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Chapter 89
~Author’s POV~
"Welco to the Killian Estate," read the bold inscription across the wrought-iron gates — but no words could prepare anyone for the view beyond.
Perched high on the lush cliffs of the Middle Belt Territory, the mansion glead like a sculpted gem — marble walls glowing in the morning sun, gardens and fountains unfolding like a living painting.
Inside, the main lounge was another place where old-school charm t sleek luxury. A chandelier that seed almost magical hung from the ceiling, casting intricate patterns on the velvet walls and plush carpets.
The scent of wood, leather, and a hint of prestige filled the air, but none bothered the person in it.
At the centre of it all, lounging like a bored panther on the black suede chaise, sat the youngest heir of the Killian pack, Kieran Killian, the only son and second child of one of the wealthiest Alphas in the entire kingdom.
He looked like royalty dressed down—casual white shirt, collar open just enough to hint at the scar near his collarbone, black slacks tailored to fit perfectly, one leg crossed over the other.
His midnight-black hair was tousled effortlessly, his features sharp and coldly striking.
A single golden ring glinted on his index finger as he lazily flipped through a holo-tablet, his expression half-dead with disinterest.
"Next," he muttered in a voice smooth like silk over steel.
Standing beside him with poise was Lucie, his maid and assistant—a girl with clever eyes and an air of practised elegance. She wore the Killian crest like a badge of honour and held a thin tablet filled with files and intel from PSA.
Lucie swiped, and the next image flickered across the screen: another male, muscle-bound student ranked high in elental combat.
"Samuel Braze," Lucie said in a flat tone. "Top of the general psychology class. Noble family under the Northridge Alliance—"
"Boring," Kieran cut her off, flipping past the image with a yawn.
"Understood," Lucie said, adjusting her stance and switching to the next. "Leah Mortise. Ranked third in—"
"Lucie," Kieran sighed, throwing his head back against the couch dramatically. "You’re not giving anything exciting. The mont I step into that school, it’ll be the sa parade of egos and dullness. This was supposed to challenge ."
Lucie hesitated.
She glanced at her screen again, then at him as he continued. "Actually, I think I enjoyed the Pro-Gars International Championship more. I was angry it was delayed into the school calendar, but now it feels like it should have been delayed further."
"There is one more you haven’t seen," she said carefully.
Kieran arched a brow. "Aside from the Alpha Princes?" Lucie nodded. "Then why would you hide her from , hmm?"
Lucie didn’t reply; she only flicked the screen, and then he saw her.
The image popped up—a captured fra of Valerie Nightshade, not a posed portrait but a mid-action shot.
Her stance was guarded and tense. Her body turned as if preparing to strike, and her black hair flared like fire in motion. Her eyes locked on sothing off-fra, sharp and alive with ferocity.
Kieran sat up straighter.
"Oh..." he breathed as his eyes narrowed.
Lucie didn’t say a word, but she instantly noted the shift in his energy.
He leaned forward as his fingers tapped the screen. "Finally. We do have a beauty."
"She’s... complicated," Lucie made a note, keeping her voice tight.
Kieran didn’t look at her. Instead, his interest remained locked on Valerie. "What’s her na?"
"Valerie Nightshade," Lucie replied reluctantly. "Currently a final-year student. She’s on the radar of several powerful factions."
"Is she now?" Kieran drawled, keeping his eyes fixed on the screen. I can see why. Not only is she a beauty, but she looks sharp and radiant."
Lucie swallowed. "She’s not soone you can toy with, Alpha. There are others—"
"Others?" Kieran’s gaze flicked to her, a smirk pulling at his lips. "You an the ones already panting after her like mutts in heat?"
Lucie stiffened.
Kieran leaned back again, the image of Valerie displayed on the screen before him. "Oh, Lucie... I don’t care who she belongs to or doesn’t belong to. It can be my cousin for all I car,e but I’ve got my eyes set on this one."
"But she—"
He raised a hand, silencing her without looking. His voice was low and sure, like an Alpha used to getting what he wanted. "I’ve made my decision."
Lucie looked away, her grip tightening on her tablet. She bowed her head slightly. "Understood, Alpha Kieran."
But in her eyes—sharp and dark—was a flicker of sothing more. Sothing that looked dangerously close to jealousy, tinged with a hint of sadness.
Kieran didn’t notice. Or maybe he did and simply didn’t care.
His focus was on Valerie, the girl who had finally pulled him out of his boredom.
"The upcoming academic year," he said with a slow, wicked grin, "just got interesting."
Lucie shifted on her feet and lowered her head, trying to keep her feelings at bay.
Kieran’s eyes remained fixed on the image of Valerie, his smirk slowly fading into a pensive silence. But after a long mont, he spoke—not to the screen, but to the still figure beside him.
"You’re quiet, Lucie."
She didn’t respond imdiately. Her posture remained impeccable.
Kieran watched her, noting the way she gripped her tablet a little too tightly, the way her mouth pressed into a thin line, and the way her jaw had tightened.
The smallest shift in her breathing. The glance—too quick—she had given to the screen before schooling her expression and the shadow of sothing burning behind her otherwise calm face.
Jealousy.
Possessiveness.
Longing.
All the things she tried so hard to bury under her perfect posture and obedience.
Kieran smirked lazily and tilted his head slightly. "Look at ."
Lucie obeyed. Her gaze t his, calm as always. But Kieran had known her too long to be fooled.
"There it is," he murmured. "That look in your eyes. Jealousy doesn’t suit you."
Lucie’s grip on the tablet tensed, but her voice remained level. "I don’t know what you an, Alpha."
Kieran set the holo-tablet aside and uncrossed his legs slowly, deliberately. Then, with a quiet thud, his boots touched the floor, and he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.
"Co here, Lucie," he said, voice low, curling around the space between them.
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