Page 132 of Ruthless Kings of Obsession

The night grows colder as I cradle her broken body, my mind racing with implications and possibilities. Because this isn't just about revenge anymore. Isn't just about personal power plays or carefully orchestrated destruction.

This is about survival in a world where questioning the wrong things gets you marked for execution. Where daring to step out of line means having poisons engineered specifically to destroy you.

Where even trying to warn others about the danger means accepting that you might become another example of exactly what happens when you challenge the system.

"I promise," I whisper to Scarlett's unconscious form, watching her breath grow shallower with each passing moment. "I promise we'll make this mean something. Make your sacrifice worth it."

Because this is what this truly id.

A sacrifice that will force the pendulum to move…

Queen Of Vengeance

~GEMINI~

The cold night air bites at my exposed skin as I pace the backyard, trying to burn off nervous energy that threatens to consume me. My shortened hair catches the wind, silver strands dancing in my peripheral vision like ghostly reminders of everything that's changed.

Inside, I can see Hannah through the massive windows, surrounded by tablets and laptops as she works to connect seemingly random pieces of a puzzle that grows more complicated by the hour. Her usual perfect efficiency seems touched by real urgency now - probably because one of our Kings is currently fighting for his life on an operating table.

Domino.

The name echoes in my mind like a twisted prayer. He's still in surgery, hours after his heart inexplicably stopped in that locker room. Matteo, Zander, and Ren are maintaining vigil at the hospital, while Ares is heading here because none of them trust me alone right now.

Not that I can blame them, I think, blowing out a frustrated breath that mists in the cold air.I can barely trust myself.

Because how do you process caring about someone you're supposed to hate? How do you handle the panic of possibly losing your tormentor before you're ready to let them go?

Movement in the tree line catches my attention, making me pause mid-step. The forest behind our property stretches dark and deep, full of shadows that could hide any number of threats. But something about this particular motion seems... deliberate.

A sigh escapes me as I check the familiar weight of Knifey strapped against my thigh. The comfort of cold steel grounds me slightly as I move toward the back porch where I left my pink gun - a gift from Zander that's proven surprisingly useful.

Just a quick check, I tell myself, retrieving the weapon with practiced ease.Something to focus on besides waiting for news about Domino.

The rational part of my brain suggests calling Hannah, letting her know where I'm going. But the rest of me needs this - needs to chase something tangible instead of wrestling with emotions I don't want to examine too closely.

My boots move silently across frost-covered grass as I follow whatever caught my attention. At first, I assume it's a deer - we get them occasionally, wandering down from the mountains to explore our carefully maintained grounds.

But as I get closer to the tree line, something about the movement seems wrong for a deer. Too purposeful. Too aware.

Person?My grip tightens on the gun as I pick up speed, muscle memory making me move in the precise patterns Zander drilled into me during countless training sessions.

The chase leads deeper into the woods, moonlight filtering through bare branches to cast strange shadows across my path. Whatever I'm following stays just ahead - visible enough to track but always managing to maintain distance.

Finally, I have a clear shot. My finger tightens on the trigger just as moonlight illuminates my target fully.

Not human.

I adjust my aim at the last second, bullet embedding harmlessly in a tree as what appears to be a large dog or wolf whimpers and stumbles slightly.

"Shit!" The curse escapes before I can stop it as I race forward, terrified I might have hurt it despite my adjusted shot. "Hey, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you."

The animal backs away slightly as I approach, but something in its posture suggests more uncertainty than fear. As I get closer, I realize it's definitely a dog - some kind of wolf-mix maybe, with thick fur and intelligent eyes that watch me carefully.

"Hey there," I say softly, crouching down to appear less threatening. "Where did you come from? Where are your owners?"

The dog's tail wags slightly at my gentle tone, though it maintains careful distance for several moments. I stay perfectly still, letting it decide whether to trust me.

Finally, curiosity seems to win out over caution. It approaches slowly, nose twitching as it scents the air around me. When I remain motionless, it grows bolder - moving close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from its massive frame.

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