Chapter 17 Zephyrine Blood For the first time in five years , 1 saw it spilled again mercilessly . #Finished The man who had come to defend Apex wasn't just some ordinary warrior . His stance said it all . What made him even more unnerving was what followed . After slicing the rogue Alpha down in one clean strike , he simply returned his blade to its scabbard ... and vanished into the shadows from where he'd emerged . There he stood . Apex's bodyguard , still and silent behind the throne . A statue made of death . Jurrek set his jaw and exhaled sharply . The Moon Goddess had told him he wouldn't spill blood today . He returned to his seat without a word , and the hall sank into thick silence . From where I sat , I watched Apex raise his eyes to meet mine , just for a moment . Then , he turned his gaze to the rogue Alpha still gasping for breath . Surely he'd call for a healer . That was my innocent thought until the air suddenly shifted and Apex finally moved from his golden throne . He knelt beside the dying rogue , quiet and calm . He took a blade from a nearby guard . No ceremony , no hesitation , and drove it into the man's chest . Once . Twice . Again . Again . Blood splashed across the marble and the steps of the throne . The rogue's gasps turned into nothing . Just silence . Just death . The chamber watched in frozen awe . No kne dare speak or make a move and even his two elder sisters only stare a though they have grown accustomed to that dark side of him . That's how the rumors described him . Apex the Cursed . The stories hadn't lied . He stood , blood dripping down his face , and returned to his throne . Guards rushed to clear the corpse . Maids followed , scrubbing the marble dean until it was as if nothing had happened ." The music had long since stopped . The dancers had long since frozen . Kaela had quietly slithered back to her seat . Then Apex's uncle , the King's advisor , approached with trembling hands and placed the crown on his head . " All hail the new Lycan King , " the man declared . " All hail , " the crowd echoed . Still shaken , hollow . Goosebumps crawled over my skin . Not because of the crown on his head but because his eyes never left me. Not for one second . " Are you okay ? " Dessyn cornered me the moment I stepped out of the throne room and I exhaled . " Zephyr ... she pressed . Tin fine ," I said , steady despite the pounding in my chest . She studied me with worry and I can understand . The Rogue Alpha had mentioned Varyn and I know so well Dessyn also wouldn't be too okay , given the fact that my brother and her had a thing in the past . The tension still clung to the air like Tisper 17 smoke , Tusk had fallen , and the afterparty loomed just beyond the doors Desiyo tipicnzed my hand gently " Come have a drink in the hall . The feast is already starting " Toffered a faint smile and was alrout to follow when he stepped into view . Nymath He stood in our path like a wall . Dessyn immediately froze , eyes narrowing in contempt . Then she turned to me . Finished " I be fine . Go on " She hesitated , but nodded and left . Now it was just me and Nyroth . His expression unreadable until awe broke through the cracks . " You're enjoying this , aren't you ? " he asked , his voice low and I raised a brow " Zeph... we were mated for five years . We went through everything together and now , just because of one glance from a king . you're leaving me for him ? Because he has more power ? " I didn't answer . I wasn't in the mood for his nonsense . I turned to walk past him but he caught my wrist . " Zeph ... " His voice faltered . " You can't stay here ." " Why ? " " The Lycan King . He's dangerous . Unstable . That look in his eyes when he watches you it's not normal . You need to leave . " The gaze . That's what this was about ? I pulled my wrist free and looked him in the eye . " We're nothing now , Nyroth . We promised to reject each other , remember ? " His frown deepened . He took a step closer , lowering his voice . " You're losing your mind . I'm trying to protect you from a bloodthirsty psychopath . A freak . Did you see what he did to that rogue ? What if he gets obsessed with you ? You think you can handle someone like that ? " I thought of the heat in Apex's eyes . The way it burned through me . " I don't care if he's obsessed with me ." I said , steady as stone . " And you shouldn't either . Who I end up with is none of your concern . " I turned to walk away but he grabbed my wrist again , tighter this time . Zeph ... " Footsteps interrupted him . A figure approached . Apex's messenger , expression blank , bowing deeply before me . " My lady , " he said . " The King requests your presence . " Nyroth's grip - tightened . Rage . Jealousy . Good . Let him feel it . Let him know what it means to be replaced . 972PMP P Chapter 17 I yanked my wrist free and gave a nod to the messenger . " Lead the way " Finished Though I was surprised I have been summoned by Apex . I never know he'd request for me but in order to rub it on Nyroth , 1 accepted the invitation and honor it . I followed the messenger down a dim corridor , leaving the afterparty , the bloodstains , and Nyroth behind . Title: Crown of Vengeance In "Crown of Vengeance" by CrushReel, delve into a gripping tale of betrayal and redemption. Unravel the intricate web of deceit as a woman's life is shattered by family secrets and a tragic twist of fate. Amid themes of revenge, family dynamics, and dark revelations, this ongoing drama unfolds within the walls of a mysterious mansion where past wrongs resurface to haunt the present. Discover the depths of human emotion as our protagonist navigates a world filled with deception and hidden agendas. What sets "Crown of Vengeance" apart is its nuanced exploration of complex relationships and the quest for justice in the face of overwhelming odds. Available to read at CrushReel, this story promises a riveting journey through the shadows of the past towards a future where truth may ultimately prevail.