Cruel King (Royal Elite 0)

Absolute fucking red.

Zachariah.

She brought that fucker to a school party as if she’s announcing a relationship for the entire world to see.

“Aha. She’s into the mature type.” Xander nudges me. “What are you gonna do about it, Captain?”

I start forward, but a strong arm holds me back.

Aiden.

I attempt to push him away, but Cole joins him by yanking back my other arm.

“Let me fucking go.”

“Yeah, let him go.” Xan jumps like a kid for Christmas. “A hundred that Captain will win.”

“A hundred that Danny’s brother will,” Ronan shakes Xan’s hand.

“You will not start a fight in a crowded place,” Aiden shouts over the music. “My father will find out.”

“Fuck your father.” I struggle against him as hot, red rage grips me by the gut and shoots through my veins.

Who the fuck does Zachariah think he is to touch her?

How dare he touch what’s already mine?

How dare she let him?

Astrid laughs at something he said. My vision blackens until all the colours are suffocated into a deep, dark abyss.

“Hurts like a bitch, doesn’t it?” Daniel leans against the marble counter, grinning with malice.

“Mate,” Cole warns him. “Stop it.”

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I grit out. “How can you let her come with that scum?”

“That scum is my brother and as far as I’m concerned, he didn’t post pornographic pictures of her for the entire school to see.”

“I didn’t fucking do that!” I struggle against Cole and Aiden to no avail.

“Doesn’t matter.” He’s in my face in a second. “You didn’t stop it either so you’re just as guilty. Oh, and Captain, you’re going to regret losing her.”

He walks away after a slight push from Ronan.

“Losing her,” I repeat with a bitter laugh. He said I lost her.

Fuck him.

Fuck anyone who thinks that Astrid is no longer mine.

My gaze strays to where the bastard who will soon be dead is offering her a drink.

Even though she made her grand entrance, some of the other kids are still murmuring at her back. She pretends she doesn’t notice them as she laughs along whatever the dickhead is saying, but I recognise all her tells.

The way her upper lip twitches. The way she grips the cup tighter.

The princess might think she’s over me, but we didn’t even fucking get started yet.