HIS RUIN, HIS QUEEN

THE CONFRONTATION

Chapter Two:

The full moon loomed overhead, bathing the grand hall in silver light. The pack had gathered, murmurs of excitement filling the air. The Alpha King was here. And tonight, he would claim his mate.

Selene pushed through the crowd, her heart hammering. Lilith thought she had won. She thought Selene would bow and disappear like a good little Omega.

She was wrong.

At the front of the room, standing like a god among mortals, was Alpha King Darius.

He was even more intimidating up close—towering, broad-shouldered, his piercing golden eyes scanning the room with cold authority. His aura was suffocating, demanding submission from everyone around him.

Beside him, Lilith clung to his arm like a parasite, her lips curled into a victorious smirk. Selene’s scent still clung to her like a lie.

Selene forced herself forward. “Alpha King,” she said, her voice cutting through the noise.

Silence.

All eyes snapped to her. Darius turned, his gaze locking onto her like a predator sensing prey. For a split second, something flickered in his expression—confusion? Recognition?

Lilith tightened her grip on his arm. “What are you doing here, Selene?” she hissed. “This is a sacred night. Leave.”

Selene ignored her. She lifted her chin, eyes burning into Darius. “You made a mistake.”

A dangerous silence stretched between them. Darius exhaled, slow and deliberate, his expression unreadable. “Explain.”

Selene took a step closer, resisting the instinct to cower. “The woman at your side is not your mate.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Lilith laughed, a sickeningly sweet sound. “Oh, Selene, this is pathetic even for you.” She turned to Darius, pressing herself against him. “She’s just jealous. She’s always been envious of me.”

Selene ignored the jab. She only had one chance. She had to make him listen.

“You’re an Alpha,” she said, her voice steady. “Your wolf should recognize its mate, even through deception.”

Darius narrowed his eyes. “And yet, my wolf is drawn to her.” He gestured to Lilith, his expression hardening. “Are you questioning my instincts, Omega?”

A warning. A threat.

Selene swallowed, but she held his gaze. “I’m saying she stole my scent.”

A murmur swept through the crowd—shock, disbelief. But Darius’s expression darkened. For the first time, doubt flickered in his golden eyes.

Lilith stiffened beside him. “This is absurd—”

“Shut up.”

Darius’s words were a growl, low and full of command. Lilith’s face paled as his gaze locked onto her.

Slowly, he reached out, gripping her chin. He leaned in, inhaling deeply.

Then his body went rigid.

The entire hall seemed to hold its breath.

Darius’s golden eyes snapped to Selene.

Recognition. Rage. Possession.

Lilith flinched. “Darius, I—”

His hand closed around her throat. Not enough to hurt—just enough to remind everyone who he was.

“You dare deceive me?” His voice was a quiet, deadly thing.

Lilith gasped, scrambling for an excuse. “I—I only wanted—”

Darius didn’t even look at her. His gaze was on Selene now, eyes burning with something dangerous. Regret? Interest? Guilt?

Selene forced herself to stand tall. She wasn’t going to be weak anymore.

“What do you want me to do with her?” he asked.

The words sent a shiver through the crowd. The Alpha King never asked anyone what to do.

Selene’s lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile.

“We make her pay.”

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