Gonzalo's POV
The words hung heavy in the air as Lucas attempted to explain himself, his intentions not malicious but misunderstood. I clenched my jaw, struggling to control the surge of anger and frustration that bubbled within me.
"I'll assume I didn't hear what you just said," I stated coldly, my voice a low growl, as I turned towards my car, my hand on the door handle.
Lucas hurriedly tried to clarify his statement, stammering in his urgency to rectify the misunderstanding. "No, Alpha, that's not what I meant. I meant that everything you could want is here in the Moonshade Pack. Why risk it for something you already have in Teresa?"
The words didn't register fully as my mind whirred with a mix of emotions—anger, confusion, and a tangle of thoughts that made it hard to grasp the fullness of what he was saying. The mention of Teresa, my pack, and Ruby left my head spinning.
Without fully comprehendi
Ruby's POVI lay on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Vincent's admission about Gonzalo being in the woods during our secret meeting left me both surprised and wary. How had Vincent known, and why had he kept it a secret from me?"How did you know?" I asked myself aloud, seeking answers that weren't there.I sat back against the headboard, lost in thought, piecing together the events that had unfolded earlier. Vincent's assurance that he had observed Gonzalo during our rendezvous felt unsettling. It made me question how deep Gonzalo's involvement in this competition truly was.Vincent's explanation seemed reasonable, but doubts lingered. "Should I trust him?" I whispered, uncertainty gnawing at my resolve.And then my mind shifted to what I had just seen from my window, Ethan standing and staring. I tried to get through my head about how my day had gone, it was a lot, and almost a mess.
Ruby's POVVincent helped me up, his support grounding me. "We need to figure out what's going on," he said, his concern evident in his voice.I nodded, still trying to catch my breath. "I really don't know what's going on."Max, frustration etched across his face, turned his attention to me. "How did he get into your room?"I sighed, feeling a dull ache in my neck from the encounter. "I don't know. It was like he appeared out of thin air."Vincent, ever the problem solver, spoke up. "We should search the area around your room. There might be clues."I nodded in agreement, grateful for their presence in this unsettling situation. "There's nothing here Max" I said sternly, almost getting annoyed for his lack of empathy.He ignored me and began to search the area around my room meticulously. Every corner, every window, looking for any signs of intrusion. But there was nothing
Ruby's POVI was finally left alone. I slowly got up and walked towards the full-length mirror on the wall. The dimly lit room made the reflection seem almost surreal. As I observed my own image, I couldn't help but focus on my neck, the soreness a painful reminder of Ethan's attack. My fingers gently brushed over the tender skin, tracing the ghostly grip that had tried to silence me.A sigh escaped my lips as I turned away from the mirror. My eyes welled up with tears, and I didn't bother fighting them. The tears were a release, a way to cope with the emotions that had been building up. In these moments, I longed for someone to hold me, to reassure me that everything would be alright.I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand and tried to give a weak smile to my reflection. My gaze shifted to the necklace I wore, the delicate moonstone pendant that had always brought me comfort. It was a reminder of my mother, a woman I
Ruby's POVAlpha Michael, looked down at me with a gentle smile and pressed a loving kiss to my forehead. "You should rest, Ruby," he said softly.I nodded, appreciating his concern and his unwavering support. We walked together out of my room and through the hallways of the pack house. The familiar surroundings offered a sense of comfort, a feeling of belonging that was more than just a physical space.As we approached his room, Alpha Michael paused and turned to me. "I'll be in my room if you need anything. Don't hesitate to come to me if you want to talk."I offered him a small smile, grateful for the offer. "Thank you, Dad. I'll be fine."He entered his room, and I was left standing in the hallway, contemplating the events of the night. It had been a rollercoaster of emotions, and as much as I appreciated my father's support, I couldn't shake off the unease that lingered within me.My thoughts we
Ruby's POVThe tension in the air was thick as a fog as the pack members gathered around, their eyes locked on the bewildered figure of Ethan, who was still tied to a wooden pole. Alpha Michael, Max, Vincent, and I stood at the center of the scene, trying to make sense of the surreal situation.Alpha Michael, ever the composed leader, turned his gaze to the pack member who had reported the discovery. "Explain what you mean. How did he get here?"The pack member, a young woman, stepped forward, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "He...he walked up to us by himself, Alpha. We didn't catch him; he just appeared here."A collective murmur swept through the gathered pack members, and I could see the skepticism in their eyes. It was a strange situation, and the mysterious appearance of Ethan had sent shockwaves through the crowd.Alpha Michael's brows furrowed as he processed the information. He
Ruby's POVMorning light filtered through my window, rousing me from a restless sleep. I glanced at the clock on my bedside table, it was still just 3 AM. Sleep seemed like it wasn't coming, and my mind was consumed with thoughts of Ethan and the mysteries that surrounded him.I knew that going to see him, to confront him, was risky. It was an idea that had taken root in the depths of my mind, a nagging urge I couldn't ignore. If there was a chance to uncover the truth, to understand how and why he had changed, I had to take it.Careful not to wake anyone, I slipped out of bed and tiptoed to the bathroom. The cold water splashed on my face was a shock to my system, but it helped to clear my thoughts. I quickly changed into warmer clothes, knowing that the early hours of the morning would be chilly.With determination burning within me, I quietly left my room and ventured outside. The air was crisp and carried the scent of pine
Ruby's POVI slowly regained consciousness, and it was weird. The world around me was blurry, and I couldn't quite make out where I was or what had happened. As my senses gradually sharpened, I realized that I was in an awkward position.My arm ached, and I could feel the cold, unyielding metal of the cell bar against it. It was then that I understood what had occurred. My eyes opened fully, and I gasped in shock.Ethan's arm was wrapped around my neck, holding me against the cell bars. My heart raced as I couldn't look into his eyes, but I could tell that they were now a dark, unsettling shade. The Ethan I had known, the one who had been pleading for help, was gone, replaced by someone unfamiliar and threatening.Standing before us were Max and Vincent, their expressions a mix of anger and concern. Max's eyes were blazing with rage, and Vincent's was a reflection of desperation. They were the only hope I had of e
Ruby's POVWith Vincent's support, I managed to stand up, though I was still shaken from the nightmare of an encounter with Ethan. As I approached the cell, I could see him lying unconscious on the cold, unforgiving floor. A trickle of blood stained his forehead, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of concern, despite everything that had transpired.My focus then shifted to the entrance of the dungeon, where Max was engaged in a heated conversation with the guards. His voice was a thunderous roar, and his anger was palpable. The guards stood with bowed heads, accepting the reprimand with a sense of defeat. It was clear that Max had lost all patience with them.As I drew nearer, I could hear Max's stern words, each syllable laced with frustration and disappointment. "Do you realize the gravity of your incompetence? Allowing Ruby access to a dangerous situation with no protection? You've endangered her life."The gu