Chapter 146: _Don’t Insult My Bride!

Words : 1076 Updated : Oct 2nd, 2025

Chapter 146: _Don’t Insult My Bride! I kept on squinting my eyes as I got closer to Odessa and the witch she was talking to. Odessa had a smile on her face, but it was clear that it was forced, and she was uncomfortable. However, when she raised her head and spotted me, her lips parted at first before her shoulders relaxed with relief. Werewolf elite and nobles from other packs on the continent who were parking their cars outside greeted me with curt bows and exaggerated smiles, but I ignored them all. Slowly, the witch in front of Odessa turned her head around and stared at me. The moment my eyes met hers, a wave of recognition finally hit me, and I could recall where I’d seen her before. That face... sharp, elegant, and framed by chestnut curls twisted that cascaded like a waterfall. I didn’t bother registering it in my head back then, but now I can remember. Lucinda of the Luminari Coven, who at the time was said to be the most powerful young witch in the coven. The golden star emblem glinted on her gown’s back, as if to remind everyone where she belonged. She was the one everyone, including Marcellus, had expected me to choose. The perfect candidate. Power. Prestige. A pure magic bloodline. She had all of it. But from what I remembered during our brief interaction, she also had cruelty and an inflated ego. Damon scoffed in my head just then with a bitter tone. ’Ah, that snake. Figures she’d crawl out when all eyes are watching.’ I didn’t answer him, my eyes instead narrowing on the witch. Lucinda’s head tilted slightly as she gave Odessa one final smirk before swerving to face me. She gave a bow, causing me to scoff silently when I got in front of them. "Alpha King Kaelos," She said, raising her head and smiling. "What an honor to finally speak with you outside of... Selection." I merely offered her a slow nod in response, my voice low but devoid of warmth. "Lucinda of the Luminari Coven. I see you’re wearing the star of your coven proudly tonight, despite its failure to raise humble witches." I glanced at Odessa, who seemed awkward as she walked to my side. She shifted slightly beside me, and I felt the soft brush of her hand against mine. She didn’t need to say anything to get her message across to me. She didn’t want a scene... However, Lucinda’s smile only widened after my last words. "I’m merely here to represent Elder Althea since she unfortunately couldn’t attend, Alpha King." She gave a small but confident bow, causing my eyebrows to furrow. I remember back then, she had shown more fear and reverence around me. What’s with the shift in attitude? ’Looks like someone found a spell to increase her bitchiness.’ Damon remarked in my mind with a snigger, but I thought differently. Perhaps she’s always been this way and was only pretending back then to save face. No matter... I could still make her break if I wanted. After a few seconds of silence, Lucinda turned to Odessa and gestured. "And Lady Odessa. I must say again in the presence of your husband that you look... surprising. He must be doing a good job taking care of you." Surprising? My eyes twitched at the subtle insult as I glared at Lucinda. But to my surprise, Odessa only forced a smile before she spoke. "Thank you, Lucinda. Now, if you’ll excuse me, we—" Without hesitation, I slipped my arm around Odessa’s waist firmly, causing her to release a soft gasp. It wasn’t meant to be a romantic gesture... This was a political statement to all watching. I turned my full attention to Lucinda now. "My mate needs no power to shine. Something you never understood." For a brief moment, Lucinda’s smile faltered, and her eyes twitched with surprise. But it was soon gone as fast as it had come, and she wore her fake smile again. She might pretend all she wants, but that brief moment of unease from her satisfied me. However, she cleared her throat and tried again. "Of course, my Lord. I only meant that your wife’s radiance is... unexpected, considering her past status. But you’ve always had an eye for the extraordinary, haven’t you, Your Majesty?" Her words were nothing short of backhanded compliments, and unfortunately for her, my patience was thinner than usual tonight. I leaned forward slightly, my voice low so only she could hear. "You assume the Luminari Coven lost something when I didn’t choose you. But I see it as all of witch kind’s last mercy. Because I’m certain the truce wouldn’t have lasted past a few days if I made the unfortunate mistake of picking you." Her lips parted slightly, her confidence instantly dissipating like ice under the sun. Looks like I’ve gotten my message across. "And Lucinda," I continued, drawing out her name like a swear word. "If you ever insult my bride again, no spell, no High Priestess, no power in this continent and beyond will protect you from me." Odessa’s hand tightened on my arm after I said that, but I didn’t break eye contact with Lucinda until her gaze finally dropped. Good for her. Suddenly, Odessa leaned in and whispered, "Kaelos... It’s not worth it." Maybe it wasn’t. But in a ’charity ball’ full of politics, possible threats and secrets, dominance had to be established early. Especially when it was within my own territory. Without another word, I dragged Odessa with me and we moved past Lucinda, climbing the stairs and walking into the event hall. The chandeliers hung like stars above us, casting their warm glow across beautiful ball gowns and well-tailored coats and suits. Everyone seemed to be intermingling and laughing together as if there wasn’t a global war between races going on as we speak. Werewolves, witches, humans... They weren’t fooling me. At a corner, I spotted Celine speaking with a human man in his early sixties. The American president. She wore a beautiful black gown that sparkled under the lights, her laughter cheery as she patted the president on the shoulder as if she didn’t despise all non werewolves. ’Celine threw this ball for a reason,’ Damon murmured in my mind. ’This isn’t just a ball. It’s a chessboard. And you’re the king everyone is dying to corner.’

Chapter 146: _Don’t Insult My Bride!

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