Chapter 16: The Cruel King
I stared at his message, then blocked his social account completely. My peace was worth more than his entitled rage.
A mind-link attempted to force its way into my consciousness. Darrell's mental voice felt like sandpaper against my thoughts: "Sable! Why did you block my number? Answer me!"
I slammed up every mental barrier I possessed and cut the connection. My wolf Esme practically purred with satisfaction.
"Good. Block out all his noise."
The only comment that made me smile came from Kate: "OMG!!! Our gorgeous girl is getting married! Congratulations!!!"
I was still staring at the cruel comments when my phone rang. Caelan's name on the screen felt like a lifeline.
"Hello, certain ancient artifact," I answered, forcing lightness into my voice. "How's your royal crankiness today?"
His laugh was rich and warm. "This ancient artifact is considering locking his troublesome fiancée in a tower. Seems like the medieval approach might be necessary."
Despite everything, I found myself grinning. "You'd have to catch me first, old man."
"Old man?" His voice carried mock hurt. "I prefer 'distinguished gentleman in his prime.'"
"Sure, and I'm the Queen of England."
"Actually, you will be a queen. Close enough."
My stomach did something fluttery. "Speaking of which, I need professional consultation services. Emergency level."
"Professional consultation is expensive. Can you afford my rates?"
"I'll pay with my stunning beauty and sparkling personality."
"In that case, I'm severely underpaid." His voice turned softer. "What's wrong, Sabi?"
"I'm having a complete meltdown over these dress photos. They're all perfect. How am I supposed to choose?"
"Simple solution – buy all of them."
I nearly choked. "Caelan, do you have any idea how much these must cost?"
"Money isn't an object for you anymore. If you like something, we get it."
The casual way he said it made my chest warm. Like my happiness was the most natural priority in the world.
"Actually," he continued, "speaking of gifts, I'm having a car delivered to you today."
"A car? Caelan, I already have a car."
"That old thing barely qualifies as transportation."
"It gets me where I need to go," I protested. "And besides, I'm leaving town in a few days anyway. There's no point in getting a new car now."
"There's every point. That vehicle you're driving isn't safe."
I frowned. "How would you know? You've never seen my car."
A pause. "I've... seen your social media posts. The repair bills you complained about. Engine trouble. Brake problems."
My stomach did a little flip. He'd been paying attention to my random posts about car troubles?
"You've been stalking my Instagram?"
"I prefer 'staying informed about my fiancée's wellbeing.'" His voice carried a hint of embarrassment. "The point is, you've been driving a death trap. Multiple breakdowns. That post last month about the mechanic saying your brakes were 'more suggestion than function'?"
I winced, remembering that particular rant. The car was an old Honda that Darrell had given me - actually, it was a former pack utility vehicle that had seen better days. When he'd handed me the keys three years ago, he'd claimed I was too inexperienced to handle a nice car. "You're still learning to drive," he'd said. "Better to practice on something you can't damage. I'll get you something nicer once you've proven you can handle it."
That "nicer car" had never materialized, of course. Just like so many of his other promises.
"You read that?"
"I read everything you post, Sabi. And that car is going to get you killed."
"It's not that bad—"
"Sable, from what you've described, that thing is held together with prayer and duct tape. I won't have my fiancée risking her life in an unsafe vehicle."
"Are you trying to corrupt my pure soul with material goods?"
"I'm trying to keep you alive long enough to marry me." He paused. "Unless you're having second thoughts about the engagement?"
Something in his tone made me stop protesting. There was genuine uncertainty there. Like he still wasn't sure I actually wanted this.
"No second thoughts," I said softly. "Just... it's a lot to process."
"You deserve the best of everything, Sabi. I should have been giving it to you all along."
The simple honesty in his words made my throat tight.
"Okay," I whispered. "I accept your bribery."
"It's not bribery. It's an investment in our future happiness."
Caelan's POV
I ended the call and leaned back in my chair, imagination running wild.
In my mind, Sabile walked toward me in Elena's champagne creation. The fabric would catch sunlight as she moved, flowing like liquid gold around her ankles. Her amber eyes would sparkle with happiness as she placed her hand in mine.
The image was so vivid I could almost smell her jasmine perfume.
A ridiculous smile spread across my face before I could stop it.
The office door opened without warning. Edward Wells, my Beta, stepped inside carrying territorial reports, then stopped dead when he saw my expression.
"Your Majesty?" Edward's voice cracked slightly. "Are you... feeling alright? Do you need me to call a doctor?"
I immediately schooled my features back into their usual stoic mask. "The reports need reviewing. Is there something else?"
Edward hesitated before he spoke again. "Sir, you've been under a lot of stress lately. Perhaps you should reduce your workload? Take some time off?"
"Edward, I'm just thinking about some... happy things."
His face grew even more concerned. "Your Majesty, are you certain you don't need a psychological counselor? This level of... happiness... seems unusual."
"Keep talking and I'll cancel all your vacation days this month."
Edward immediately made a zipping motion across his lips, mimicking locking his mouth shut. But his eyes still held that look of barely contained panic.
I'd been preparing for this moment for three years. The ring, the dresses, the careful planning – all of it waiting for Sable to come home.
My wolf had been drawn to her since she was fifteen. I thought we belonged together.
Then she'd fled, and I'd spent three years wondering if I'd misread everything. But I'd told myself to be patient. To wait for her to become mine.
And she was coming back now. Coming back to me.
I pulled up her Instagram post on my phone to look at the dress photos again. That's when I saw the comments.
My smile vanished instantly.
Ice-cold rage flooded my veins as I read each cruel word. Pack members openly mocking my future queen. Calling her an orphan. Suggesting she was renting dresses for attention.
These insects dared insult the woman who would rule beside me?
"Edward." My voice carried the promise of death.
"Your Majesty?"
"Deliver the Bentley to Sable personally." I kept my tone conversational, which made it infinitely more terrifying. "Then handle the social media situation."
Edward's face went pale. He understood exactly what "handle" meant.
"The pack members commenting on her post?"
"Make them disappear. Quietly. Permanently." I met his eyes with absolute certainty. "As if they never existed."
"All of them, sir?"
"Every single one who showed disrespect to my future queen."
Edward swallowed hard. In his years as my Beta, he'd carried out many dark orders. But this was different. This was personal.
"It will be done, Your Majesty."
"Clean. No traces. No investigations."
He nodded and turned to leave.
"Edward?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Anyone who ever insults her again will join them."
The door closed behind him with finality.
I looked down at Sable's photo again. Her smile was radiant, unaware of the cruelty lurking in the comments below.
No one would hurt her and live to see another sunrise.