RUBYI had almost forgotten how scared I was about coming to this dinner earlier.Thanks to the way Kiara and Luna Scarlett had kindly welcomed me, as though they'd known me for more than just a few minutes. I used to think Cassie talked a lot, but Kiara was even more talkative. In just a few minutes of meeting her, I’d already learned that she was sixteen, that Sebastian had beaten up two boys who cheated on her, and that he had even paid off a boy she liked so he wouldn’t try to sleep with her.She was so annoyed with Sebastian's overprotective, big-brother attitude, but I loved hearing this sweet side of him. It felt as though he wasn’t the same playboy and arrogant guy I knew. That clearly showed he loved his sister deeply. Kiara was beautiful, sweet, and kind, just like Luna Scarlett who reminded me of my mom with how she kept checking if I was enjoying my meal every few seconds. We hadn't spent even thirty minutes here at the dining table, but I’d lost count of how many ti
RUBY"Annalisa..." Sebastian whispered, surprise flickering in his voice as he looked from her to me.My heart pounded in my chest, the feel of his lips still lingering on mine. I swallowed hard, stepping back from him and glancing around. Guards stood by the entrance and along the mansion's sides, though they seemed to be looking elsewhere. Still, my face flushed with embarrassment.I looked at Sebastian, who didn’t seem the least bit disturbed that we’d just made out right in front of the guards. His gaze was still clouded with the heat of the kiss, and I cursed under my breath as a tingling sensation spread through me.Goddess, what was Sebastian doing to me?Sebastian swallowed, turning to face Annalisa."If I hadn’t shown up, you two would’ve gone even further out here," she muttered.I lifted my chin, noticing a flicker of hurt in her expression. I wanted to shake my head, but it became stiff.Sebastian sighed, brushing his hair from his forehead as he glanced between Annali
RUBY The next day, I woke up late for school for the first time. As loud as my annoying alarm was, I didn’t even know when it rang and went off. After Sebastian dropped me off last night, I’d climbed into bed after a shower, hoping to drift off immediately but sleep wouldn’t come. Instead, everything that had happened at the packhouse kept playing in my head, scene after scene, refusing to let me rest. And the kiss with Sebastian… that was the worst part, looping through my mind like a glitching reel, something I couldn’t turn off no matter how hard I tried. I tossed and turned, even whispering a quick prayer to the goddess to let me sleep. Eventually, sleep must have crept in without me realizing it, because the next thing I knew, I was jerking awake, breathless and sweating. The image of Annalisa’s wolf with blazing eyes, seared through my mind. In the nightmare, she lunged at me, slashing her claws down my side when she saw me with Sebastian. I shuddered as the dream fl
RUBY"Lizzy is the Queen K leader. If I join, I’ll be under her. I doubt she’ll accept me easily, not after looking down on me for so long," I said, watching Cassie wave down a cab to take us back to the dorms.She paused, looking at me like I’d said something unbelievable."People in power rarely change, especially someone like Lizzy. She treats bullying Omegas like it’s her life’s mission.""Come on, Ruby, you’re in a higher position now," Cassie said, smirking."If Lizzy tries shit, just remind her of her place. She might be an Alpha’s daughter, but you’re the future Luna of this pack. This isn’t her father’s territory."I knew my new position meant no one would dare mess with me now. But this role was temporary, and I didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention. I had to be careful with every move I made here, knowing Sebastian and I would part ways by this time next year."Getting back at Lizzy would make me just as cruel as her, and that’s the last thing I want," I said, tucking a
SEBASTIANRuby had done something strange to me. I thought I could keep my wolf under control, suppressing the cravings for sex to protect our fake bond.But since that intense moment with her last night that I smelled her arousal, my control began slippingMy wolf had gone wild, fierce and restless. I’d fought against the pull all day, trying to shake the sensations gnawing at me.But the moment I stepped into Lex Club with Robert, where one of our teammates was celebrating his birthday, the last thread of control snapped. The heavy scent of alcohol filled the air, laced with a faint, unmistakable smell of sex. That slight trace should’ve been easy to ignore, but it hit me hard, igniting something feral within me."I want to go," I whispered into Robert’s ear.He snapped his head up, confusion settling on his face under the glittering lights. "We just got here. What changed?" he asked, his voice barely cutting through the loud music.I wished I could tell him the truth, but I coul
RUBYI cried myself to sleep last night... After Sebastian left, I scolded my wolf for pushing him against the wall.She claimed she was trying to protect me because I seemed to be afraid of how he was touching me, and she said she didn’t mean to act so violently but...But what? Did I ask her for that? To act out of control, like I had that night, five years ago?The memory flooded back and a wave of guilt washed over me. Tears burned my eyes as I thought of how Mom had shielded me, burying my mistake that night to protect me. The guilt, mixed with the ache of losing her, felt raw with each memory. It was as if I could hear her voice, feel her arms around me, smoothing my hair and soothing me with her laughter. I hugged her photo frame to my chest, letting myself fall apart just a little longer.When I awoke the next day, my heart felt a little lighter, though my eyes were heavy as lead."I'm sorry, I no longer work there," I told a customer on the phone who wanted to order coffee
