Chapter 128
Amica
Deckard isn’t dead. He can’t be.
And if he is… where does that leave me?
Our relationship has always been complicated–strained, uncertain—but we were finally getting somewhere, weren’t we?
Especially in these last few days. I wasn’t even sure about staying in this castle anymore, not after discovering what we truly were to each other in a mythical sense and that he has kept me in the dark about it because he thought it was irrelevant… Though, at this point, it doesn’t feel mythical at all. Every consequence of that bond reflects mostly in me.
I realize Deckard’s death might not even be my biggest problem.
Dane, that madman. Scarface–the one I swore I’d never face again. They’re here–all of them.
The castle is falling apart. And in the middle of it all, I’m standing here, watching it crumble before m ewithout a plan.
I could leave. I should leave. There’s nothing holding me here anymore. No throne. No bond. No future.
And yet… these people, this place, they’re no longer just Deckard’s. They’re mine too.
So, what do I do? Do I run? Or do I stay for them?
If Deckard is truly dead, then the bond between us should be broken. But it doesn’t feel that way. He still feels alive to me…but if he is gone, I’m free. Free from the sickness that made me weak-
So why don’t I feel relieved?
Why does the thought of leaving make my chest tighten instead of feeling lighter?
Darth sits on the throne, a twisted mockery of the power that once ruled here. The grand hall, once sophisticated with elegance, now reeks of filth and ruin. The castle has changed,But it’s not the stones or the walls that have changed–it’s the people who now call it home.
Rogues.
“I am looking for a man.” His gaze sweeps the room before landing on me.
“I’m sure you know him well, Amica. I am looking for my uncle, Collin.” He leans forward, “Tell me, did your Alpha kill him?”
to twist this in my favor. But it’s useless.
For a fleeting moment, I considered lying. Weighing my words carefully, wondering if there was a
This castle belongs to him now. He will tear through every inch of it, and the truth will come out soon enough.
I lift my chin, meeting his gaze. “Yes. Your uncle is locked in the underground cell.”
Darth’s expression flickers before he laughs, a low, amused sound.
“Really? He’s alive?” He scoffs, shaking his head. “And why is that? Why did Deckard keep him breathing?”
He leans back, smirking. “These conventional Alphas… so sentimental. No matter what power runs through their veins, they’re still weak. No wonder he died so easily.”
“If Deckard is truly dead–if you killed him, as you claim–where’s the proof?” My voice is steady, challenging.
Darth’s amusement deepens. His eyes gleam as he studies me, head tilting slightly, as if seeing me for the first time.
“Wow.” He exhales, almost impressed. “You’re much bolder than the last time I saw you.” A smirk tugs at his lips. “The last time… you were on your knees, begging me to take off your clothes.”
My stomach tightens, but I say nothing.
“And now?” He gestures vaguely at me. “Now, here you are, standing in defiance. What happened to our love?”
He chuckles as if it’s all a game, but I refuse to give him the reaction he wants.
I do not reply.
“You know what, Amica?” Darth drawled, his smirk never fading. “Why don’t you take me to the cell? Take me to my uncle… and maybe, just maybe,
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Chapter 128
I’ll be generous enough to tell you where your man’s body is.”
He rose from the throne with a slow, grace, crossing the hall toward me. I barely acknowledged him, my attention fixed on Bría. She was trembling. barely holding herself together after the torment she had endured at the hands of Dane and the other rogues.
Darth stopped beside me, towering over where I sat.
“Get up,” he commanded.
I didn’t move.
Bria clutched my arm weakly. “Please, Luna… don’t make this worse,” she whispered. “Just do what he says.”
Before I could respond, Mary shot up from where she was sitting.
“If she won’t show you, I will,” she said, wiping at her tear–streaked face. “I know every passage of this place–I’ll take you.”
Darth turned his gaze to her, assessing. “And who might you be?” His said curios. “I don’t believe you’ve introduced yourself yet.”
Mary swallowed hard before answering, “I am Mary… a doctor.” There was a slight tremor in her voice, but she stood firm, as if the title alone could make her presence matter.
Darth chuckled, unimpressed. “Doctor Mary.” He let the words roll off his tongue like an afterthought. “Your willingness to help is noted…But I’d much rather the Luna show me the way.”
His gaze returned to me, expectant, waiting.
“Well, Amica, show him,” Mary snapped, her voice sharp with resentment. “Don’t cause any more trouble for us. People have already died because of you!”
Her words cut deep, but I was too drained to retaliate. Instead, I glanced around the room. Bria, pale and trembling, clung to my aunt, Pamela. Their eyes–wide with fear–pleaded with me to comply.
Swallowing my pride, I rose to my feet.
I walked ahead, leading Darth through the winding corridors of the castle, his footsteps steady behind me, his presence pressed down on me, suffocating.
“Follow us,” he called to one of his guards, and the man fell in line without question.
The air grew damp as we descended into the underground basement. The scent of mildew and rusted iron filled my lungs. As soon as Collin caught a glimpse of Darth, his face lit up, his voice cracking with joy.
“Darth? Oh, Darth! Is that really you?” He let out a strained laugh, his eyes gleaming despite the grime coating his skin.
Darth stepped forward, his expression darkening. “Collin! What the hell have they done to you?” He said
“I knew you would never leave me here. I knew you’d come back for me–no matter how long it took!” Collin’s voice broke as he spoke, thick with emotion.
Darth’s jaw clenched. “Open the cell. Now.”
The guard scrambled to obey, keys jingling as he unlocked the heavy iron door. But Collin was still bound–thick chains wrapped around his wrists and ankles, keeping him shackled.
“Where are the keys to the chains?” Darth demanded, his voice sharp and unwavering. “Get them and open him up. Now.”
The guard fumbled with the keys, his hands trembling as he obeyed. The metal groaned as the shackles fell away, finally setting Collin free.
Collin staggered slightly, his body frail, his once–imposing stature reduced to a shadow of itself. But despite his weakened state, he managed to throw his arms around Darth, clutching him in a desperate embrace.
Darth stiffened for a brief moment before returning the hug,”What have they done to you, Collin?” His voice, though rough,
“Did they starve you?”
Collin let out a weak chuckle. “Oh, yes… They did everything they could to break me, to make me reveal who you were. But I never did. I trusted that you would come for me… and you did.” His voice wavered with emotions.
Without another word, we turned and walked out of the bunker,
“I need two guards here! Now!” Darth’s voice boomed through the hall.
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11:16 AM
Chapter 128
Within seconds, two men appeared, standing at attention.
D
D
“Take my uncle,” he ordered. “See that he is cleaned up and fed until he is full.”
The guards nodded, moving swiftly to assist Collin. As they led him away, he cast a glance back at Darth.
Darth turned to me, his lips curling into a slow, amused smile. “Now, back to you, Luna,” he drawled, taking steps closer. “I did promise to tell you about Deckard if you brought me here. And I’m a man of my word, so… I’m happy to inform you that–well, your man…” He paused, tilting his head as if savoring the moment. “He’s dead. As dead as they come.”
“And his body?” He let out a soft chuckle, “Fed on by savage rogues. So, really, there’s not much left of him that you’d recognize.”
I sucked in a sharp breath.
Darth studied my face, waiting–perhaps for tears, maybe for me to break. But I refused to give him that satisfaction.
“So forget about him, Amica,” he said, his voice turning almost light, as if he were offering friendly advice. “This is a new reign. Get used to it.”
Then, with a slow, mocking laugh, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving me standing there–frozen.