“Sable? She was never the woman I loved.” I laughed coldly, filling my voice with contempt and mockery. “You think I’d actually fall for that ordinary doctor? Please. I’m the Lycan King-why would I genuinely care for an alpha’s ordinary daughter?”
I was just playing with her. Getting revenge for her humiliating me by running away three years ago.” My voice turned cruel and indifferent, as if discussing something trivial. “I wanted her to fall in love with me, then crush her heart myself, just like she did to me back then.”
“Impossible!” Lucian’s voice rose sharply, like a cat with its tail stepped on.
“I’m quite the actor, aren’t I?” My laughter carried deliberate arrogance. “Even fooled you. Doesn’t that prove how excellent my performance was?”
“You’re lying!” Lucian growled furiously.
I laughed mockingly. “Let me share some good news. I’ve already broken up with Sable. And I’m about to marry another woman.”
“What?” Disbelief filled his voice.
“My true love, the woman I’ve been secretly protecting. Sable was merely a distraction, a tool to divert attention.” My tone grew increasingly scornful, like I was telling a private joke. “Congratulations, dear brother. You attacked the wrong target. She was just a scapegoat, a decoy.”
Lucian’s breathing quickened-1 could tell he was enraged. “I don’t believe it! You couldn’t-“
“Don’t believe me?” I continued mocking him. “Well, just wait for the show. Soon I’ll hold a wedding ceremony. The entire werewolf world will witness my union with my true love.”
“As for you, my voice turned crueler, clearly threatening, “you’ll keep being hunted, hiding in sewers like a rat. You’ll live in constant fear until I find you and personally end your miserable existence.”
“You bastard Lucian’s roar was cut short.
“Actually, I have an even better idea. I paused deliberately, letting his imagination run wild. Perhaps I should prepare a special exhibit for the wedding?
“What do you mean? His voice carried wariness and a hint of fear.
“Your corpse.” I said with a smile, my voice cold as arctic wind. I’ll kill you myself, then display your body as decoration at the wedding. Maybe turn you into a mounted specimen at the entrance to our honeymoon suite.”
“Imagine, Lucian. At my happiest moment, you’ll be nothing but a cold corpse, adding atmosphere to my wedding. Isn’t that romantic?” My voice carried a disturbing pleasure, as it describing a beautiful dream.
Lucian’s furious howl came through: “You’re dreaming! I’ll kill you! I’ll make you regret this! I’ll make you pay in blood!”
“Oh? Better hurry then.” I said casually. “Time’s running short. I’m looking forward to testing my new torture techniques on you.”
I chuckled, then hung up. The moment the call ended, the smug expression vanished from my face like a mask removed. In its place was profound exhaustion and pain.
I slowly stood and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.
Storm spoke again, this time with surprise and respect: “Well, I have to admit, that plan was pretty clever. You’re still a bastard, a huge bastard who broke Sable’s heart. But at least you’re a bastard with some brains.”
I picked up my desk phone and dialed a number.
“Prepare a statement for release tomorrow morning. My voice was cold as ice, devoid of emotion. “Announce that my engagement to Sable Crawford is officially terminated. Reason: incompatibility, amicable separation.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Any other instructions? Edward’s voice on the other end carried caution and concern.
“Increase covert protection around Crawford territory. Twenty-four-hour surveillance. Report immediately if any suspicious individuals approach. Send our most elite warriors, but keep it secret from everyone, especially Sable.”
“Understood. Your Majesty, are you… are you alright?”
I remained silent for several seconds, looking at my blood-stained hand and wrist. The wounds had begun healing, but the blood stains remained shocking. “I’m fine.”
I stared at my phone for a long moment before dialing Rodrigo’s number.
“Rodrigo, it’s me. Sable… is she with you?”
“She’s sleeping.” Relief flooded through me, my shoulders sagging despite myself.
I cleared my throat. “She… is she okay?”
Rodrigo’s pause stretched too long. “Caelan, after you hung up on her, she cried for hours. I’ve never seen her like that-completely broken. It made me question whether I was right to encourage this separation.”
My eyes burned. I gripped the phone tighter. “Rodrigo, I’m announcing the dissolution of our engagement tomorrow morning. But I need you to know-any negative press about Sable, I’ll handle it. She won’t be hurt by this.”
“Caelan, maybe you don’t need to rush-
“I need your cooperation. Tell Sable I changed my mind. That’s all. Just say I didn’t want her anymore.”
“There’s something else.” I forced myself to continue. “I’m arranging some… compensation.”
“Compensation?”
“The oceanfront villa at Emerald Bay, plus a substantial cash settlement. Enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life.”
Rodrigo went quiet.
*But you can never tell her it came from me.” My voice turned urgent. “Say it’s inheritance from her mother, or make up any other story. Because if she knows it’s from me-“
“She’ll refuse it,” Rodrigo finished quietly.
“She’ll see it as charity. As guilt money.” A bitter laugh escaped. “She’d rather starve than accept anything she thinks comes from pity.”
“Caelan, you don’t owe her this. Even if you’re ending things, you don’t-“
“But I do owe her.” The admission tore from my throat. “Please accept this. It’s the only way I can sleep at night.”
Silence stretched between us.
“There’s one more thing.” My voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “The most important thing.”
I’m listening.”
“The man who drove into that convenience store…” I stopped, the words sticking like broken glass. “You can never tell Sable it was my father.”
“Why not?”
“Because I know her.” Each word felt like a confession. “If she learns my father tried to kill her, she’ll understand immediately why I’m ending things.”
The line went dead quiet except for Rodrigo’s breathing.
‘Caelan… you’re sacrificing yourself.”
“This isn’t sacrifice. It’s taking responsibility.”
“But Sable will hate you…”
“Let her hate me. The words came out flat, final. “As long as she’s safe, as long as she lives, she can hate me forever. I don’t care.”
Rodrigo’s heavy sigh carried through the speaker. “I understand. I’ll do as you ask… but Caelan, protect yourself too.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
I ended the call.
Darrell’s POV
I stood outside Sable’s hospital room, white roses clutched in my hands.
Rodrigo appeared in the doorway, his face immediately hardening when he saw me.
“Darrell. Again?” His voice carried exhaustion and irritation. “I told you already-Sable doesn’t need your visits.”
“I just want to make sure she’s all right, please.” I kept my tone respectful, sincere. “Let me see her for one minute. I won’t disturb her.”
Rodrigo shook his head. “No.”
Instead of leaving, I raised my voice slightly. “I know you can hear me, Sable. I’m the one who saved you that night.”
Movement came from inside the room, then Sable’s voice, tired but clear: “Dad, let him in.”
Rodrigo hesitated, conflict playing across his features. After several seconds, he stepped aside. “Fine. But I’ll be right outside.”
I entered the room, immediately noting how pale she looked against the white sheets. The bandage around her head made her seem fragile, breakable.
I placed the roses on her bedside table. “How are you feeling?”
Sable half-sat against her pillows. “Thank you for saving me.”
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