The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 138: Do not approach the King’s brother..

Chapter 138: Do not approach the King’s brother..

Despite the joy swelling in her chest and the ecstasy that scorched through her veins like fire, Gloria shoved him away and sat upright, breathless and bewildered.

Rail opened his mouth to apologize, but she said nothing. Not a word.

"Gloria, please! Look at me!"

She couldn’t. Not because she didn’t long to see his beautiful, dangerous face, but because she knew if she did, she’d kiss him back. And she couldn’t afford to.

This wasn’t right. A human maiden couldn’t belong to a shifter. It was forbidden. Unthinkable.

She sprang to her feet and fled toward their cottage, each step a betrayal of her own heart.

If she stayed... she would surrender. Therefore, she didn’t just sit there like a haunted weirdo.

If she confessed to him, and then, how could she face her family or the rest of the human community in Thegara? After falling for a wolf? Wolves wouldn’t accept her as well. She could clearly see how they treated the Queen, gossiped, and talked shit behind her.

Rail didn’t give up. He rushed after her, pounding on the door until it creaked open and revealed Gloria’s brother, a striking young man with sharp features and a confident stance. He wasn’t exceptionally tall, but he radiated strength. However, he had no similarity with his older sister.

"Hello... Gamma Rail?"

"Hey, Jace! How are you?" Rail grinned with effortless charm. "I’m just here to help your sister pack a few things for the carriage. You know, we’re leaving tomorrow."

A lie. And he told it flawlessly.

Upstairs, Gloria sat frozen, fingers brushing her lips, still stunned.

Gods and Saints, have mercy.

What was that?

Her heart felt like it might leap up her throat and drag her back to him.

She couldn’t stop thinking about the way he’d kissed her, fiercely, desperately. Her lips still burned, tender, and stolen.

"Gloria, may I come in?"

The sound of his voice shattered her thoughts.

She flinched.

Why in all the hell did he follow her here?

She was just about to tell him to leave when her brother’s voice rang out downstairs. Jace! He must be helping her other brother Lucas in the barn. She didn’t even notice him when she barged into the house.

"Hey, Gamma Rail, do you want some cookies? Mom made them this morning!" Her brother invited him.

Gloria winced!

If she didn’t open the door now, Jace would keep asking until he pried the truth out of her.

"Oh...no, thank you!" Rail called down smoothly. "Hey there, little Dave!"

Gloria began pacing the room, torn between decision and indecision.

"Gloria, hurry up! We need to load your things into the carriage."

She let out a long breath, her skin burning as if her veins carried lava instead of blood.

"Yes! Just... one minute!"

She smacked a hand over her mouth. Saints, what had she just said? She should have told him to leave, so she would come later.

Her eyes darted around the small room and landed on her simple wooden luggage. That was it. That was all she had.

Snatching it up, she drew a steadying breath and opened the door, only to be met with his downcast, regretful expression.

"Sorry," Rail murmured.

"You okay, sis?" Jace asked, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

"Yes, yes. I tripped. Clumsy again," she said quickly, waving a hand, brushing it off with a sheepish smile.

She stepped out, set her luggage down, and knelt beside little Dave, who was happily munching on cookies.

"Sweetheart, I’ll be gone for a while. If you need anything, just ask Mama Hanna, okay? You know she is very kind."

Dave’s cheeks were puffed full, crumbs dusting his chin like snow. He nodded eagerly, swallowed, and said, "Come back soon, sister. I am going to show you what Jace taught me about swords."

Gloria kissed little Dave’s forehead, then turned, only to see Rail already holding her luggage. She avoided his gaze, her eyes fixed on anything but his.

"Jace, take care of little Dave and tell Lucas to come and see me before the carriages move to the portal," she said quickly.

Without waiting for a reply, she rushed out of their small house.

Behind her, Jace muttered, "What’s wrong with her? And why were her cheeks so red?"

Rail followed silently, not uttering a word until Gloria’s anger began to ebb.

She halted, spun around, and snapped, "Don’t ever do that again."

"Gloria... I can’t. I can’t hide it anymore. Don’t you feel the same? When I see you, my heart goes mad."

