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Home / Romance / Ruin Me, Alpha: Breaking The Enemy's Daughter / Chapter 111 - Chapter 120

All Chapters of Ruin Me, Alpha: Breaking The Enemy's Daughter: Chapter 111 - Chapter 120

141 Chapters

111

AresThe castle loomed against the night sky, dark and forbidding.I felt Leah tense beside me as we approached.“Last chance to turn back,” I said quietly.“Not a chance.” Her hand tightened on her sword. “We end this tonight.”We moved through the shadows, avoiding the main gates, heading for the old servant’s entrance Elinor had told us about.It was exactly where she’d said. A small door, partially hidden by overgrown vines.I tested the handle. Locked.“Let me,” Leah whispered.She pulled a thin piece of metal from her belt—something Elinor had taught her—and worked the lock.Within seconds, it clicked open.“Where did you learn that?” I asked.“Elinor has many skills.” She smiled slightly. “Remind me to thank her if we survive this.”We slipped inside, moving through the dark corridors.The castle was quiet. Most of Luciana’s forces would be asleep at this hour.We made our way to the kitchens, then down the back stairs toward the vault level.Everything was going according to p

112

LeahWe returned to the safe house as dawn broke.Elena was indeed sleeping peacefully, exactly as Elinor had left her.I picked her up, holding her close, breathing in her baby smell.“Mama’s here,” I whispered. “Mama’s back. And you’re safe now. We’re all safe.”Ares’s arms came around both of us, and we stood like that for a long moment.A family.Reunited. Safe. Whole.“What now?” I finally asked.“Now?” Ares smiled tiredly. “Now we go home.”“Where’s home?”“Wherever we want it to be.” He kissed the top of my head. “The castle. The cabin. Somewhere entirely new. Wherever you and Elena are, that’s home.”“The cabin,” I said immediately. “Let’s rebuild it. Make it ours again.”“Then that’s what we’ll do.”We rested for a day at the safe house, both of us too exhausted to travel.That night, after Elena was asleep and Elinor had discreetly retired, Ares pulled me into his arms.“We won,” he said, wonder in his voice. “We actually won.”“We did.” I traced patterns on his chest. “No m

Epilogue

I woke to chaos.Elena, now three and a half, was jumping on the bed.“Mama! Papa! Wake up! Baby Thomas is crying!”Ares groaned, pulling a pillow over his head. “It’s your turn.”“I did the midnight feeding.” I shoved him. “Your turn.”He stumbled out of bed, scooping up Elena in one arm while heading to the nursery.I heard him soothing Thomas, our eighteen-month-old son, and smiled.Three children now. Elena, Thomas, and the new baby growing in my belly.Our family was expanding. Thriving.I got up, stretching, and moved to the window.The sun was just rising over the lake, painting everything gold.In the distance, I could see the castle—our castle now. We’d reclaimed it, but we only visited occasionally for official business.This cabin was our real home.Where we were happy. Where we were safe. Where we were us.Ares returned with both children, Thomas on his hip, Elena holding his hand.“Someone wants breakfast,” he announced.We made our way to the kitchen together, the mornin

1

Elena“You’re dropping your left shoulder.”I gritted my teeth, adjusting my stance. “I know.”“Clearly you don’t, or you’d stop doing it.” Kieran’s voice was bored as he circled me in the training yard. “Again.”I lunged, putting all my frustration into the strike.He parried easily, barely moving, and I stumbled past him.“Sloppy.” He didn’t even look winded. “If I were an actual threat, you’d be dead.”“Good thing you’re just an arrogant ass, then.”His eyes flashed—the only sign I’d gotten under his skin. “Careful, Princess. That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble one day.”“With who? You?” I laughed bitterly. “You’re my bodyguard, Kieran. You’re supposed to protect me, not threaten me.”“I’m protecting you from your own incompetence.” He gestured with his sword. “Now stop whining and actually try this time.”I hated him.Hated his cold green eyes. Hated his mocking tone. Hated how he looked at me like I was a burden instead of the girl who used to be his friend.Three

Author’s Note

This is the sequel to Leah and Ares’s story. While it can be read as a standalone, readers may want to read the first book to understand the history of the kingdom, the significance of the mate bond, and the events that shaped Elena’s parents. This story takes place eighteen years after Leah and Ares found their happy ending at the cabin by the lake. It is a story of their daughter Elena, and her bodyguard.

