Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle-Chapter 38: Does The Devil Ever Fall In Love?

Dimitri sat motionless in his study, surrounded by stacks of books primarily war manuals and strategy tomes. His piercing gaze remained fixed on an open file before him, but it was clear his mind was elsewhere. His fingers idly tapped against the edge of the desk, a rare sign of distraction for the formidable ruler.

Liam, stood a few feet away, silently observing his lord's uncharacteristic behavior. Finally, he broke the silence.

"Are you all right, my lord?" Liam asked, his tone laced with concern.

Dimitri exhaled heavily before shifting his gaze toward Liam. "Did you look into Sorayah's background?" he asked, his voice carrying an undertone of something unreadable.

Liam inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. "Yes, I did. But no one seems to know her, despite me showing her picture around. It's as if she appeared out of nowhere. I assume she's a visitor who only recently settled in that human territory."

Dimitri ran a hand through his hair, leaning back in his chair. "I see."

Liam hesitated for a moment before voicing the question that had been plaguing him. "Something went wrong last night, didn't it? Did you deliberately suppress your killer instincts to keep suspicions off yourself?"

Dimitri let out a low, humorless chuckle before shaking his head. "I wish that were the case, but it isn't. If not for the circumstances, I would have killed her without hesitation." He paused, his expression darkening. "But I was drugged before I even got the chance."

Liam's brow furrowed. "You were drugged?"

Dimitri nodded. "And yet, that wasn't the reason I hesitated. When I had her pinned down, my claws dug into her wrist, drawing blood and at that moment, something made me pause. Watching her blood flow stopped me in my tracks." His voice grew quieter as he admitted, "I don't understand it myself. It was... unsettling."

Liam's confusion deepened. "So you're saying you didn't stop because you wanted to spare her, and it wasn't entirely because you were drugged either? It was just... her blood?" He frowned, shaking his head. "Who is she then? I've heard rumors that some humans are special, born with gifts or abilities. Could she be one of them? Perhaps she's connected to the high-ranking officials who some of them had special powers. Maybe she escaped the purge when we wiped them out."

Dimitri steepled his fingers together, his emerald eyes gleaming in thought. "Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions, Liam. Power doesn't always come from noble blood. Even someone from the poorest background can be born with something extraordinary. That's just how fate works." His voice dropped an octave, carrying a dangerous edge. "Regardless, stop looking into her for now. I'll learn more about her myself as she's in my quarters now, after all. However, I do want you to keep a close watch on her. She has a cute face, but I have no doubt she's dangerous."

Liam gave a slight bow. "As you wish, Your Highness. One more thing, I believe she was drugged at Lady Arata's quarters. And you, too, were drugged the moment you returned to the mansion."

Dimitri smirked, leaning forward slightly. "I already know that, Liam." He exhaled through his nose, amusement flickering in his eyes. "And before you ask, Arata won't be punished. Every servant in this mansion belongs to me. Her actions can only be seen as... devotion. She merely wanted to relieve my stress."

Liam's lips pressed into a thin line, but he gave no further argument. "Understood, Your Highness. I'll keep a close eye on Sorayah."

Mira soon strode inside the study room with quiet grace, her personal maid trailing behind her, carrying a silver tray laden with a bottle of fine alcohol and delicate biscuits. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.

Liam, upon seeing her, gave a respectful nod before leaving. Mira's maid placed the tray on the table, then silently withdrew, leaving the two alone.

Mira, her head slightly bowed, finally spoke. "Greetings, Your Highness."

Despite the polite words, resentment lingered beneath her voice, and anger simmered in her chest. No woman would be thrilled to learn that her husband had spent the night with another woman especially when that woman was a mere captive.

Dimitri arched a brow, tossing the file in his hands onto the desk carelessly. "What brings you here, Mira? You hardly ever sought my company before, but now you seem to appear before me more frequently."

Mira clenched her hands at her sides but kept her expression schooled. "That's because, in the past, you married Concubine Arata despite claiming you loved me. You could have discarded her, but you didn't."

