“How can you say that? I was just protecting you in my own way” Rufus said lightly.
“You fooled me! You just want to see me humiliated. Are you happy now?” The more I talked, the more aggrieved I became. I felt horrified at the thought of the scene where I had tried to deceive him. He had already figured out the truth, and all that while, I had still been acting.
Rufus sighed and used his fingertips to wipe away the tears from my eyes. He patiently coaxed me. “Babe, don’t cry.”
Unless you unshackle this thing from me.” I moved my limbs, and the sound of metal chains clanging resonated.
No. I need you to stay here, ” Rufus said coldly. One moment he was gentle, then the next he was as frigid as the ice.
I was furious and tried to transform into a wolf to escape. To my wonder, I could not use my power at all.
“Rufus, what did you do to me?”
I tried my best to mobilize the power in my body and madly called for Yana in my mind, but nothing happened. I tried once again, and failed for the second time. In my struggle, I realized that these shackles were specifically designed to prevent werewolves from transforming.
“Murray! Did you do this? Undo it!”
Murray hurriedly waved his hands. “It was the lycan king who forced me to do it.
Crystal’s POV
What Rufus did was infuriating me. He was even more cautious than he had been five years ago.
I writhed in an attempt to get rid of the chains, but it was all for nothing. The chains were harder and firmer than I thought. It seemed that Rufus had put a lot of effort into perfecting them.
“Enough, Crystal. Give it up. I won’t let you go.” Rufus held me in place by pressing my arms, preventing me from hurting myself. His eyes glinted with extreme helplessness.
I had no choice but to fall into his embrace, trying to ease him by showing him affection. “Rufus, just let me go. I promise I won’t do anything stupid.”
“I don’t even believe it. Do vou think your mate would? Don’t you remember?
You two have a connection that’s beyond emotional. Your mate would know your every trick.” Murray enjoyed watching the drama and cut in.
I wanted to drill holes into Murray’s body and shut him up by glaring at him, but Rufus” broad chest blocked my view of him.
I pouted and looked at Rufus with pitiful eyes. To complete my appeal, I said in a broken tone, “Can’t you just trust me one more time?”
“Crystal.” Rufus whispered my name, his voice laced with helplessness. The affection in his eyes almost drowned me, and then guilt slowly seeped in his eyes.
“Keeping you in shackles is my last resort. I don’t care if you call me selfish or cruel, but I can’t just stand by and watch you die. I love you, so please try to understand me.” Rufus’ voice was becoming gentler and softer, so much so that I had to lean closer to hear his words filled with worry.
My heart ached, and I was growing anxious. My eyes stung and I was on the verge of tearing up, but I persisted in my decision. After calming myself, I said, “Rufus, this is the only way to save Beryl. She’s your daughter too Would you rather see her die? I can’t even compose myself for a moment knowing that Beryl’s body is in possession of Noreen’s soul.”
“I understand.” Rufus placed a tender kiss on my forehead as he comforted me.
“I’ll find another way. Just leave it to me, okay? You don’t need to worry about anything Beryl will be safe and sound.”
Rufus was trying to calm me down, but it just was not enough to pacify myself.
Both my heart and my thoughts were hurled in a mess. I looked up at him, pain slowly registering on my countenance. “You’re aware of the thorn on your back Then you must’ve noticed that it’s constantly growing. When it reaches your neck, you’ll die. Five years ago, I worked hard to free you of the curse, but now it reappeared. Do you think I’d let you die like this? That will be the biggest punishment for mebrefuse to accept it.”
Rufus reached out to me and wrapped me in his arms, his voice heavy. “I’m sorry, Crystal. I know you’re in great pain, but know that I want to share your pain. You don’t want to see me die, and I don’t want to see you die either.” A sob betrayed me. “But as long as I sacrifice myself, you and Beryl can both live in peace.”
Rufus stroked my hair lovingly and whispered, “Honey, trust me. I’ll make all of us safe and sound.”
Noticing that nothing I said went through to Rufus, I felt my blood boiling and felt like I was close to exploding. I ran out of things to say, so I just turned my head away and ignored him.
At this moment, a soldier rushed into the room to report, “Your Majesty, it’s an emergency! Vampires have invaded the palace and they’re coming in full force.” Rufus settled me back on the bed, lowered his head, kissed me on the lips, and said, “Stay here. I’ll be back soon.”
He then ordered a few soldiers to watch over me, not even bothering to deal with Murray.
Rufus’ POV
The imperial palace was alive with light under the moon’s pearly glow. It was a rare sight.
My heart raced with anticipation as I strode down the never-ending passageway in front of the palace gates. Hubson, the enigmatic vampire, stood poised on the rooftop, a dark silhouette against the starry sky. He was donned in inky black, his face cloaked by dark shadows, but his presence was unmistakable. He was not alone his brood of young vampires, with their sharp fangs bared, accompanied him.
“Your Majesty, vampires are lurking outside the palace,” My loyal companion whispered urgently, his eyes scanning the rooftops.
I felt a fierce rage boiling inside me. As if in response, my body transformed into that of a majestic wolf. I bounded to the roof, ready to face Hubson and his bloodthirsty minions head-on.
“Long time no see, my old friend.” Hubson’s voice, now even more weathered than before, echoed eerily through the desolate night. His laughter tinged with a hint of menace, sent shivers down my spine.
“What are you doing?” I demanded, my tone bristling with hostility. “We have been in peace since the agreement. Are you trying to start a war again?”
“My apologies, noble wolf king,” Hubson replied. He heaved a long, weary sigh before continuing, “I know it’s very rude for me to come here all of a sudden.”
My eyebrow twitched; Hubson’s demeanor was surprisingly courteous. “As long as you are willing to hand over one person, I will leave immediately.” he said.
Dread settled like a heavy stone in the pit of my stomach. Hubson had lived on the border for many vears, and his sudden appearance in the capital reeked of trouble. If he sought a particular person, then that individual must be of great importance and known to me.
Otherwise, they would have just snatched that person away with ease As I pondered, my thoughts wandered to Crystal. Though our bond was growing stronger with each passing day, there were still fragments of my past that eluded me, secrets that Crystal had yet to divulge.
If Hubson had really come for Crystal, I would never let him go. My hands curled into tight fists.
I composed myself, masking my anger with a cool, collected facade. “What do werewolves have to do with vampires? I won’t hand over any of my people for any reason.”
Hubson chuckled darkly. The sound was muffled, like gravel grinding against concrete.
I remained silent, patiently waiting for him to speak his mind At long last, Hubson uttered his words with calculated slowness. “Fear not, lycan king. The one I seek is not a werewolf – and I have reason to believe that you, too hold disdain for her.”
“Who is it?” Sweeping my gaze over the grand palace, I struggled to find a suitable candidate. After all, I had meticulously purged any potential threats, both inside and outside the regal walls, ever since I ascended to the throne.
Suddenly, Hubson’s booming voice shattered my concentration. “Noreen,” he bellowed.
A chill wafted through me, curling up from my toes and shooting up my spine.
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