Page 171 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

“Not yet,” Theo begins with a playful smirk. “But I can make it happen.”

“Please don’t,” I groan. “Unless I benefit from it in some way.”

“Maybe you could,” Theo confesses, drawing our attention as he lowers his voice for his next set of words, “We’re taking the right steps, but danger is brewing.”

Danger, huh…

“Whatever happens, we can’t interfere in each other’s predicaments. Ruthless, Deviant, and Savage cannot aid each other when the instance comes. That’s the challenge.”

We share a look as his words paint a picture of what’s to come.

“Life severe?” I ask.

“I don’t know,” Theo confesses and looks deep in thought. “All I know is, whatever happens, it’s what’s going to invite an earlier ascension.”

“Aren’t these ascensions supposed to be yearly?” Keir asks for clarification.

Theo shakes his head. He’s the most knowledgeable about all of this.

Heck, he’s the most experienced Ruthless King because this isn’t his second rodeo.

It’s his third.

“Your title until the last one is never permanent, nor is it timed. You can ascend at any time. You prove to those who watch us from the shadows and rate our survival that we’re worthy of our next title, and a Gala is summoned. The quickest one has been within twenty-four hours,” he reveals. “You think these fuckers need us here? Playing teacher’s pet and doing stupid schoolwork? Why are our club activities fighting, survival, racing, or sports that can easily get us seven-figure deals? They want us out in the field.

“They thrive on our success and rise in the real world. Being college students just benefits their gain in popularity. It brings the desperate royals who want nothing but to say they arrived at Leighton Royals University and met the Ruthless Kings,Deviant Lords, or Savage Heirs. They infatuate themselves with the premise of being near the rich, royal, and dangerous. This is how we contribute and continue to lead the royal schools’ success structure. It’s a hierarchy that benefits them time and time again.”

He looks at each of us before his eyes linger on his unconscious ex-Ruthless King.

“The sooner we ascend and defeat their ultimate challenge, the faster they move on to the next set of Kings and Maidens. The cycle never stops. The only difference is their new set of prey,” he chuckles then. “It’s the Royal Circle of Life.”

“Hearing you speak facts is demoralizing,” Keir concludes. “Let’s take your enemy ex-boyfriend away so we can get back to our chaotic lives. He’s fucking heavy.”

“Would have been heavier if dead,” Theo notes like some big philosophy. “And he’s nothing but a betraying bastard.”

“That you like to fuck when you two haven’t seen each other in years and get drunk,” Keir summarizes.

“It was one fucking time,” Theo grunts. “I don’t do that shit anymore. Get enough with my lovely Maiden toy. Ravishing her as an act of revenge is more than enough.”

“I say that’s gonna backfire on you,” I note, but sigh and pinch my nose. “Fucking headache is pissing me off.”

Their silence only makes me look their way.

“I’m fine,” I assure them. “I’ll get it sorted. Go be good Deviant Lords and Savage Heirs elsewhere.” I shoo them away, then look at Keir. “You’re still ignoring Zander?”

“Until my dying breath,” Keir huffs stubbornly.

“And you say I’m fucking stubborn,” Theo says with grit teeth. “This is an opportunity, and you don’t want to take it.”

“I don’t need it,” Keir huffs. “Go back to focusing on your life and not mine.”

“Ignorance is bliss,” Theo notes but looks at me. “Hockey game is coming up. Big leagues for some massive charity organizations. It’s going to be televised and all.”

“You’re telling me this because?”

“They’re splitting the teams,” he reveals with a smirk. “Make sure you’re with Wright.”

I roll my eyes.

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