RETRIBUTION

A silence too loud to even be called silence fills the room.

People occupy every corner. Some are middle-aged men, while others are young security guards standing along the walls. Wearing black sunglasses, they keep their heads lowered, with guns tucked into the back pockets of their trousers. Each security guard wears a different uniform, some in black suits and others in blue, according to the organization they serve.

In the middle of the room, the leaders of different organizations sit in their assigned chairs, each bearing its owner's name. Every face carries a different expression, but one thing remains the same: the tension hanging in the air.

Among all the chairs, the very first one, belonging to their king, remains empty.

One of the men holds a remote control in his hand. He points it toward the screen in front of them, and the news appears.

A breaking news report fills the room.

The reporter announces that Reis, the King of the Mafia, has died in a car crash.

As soon as the final words leave the reporter's mouth, the screen goes blank.

The same man switches it off. Every pair of eyes that has been fixed on the screen now lowers. Faces freeze in fear, wrinkles deepen across the older men's foreheads, and several men swallow nervously.

Nobody speaks for a moment.

Then, a man sitting beside Reis's empty chair stands up.

"We can't let our king's death leave us without a leader. We need a new king."

"How can we even think about that right now?" The man sitting at the far end of the table rises from his chair. "Reis has just died, and you're already talking about a new king?"

"Then what should we do Wren?" the man beside him asks. " The Organization cannot remain like this. The king's chair cannot stay empty. We have to find our new king."

"But Reis..." Wren begins.

"I know you were close to the king, and it's hard for you to accept this. We're all grieving, but the mafia world works differently. An organization without a king is like a child surrounded by hyenas, with every one of them ready to attack at any moment. We can't take that risk. We need to find our new king."

Wren clenches his jaw but says nothing.

"Then where will we find a new king?" another man asks. "According to the rules, only a member of the king's family can take his place. But there is no one."

"Ah, the... person..." The man beside Wren speaks hesitantly, struggling to find the right words. "The person the king might have married..."

"No!" Wren interrupts loudly.

He turns toward the man, his expression turning cold.

"Reis never married anyone. It's just a rumour."

"But it could be true. The king never denied it, even when we asked him about it."

"There is no one he would marry," Wren replies firmly.

"But..." The man tries to speak again.

Before he can finish, someone on the other side of the table slams his hand down and stands up.

"This meeting has been arranged to find our new king, not to argue among ourselves!" he declares. "The person we're talking about has never told us who they are or where they are. So, how are we supposed to make that person our new king in this situation? There is only one person left who can take over this position."

As soon as he finishes speaking, whispers spread throughout the room.

Some men exchange uneasy glances, while others wear dark expressions that make them look almost terrified. They all know whom he is talking about, yet nobody has the courage to say the name aloud.

The man looks around, noticing the same expression on every face. He lets out a sigh before continuing.

"I know he would be the last Alpha we'd want to take over, but we have no other choice. Our organization will fall apart if we continue like this. The problems that have started rising within our organization won't disappear on their own, and the traitors who killed our king are still out there. If we don't act, this situation will lead us into a war. And there is only one person who can handle it."

He pauses, looking from one face to another.

"So, does anyone have an objection?"

Silence fills the room once again.

Even Wren slowly sinks back into his chair. The man who had just argued against finding a new king doesn't ask another question.

The speaker nods.

"If no one has a problem, then, as the head of this organization, I declare Ianis the next—"

Before he can finish the announcement, the heavy doors of the meeting room swing open.

A man enters.

He is tall, with a slim build, and wears a cream-coloured suit that complements his pale skin. His sharp eyes resemble an eagle's, and his perfectly defined features make his face look almost unreal.

Every eye in the room turns toward the unfamiliar man.

He smiles as he walks straight toward the king's chair. Behind him, a man in a black suit follows closely.

The moment the people in the room recognize the man in black, their eyes widen in shock.

One after another, they rise from their chairs, staring at the man following the stranger.

The newcomer reaches the king's chair and stops beside it. For a moment, he looks down at the empty seat. Then, he places one hand on its back and raises his gaze toward the people watching him with countless questions in their eyes.

He pays no attention to their expressions.

Without saying a word, he pulls out the chair and sits down, crossing one leg over the other.

Then, he turns toward the head of the organization.

"I hear you're announcing a new king without asking me."

His cold voice cuts through the silence.

"Who are you, and who gives you the right to sit in that chair?" the head demands. He turns his gaze toward the man in the black suit. "Kais, what is this?"

Kais bows his head slightly before stepping closer to the stranger.

"Allow me to introduce him. This is Mr. Ruan, the Omega King Reis married."

The moment Kais introduces him, the expressions around the room change.

Nobody expected the rumour they had once dismissed as gossip to turn out to be true. And now, when they believe their king is dead, the very person they have only heard about in casual conversations is sitting before them.

Why has he chosen to reveal himself now?

Who exactly is Ruan?

Questions fill every mind in the room.

"What are you saying?" one man demands. "The king never told us anything about this! Are you simply declaring anyone his husband because of a rumour, just so he can take the throne?"

"As King Reis's secretary and someone very close to him, I know what he chose to keep private," Kais replies. "And the king kept Master Ruan's identity a secret because he wanted to protect him."

Ruan turns his eyes toward Kais.

"Let me handle this."

He then looks back at the head of the organization and extends his hand toward Kais.

Kais immediately places a phone in his hand.

Ruan takes it and holds it out toward the head.

"Here. Look at the videos and photographs of my wedding to Reis."

