on Derek’s face when she walked through that door. Whatever he wanted, she would give it. Whatever he asked, she would answer. And if the conversation drifted even slightly toward the werewolf queen… well. Ruby knew exactly how to plant the right seeds.