RUBY It took me a moment to realize why my heart had jolted. I glanced over at Aiden, and my mind flashed back to him leaning closer to my face just moments ago. Aiden was looking at me with a slight frown as he took another slow bite of his sandwich.My eyes dropped to his lips and my stomach fluttered with nerves. Immediately I looked away.Would he really have kissed me if Sebastian hadn’t called just then? And if I could remember this will be the second time Aiden was making attempt to kiss me. Why this sudden change from him?“Ruby?” Sebastian’s voice on the other end of the phone was loud and concerned.“Yea..." I said, unsure of what to say."I said to wait for me there. I’ll come pick you up.”"Okay,” I replied sharply.As Sebastian ended the call, I began gathering my things, slipping my notes into my bag. Part of me knew Sebastian wouldn’t mind seeing me with Aiden. After all, Aiden was just my friend. But knowing he’d almost kissed me left me feeling strangely unsettle
RUBYEvery fiber of my being screamed at me to turn around and avoid a confrontation I might regret, but something inside refused to let me back down. I wasn’t going to let anyone make me feel small anymore.The strap of my bag slipped down my shoulder, and I jerked it back into place, my eyes never leaving Annalisa. She was approaching with her arms crossed, her blonde hair styled into two sleek braids, and her short purple dress radiating luxury. Her icy eyes took me in with a look of disdain.Once again, my mind went back to the nightmare, and a shiver ran down my spine. But I quickly pushed it aside.It was just a dream. Annalisa may hate me now, but I didn’t believe she’d go as far as trying to kill me. It was just one year, I would leave Sebastian.I took a steadying breath, forcing myself to meet her frosty stare as my heart hammered in my chest."As far as I know, Omegas are only meant to be one of two things: pup carriers or playthings for wolves who don’t want anything ser
RUBYThe morning greeted me with a comforting heaviness. My body aching was a proof to how much fun I had yesterday. Memories of the outing filled my thoughts, and for once, they weren’t overshadowed by regret.Kiara had been a breath of fresh air, full of energy and excitement to have me as her brother's mate. She dragged us to places I had only seen on TV or through the windows of passing street buses: a quaint diner with milkshakes and the best pancakes I’d ever tasted, a lively carnival Mom once promised we’d visit together, and a serene park adorned with fairy lights.For the first time in years, I let myself enjoy the moment and allowed my wolf to communicate with me freely. I laughed without restraint, and my wolf felt giddy with excitement as she guided me to win games at the carnival. For once, I forgot the weight of my reality.Yesterday felt like a dream, I didn’t want to end.But now, as I shifted in bed, exhaustion clung to me like a second skin. I buried my face deeper i
SEBASTIAN Ruby’s laughter was light, melodic, and completely out of place in the moment. Even though I was confused, I couldn’t deny the pull her laugh had on my heart. It was sweet, almost addictive, and so contagious that I felt the corners of my lips twitching. I wanted to laugh along with her, but bursting into laughter without knowing why would be ridiculous. I blinked, trying to piece together what had just happened as Ruby laughed uncontrollably, her hand nearly covering her mouth. Why was she laughing? Was it because I told her my wolf wanted to fvk her? No. Ruby couldn’t be laughing because of that... could she? I glanced at her in confusion, then quickly looked down at myself as I leaned back in my seat. My shirt? Clean. No weird stains. My jeans? Intact. What could possibly be so funny? I even checked my reflection in the rearview mirror. Nothing out of the ordinary. My confusion deepened as I turned back to look at her, my brow furrowing. My patience was
SEBASTIAN“Can you grant me access to your wolf?” I asked, staring into her striking blue eyes.Ruby flinched, her breath hitching as the uncomfortable look I was becoming too familiar with washed over her.I barely remembered I was driving when I furrowed my brows slightly, staring deeper into her eyes as though the answer lay within them. My wolf, unhelpful as ever, flashed a vivid image of Ruby in her thin nightwear from last night and a tingling sensation danced through me. Noticing a slight movement of her lips, I shifted my gaze from her eyes to her trembling lips as they parted slightly as though she was about to speak.But before a word escaped her, a loud crash jolted us both.The car lurched forward violently, and Ruby was thrown toward the dashboard.“Ruby!” I growled, one hand gripping the steering wheel while the other shot out to stop her from hitting her head.Quickly steadying the car, I pulled over to the side of the road, letting the idiot behind us pass. My heart