She flinched, heart thudding painfully. What could she even say? Zaira had lost her mate because of her. Did Kamin know about this so he decided to protect her? The realization hit her like a thunderbolt flashing from hell. She paced back, muttering, "He knew!"

How could she allow herself to feel this? To want him?

He came closer, but she distanced herself again until her back hit a tree.

"No, I don’t," she lied but kept her voice firm not to expose herself. "We’re too different. So please... end this."

The moment the words left her lips, a slow, deliberate clap broke the silence. Someone was laughing, loud, venomous laughter that echoed off the surroundings.

"Zaira?" Rail turned toward the sound, stunned. "What are you doing here?"

He wasn’t the only one surprised. A shifter, especially her, wasn’t supposed to be this close to the human quarters of the castle.

Zaira’s laughter rang out again, shrill, mocking, unhinged. This made Rail’s guts sick.

It grated against Gloria’s nerves like steel scraping glass. Behind that laughter, Gloria felt it, rage, jealousy, hatred, all wrapped in something far more dangerous. She didn’t like her already, and now, it was worse.

And then it stopped.

Zaira’s face contorted, the grin dying as her expression twisted into something intense and cold. If looks could wound, Gloria would be bleeding.

"You two really are shameless, aren’t you?" Zaira sneered, her voice polluted with venom. She didn’t care that she was eavesdropping. She didn’t care that it was wrong. She wanted to cause a wound. And she’d just found the perfect blade and proper weakness.

"Watch your words, Zaira! We haven’t done anything wrong!" Rail snapped, bitterness flashing across his face.

But he could hear Gloria’s heart pounding erratically, her fear, her shame, it rippled through him like a pulse he couldn’t ignore.

"Easy, Rail," Zaira said, stepping closer with slow, mindful movements. "But tell me, how do you live like this? My mate was murdered right in front of me... because of this piece of filth! The shit you’ve fallen in love with." She screamed the last part, not feigning to be calm anymore, pointing a trembling hand at Gloria.

"What do you mean?" Rail asked, his voice dripped with anger and disbelief.

"I saw you kissing her!" Zaira’s eyes burned with fury, her expression twisted in revulsion.

"Zaira, I never asked him to do anything," Gloria said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rail clenched his jaw. He already carried the weight of guilt. Kamin had been a good, loyal, protective wolf, and the perfect brother. But Zaira? She had always been loud, proud, and toxic. She’d only ever cared for status. Once Elaika had lost her place as Luna-to-be of the Vine Royal Pack, Zaira had turned her back on her former best friend without hesitation.

Then she’d tried to cozy up to Princess Reneira until Arkilla had stepped in and scared her off.

"She’s right," Gloria mumbled.

The words fell like a stone dropped into still water.

A thick silence followed. Deafening.

Gloria’s shoulders slumped, trembling as she admitted it, her voice brittle, almost broken, but she repeated herself, "She’s right."

"You must stay away from me. I’m cursed," Gloria whispered, then snatched her luggage from Rail’s stiffened hand and ran toward the courtyard.

Her heart felt so heavy it threatened to crush her lungs, yet she didn’t stop. Not until the carriages came into view.

Willing her sadness into silence, she forced a smile onto her lips the moment she spotted her father approaching. He looked older than he had just days ago, worn down by the troubles at Seraphina’s Garden.

When he opened his arms, she didn’t hesitate. She ran straight into them, burying herself in the safety only a father’s embrace could bring.

"My little angel... Are you truly leaving for Alvonia?" he asked, his face lined with worry. He had tried again and again to change her mind, but Gloria couldn’t bring herself to abandon her Queen.

"Father, we’ve talked about this. I don’t understand why you’re so worried," she replied, gently. "I’m not some foolish girl who’d fall for royal charms."

He pulled back just enough to cradle her head in his palm, his voice low and aching. "You’re not. You’ve always been my smart, brave girl. Just... take care of yourself. And as you promised, stay away from those noble humans, especially the king’s brother and his family. I’ve heard... terrible things."

Gloria gave a firm nod. "Rest assured, I’ll only serve my lady. I won’t go near any of those terrifying people."

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