The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 33: Hot

Chapter 33: Hot

"Wait," he growled, his voice low but unmistakable. "Neither of you has bowed to your Luna yet."

Ren stiffened, her heart racing. She opened her mouth, a protest on the tip of her tongue, but Kai’s grip tightened on her hand, and she could feel his perseverance was like a force if he wanted them to do it. She knew this wasn’t about her but about something far larger, his authority, his people, his rules, his command.

’Don’t force them, please,’ Ren wished softly, though her heart pounded in her chest.

’Trust me, wife,’ Kai murmured in her mind, his voice a low but certain promise. ’If not now, they wouldn’t later.’

Ren hesitated, but she didn’t argue. This was his battle to fight, not hers. She simply stood by, a silent observer of his command. Kai released Elaika’s arm, his eyes sweeping over the room, and his voice rang out with unshakable authority.

"All of you!" he commanded, his words like the strike of a whip.

The warriors who had the deepest respect for their Alpha King immediately knelt, their heads lowered in deference. "Welcome, Luna Reneira."

Elaika looked back over her shoulder, her gaze dark with contempt. But she remained standing, her defiance a clear challenge. She was not the only one. A few of the other females stood, fists clenched, unmoving. That was not good enough. How loyal of them! These stupid whores were going to follow a human as their Luna?!

Ren’s heart sank as the weight of Elaika’s defiance hung in the air. These women, strong, would not succumb, would not bow to a human. Not without a fight. But then Kai smirked, the look in his eyes chilling.

"Our elders must vote for her position, then I’ll bow."

Ren flinched as she saw the female’s arrogance. His Highness would punish her severely this time.

"Do you think they have the guts to defy me like you?" he asked, his voice dripping with a quiet menace.

Elaika didn’t answer fast, but Ren saw the flicker of fear in her eyes. Though Kai hadn’t used his aura, the trembling of Elaika’s hands betrayed her fear.

"I suppose I will be standing with them if they bow. If they bow to her, I will bow." Elaika bit out, her defiance clear.

Ren’s breath caught in her throat. "Everybody, please rise!" she called, her voice cutting through the tension. The warriors obeyed, rising in a flurry of movement.

"If they bow, you and those who didn’t will return to your clans," Kai declared, his voice hoarse, his pulse racing with rage. "The royal pack of Thegara requires loyal members, those who trust and obey their King." His words echoed in the hall, a declaration that carried weight.

But beneath the surface, Ren knew this was a lesson being taught, and her husband, crafty as always, had orchestrated it all, an excuse to send her away.

Elaika’s gaze burned with indignation. "Our elders must vote for this too," she spat, her voice full of venom. "Then I’ll leave if they ask to."

Ren flinched, and the challenge in Elaika’s words pushed against her. She could feel Kai’s anger brooding beneath his composed exterior. His temper was not easily quelled, and Elaika had just provoked it.

Kai’s voice was cold, final. "You can leave."

Coran’s voice, deep and steady, broke the silence. "Elaika, you keep blemishing our clan, stop this foolishness." he cautioned, his words a quiet reproach. "She’ll never learn."

"But this is unfair," Elaika had protested, her voice shrill, desperate.

Kai’s gaze never wavered. "I said, you can leave," he repeated.

And with that, Elaika’s defiance crumbled. Her eyes filled with unshed tears, her anger twisting into something darker. She turned on her heel, fleeing the hall, leaving her warriors to follow.

And like that, the room was silent, the tension dissipating in an instant. Ren stood there, her heart heavy, her mind racing with the heaviness of what had just transpired.

Kai turned to Beta Coran, his tone changing from cold command to something more serious. "Prepare them, Coran," he ordered, his voice doctored with urgency. "The war ahead is not a game. It is a matter of life and death. My brother is coming to make us kneel before him."

Coran’s face paled, but he bowed deeply before retreating, offering Ren a silent apology as he left.

Kai’s gaze softened as he looked at her. "Gloria, take your lady to the locker room. I’ve arranged her clothes there."

Ren looked down at his crimson formal attire. "What about you?" she asked, unable to hide the curiosity in her voice. "You’re not going to train me in this, are you?"

A smirk tugged at his lips. "I don’t need training clothes, wife."

Gloria, who had been hovering nearby, stepped forward with a sheepish grin. "Let’s go, milady." She gently took Ren’s arm, guiding her away from the hall.

As they walked, Ren couldn’t help but ask, "Why?"

Gloria rolled her eyes, her exasperation clear. "Did you not see the males outside?"

A cold shiver ran down Ren’s spine as the realization dawned. Oh, no. He was going to take his shirt off. The training wasn’t about her, it was about him. And she had just been damned.

After changing clothes, Ren took a deep breath to step out of the room, squaring her shoulders, determined to maintain her composure.

"My lady, I’m leaving now." Gloria darted out before Ren could even turn her head.

And then, puff. He was shirtless as she walked out. Again. This time, not cloaked in shadows or dim light but bathed in golden sunlight, every carved muscle of his wheat-toned skin illuminated like a work of art sculpted by the gods themselves.

That was too damn much.

Kai turned, raking a hand through his jet-black hair, and Ren felt her breath clogged in her throat. Oh, my... my. Heat crawled up her neck as she realized she was blatantly staring, like a drunk cat mesmerized by moving light.

"Doe-eyes, feasting on me again?" His voice, low and laced with amusement, sent an unwelcome shiver down her spine. His lips curled into that devastating smirk. "Should we try a different kind of training?"

A dangerous glint flickered in his gaze, igniting something reckless in her chest. She snapped back to reality, forcing herself to regain control. She refused to let him turn this into another battle of wills, and damn longings, or another moment where he tested her resolve.

She stepped closer, leisurely, deliberately. "Hmm, I see my husband is attempting seduction." Her tone was syrupy-sweet, polluted with mockery. "But it doesn’t work on me."

She stopped in front of him, folding her arms, and tilting her chin up. Kai’s gaze darkened, his focus dropping to the loose tendrils of hair framing her face. He clenched his jaw, an internal war flashing in his eyes. Internally, he cursed. Fuck me, she’s having fun with me. She is so fucking hot.

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