CLINTON. I didn't know how long I had run through the woods with my wolf sniffing the earth for her scent. It was faint, which meant she had left hours ago. From time to time, I let out a howl at the sky, wondering why the moon goddess was doing this to me, to us. She didn’t bring my mate when I first shifted, and now she brought her to me when I couldn't claim her. To top it all off, she allowed her to leave me. “Focus right now. This wouldn't have happened if you had told her that she was made for us and we for her,” Kai, as always, placed the blame on me. I sighed. “This isn't my fault.” “As hell it isn’t,” he snorted. We continued running, following her faint scent. With each step, it grew fainter. I was starting to lose my composure, and I didn't know what I'd do if we didn't find her. Was I not supposed to be glad that she left? She was doing both of us a favor by leaving, but she didn't know it. Should I stop searching for her and head back to the pack house to mourn my p
RUBY.I didn't know whether to feel happy or annoyed that he came looking for me. And the jealousy brewing in those ocean-blue eyes—what was it for? For a moment, I was stunned, watching him fight his wolf off as though he wanted nothing more than to transform and beat the hell out of the Alpha of the Meadowdale pack—who I had come to know as Liam, Alpha Liam.Then he claimed me as his, and after a little exchange between him and Alpha Liam, he announced that I was his girlfriend. Was I surprised? No. Shocked? Yes!Even though I had somehow come to the conclusion that he was sort of interested in me—sort of like I said, maybe it was only for a fleeting moment—I didn’t think he could lie about us in public like that. In fact, there was no us. There was just him and me, two different individuals who were talking to each other because I found myself in his pack, which, up to this moment, I didn’t know how possible it was. Fine, I had run out of the Oakwood pack that night and ended up in
RUBY. I opened my eyes the next morning to sunlight streaming through the window.Stretching out, I went into the bathroom and took care of my morning routine, then changed into long black leggings and a peach t-shirt.After that, I laid down on the bed, facing the ceiling. Memories of the previous day flooded my mind, and I let out a sigh.I had a plan of reaching the Oakwood pack but was captured and caught. Now, I knew the Alpha King would have his eyes on me. And I didn't know if I had the heart to leave again… for now.Kai had been happy to let me ride on him last night, and leaving without informing the Alpha King would seem ungrateful. But that does not mean I'd stay back here. So many things were at stake, and I couldn't just stay back.One—for Alpha Frederick's justice.Two—the Alpha King has a mate.Three—I couldn't afford to be comfortable here. I was an enemy to this pack, and they might want to execute me if they found out what I am.I knew what I'd do. I'd let things li
KAEL.“Alpha, all the searches on Ruby came up empty,” Beta Alvin said immediately after he walked into my office.I pursed my lips. “Did you search all the packs in the kingdom?”He nodded. “Yes, Alpha. But I didn't search in the Alpha King's pack because she obviously wouldn't have gone there.”A look of disdain appeared on his face. It pleased me that he was against her as well. Not only him, but everyone in the pack didn't want her to live, but I spared her life.“Keep searching for her. Ask more questions and make sure you use her description. She might have changed her identity; maybe that's why you couldn't find her,” I ordered him.He bowed. “Yes, Alpha.” He turned to leave but halted on his way. “Alpha?”“Beta?”“Don't you think you're doing the wrong thing?” he asked, and I arched my brow. “That girl killed your father—the previous Alpha of this pack—and the pack members are wondering why you let her go that day. And now you are searching for her so that she can attend the b
CLINTON.In two days, the arrangement for Ruby and me was made. I couldn't wait to take my female from here, where I'd be with her without anyone interrupting us.Even though I had planned to introduce her to the pack as my mate, I didn't want to do that yet before I had the chance to make her fall in love with me.I know the bond between mates is always strong, but I didn't want her to feel any particular emotion toward us because of that.I want her to love us—Kai and me—and I would do everything to make that happen.When I went to meet her at the penthouse last night, I told her what I had planned. At first, she refused to come with me, but after convincing her that it would do both of us good to date each other, as I wouldn't let her go, she agreed to my plans.Now she's patiently waiting for me tonight because I planned for us to leave the kingdom so that we could be in Valoria by morning.I picked that part of the human city because it has the best scenic beauty for lovers. And
CLINTON.‘Your highness, Carlos sent a message.’ Beta Asher's voice filled my head. ‘He said he's watching you. That he knows just how to bring you to your knees because he has found your weakness.’There could only be one weakness he was referring to, and that happened to be Ruby. But how the fuck did he find out about her? Only Liam knew about her. And I trusted him not to spill a word to others. So I wondered how he could have found out about her.It was either he had a spy in this pack, or he was talking about something else.Whatever it was, I'd never let anyone touch even a hair on her neck. My grip on my mate tightened as fierce possessiveness washed over me. I didn't know what I'd do if someone hurt her. Hell, would I allow that? I'd protect her, even if it meant endangering my life.‘Don't give him a response. Let him keep barking like the dog he is. Once I'm back from my vacation, I'll have a long talk with the council of elders.’ I growled, my jaw clenching.‘As you wish, A
RUBY. “Wow, this whole city is like stepping into a dream,” I muttered, glancing up at the tall, beautiful hotel we were going to stay in.It had been twenty-two minutes since the plane landed, and Clinton had hired an Uber to bring us here. Everything was incredible—far beyond what I had imagined a human city would look like.Clinton chuckled beside me, drawing my attention away from the breathtaking view. Not that he wasn't handsome, but I’d seen his face enough times to be bored stiff.Of course, I knew that was a lie, but it wasn’t for me to admire. There was someone made for him—someone crafted from his rib by the moon goddess herself.‘Then why are you here with him, leaving behind all your goals to be on a date with him?’ my very traitorous mind said to me.Oh, whatever.“What are you laughing at?” I asked.He shrugged and grabbed my hand as he steered us inside the hotel. The interior was even more opulent than the exterior, brimming with grand chandeliers dripping with cryst
CLINTON.“Tell me, little m—Ruby, do you like what you see?” I immediately caught the word that almost slipped out of my mouth. Luckily, I didn't think she noticed any slight slip-up.She wasn't supposed to find out now. That was why we were here, to make her fall in love with me before I revealed the truth to her.I smirked at her blush, loving that I had such an effect on her. Maybe she couldn't tell we were mates, but from the way she acted around me most times, I could tell I affected her as well.Ruby tried to push me away, but her strength wasn't comparable to mine, so she ended up putting her arms down.“You have nothing for me to admire,” she said, rolling her eyes, but she didn't take her eyes off my chest.I could see the heated gaze she tried to hide. Her defiant words were contradicted by the way her breath hitched and her pupils dilated, betraying her true feelings.“Is that so?” I chuckled, leaning in just enough to close the distance between us. The scent of her nervous