SWNOVELS Cruel King: Chapter 34
Your time is over. I’m not your subject anymore.
One would think that changing into a pretty dress and heels would change my perceptive about my image.
It doesn’t. Not as much as I wanted it to, anyway.
When I decided to come here, I wanted everyone to see me strong. It’s my birthday, and I don’t even like this day, but no one will bully me into running away and hiding like I did this morning.
I wasn’t born to bow.
Zach stays by my side and Dan joins us every now and then. Even with them around, I feel as if I’m strolling around naked in a room full of people.
The back of my neck itches as I take a sip from the watered down drink Dan gave me. I know he is watching me.
I caught a glimpse of Levi on my way inside although I refused to look in his direction.
If I do, I don’t think I’ll be able to keep up this facade. I don’t think I’ll be able to continue my strong act.
I close my eyes for the briefest bit and draw in a long breath. I will not let Levi King ruin this night for me.
I’m not the same Astrid who caved in every time he touched me.
This time, I’ll flip him off in front of everyone.
Zach and I are talking about a conference he’s attending next week when a bull barges between us.
Jerry Huntington. The judge’s son, the one Levi fought.
He’s swaying on his feet, already drunk and the party has barely started.
“What do you want?” I ask.
“The same thing everyone here wants but are afraid to ask.” He licks his lips, swinging in my direction. “Your pussy, babe.”
Zach lunges forward, but I beat him to it.
I slam my fist into Jerry’s face so hard, pain explodes in my knuckles.
He steps back, shaking his head and I punch him again. “Talk to me that way again and I’ll ruin your face.”
He growls and lunges at me. People gather all around us, gasping. I keep my ground, ready to give him a piece of my mind.
Daniel slams his shoulder into Jerry, pushing him to the ground. Xander and some other player from the football team drag Jerry outside as he spouts profanity.
I lift my chin up and flip him the finger.
“That was badass.” Zach raises an eyebrow.
Adrenaline bubbles in my veins like a drug dose. “I want to punch some more people.”
He laughs, offering me his hand. “How about a dance instead?”
Whatever it Takes by Imagine Dragons starts playing, and I jump up taking his hand.
I wrap my arms around his neck and we laugh and chuckle, goofing around on the dance floor.
Zach whirls me around and brings me back to his arms again.
“Does everyone always stare at you?” he asks as we adopt a slower pace.
“Only when I’m the school’s laughing stock.” I try to hide the bitterness in my tone.
“Well, they’re missing out.” His breath tickles my ear and I can’t help the giggle that escapes me.
“You know… “ he starts. “I always had a crush on you, Astrid Clifford.”
“Y-you did?”
“Uh-huh. I only backed down because Danny would’ve smashed my face in if I hurt his best friend.”
Okay. Wow. I never knew that. Maybe Levi was right.
“Is this your new conquest, slut?” Chloe hisses and barges her shoulder into mine.
I’m about to punch her like I did Jerry, but the music stops abruptly.
Everyone stops dancing and chatter breaks out. Someone shouts to put the music back on.
Then, as if someone pulled off a switch, the murmurs cease and the crowd parts to make way for Levi and his four horsemen.
He’s wearing the team’s uniform and stands in the middle as if he owns the room and everyone in it.
I look away, refusing to be sucked into his orbit.
Daniel leaves Xander and Ronan’s side to stand by me. His harsh glare falls on his captain. The same captain he idolised for a long time.
Most loyal best friend ever.
Chloe smiles brightly at Levi like she’s seeing a Christmas tree. She pushes her dancing partner away as if he never existed.
“King, I —”
“If you’re going to call anyone a slut, start with yourself.” Levi looks down at her with dark, calm eyes. “You opened your legs for half the team and swallowed for the other half.”
Oooh’s and Aaah’s break in the audience. Everyone gathers around us like we’re the entertainment of the night.
Chloe’s face goes red. Her mouth opens and closes like a fish, but she says nothing.
Levi’s gaze narrows on Nicole who comes to stand on Chloe’s side. “If you have any slut remarks to say, you might want to start with how you beg for it on your knees.”
“That’s not true.” Nicole glares at him then at Dan as if he said the words.
“Do you want footage to prove your extracurricular activities?” Levi cocks his head to the side.
Nicole’s face twists in pure panic as her gaze bounces between Levi and Dan.
My cheeks flame with rolling anger. Levi doesn’t get to do this after he set out to ruin my life.
He looks around him as if searching for someone in specific, but he’s not. He’s just making eye contact with as many kids as possible.
Everyone —literally everyone— either flinches or cowers away whenever he meets their gazes.
“Does anyone else have another slut remark they’d like to grace us with?” he keeps his cool tone.
But I know that fake coolness.
It’s something he uses to pull everyone in just so he can destroy them afterwards.
The best wars are won through calm, not a raging storm.
Aiden, Xander, Cole, and Ronan are like his generals. They’re all glaring everyone down like they’re soldiers.
It’s scary how they can make an entire party submit to them with just a few words.
“I do.” Someone raises a beer, pushing through the crowd to make his way to Levi.
Christopher Vans.
He stands in front of me and spits on the ground. All I can smell is alcohol. Black circles surround his bloodshot eyes.
“Is this the new slut you’re banging, King? Doesn’t look all that something to me.”
Dan charges forward, but I pull him back. If anyone will put this scum down, then it’s going to be me.
“I’m no one’s slut,” I grit out.
“Didn’t hear you.” He laughs.
“Are you done?” Levi’s face remains nonchalant, but a muscle ticks in his jaw.
“What?” Christopher sways on his feet and hits him with a bottle of beer to his chest. “You’re going to call me a slut, too?”
“At least those are useful. You’re not.” Levi straightens until he’s a few inches taller than Christopher. “You’re such a fucking failure that even freshman can take your place on the team now.”
The kids gasp.
Like me, everyone knows how close Levi and Christopher have been for years.
But it must be true that they grew apart since the beginning of the year.
Christopher swings a fist at Levi, but he steps back and the drunk boy trips over his own feet and falls on his face.
Everyone laughs and some take pictures, recording the next mess.
“Does anyone else have something to say?” Levi asks loud enough for everyone to stop talking and breathing altogether.
He grabs my wrist and before I can protest, he pulls me to his side with his hand wrapped tightly around my waist. He places a long, possessive kiss on my forehead then on my cheek and on my mouth.
Murmurs break all around us, but I’m too caught in the gleam in his eyes to notice anyone else.
There’s that blackness, but there’s also a sliver of vulnerability that I never saw on him before.
With one last squeeze against my hip, he faces everyone. “Astrid is under my protection. Mess with her and you’ll have a personal problem with me. I’ll bury you so fucking deep, you’ll pray for death instead.”
They start nodding, but Levi doesn’t pay them attention.
The king has issued his decree and the subjects have no choice but to obey.
And just like that, he places a hand under my legs and carries me in his arms bridal style.
I yelp then try to struggle. “Where the hell are you taking me?”
“I’m kidnapping you, princess.”