Chloe JaneI wake up the following morning feeling unusually clear-headed, a stark contrast to the haze of pain and discomfort that had clouded my senses for the past few days. Sitting up in bed, I can’t help but smile, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand up, reaching out to find my things. My mind is blissfully blank, I gather my clothes and make my way to the shower, eager to wash away the remnants of the discomfort that had plagued me.After a refreshing shower, I feel rejuvenated, ready to face the day with a new energy. I wrap myself in a towel, go to the bedroom to get dressed, and start the day.But the moment I step in, Ruin’s distinct scent hits me - smoky, worn leather mixed with the sharp tang of whiskey. It’s a scent that’s become familiar, yet in this moment, it triggers a flood of memories from the night before.They flood back in a torrential rush: the pain, the desperation, my pleading voice, and Ruin... how he ‘h
RuinHow could I be so fucking stupid?I didn’t need to be so cold to her, especially not after what happened last night. It wasn’t her fault, it was her body’s natural reaction to a full moon and now I’ve probably made her feel like utter shite.I’ve been sitting in the car outside the cabin for the last hour, mulling my reaction over in my head. She didn’t deserve it; I was pissed off at myself for giving in to her, pissed off for losing control.“Fuck,” I groan, pinching the bridge of my nose and letting out a sigh. I have to make it right with her; what I did was unfair. So, after grabbing her medication, I slip out of the car and walk into the cabin.Without even looking, I know I’ll find her under the oak tree. It seems to be her sanctuary, and honestly after my reaction, I don’t blame her for wanting to escape. And now I’ll be interrupting her moment.She stiffens up as soon as she hears my boots and it’s like a knife twisting in my gut. Fucking hell, I deserve that and more. I
Chloe JaneLying there on my side, the tears just keep coming. It’s like a dam has burst inside me, letting all the pain and confusion flow out. Why did Ruin walk away? What’s the real reason he’s pushing me away? I know he’s complicated, that his life is a web of danger and shadows, but there’s something more, something he’s not telling me. He thinks of me as nothing but a naïve little girl who doesn't understand the world. It's so frustrating!As I lay there, lost in my thoughts, a small voice suddenly pierces the silence. It’s soft, almost melodic, and it seems to come from everywhere, echoing in my head. “Chloe Jane,” it whispers, sending a shiver down my spine. Why does the voice sound so familiar?Startled, I close my eyes, trying to make sense of this new intrusion. That’s when I see it – what must be a fluffy white wolf, but the image is in negatives, as if I’m seeing it through a different spectrum. My heart races, both from fear and a strange sense of recognition.The wolf
RuinAs if my day couldn’t get fucking worse, Halfway into doing a grocery run for the week, I receive a call from Valentine to say hunters are crawling all over Vegas. I no longer feel safe here, so I think it’s about time for us to find a different safe house. Ryker pointed me in a different direction — Seattle, so I’ve stocked up on enough food for the trip there. Now I’m on my way to the cabin to tell Chloe Jane that we’re leaving… just after fighting with her.Fuck my life.I park the car and rush inside, calling her name. She answers me from out back, but when I walk toward her and she turns to face me, her eyes roll back in her head and her knees give out.“Chloe Jane!” I rush towards her, catching her before she hits the floor and my heart fucking drops when I see blood running out of her nose. “Oh, fuck! What the hell…”I scoop her into my arms and carry her to the bedroom. As I lay Chloe Jane on the bed, her limp form sends a surge of panic through my veins. Her heart is st
Chloe JaneI overdid it. I got too excited about being able to see that I overdid it and now Halo is quiet. Ruin said I was passed out for well over fifteen hours, which seems completely impossible! We arrived at the new safe house about an hour ago, a cabin in the woods this time. Ruin says it’s protected with magic so no one will find us here, not until we’re ready to go back. He made me clean up, then he gave me food and told me I need to rest even after being passed out for so long.There’s one bedroom again, and the one problem with that is the bathroom is inside the main room. So when he showers and I’m in here, I’ll know. The thought sends a shiver up my spine… given that he’s in there now and in bed.The sound of the shower running in the adjoining bathroom fills the room. The thought of him so close, separated only by the thin walls of the cabin, sends an unexpected thrill through me. My heart flutters at the thought; Ruin’s right in there, naked… and I can’t see a thing.I
Chloe JaneThe next morning, as I slip into a dress I found among the new clothes Ruin had bought, I feel a sense of normalcy in the chaos of our lives. The fabric feels soft against my skin, and I can’t help but wonder what color it is, what it looks like in the light.I make my way to the kitchen, guided by my mobility cane and the familiar sounds and scents of breakfast being prepared. Ruin’s presence fills the space, the sound of him moving about, the clink of utensils, the sizzle of something cooking.“Good morning,” I say, a smile in my voice as I find a spot at the table.“Morning, Chloe Jane,” Ruin replies, his voice carrying over the sounds of cooking. “I hope you slept well.”I nod, even though he can’t see it. “I did, thank you. It’s quiet here, peaceful.”Ruin chuckles softly. “Yeah, it is. But it gets pretty nippy at night. I’m planning to get some firewood ready for us later. Keep the place warm.”The mention of firewood sparks an idea in my mind. “That sounds nice. Can
RuinI lied to Chloe Jane.Her father is 100% involved with the bullshit that’s going down in Chicago. Not only that, but the bounty on my head has been called off, and will be left off if I bring her back within a week.There’s no fucking way in hell I’m taking her back, not when I have a hunch that they’ll be using her for something. I can’t risk it, I just can’t.“It’s cozy here,” she says with a sigh, and I turn to look at her. She’s curled up on the couch I sleep on, drinking some tea while I’m busy tending to the fireplace. I can’t help but think how ironic it is that we’re living out her fantasy with her mate right now, even if she doesn’t know who I truly am.“Yeah, I could stay here forever and be pretty content,” I say, knowing that would never be in the cards for me. Not with the life I lead.“I was just thinking the same,” she says with a smile to her voice, and I don’t even have to turn to see she’s smiling. I don’t say anything after this, because lately I’ve found tha
Chloe JaneI don’t know why, but for the past week or so, I have been having the most vivid dreams in my negative landscape. Images and people I have never met, from babies right down to the elderly. Halo says it’s because I’ve gotten a peek at what my life could be like that it’s bled over to my dreams.It’s unnerving, though. I’m seeing things I haven’t been privy to in years, seeing faces and people even though I don’t know them./“What’s happening to me, Halo?”/ I ask her as I’m laying on the bed with my arm slung over my eyes. /“This doesn’t make any sense to me.”/Slowly, the darkness dissipates and Halo’s negative appearance comes into view. She’s sitting on her hind legs with her head tilted slightly to the side, a curious expression etched on her face./“I’ve told you before, Chloe Jane,”/ she starts. /“Your mind is conjuring up some vivid images now that you’ve had a sneak peek at what the world looks like. Have you tried to up your sights to twice a day?”//“No, I’ve been t