RUBYEvery fiber of my being screamed at me to turn around and avoid a confrontation I might regret, but something inside refused to let me back down. I wasn’t going to let anyone make me feel small anymore.The strap of my bag slipped down my shoulder, and I jerked it back into place, my eyes never leaving Annalisa. She was approaching with her arms crossed, her blonde hair styled into two sleek braids, and her short purple dress radiating luxury. Her icy eyes took me in with a look of disdain.Once again, my mind went back to the nightmare, and a shiver ran down my spine. But I quickly pushed it aside.It was just a dream. Annalisa may hate me now, but I didn’t believe she’d go as far as trying to kill me. It was just one year, I would leave Sebastian.I took a steadying breath, forcing myself to meet her frosty stare as my heart hammered in my chest."As far as I know, Omegas are only meant to be one of two things: pup carriers or playthings for wolves who don’t want anything ser
RUBY It took me a moment to realize why my heart had jolted. I glanced over at Aiden, and my mind flashed back to him leaning closer to my face just moments ago. Aiden was looking at me with a slight frown as he took another slow bite of his sandwich.My eyes dropped to his lips and my stomach fluttered with nerves. Immediately I looked away.Would he really have kissed me if Sebastian hadn’t called just then? And if I could remember this will be the second time Aiden was making attempt to kiss me. Why this sudden change from him?“Ruby?” Sebastian’s voice on the other end of the phone was loud and concerned.“Yea..." I said, unsure of what to say."I said to wait for me there. I’ll come pick you up.”"Okay,” I replied sharply.As Sebastian ended the call, I began gathering my things, slipping my notes into my bag. Part of me knew Sebastian wouldn’t mind seeing me with Aiden. After all, Aiden was just my friend. But knowing he’d almost kissed me left me feeling strangely unsettle
RUBYI cried myself to sleep last night... After Sebastian left, I scolded my wolf for pushing him against the wall.She claimed she was trying to protect me because I seemed to be afraid of how he was touching me, and she said she didn’t mean to act so violently but...But what? Did I ask her for that? To act out of control, like I had that night, five years ago?The memory flooded back and a wave of guilt washed over me. Tears burned my eyes as I thought of how Mom had shielded me, burying my mistake that night to protect me. The guilt, mixed with the ache of losing her, felt raw with each memory. It was as if I could hear her voice, feel her arms around me, smoothing my hair and soothing me with her laughter. I hugged her photo frame to my chest, letting myself fall apart just a little longer.When I awoke the next day, my heart felt a little lighter, though my eyes were heavy as lead."I'm sorry, I no longer work there," I told a customer on the phone who wanted to order coffee
SEBASTIANRuby had done something strange to me. I thought I could keep my wolf under control, suppressing the cravings for sex to protect our fake bond.But since that intense moment with her last night that I smelled her arousal, my control began slippingMy wolf had gone wild, fierce and restless. I’d fought against the pull all day, trying to shake the sensations gnawing at me.But the moment I stepped into Lex Club with Robert, where one of our teammates was celebrating his birthday, the last thread of control snapped. The heavy scent of alcohol filled the air, laced with a faint, unmistakable smell of sex. That slight trace should’ve been easy to ignore, but it hit me hard, igniting something feral within me."I want to go," I whispered into Robert’s ear.He snapped his head up, confusion settling on his face under the glittering lights. "We just got here. What changed?" he asked, his voice barely cutting through the loud music.I wished I could tell him the truth, but I coul
RUBY"Lizzy is the Queen K leader. If I join, I’ll be under her. I doubt she’ll accept me easily, not after looking down on me for so long," I said, watching Cassie wave down a cab to take us back to the dorms.She paused, looking at me like I’d said something unbelievable."People in power rarely change, especially someone like Lizzy. She treats bullying Omegas like it’s her life’s mission.""Come on, Ruby, you’re in a higher position now," Cassie said, smirking."If Lizzy tries shit, just remind her of her place. She might be an Alpha’s daughter, but you’re the future Luna of this pack. This isn’t her father’s territory."I knew my new position meant no one would dare mess with me now. But this role was temporary, and I didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention. I had to be careful with every move I made here, knowing Sebastian and I would part ways by this time next year."Getting back at Lizzy would make me just as cruel as her, and that’s the last thing I want," I said, tucking a
RUBY The next day, I woke up late for school for the first time. As loud as my annoying alarm was, I didn’t even know when it rang and went off. After Sebastian dropped me off last night, I’d climbed into bed after a shower, hoping to drift off immediately but sleep wouldn’t come. Instead, everything that had happened at the packhouse kept playing in my head, scene after scene, refusing to let me rest. And the kiss with Sebastian… that was the worst part, looping through my mind like a glitching reel, something I couldn’t turn off no matter how hard I tried. I tossed and turned, even whispering a quick prayer to the goddess to let me sleep. Eventually, sleep must have crept in without me realizing it, because the next thing I knew, I was jerking awake, breathless and sweating. The image of Annalisa’s wolf with blazing eyes, seared through my mind. In the nightmare, she lunged at me, slashing her claws down my side when she saw me with Sebastian. I shuddered as the dream fl