His destined mate
Chapter 63: Shadow of a liar

Flashback

Derek's POV

Standing in the shadow of the magnificent castle, the moon hung above, casting a silver glow over the kingdom. It had been years since Ethan and I had last seen each other, but the memory of our last fight still stings like another wound. I felt a familiar pang of jealousy rising inside me, it was a painful reminder of all I had lost. Ethan had it all: a throne, the loyalty of the band, and Emily-his perfect partner. I watched from the sidelines, seething with anger as he basked in the glory of his life. And now Emily's infatuation with him had become a twisted amusement.

It was time to act. Whispers were heard between Emily and one of the guards as she crept through the dimly lit halls. "You know, nothing can separate us. Not even a curse," he hissed, his voice dropping with temptation. I clenched my fists, disappointment pouring over me. Emily's story was a cruel joke.

The relationship they had with each other seemed strange to me, a prison I longed to break. It was clear she was no longer a committed partner but a whirlwind of passion and aggression. I had to use it. I walked up to him with a sly smile, feigning casualness.

"Emily, don't you ever get tired of being the perfect little princess? There's so much in life until you're in Ethan's shadow." His eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?" I lowered my voice and knelt closer. "What if I told you that even a king could be made evil? That Ethan might not be the man you think he is?"

He scoffed, but I could see a twinkle of conspiracy in his eyes. "You just hurt, Derek. He's my mate. We've bonded." "Tied up? Captured?" I pressed it. "What if I told you I could offer you something more exciting? The real taste of power. You and I, we could be u."

Current Date Ethan's POV

The laughter and cheerfulness that flowed through the castle now felt foreign to me. Years had passed since Derek's betrayal, but the wound had never fully healed. I thought I had banished the darkness he brought into our lives, but memories of his twisted ways haunted me. Suddenly I felt a familiar presence nearby.

I aturned to Bianca, her face a mixture of worry and determination. "Ethan, you sound worried." "I do," I admitted, the weight of the past heavy on my shoulders. "Derek's return isn't just a threat to me. It threatens everything we've built together." "Now face it. We can't change us anymore,"

Bianca urged, her eyes shining in fierce determination. I nodded, but doubt clouded my mind. Derek was always clever. What if he has another plan to separate us? --- . Flashback Derek's POV

Finally, night came. Twinkling lights lit the courtyard, casting dancing shadows as Emily and I met in private. The thrill of cheating flowed through me. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice barely more than a whisper. I took his hand in mine, forcing clarity into my eyes. "You deserve so much more than a king who doesn't even realize how powerful you truly are.

May he regret ever understanding you." As the planning unfolded, I fed his insecurities by stoking the flames of his desire for revenge. "Think of it, Emily. You can take everything from her. The crown, her respect, even her prized title." He hesitated but eventually succumbed to his ambition for power. I wrapped it around my wrist, and it pleased me.

Current Date

Ethan's POV

"Bianca," I said, pulling her close. "We need to rally our friends. When Derek comes back, he's not going to come quietly. We need to be prepared for anything." "I will unite kings with our faithful warriors," he said, his determination written on his face. Suddenly the wind picked up and a chill ran down my spine.

A dark energy enveloped the castle, reminding him of that fateful night years ago. I could feel Derek's presence creeping closer. "Wait," I warned, my feelings more alert. "He's coming.

Flashback

Derek's POV

The plan had reached its climax. I had encouraged Emily and I to plot and have sex with the guards while spreading rumors that would discredit Ethan's character. "No one will believe him anymore. It'll be glorious,"

I told him with a smile as we relaxed in the shade. That night he fell into my trap, and mingled with those who betrayed his king. I watched from the sidelines, a smile plastered on my face, as chaos erupted around me. Soon Ethan, blissfully unaware of my trick, in a web of deception that would reveal everything he loved. The laughter intensified, and soon a great battle broke out. Ethan looked at me, anger leaking from his eyes.

"What did you do, Derek?" I leaned back, pretending to be innocent. "What do you mean? It just gives Emily what she wants. She deserves an appreciative king." His anger ignited the room, and with flying fingers and words we cut deeper than any blade. "You crossed the line brother!" he exclaimed, and a sense of triumph flowed through me.

Current Date

Ethan's POV

"This is enough!" I roared, my voice trembling with anger. "We're not going to let Derek work on us anymore. He likes violence, and we're not going to give him satisfaction." Bianca nodded, unwaveringly determined.

"We will fight together. We will remind everyone what true loyalty looks like." Suddenly the doors burst open and Derek walked in with a mischievous laugh. "You really think you can escape your past bro? You've already lost everything." When Derek raised his hand, the shadow twisted, tightening. "Let's see how much your kingdom is really worth when I take everything back from you," he smiled. I instinctively stepped in front of Bianca and was ready to defend her at all costs. But the darkness appeared, threatening to consume us both.

"Ethan, be careful!" Bianca screamed, as Shadow pounced on me, and everything went into chaos.