2

ElenaThe lake was beautiful this time of year.Wildflowers dotted the banks, their colors reflected in the crystal-clear water. The sun was warm but not oppressive, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of pine and summer.Adrian had arranged everything perfectly.A blanket spread beneath a willow tree. A basket packed with my favorite foods—fresh bread, soft cheese, ripe strawberries, chilled wine.He’d even brought a book of poetry, reading to me while I rested my head on his shoulder.It should have been perfect.It was perfect.So why couldn’t I stop thinking about Kieran?“You’re distracted,” Adrian said, setting the book aside. “What’s wrong?”“Nothing.” I smiled up at him. “I’m just… overwhelmed. This is all so lovely.”“You deserve lovely.” He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “You deserve everything, Elena. And I want to be the one to give it to you.”His hand cupped my face, and he leaned down to kiss me.I kissed him back, trying to lose myself in it.His lips were so

3

ElenaThe next day, I tried to avoid Kieran.I took breakfast in my chambers. Went to the library with my ladies-in-waiting instead of training. Spent the afternoon with my mother, going over plans for the birthday celebration.But I could feel him.Could feel his presence shadowing me through the palace, always just out of sight but never far away.It was maddening.“You’re distracted,” my mother said as we reviewed the seating arrangements. “Is everything alright?”“Fine.” I forced my attention back to the papers. “Just nervous about the celebration.”“It’s natural to be nervous.” She studied me with those knowing eyes. “A birthday celebration is one thing. But if Adrian is planning what I think he’s planning…”My stomach flipped. “How did you know?”“He asked your father’s permission yesterday.” She smiled gently. “Your father gave his blessing. Adrian is a good match, Elena. Kind. Stable. From a respected family.”“I know.”“But?” She tilted her head. “I hear hesitation in your vo

4

We reached my chambers, and the guards took position outside.Kieran followed me inside, locking the door behind us.Then he turned to face me, and the look in his eyes made my breath catch.“That was reckless,” he said quietly. “Sitting alone in the garden where anyone could see you. Could target you.”“I didn’t know—”“You should know.” He moved closer, his presence overwhelming. “But you never think, do you? Just do whatever you want, consequences be damned.”Anger flared hot in my chest. “Excuse me?”“You heard me.” He stopped right in front of me, too close, invading my space. “You’re careless. Entitled. You think being a princess means the world will protect you.”“I don’t think that at all—”“Then why were you alone in the garden?” His eyes blazed. “Why did you dismiss your guards? Why do you constantly make my job harder?”“Your job?” I laughed bitterly. “Is that all I am to you? A job? An inconvenience?”“Yes.” The word was harsh. “A spoiled princess who doesn’t understand th

5

ElenaI stared at my reflection in the mirror.The dress was exquisite. Deep emerald silk that matched my eyes, fitted perfectly to showcase curves I’d only recently grown into. My dark hair was swept up in an elaborate style, adorned with small diamonds that caught the light.I looked like a princess.I looked like someone ready to get engaged.I looked like a stranger.“You’re beautiful, sweetheart.” My mother appeared behind me, placing a necklace around my throat. “Absolutely stunning.”The necklace was a family heirloom. Diamonds and emeralds that had belonged to Ares’s mother.“It feels heavy,” I said.“It is.” She met my eyes in the mirror. “The weight of legacy often is. But you’ll grow accustomed to it.”Would I?I touched the necklace, feeling the cool stones against my skin.Last night, Kieran’s mouth had been right here. Kissing. Biting. Marking me in ways that had faded by morning but still burned in my memory.“Elena.” My mother turned me to face her. “Are you alright? Y

6

I stared at the ring.At Adrian’s hopeful face.At the hundreds of people watching.At my parents, who smiled encouragingly.And finally, at Kieran.Who looked like his world was ending.I should say yes.It was the right answer. The smart answer. The answer everyone expected.Adrian was kind. Stable. Appropriate.Everything a princess should want.My mouth opened.“Yes.”The word came out steady. Certain.A lie wrapped in duty.The crowd erupted in applause.Adrian stood, sliding the ring onto my finger, and kissed me.I kissed him back, playing the part of the happy bride-to-be.But over his shoulder, I saw Kieran.Saw him turn and walk out.Saw him disappear through the crowd.Saw him leave.When Adrian finally released me, everyone was congratulating us. Nobles pressing forward to wish us well. My mother hugging me. My father shaking Adrian’s hand.It was perfect.It was a nightmare.I smiled and nodded and accepted congratulations while my chest felt like it was caving in.And th

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