Chapter 16
Julian's POV
Several hours earlier.
As Fiona led Ella away from the ballroom, I watched their figures disappear down the corridor's end.
I held my wine glass, quietly waiting for my prey to walk into the trap.
Footsteps sounded behind me. Kane and Victoria approached side by side, General Marcus following close behind with the deference of a servant. I turned, a gentle smile playing at my lips.
"Kane, you're going to bore a hole through that door with your staring," I said lightly, my tone teasing. "Missing your little Omega that much?"
Kane's expression froze for a moment before hardening again. Victoria clung to his arm, her smile polite but cold, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes.
"You jest, Crown Prince," Kane said with a slight bow. "Thank you for gracing our celebration with your presence, along with Father and Mother."
"Of course," I raised my glass in acknowledgment. "After all, you are my brother, commanding such significant military power. General Marcus shows you such deference, and the Vane family's warrior squad answers to you—or rather, to your beautiful fiancée. The force practically functions as your private army."
The words landed, and Marcus's face went pale instantly.
He hastily bowed. "Your Highness, there is no such thing! We merely—"
"Merely serve the pack loyally," Kane cut in, his voice steady. "I have never harbored treasonous ambitions. Everything I do is for the glory of the Silver Moon Pack."
I smiled without speaking, simply taking a sip of wine.
The atmosphere grew taut with unspoken tension, until I leaned close to Kane's ear and lowered my voice. "That girl really is delightful, no wonder you're so reluctant to let her go. I've seen all those masterpieces you left on her body. These past few days, I've left a few marks of my own—just in more discreet locations. I wonder when you'll discover the little surprise your brother prepared for you?"
Kane's pupils contracted sharply, his knuckles whitening around the wine glass, veins bulging. I could sense his wolf spirit roaring within him, nearly losing control.
But he held back.
His voice dropped to a near-growl. "You're despicable, Julian. You enjoy defiling what belongs to others for your own amusement?"
"What belongs to others?" I raised an eyebrow. "You already have a mate. Such words are hardly appropriate now. Besides—" I stepped back, restoring proper distance. "I went to such trouble to create an opportunity for you, having Fiona take her away. If you don't seize it today, you'll never see Ella again."
That was the final blow. Kane stared at me, teeth clenched, fury and conflict burning in his eyes. After several seconds, he turned to Victoria behind him. "I have urgent business to attend to. Please excuse me."
Victoria's face darkened instantly, dangerous fire igniting in her eyes. "Kane—"
But he had already stridden away, leaving behind an awkward silence.
I watched his retreating figure disappear, then excused myself from Father and Mother before approaching General Marcus. He stood in the shadows, visibly tense and uneasy, clearly knowing what was coming.
"General Marcus," I began with a smile. "Your family has served loyally for generations, contributing greatly to the pack. I have always remembered this."
"You honor me, Your Highness." Marcus bowed his head, his voice trembling slightly.
"However—" My tone turned icy. "The price of choosing the wrong side, you should understand quite clearly."
His head snapped up, his pupils reflecting the frost gathering in my right hand. Cold air spilled from my palm as moisture in the air condensed into delicate ice crystals, refracting eerie blue light in the candlelight.
"Your Highness, I—"
Before he could finish, frost crept up his legs. He looked down in horror as ice spread at a visible pace, from ankles to knees to thighs. Bone-piercing cold invaded his marrow, making his body tremble uncontrollably.
"Think carefully," I said calmly. "Whom will you serve?"
The frost continued its advance, climbing up his waist, chest, and shoulders. His breathing grew labored, his lips turning blue.
When the ice reached his neck and began creeping toward his face, he finally broke.
"I serve you! Your Highness! I will surrender complete command of my warrior squad!"
The frost stopped less than an inch from his left eye. I watched him quietly for several seconds before waving my hand, shattering the ice into powder that scattered across the floor.
Marcus collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, his forehead drenched in cold sweat.
"Good." I turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, General Marcus, would you like to know where Kane is right now?"
Marcus struggled to lift his head, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "Your Highness... Kane, he..."
I laughed softly. "My passionate brother is currently entangled with his slave. Do you think he cares about your predicament? For the sake of one woman, he'll abandon everything. Do you really think he remembers your situation?"
Marcus's face turned ashen. His mouth opened, but no sound emerged.
I watched the last trace of hope for Kane die in his eyes, replaced by despair and rage.
"These warriors can die for honor, but not under a leader whose head has been turned by a woman, General." I leaned down, patting his shoulder. "You're an intelligent man. You should know how to choose."
With that, I strode away, leaving the collapsed General Marcus behind.
The corridor was quiet, only my footsteps echoing.
I knew exactly what Kane was doing to Ella at this moment—his possessiveness, his rage, his desperation, all pouring out onto that poor girl.
Oh, Kane. You think you're playing chess, never realizing you're merely a piece on the board.
And I am the one moving the pieces.
I stopped at the corridor's end, gazing out the window. The sky was overcast, clouds hanging oppressively low, creating an inexplicable irritation.
"Your mind is troubled," Sage's voice resonated in my head.
"Shut up."
"Denial is useless."
When commotion erupted from Fiona's room, I glanced at my pocket watch. The timing was perfect.
Time for my entrance.
I headed toward the main hall. Marcus fell in step behind me, along with the warriors who had once belonged to Kane's camp but now followed me obediently.
As I approached Fiona's room, the scent of scorched air reached my nostrils.
I quickened my pace.
Bursting through the door, I saw Ella kneeling on the floor, blood at the corner of her mouth, while traces of dark purple flame still lingered on Stella's hand.
I swept my right hand through the air. Cold rushed through the entire room, frost forming on the windows.
"Who dares touch what is mine?"