Destiny's Game* Chapter 10: Everybody wants to Rule the world

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Louis’s POV

I stared at the blue suit he held up, the one he was so proud of. By now, it was already 9:30, but Alistair insisted I look my best while doing business. He was so excited — I couldn’t help but tag along with his energy.

"This blue suit really suits your eyes," he said, smiling brightly. "It matches that deep ocean color. The dark blue jacket, the black t-shirt underneath — it’s perfect. Everything matches. Oh, and these shoes too!"

He pointed to another outfit next. "This red one is really nice, too. I like it. It’s more llow. The blue looks plain and formal, but the red feels... strong, you know?"

I didn’t know what to say. Watching Alistair so happy made it hard to interrupt him. Finally, I asked quietly, "Weren’t you the one angry that I was leaving?"

He stopped for a second, then smiled softly. "When your man is doing sothing that’ll make him successful, would you not encourage him?"

His answer made pause — and smile. It made happy.

He picked up a black turtleneck and matched it with so pants. "Ah, Charles bought that one," I said, smiling faintly. The maid stood in the corner, carefully packing all the outfits Alistair had chosen. By this point, three suitcases were already full.

"I’m only going to be gone for a month," I reminded him gently as he reached for another shirt.

He looked at for a mont, puzzled, then sighed. "Fine."

Then, suddenly, tears slipped down his face as he wrapped his arms around .

"I’m going to miss you," he said. "Even though you’re annoying, a jerk, and you hide things from — I’m still going to miss you. Alistair and Louis, that’s what we are."

I couldn’t help but laugh softly and flick his forehead. "I’ll co back safely," I promised. "I’ll co back ho."

But deep down, I knew the truth — that when I returned, I might not be the sa. I might co back tainted, stripped of a part of my conscience or my virtues.

Still, I would co back.

Even if I ca back a different person.

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Charles’ POV

The party was lively — as always.

Anna had a way of lighting up an entire room. Her laughter spilled through the air like champagne, bright and effervescent. Standing beside her, it was hard not to get swept up in it. For a mont, I forgot all my worries — all the thoughts I tried so hard to bury.

She was a troublemaker when she wanted to be, and that was exactly what I needed: soone reckless enough to make forget everything. And it helped that she was a pureblood Alpha — full of energy, impossible to tire, impossible to ignore.

"Charles, what are you thinking about?" she shouted suddenly over the music. Then, without waiting for an answer, she threw her arms up and sang at the top of her lungs,

"Acting on your worst behavior_,Turn your back on all the haters_,Everybody wants to rule the world!."

Her voice wasn’t perfect — far from it — but it was loud, alive, and real.

"Co on!" she laughed, spinning toward . "Won’t you sing with ? Use that angelic voice you always taunt with, please? It’s my favorite song!"

I couldn’t help but smile. Anna’s enthusiasm was contagious.

"In fact," she continued, eyes gleaming, "let’s make this even better! I already set up a karaoke session. We’re not just dancing tonight — we’re singing too! Though..." she leaned closer, lowering her voice mischievously, "...I doubt the gang will agree. Most of them sound like frogs when they try to sing."

She pointed toward a group of Alphas laughing and drinking near the stage, and I couldn’t hold back a small chuckle.

That was Anna — bold, loud, and unapologetically alive. The kind of person who could make chaos feel like comfort.

The music was so loud that I barely heard my own thoughts — but then I felt a vibration in my pocket.

Anna noticed. Her gaze followed my hand as I pulled out my phone.

"My mother," I muttered.

Anna leaned in, grinning. "Go on, pick it up! You don’t want your mom to get mad. Rember last ti you tried ignoring her? She reported to my mom, saying I was a bad influence. I am not going through that again."

I glared at her. "Do you have to remind of that? That was when we were kids, Anna — I was sneaking out to see that girl who cheated on with my cousin. That’s why I avoided Mom."

Anna just laughed. "Still, go take it, lover boy."

I sighed, rolling my eyes, and left for a quieter corner of the hall.

The mont I picked up, my mother’s voice rang through, sharp and familiar.

"Charles! Where are you? I hope you’re not hanging around that Anna girl again. If you are, tell so I can talk to her mother. You know she can be such a handful."

I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "Yes, Mother. I’m with Anna. She’s not that bad, okay? She’s... a good person."

"I know, I know," she said with a dramatic sigh. "She’s just too much sotis. Anyway, that’s not what I called for. I just got back from lunch with the girls — Anna’s mother included, of course — and Alistair told that Louis has gone on a business trip for a month! Can you believe that? Your father didn’t even tell either. I’m so disappointed in both of them! I know I’ve been staying out of things lately because I wanted to give you boys your independence, but a whole month? Without telling ?"

I froze.

Louis... gone?

Gone for a month?

I didn’t know what to feel. Shock first. Then disbelief. Then sothing much deeper — sothing that hurt.

I thought I’d be relieved when he left. Happy, even. He was infuriating — always calm, always looking at Alistair like he hung the stars himself. He made feel invisible, inferior... jealous.

But instead of relief, I felt hollow. Empty.

His presence, for all its irritation, was... grounding. I didn’t realize how much I’d gotten used to it — the sound of his voice, his quiet footsteps in the hall, the faint way he’d look at like he knew sothing I didn’t.

I’d sworn to get back at him — to steal Alistair’s attention, to make Louis feel what I felt. But how could I do that when he wasn’t here? How could I hate soone who’d already left?

How could I feel so lost without the person I swore I despised?

I didn’t realize I’d gone silent until my mother’s voice snapped back.

"Charles? Are you even listening? You’re probably playing charades with that Anna girl again!"

I cleared my throat. "No, Mother. I’m listening."

My gaze dropped to my shoes — worn, comfortable sneakers. Purple ones. Louis’s favorite color.

I let out a shaky laugh under my breath.

Yeah. I was cooked. Completely and utterly cooked.