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
Chloe JaneInside, the cabin feels like a sanctuary from the world outside. The warmth from the fireplace battles the chill that sneaks in through the cracks in the old wood. Ruin leads me to the couch and sits down next to me, his body a solid presence that’s both comforting and unsettling.“Why do you do it?” I ask, turning my head towards where I think his face is. “Why do you keep pushing yourself so hard out there? You know we’re safe here, at least for now.”His silence stretches, and I can almost hear the cogs turning in his mind. Finally, he speaks, his voice a low rumble that resonates through the room. “It’s not just about us being safe right now, Chloe Jane. It’s about making sure we stay safe. And that means being prepared, always being one step ahead of those who might be after us,” he explains.I frown, struggling to understand his constant vigilance. “But doesn’t it ever get tiring? Always being on guard, always having to be the strong one?”He lets out a soft chuckle,
Ruin I’ve gone and done it. I’ve told her about what I did and how I’m responsible for her losing her sight and now she’s looking at me as if I’ve destroyed her entire world. A dagger to my heart would feel less painful. “I don’t… understand,” she says, shaking her head. “How are you responsible? What did… What did you do?” I swallow deeply and take a step back from her, dropping my hands from her face and breathing out a sigh. “I was young and cocky, thinking I didn’t need help when I barged inside. One of the men used your mother as a shield while holding a gun to her head, but he got too nervous and fired before the threat even left his lips.” The image has stayed with me to this day; the fear in their eyes as I showed them my true form because I thought I was more powerful than lesser wolf shifters. Then, the scream and the look of horror on the little girl’s face as she looked at me. She went blind because she, an innocent, saw my true form. Ryker has restricted my powers si
Phoebe The forest always feels like a different world, a place where I can shed the weight of expectations and just be Phoebe. Not Phoebe, the daughter of Horseman Conquest and A Fate, not the leader-in-waiting of the next generation, just... me. Here, I can escape the destiny that’s been mine since before I was born. It’s a heavy crown, one that requires me to be more than I sometimes feel capable of being. My parents, Goddess bless them, they try to understand, but there’s a part of this journey I have to navigate alone. My brothers, too, they’re caught up in their own destinies, each of us a cog in a machine set in motion before we were even born. Today, the forest feels alive, almost buzzing with a silent energy that speaks directly to my soul. I wander, letting my feet guide me, drawn deeper into the heart of this secluded place. There’s a part of me that dreads returning home, to plaster a smile on my face and pretend all is well. It’s exhausting, playing that role when in
Deacon The room’s dimmed to just a whisper of light, casting soft shadows across Chloe Jane and our daughter, both of them sleeping soundly. It’s quiet now. The earlier flurry of visitors with their well-wishes and blessings has ebbed away, leaving just the three of us in a peaceful bubble. I’m sitting in a chair pulled up close to the bed, elbows on my knees, chin on my hands, just watching them. Chloe Jane’s got this peaceful look on her face, the kind of serenity you don’t often find in the waking world. And our daughter, nestled in her little bassinet next to her, is just as tranquil. It’s a picture I wish I could frame, keep safe forever. I lean back; the chair creaking softly under my weight, and let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. It’s moments like these, rare and fleeting, that make you ponder the grand scheme of things. The Creators had a plan for me, a path laid out since the dawn of my existence. Being a Horseman comes with its burdens, its expectatio
Chloe JaneThe world snaps into sharp focus with a jolt, my body tensing as a sharp pain slices through my belly, ripping me from the depths of sleep. My breath catches, a soft whimper escaping as I instinctively reach for my stomach, the realization crashing over me like a wave.Deacon is by my side in an instant, his eyes wide with concern and sleep-fuzzed confusion. “Chloe Jane? What is it? What’s wrong?”“It’s … I think it’s time,” I manage to gasp out, another wave of pain crashing over me.“Bloody hell,” he mutters, more to himself than to me, as he switches on the lamp. The soft light fills the room, casting shadows that dance across the walls, doing little to ease the growing tension.He helps me sit up, his movements gentle but quick, his concern palpable. “Let’s get you comfortable, yeah?” he says, helping me into a robe. His voice is steady, but I can hear the undercurrent of worry, the faintest tremor that betrays his nerves.I nod, leaning heavily on him as another contra