Dimitri let out a scoff, his emerald eyes narrowing as he leaned back against his desk. "I have the right to keep as many women as I please in my mansion. You don't get to dictate who I spend my nights with or how I choose to entertain myself." His voice was cold, dismissive. Then, after a pause, his expression darkened slightly. "And you, of all people, Mira, I expected you to understand why I am this way. But it seems you never truly did."

Mira exhaled sharply, her hands curling into fists at her sides. "Yeah... the curse," she murmured bitterly, her voice carrying the weight of resignation.

She lifted her gaze to meet his, the anger in her eyes warring with a deep, lingering sorrow. "It turns out I'm only your mate in name, but not in duty. You still need the one destined for you by the Moon Goddess, the mate who will break your curse but then concubine Arata was never your mate but you married her. And even though someone is meant to lift your curse, Dimitri... it's been years." She shook her head, frustration laced in her tone. "What if there is no fated mate who is to die in your stead? What if we were wrong all along?"

Dimitri waved a dismissive hand, brushing the topic aside as if it held no importance to him. "Why are you here, Mira? I'm busy."

Mira's lips pressed into a thin line before she spoke, her voice trembling slightly with restrained fury. "I heard you didn't kill your personal servant last night. Instead, you spent the night with her. A hot, passionate night, no less." Her face was flushed with anger, and her nails dug into her palms. "We both know what you're like during the full moon. You always go feral. How is it that, instead of being a bloodthirsty beast, you suddenly turned... lustful?"

Dimitri raised an eyebrow at her bluntness before offering a nonchalant shrug. "Oh, that?" His tone was almost lazy, as if the subject barely interested him. "Turns out I was drugged."

Mira scoffed, stepping closer, her gaze searching his face. "We both know that's a lie, Dimitri. No poison or substance affects you during the full moon. If you wanted to kill, you would have. So what really happened?" Her voice was firm, unwavering. "You know I already know too much about you. So you might as well just tell me the truth."

Dimitri exhaled through his nose, shaking his head as if amused by her persistence. "You worry too much, Mira." He finally rose from his chair and took slow, deliberate steps toward her. The heat of his presence made her tense, but she didn't back down. "It would be better for you to keep turning a blind eye to me just as you always have. Knowing too much about me..." He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a low, almost seductive whisper. "Might just lead to your death."

With that ominous warning, he turned away, making his way toward the door.

Mira's heart clenched, and before she could stop herself, the words spilled from her lips. "Isn't that why you keep me caged in this mansion? Why you have my family under constant surveillance? Just to ensure that I never spill your secrets?"

Dimitri paused mid-step, but he didn't turn back.

Mira let out a bitter laugh, tears welling in her eyes. "You should just kill me, Dimitri. You only have to remove your mask and I'll be dead. You claim we're mates, but you never accepted me. I loved you, but you never once returned my feelings. Just end it, kill me, and no one will ever know the truth about you." Her voice cracked slightly, but she held her ground. "The truth about the beta lord."

For a long moment, silence stretched between them. Then Dimitri let out a quiet chuckle, turning his head slightly.

"If you weren't my mate, I would have killed you long ago, Mira. But you know that's impossible." His tone was calm, almost amused, but there was an underlying menace to it. "And love?" He tilted his head slightly, his smirk widening. "Does the devil ever fall in love?"

Mira sucked in a shaky breath as his words struck her deeper than any physical wound ever could.

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Dimitri took a step closer, his voice soft yet sharp as a dagger. "You fell in love with the wrong person, Mira. That isn't my fault." He straightened, his gaze now impassive. "Like I said, turn a blind eye to me, and you will find peace. But if you ever try to end your life..." His expression darkened, his next words carrying a chilling finality. "I promise you, your family will follow you to the grave."

With that, he strode out of the room, leaving behind nothing but the sound of Mira's shattered heart breaking into pieces. Tears slipped down her face, but she made no move to wipe them away.