The head takes the phone and hands it to his security guard, who connects it to the large screen.

The first photograph appears.

One image after another fills the screen, revealing memories from Reis and Ruan's wedding. In some, they stand with their arms around each other. In others, Reis kisses Ruan on the cheek, both of them smiling happily.

They look like an ordinary couple celebrating their wedding, unaware of the secrets and dangers that will one day surround them.

Then, as the photographs move across the screen, a video begins to play.

A man in a white wedding suit appears, holding the camera. Golden light falls across his face, illuminating his radiant smile and making his handsome features even more captivating. His sharp face and brown, almond-shaped eyes shine as he speaks.

It is Reis.

He holds the camera while Ruan sits in the background, chatting with the other guests, completely unaware that he is being recorded.

"Hello! It's Reis, and today is my wedding day!" he announces cheerfully. "And here he is, my husband—oh, sorry, my wife, my Omega, Ruan!"

Reis turns the camera toward Ruan.

Ruan has no idea that he is being filmed. Before Reis can say anything else, a voice calls from somewhere behind the camera.

"Reis, come here!"

Reis turns toward the voice, and the video ends.

For a moment, nobody in the meeting room speaks.

Ruan rises from his chair.

"As you can see, you've watched our wedding video, and you've even heard Reis himself speak about our marriage. So, I believe there should be no more questions, right?"

Wren immediately strides toward him.

"This can't be happening! It's all fake! There is only one Omega in his life, and it's me!"

Ruan raises an eyebrow.

"Who are you?"

"He's Mr. Wren, the son of the leader of the Red Organization," Kais explains. "His father couldn't attend today's meeting, so he sent his son in his place. He's an Omega." Kais introduce Wren.

Ruan takes a step closer to Wren.

He lifts his hand and gently touches Wren's cheek.

Wren flinches and immediately pushes Ruan's hand away.

Ruan simply smiles.

"You're beautiful, but not as beautiful as me."

He tilts his head, looking Wren up and down before continuing.

"And as for my marriage to Reis, these photographs and videos are already proof enough. Reis himself has confirmed our marriage, so I don't think I have anything else to prove. Right?"

He pauses, letting his gaze travel across the room.

"So, I am the next king."

His declaration echoes against the silent walls.

His announcement is clearly unwelcome to many of the people present, but no one immediately stands to challenge him.

"Even though you're married to the king, we still can't accept you as our king," the head finally says.

Ruan turns toward him with a smile.

"Now, what's the problem? From what I know, the rules state that only a member of the king's family can take his position. And I am his husband. So, why the objection?"

"We don't think you're capable enough," the man sitting beside the head replies.

Ruan's lips curve into a smirk.

"Then I suppose that's something I'll have to prove while I'm working, isn't it?"

The men exchange glances and begin whispering among themselves. The head leans toward the person beside him, and the two speak quietly. After a while, the head discusses the matter with the others.

Finally, he turns back toward Ruan.

"Very well. We'll give you one month. During that time, you must prove your capability. After one month, on the same date and at the same time, this meeting will be held again. If even a single person raises a hand against you, it will mean you've failed to prove yourself. In that case, we'll choose someone else as our king."

Ruan's smile widens. He tilts his head slightly.

"As you wish, Head. Reis always respected you, so I suppose I can play along with this little one-month game."

he take steps closer to head

"And just so you know, I've never lost a game."

With those words, Ruan turns and begins walking toward the door.

Before he can reach it, Wren's voice stops him.

"What kind of husband are you? Your husband has died, and you're here trying to take his position! Reis has chosen the worst person imaginable as his life partner."

Ruan stops.

For a moment, he remains still, his back facing Wren.

But he doesn't turn around or answer.

He simply smiles.

Kais opens the door, and Ruan walks out. The door closes behind them as Kais follows him down the corridor.

For a moment, neither of them speaks.

My life changes in an instant.

Ruan lowers his gaze as he walks.

A life I never wanted. And now, I have to enter this world.

The people in that room claim to love Reis. They claim to care about him. They sit there pretending to grieve his death, yet they question me for asking to take my husband's place.

they've taken everything from me.

My happiness. My normal life. My... husband.

They hide behind masks of concern and loyalty, pretending to be people they are not.

I'll tear those masks away.

For us. For our promise. For the love we share.

A tear slips from Ruan's eye.

As he reaches the entrance, he finds a car waiting for him. Kais opens the door, and Ruan gets inside, wiping the tear from his cheek.

"Let's go," he commands.

The car starts moving.

Ruan turns his gaze toward the glass windows on the floor where the meeting room is located. Through the glass, he spots Wren watching him.

Ruan smiles again.

But this smile is nothing like the one he wore inside the meeting room. Beneath it lies a burning anger, a fire slowly awakening within him.

He places one hand over his belly and rests his head against the back of the seat, closing his eyes.

"It's only the beginning," he murmurs. "Just wait and see what I'm going to take from all of you."

🖤 Author's Note 🖤

Hey, lovely readers! 🌟

If you enjoyed the first chapter of Retribution, please don't forget to vote and leave a comment. Your support means a lot to me and gives me more motivation to keep writing this story. 🥹❤️

And if you want Chapter 2 to come faster, let me know in the comments! The more love and support I receive, the sooner I'll try to bring you the next chapter. 👀🖤

Maybe Chapter 2 will drop in just two days if you show me enough love! 👀✨

So, please support Retribution with your votes and comments. I can't wait to know what you think of Ruan and his story!

Love you all! Take care and happy reading! 💗🌟

— Star 🖤