Chapter 113
I gripped Rowan's arm tightly, my breath unsteady. "It's not just that I'm being watched, Rowan. Lucian... he's moved back into my chambers."
Rowan's entire body stiffened.
"He expects us to have our wedding night," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "And he's made sure I can't leave—I had to trick the guards just to get here."
The room turned eerily silent.
Then, Rowan exhaled sharply, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "He locked you up?" His voice was dangerously low, each word laced with fury.
I nodded. "Yes."
His jaw clenched so tightly I thought it might snap. "That bastard," he hissed. "I'll make him pay, Arin. I swear to the gods, he will regret ever laying a finger on you."
"Rowan—"
"No," he cut me off, his golden eyes blazing. "You don't understand. He thinks he can control you—he thinks he can keep you like some caged bird. But he's wrong. He doesn't own you."
I swallowed hard. "What will you do?"
Rowan's expression darkened, but then he took a breath, forcing himself to calm. "You have to be patient," he said. "I need time to execute my plan properly. But I promise you, Arin, I won't let him near you again."
I hesitated.
Then, I nodded. "I trust you."
Rowan's expression softened just slightly. He lifted my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles. "Go back for now. Act as if nothing has changed."
I didn't want to go back. But I knew I had no choice.
So, I turned and left.
When I returned to my chambers, I found them empty.
Lucian was gone.
Relief flooded me, but I knew it wouldn't last. He'd be back eventually, expecting me to fulfill my duty as his wife.
Before I could think too much about it, Beatrice entered the room, her usual cool expression unreadable.
"The Alpha King has called for a meeting with the royal family," she said. "You are to attend."
My stomach twisted.
Rowan was making his move.
I straightened my spine, masking my emotions, and followed Beatrice out of the chambers.
When I entered the grand hall, the tension in the room was suffocating. The entire royal family was there—Lucian, Princess Blanca, the Queen Dowager's advisors, and, of course, Elana.
Rowan stood at the head of the room, his posture commanding, his golden eyes cold and unreadable.
Lucian sat to the side, looking smug, as if he believed he had already won.
But then Rowan spoke.
"There has been a change in plans," he announced, his voice echoing through the hall.
The murmuring started instantly.
"A change?" Lucian scoffed. "What are you talking about, brother?"
Rowan's gaze didn't waver.
"I am in love with Arin," he said. "And I intend to marry her instead."
The room exploded into chaos.
"What?" Lucian shot to his feet. "You must be joking!"
"Rowan, have you lost your mind?" Elana hissed. "You can't just—"
"I can," Rowan interrupted, his voice firm. "And I will."
I held my breath, my heart pounding.
"You would cast aside your betrothed for her?" Elana sneered, turning her sharp gaze on me. "A woman who is your own brother's wife!"
Rowan's expression didn't waver. "Arin is carrying my child."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Lucian's face drained of color.
Elana looked like she had been slapped.
Blanca's mouth fell open in shock.
"You're lying," Lucian finally growled. "She's my wife. There's no way—"
"It's the truth," Rowan said, his voice filled with quiet authority. "And as the rightful king, I will not allow my child to be raised by anyone but me."
Elana's lips curled into a sneer. "This is madness! The people—"
"The people will accept it," Rowan interrupted. "Because I will make them accept it."
Lucian's fists trembled at his sides. "You would do this to me?"
Rowan turned his cold gaze to him. "You did this to yourself."
I watched as the realization dawned on Lucian's face. He had lost.
And Rowan...
Rowan had just declared war.
..........
Lucian's chair scraped violently against the floor as he lunged forward, his face twisted with rage.
"You think you can just take her from me?" he roared. "You think you can humiliate me like this?"
Rowan barely had time to brace himself before Lucian's fist connected with his jaw. The crack of bone against bone echoed through the hall.
Gasps filled the room.
Rowan staggered back slightly, his golden eyes burning with fury, but he didn't strike back.
Lucian, breathing hard, clenched his fists. "She is my wife, Rowan. You can't take what's mine!"
Rowan wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand, his expression unreadable. "She was never yours," he said coldly.
Lucian lunged again, but this time, Rowan was ready.
With a swift movement, Rowan grabbed Lucian's wrist and twisted it, forcing him down to his knees.
Lucian let out a pained grunt, his face contorted in fury and disbelief.
"Enough," Rowan commanded, his voice low and dangerous.
Lucian struggled against his grip, his breathing ragged. "You bastard—"
Rowan turned to the guards standing nearby. "Take him."
The guards hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward, seizing Lucian by the arms.
"Let go of me!" Lucian snarled, thrashing against them. "Rowan! You can't do this!"
Rowan stepped closer, his gaze like steel. "You raised your hand against your king. That is treason."
Lucian's eyes blazed with hatred. "You were always the selfish one," he spat. "Everything was taken from me because of you. You took my throne, you took my future—and now you take my wife?"
Rowan's jaw tightened. "You never deserved the throne." He turned to the guards. "Lock him in the dungeons. And make sure he stays there."
"No!" Lucian roared as he was dragged away, his shouts echoing down the halls.
The room was thick with tension, the weight of what had just happened settling over everyone.
Then, Elana stood, her hands clenched at her sides. "You've gone too far, Rowan!" she snapped. "You cannot throw the prince into the dungeons!"
Rowan slowly turned his gaze to her. "Would you like to join him?"
Elana's eyes widened. "You wouldn't dare."
Rowan stepped toward her, his expression cold and unyielding. "You think I won't?" His voice was dangerously soft. "Speak against me again, Elana, and I will throw you in the dungeons beside him."
Elana's lips parted in shock, her confidence faltering for the first time.
"Do you understand?" Rowan pressed.
Elana swallowed, her face paling. She hesitated for a moment before lowering her gaze. "Yes, Your Majesty."
Rowan exhaled sharply and turned back to the rest of the room. "If anyone else has something to say against me, speak now."
Silence.
No one dared.
Rowan straightened, his presence commanding the room. "Good," he said simply. "This meeting is over."
Without another word, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving the room in stunned silence.
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