Bought by the ruthless lycan king (Ruby and Killian) novel Chapter 184

Chapter 184

Killian’s POV

“Are you aware of what you’re asking?”

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Elias didn’t flinch. He still managed to reach for the empty cup and pour tea from the pot for me. We hadn’t started the conversation with, “Oh, I’ve found my candidate partner sign” or “I met them.” There was no point both of us already knew the truth. Elias, being highly intelligent, had anticipated this and wisely refrained from asking where that information had come from.

He trusted his mother to a certain extent. From there, he made the assumption that I would also find out.

“Four hundred and twenty–seven.” He tugged one corner of his lips into the faintest smirk, softening that otherwise expressionless face. “I’ve counted that many times to think it through. I’m in good health, so I am classified as ‘capable‘ of making decisions.”

“Elias, my boy. You have all the time in the world. Numbers mean nothing. Are you sure you want to give it all up?” I asked anxiously.

“Positive.”

“You haven’t even met the girl. One chance to get to know each other won’t hurt you,” I replied logically.

His nose wrinkled. “You heard from Uncle Leo, didn’t you?”

The cup clinked softly as it was lifted from its small saucer. “I forced him to open his mouth. He didn’t betray you. He has learned very well to

obey me as the leader of this country.”

“That’s an abuse of power. I should be angry at you.”

Elias turned his face away. His eyes were fixed on the view outside. Snow was falling more heavily than it had in the past week. White blanketed the green grass, covering the flowers in the garden. Silence settled between us, and I let it be.

People with bottled–up emotions need plenty of time and space to process everything that happens to them. The brain and the heart work in selfish ways. Because I had raised Elias for so long, many of my traits had rubbed off on him. One of them was the use of personas. He had many masks to wear in social interactions. There were layers upon layers to cut through before you could tell which skin was real and which

was fake.

I prayed to the aligned stars. My Gallert had better inherit many of his mother’s good traits. This kingdom didn’t need yet another potential

tyrant.

“There are many colors in this universe. Not a single one suits me,” he broke the silence.

My grip on the cup’s handle tightened, understanding the game hidden in that phrase.

“That’s not true.”

His eyelids lowered wearily, drained of spirit. “Dad, you can see right through me with the naked eye. You don’t have to act as my shield all

the time.”

The tension in Elias’s shoulders was unmistakable. He tucked one arm under the other. I gazed at him with deep sorrow, knowing my own

son had to endure his critical years the same way I once did.

“Fourteen is the age when children begin to discover and explore their talents. Imagine my panic–this damned teenager–having to deal with the birds and the bees. I don’t need that,” he grumbled with frustration.

“From the data I’ve gathered, that girl is my age. She’d be horrified to have her youth threatened by the heavy responsibilities of being a she-

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Chapter 183

Damn it all. History didn’t need to repeat itself.

“Fine. I’m only saying this without meaning to ruin your crime schedule, tyrant.”

Xan dove right back into his infuriating, irritating mode, and every hell in existence knew I wanted to strangle him just so he’d remember that I was the one in control of this body.

“Oi! I can hear your evil thoughts, you bastard!” Xan snapped.

“Good. That’s exactly what I’m most proud of in you. Competent for a furball,” I shot back, sending my annoyance through our link.

“You!”

His shriek was high–pitched enough to rival the screech of claws against a wall something I despised. The servants grew increasingly concerned with the vase in my hands. Any moment now, it would crack, and Ruby with her remarkable memory would scold me.

“Now, let’s make peace. Clean yourself up, look sharp, and stay away from that cursed throne of yours for half the day!”

“There are two problems waiting for you, you know!”

“Are you listening to me?!”

I ground my teeth. “Yes.”

With that, the massive wolf form vanished along with the connection. Useless pest!

Relying on my practiced self–control, I instructed one of the servants to prepare a bath for me. At this hour, Ruby would still be tending to Gallert. I would take a short soak before picking him up. In the meantime, Elias would have his private lesson in the afternoon with two subjects.

God, if only the twins were here, I wouldn’t have such a hard time dealing with that little tyrant.

The scent of lilies and mint lulled me with ease. My muscles slowly relaxed in the warmth of the water, a welcome comfort in December’s

chill. After twenty minutes of that indulgence, I stepped out of the pool and grabbed my robe. Semi–formal attire wrapped around me, and Leonidas was ready to take my place during my absence. It wasn’t long before I followed my instincts to seek out my mate.

When I arrived, the sight that greeted me was Gallert, freshly nursed. Taking in her disheveled hair and the unkempt strands framing her face, my heart softened at the realization that she hadn’t yet had time to tend to herself.

“Hello, my angel.”

I didn’t give her the chance to respond. I circled my arms around her slender waist, trapping her in my embrace. She surrendered willingly, leaning into the physical connection we shared.

“You’re truly exhausted. Forgive me for not being here to share the burden,” I said with deep regret.

“Don’t, love,” Ruby patted my cheek gently. “Your work is just as bad. In other words, we share the same suffering.”

“Where’s the nanny, wife? This should be your time to relax,” I remarked.

“I gave her time for breakfast. Please, have some mercy on her. She stayed up all night with me, too.”

I bit softly at her mating gland, inhaling her scent. “Hm, as you wish. Freshen yourself up, I’ll take care of the little one.”

Ruby straightened, turning to face me immediately. She blinked up at me like a living teddy bear.

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14:45 Sun, 10 Aug

Chapter 183

“Seriously?”

I rolled my eyes affectionately. “What, is it so hard for you to trust your husband’s abilities?”

“That’s not it. I just remember a few days ago, there was a man terrified of dropping the baby… aw! Why do you keep doing that! Where are your manners, oh King!” she fumed, her flush an alluring shade of red as I tugged on her bra strap.

I shrugged nonchalantly. “The zipper on your dress was open. I took it as an invitation.”

We were still behaving like in our unconventional dating days of the past. Satisfied that I was about to win this little tussle again, Ruby tossed me Gallert’s small towel and, with a falsely sweet tone, asked me to make the milk. The joy of our playful teasing quickly evaporated when

Ruby brought up that sensitive topic.

“You haven’t spoken to him yet?”

I walked over to Gallert. The baby yawned briefly, his guard dropping once he realized who I was.

“I thought it would be better to start after we have a meal together in the family room. What do you think?”

Ruby gave me an unimpressed look. “Don’t embarrass him at the dining table, Killian.”

“Wife, it’ll be a mess if I just march straight into his room. For the love of the gods, sometimes I’d rather face an enemy than a teenager, you

know?” I grumbled.

Ruby walked past, almost naked, her laughter spilling out as she kept up her teasing game.

“Part of the risk of being a parent, love.”

Oh, I enjoyed it.

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