Chapter 112
Jory’s POV
Istood foren.
Kimberly Kimberly was my destined mate?
The world tilted beneath my feet, and my stomach dropped into a void. How was this possible? How could the Moon Goddess–the Moon Goddess make me bond with someone like her? A Rogue King’s minister? An enemy?
I glanced at Elara, hoping for some sign that this was just a bad dream. But no
shock that churned inside me was written all over her face
Kimberly, on the other hand, had already regained her composure. A smile tugged at her lips, one that sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. She book a step closer, her gaze sharp, predatory
“I know who you are, Jory”
I took an instinctive step back, my heartbeat hammering in my chest.
“You joined the rogue test with Elara and Alpha Thorne, right? Surrendered yourself to the Rogue King? Her smile twisted with a hint of amusement
My mouth wont dry. “H–How did you know?”
She gave a casual shrug, unfazed. “I was sitting on the stands, watching you all. But I didn’t know you were my mate then.”
That’s when it hit me. Kimberly. She
e was the one who had spoken on the Rogue king’s behalf during the arena fight! The voice that had echoed, calm and calculated, in the middle of the chaos. She had been playing the King’s role while Lance hid behind the scenes. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t recognized her sooner.
Still, it didn’t change the fact that she was my mate.
“Stay away from me,” I blurted, panic twisting in my gut. “…I don’t want this. We’re not right for each other”
She laughed sohly, as if my words were little more than a mild inconvenience.
“Oh? And why is that, Jory?” Kimberly’s voice dropped t
d to a hushed, teasing tone. She step
stepped closer, her presence too overwhelming to ignore.
I stumbled backward, my head spinning “…I’m in love with someone else, I muttered, my face burning with humiliation.
The laugh that escaped her lips was mocking, almost amused. “That’s cute. But we both know you’re feeling something more for me, don’t we? You heard your woll calling out to me, didn’t you?” She reached out, brushing her fingers lightly over my ear, sending an electric current through my body.
My breath hitched, uncontrollable.
She smirked. “Can you really fight that!” She moved closer, now deliberately rubbing her fingers over my collarbone, her touch light but electric, sending a shudder through me.
I tried to pull away, but my body refused to comply, Kimberly was right–there was a pull, a magnetic force that I couldn’t deny. I hated it.
Her voice was a whisper as she leaned in, her breath hot against my ear. “And the woman you’re in love with,” she paused, turning her gaze toward Elara with a look that dripped with subtle malice, “it wouldn’t happen to be someone I know, would it?”
Helt my pulse quicken, and I couldn’t stop myself from turning toward Elara. “… I don’t know what he’s talking about,” Elara quickly replie steady but with the tiniest trace of uncertainty
I could feel the tension in the air. Kimberly’s eyes fucked between the two of us, reading the room, probing for any weakness. I struggled to focus, my
mind a whirlwind of confusion and frustration.
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“I need time,” I said quickly, bulling away from her touch. My voice fre out strained, like I was suffocating hard to mink I
Kimberly only chuckled, unfazed by my discomfort. “Most men would be all over their mates by now But if you’re the cautious type, i She gave me another seductive smile, her fingers brushing my chest lightly as she stepped back.
“Come find me later,” she said, almost a challenge, before turning to walk away
I could feel her eyes on the as she walked away, a burning gare that lingered like fire. I didn’t dare look at her again, my hands trembling el my sides.
“Guards!” Kimberly called with a sharp whistle, and in an instant, the soldiers parted to let Elara and me through. But just as was about to leave, a ch voice cut through the air.
“Wait!”
I turned, stailed, to see Miela storming toward sis, her eyes blazing with fury.
“I ordered them rescued!” she shouted, her voice sharp with authority. “Who the hell are you? You can’t just
Kimberly’s face turned cold, arms crossed. “Oh? And what do you think you’re going to do about it?” She stepped forward, her presence like a silent command.
Miela took a step back, her voice cracking. “Lam the Queen! They should listen to me!”
Kimberly raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Oh really? Then why don’t you go ahead and give your order? Let’s see who they actually listen to
I watched as Miela looked around, desperation in her eyes. She was clearly losing control.
“You heard me!” she snapped at the soldiers, but no one moved. The silence stretched on, thick and uncomfortable.
“Why are you all listening to her?!” Miela screamed. “I am the Queen!”
One of the soldiers, a young woman, rolled her eyes and muttered, “The King never recognized you as anything but a figurehead. Kimberly’s been running the show for years. Of course, we listen to her”
Miela froze, her mouth open in shock. “You… Traitors!” She seethed, her face red with fury. Then, with one last glare at Kimberly and me, she turned, her heels clicking sharply on the stone. “You two… I hope you both rot!” she yelled.
Before she could say another word, Kimberly was upon her
In one swift motion, she grabbed Miela by the hair and yanked her toward the canal. The crowd gasped as Kimberly forced Mela’s face toward the water..
“Apologize,” Kimberly commanded, her voice low and dangerous.
“NO! YOU BIT-”
Kimberly shoved her head into the water, cutting of
cutting off Miela’s curse mid–sentence. The crowd erupted in laughter, but it was cruel, mocking.
Kimberly held her there for a few seconds, then pulled her back up, her face calm as ever. “How about now?” she asked, voice utterly indifferent.
Miela’s chest heaved, eyes wide with panic: “No, please don’t do it again…” she gasped.
“All you have to do is apologize,” Kimberly reminded her, her voice almost sweet now.
Miela clenched her fists in defeat, her head drooping in humiliation. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I shouldn
aid that
I’m sorry”
Kimberly released her and shoved her back to the ground. “That’s more like it. And I’d blame your upbringing, but then, we all know what kind of parent you had. Not surprising you turned out like this.”
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Chapter 112
Miela scrambled to her feet, drenched and defeated, her messy hair clinging to her f look back as she fled the scene, and the cinwal watched her with disdain.
face, the slaye tatton on her forehead visible to all. She didn’t dare
I
I turned to Kimberly, a mix of gratitude and fear swirling ins
inside me “Thank you,” Imuttered, unsure of what else to say
Kimberly snorted, glancing at me with a smirk. “Don’t thank me I didn’t do it for you.”
I met her eget, unsure whether to feel relief or dread. “But we are on the same side when it comes to Miela, right?”
She shrugged, tossing me a glanced that was as calculating as ever guess to. But don’t forget, we’re til enemies.”
Kimberly reached into her pocket and pulled out a pen, scribbling something on my hand.
“Call me,” she said, winking. “We’ll talk later”
I watched her walk away, her seductive confidence leaving the momentarily paralyzed. As soon as she was out of sight, I turned to Elara, pounding in my chest
“Please… let me explain,” I said urgently, grabbing her arm
Elara shook her head, the hint of a smile playing at her lips. “She’s your mate. She likes you. What is there to explain?
I stared at her, at a complete loss for words
She looked around, her expression softening. “Let’s not talk here,” she said quietly, lowering her voice. “You’ll have the night off, right? Come find me in my room. We can talk then”
Au
I nodded, relief flooding me as the weight of the moment finally sank in.
AD