Chloe JaneSitting across from Ryker in his office, the seriousness of the moment weighs heavily on me. The room feels too large, his desk a barrier of polished wood, but I’m here with a purpose that fuels my resolve. The shadows cast by the low light seem to dance around him, making him appear both as the formidable Alpha he is and the mentor I need him to be at this moment.“Ryker, I’ve been thinking a lot about what my next steps should be,” I start, my voice steady despite the fluttering in my stomach. “With my father...with what happened, there’s a void in leadership, and I believe I should step in. To lead in his place, as Sovereign.”Ryker leans back in his chair, his expression unreadable. The silence stretches between us, thick and heavy, until he finally nods, his demeanor serious. “It’s a bold move, Chloe Jane. You have the vision and the heart for it, but it’s not going to be easy. Especially not in the current climate.”I nod, expecting no less. “I know it won’t be. But
RuinI never expected to feel the absolute completion that came with seeing Chloe Jane walking down the aisle toward me. I thought I was made of stronger stuff, but apparently not when it comes to the love of my life.As it should be.The moment she steps into my arms for our first dance, it’s like the world shifts under my feet. I’ve faced down monsters, fought battles that would turn a weaker man’s blood to ice, but nothing, absolutely nothing, compares to the weight of her gaze on me, filled with love and trust.I pull her closer, our bodies moving together in rhythm with the music, a soft melody that somehow seems to echo the beat of our hearts. “You’re bloody stunning, love,” I whisper, my voice rough with emotion. “Never thought I’d be the type to get all twisted up inside over a dance.”Chloe Jane laughs, that sound that’s come to mean everything to me. “And yet, here you are,” she says, her hands resting on my shoulders, her eyes sparkling. “Dancing with your wife in front of
Chloe JaneThe air feels charged today, thick with anticipation and the kind of nervous energy that makes my skin prickle. I’m standing in the bridal room, my reflection staring back at me, barely recognizable. My belly is massive now, a constant reminder of the life Deacon and I have created together. It’s hard to believe that in just a few moments, I’ll be walking down the aisle, making everything official in the eyes of our pack and the powerful Alphas gathered here today.Leianna is with me, her presence a calming force amidst the chaos of my thoughts. She’s been my rock through all of this. I couldn’t ask for a better friend or a better person to be here with me today. As I pace back and forth, trying to quell the nausea that’s been my constant companion this evening. I halt my pacing and look at her, desperation clear in my gaze. [“I don’t know if I can do this,”] I sign, my hands shaky. [“Chloe Jane, everything will be perfect,”] she signs, her hands moving with grace. [“Yo
RuinI’m sitting across from Ryker, my hands clenched into fists on my knees. The silence in the office is thick, almost tangible, as I muster the courage to voice what’s been haunting me for years. Ryker’s gaze is steady, patient, waiting for me to speak.“I want to tell Chloe Jane about my past,” I finally say, the words tasting like ash in my mouth.Ryker’s eyebrows shoot up, surprise etching his features for a moment before he leans back in his chair, nodding slowly. “That’s a big step, Ruin. But it’s a good one. Purging yourself of that past... Chloe Jane will understand. She loves you.”I nod, not entirely convinced but appreciating his support. “Yeah, I just... I don’t want there to be secrets between us. Not about something this big; something that shaped me this round of my reincarnation.”“Good man,” Ryker says, his voice warm with approval. “You’re doing the right thing.”Ryker was the one who found me starving and out of my mind on the streets. He’s the one who took me in
Chloe JaneI’m seated in the cozy living room of our cottage, surrounded by wedding planners and notebooks. The idea of planning a wedding in the middle of the War of The Five feels surreal, yet here I am, trying to pick out floral arrangements and seating charts. Ryker had gently insisted that we invite the Alphas of our allied packs, a strategic move given the circumstances of the war. I understand the necessity, though it’s far from the small ceremony I originally wanted. But these are strange times now. We need to show our allies that we appreciate them, even if it’s only a wedding.A knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. I’m expecting Leianna, and a smile spreads across my face at the thought of spending the afternoon with her. I hurry over and open the door to find her standing there, a tentative smile on her face.[“Hey, come in,”] I sign, stepping aside to let her through. She nods, her smile growing as she steps into the warmth of the cottage.After a light lunch, wh
Ruin “Spent years blind, only for my fiance to blind me again,” I can’t help but chuckle at Chloe Jane’s words as I lead her into the forest behind the pack house. She’s been complaining about the blindfold for the last few minutes, but I want her to have the full effect of the gift I’ve been working on since she’s been gone. “Oh, aren't we overdramatic. Do Fates have zero patience or something? Hold your horses, we’re almost there, dove,” I say as we walk, only for her to pout more. She’s only been back for a day and she’s already more bossy than before, bloody hell. As we step into the clearing, I can’t help but feel nervous at what her reaction might be. Will she like it? Will she say it’s silly? I suppose I’ll find out in a few seconds. I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist. “I’ve been working on this for a while now,” I murmur into her ear. “Welcome home, love.” Then I kiss her soft cheek and remove her blind fold from her eyes. She sucks in a sharp breat