All Chapters of SOLD TO THE RUTHLESS LYCAN KING : Chapter 51 - Chapter 57

"...Father?"The old man's lips curved into a tired smile."I was beginning to think you wouldn't recognize me."The ring slipped from Rowan's fingers and landed on the table with a soft clink.He took one slow step forward.Then another.His breathing became uneven."You..."His voice broke."I buried an empty coffin."The old man lowered his head."I know.""I stood there while they told me you died.""I know.""I spent twenty years believing I was the last Blackwood."The old man's eyes filled with regret."I never wanted that for you."Rowan suddenly grabbed the front of the old man's coat."Then why?"His voice cracked."Why didn't you come back?""I searched for you!""I searched every village, every battlefield, every prison!"He shook the old man once."Do you know how many bodies I turned over hoping one of them wasn't yours?"The room remained silent.No one interrupted.The old man let Rowan vent every year of anger he had carried.Finally, he answered."Because if anyone k

Ariana's POVNobody spoke.Kael read the note again before handing it to me.I read the five words slowly.You're protecting the wrong princess.It didn't make sense.I looked up."What's that supposed to mean?"No one answered.Rowan took the note from my hand."It's another trick.""They've been trying to confuse us from the beginning."Cassian didn't look convinced."Maybe.""But every lie they've told has been wrapped around a piece of truth."The room became quiet again.I hated that he was right.The servant had escaped.The fake messenger had escaped.The girl pretending to be a maid had escaped.Every time we got close...Someone slipped through our fingers.Kael folded the note and placed it on the table."We're done reacting.""We start asking questions."He looked around the room."Who knew Ariana was coming to Shadowcrest?"Lucien answered first."I did.""So did Rowan.""Miriam.""Cassian.""Darius."Kael nodded."And who knew about the cave?""The same people.""What abo

Ariana's POVNo one touched the letter.It lay on the floor where the woman had left it.The smoke was gone, but its sharp smell still hung in the room.A guard stepped forward."I'll check it."Cassian stopped him."Wait."He crouched beside the envelope without picking it up."There could be poison.""Or a hidden blade."He slid his dagger under the edge and carefully lifted it.Nothing happened.He turned it over.The wax seal carried the same white raven we had seen before.Cassian looked at Kael."It seems clean."Kael nodded."Give it to Ariana."The envelope felt heavier than it looked.My name was written across the front in neat handwriting.Not rushed.Not angry.Almost... polite.I broke the seal.Inside was a single sheet of paper.I unfolded it slowly.The handwriting matched the name on the envelope.I began to read.---Princess Ariana,If this letter has reached you, then my messenger has done her job.You probably think I'm your enemy.Perhaps I am.But enemies can st