Ruby's POVElena and I began to eat, I couldn't help but notice that her gaze was fixed on me. It made me self-conscious, and my fingers fumbled with the knife and fork. In Silverwood, we didn't use utensils, or at least I didn't ; I ate with my hands and often scavenged for leftovers. This new world of formal dining felt foreign and uncomfortable.Elena finally cleared her throat, breaking the silence. "You have a very nice pendant," she remarked, her voice soft and curious. I looked down at the pendant hanging around my neck, a small, silver trinket with intricate engravings. It was a keepsake from my father, and it held some kind of value, maybe I would get something off it in the future, I hope. "Yeah, thank you," I replied, my fingers lightly touching the pendant. Elena's interest increased my curiosity, but I was unsure about revealing the pendant's significance. I didn't know how the Night Howlers Pack would view a rogue wolf like my father."Does it mean anything to you?" She
Gonzalo's POVIt was clear that tensions were running high. Drako stood before the panel, his hands tightly bound behind his back. We were interrogating him about Ruby's sudden disappearance, and his continuous denial only fueled my anger."I don't know what you are talking about!" Drako shouted back at me, his resolve evident in his eyes."You fucking liar!" I screamed at him, my frustration getting the best of me. Spit flew from my mouth as I spat in his direction. "Respect my boy." My father's voice boomed from behind me."Even though he might have committed treason, you should still respect him, he is still your beta.""Fuck that." I said under my breath.Turning back to Drako, my father's voice carried a weight of authority as he addressed the beta. "You better tell the truth now, Drako. Did you or did you not help the girl?"Darko's gaze lifted to meet our Alpha's stern eyes. "Alpha, you've got to believe me," he pleaded, desperation in his voice. "I was on the other side of the
Ruby's POVElena's voice rang out, inviting Alpha Ralph and Vance into the room. A hint of nervousness clung to me as they entered. This was all so new, and I felt like an outsider in this new world.Alpha Ralph, tall and imposing, took the lead as he always did. Vance, his loyal beta, followed closely behind. They joined Elena and me at the dining table, where I had been nervously nibbling on my food, trying not to draw too much attention to myself. Elena, ever gracious, extended the offer for them to join us.Alpha Ralph agreed with a warm smile, his presence both intimidating and oddly comforting. Vance, however, seemed a bit dense to my unspoken message. I hesitated, unsure whether to move or stay put.After a moment, Alpha Ralph cleared his throat, and it was clear he understood my discomfort. "Vance," he said calmly, "would you kindly get up so Ruby can sit by my side?""Oh, yes Alpha." Vance said as he jumped up immediately, his obedience swift and unquestioning. I felt a mixtu
Ruby's POVI could still feel the warmth of his lips even after he had left. I turned to see Elena grinning mischievously and winking at me. Her teasing smile made my cheeks flush, and I couldn't help but smile back awkwardly."Why are you smiling like that?" I asked, still flustered from the unexpected kiss.Elena leaned in closer, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "You two must be something special," she said, her voice carrying a hint of excitement.I sighed, not quite sure where to begin or how much to divulge. It was complicated, to say the least. "Well, I guess... It's kind of complicated," I replied, choosing my words carefully.Elena scooted even closer on the sofa, her interest piqued. "Tell me about it," she urged..I took another moment to gather my thoughts, still uncertain about how much to disclose. Finally, I decided to share a bit but not go into too much detail. "Well," I began slowly, "I was in Silverwood, and things got pretty bad there. I met Alpha Ralph, and he...
Ruby's POV Gonzalo's voice, sharp and demanding, cut through the eerie silence. "Remove your clothes," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for disobedience.I refused, my body tensing as I backed away from him. Panic surged within me, urging me to run out. But when I tried to run towards the door, something unexplainable held me back. It was as if an invisible force, a malevolent presence, had wrapped itself around me, preventing any escape.Desperation clawed at my chest as I looked up, and there he was, Gonzalo, advancing towards me with menacing determination. His predatory eyes bore into mine, filled with a twisted desire that sent shivers down my spine. "You are mine." He said smiling and walking towards me. In the dim, nightmarish haze, he climbed onto the bed, pinning me beneath his weight. I didn't know how I had ended up on the bed, but my mind was too consumed by fear to question it. I struggled, every muscle in my body screaming for release, but I was powerless against t
Gonzalo's POVTeresa's voice grated on my nerves as we argued in that dimly lit room. Her question about why I had hit her father only fueled my anger. "How could you hit my father? You didn't have to do that," she accused me, her tone filled with frustration.I growled in response, unable to contain my temper. "Lower your voice when you're speaking to me," I warned her through gritted teeth. Teresa hissed in annoyance, clearly unwilling to back down.My patience snapped, and I lunged toward her, seizing her wrist tightly in my grip. She struggled to break free, but my hold remained unyielding. I glared into her eyes, my anger boiling over as I spoke. "Your father is guilty, Teresa. He deserved everything he got, and more."She sighed in frustration, still attempting to wriggle free from my grasp. "I don't believe he was involved in helping Ruby escape," she countered, her voice defiant.I tightened my grip on her wrist, my frustration mounting. "You're too naive, Teresa. How can you
Ruby's POV I sat up on the bed, the morning light filtering through the window. It had been a restless night, plagued by the nightmares of Gonzalo. The way he had treated me, the threats, and the violence – it was all too vivid in my dreams. I shivered at the memory of his sinister grin.I had needed multiple cups of coffee to stay awake through the night. Coffee had become a friend. a small comfort that helped me push through the darkness of the past. As I sipped my morning coffee, I reflected on Elena's question from the previous night."Was he someone you loved?" Elena had asked me. My answer had been clear and unequivocal: "No, he wasn't." Gonzalo was far from a person I had loved. He was a menace, a monster from my past, and Alpha Ralph had saved me from his clutches.I gazed around the room, still unfamiliar to me. The Night Howlers Pack, Elena, Alpha Ralph – it was all so new, and I knew it would take time for me to adjust. The old life in Silverwood felt like a distant memory
Ruby's POVMy cheeks reddened slightly as I processed what she had just said. "I'm sorry," I stammered, trying to explain myself. "I didn't mean the question like that. I just wanted to know how things were with you and Alpha Ralph, so things wouldn't be awkward."Elena's smile remained warm, and she quickly reassured me. "No, not at all. I mean, people think that too, that he and I are a thing, but it isn't like that at all. I'm not offended because you asked. It's a good thing that you did."I sighed with relief but still felt a bit foolish. Elena then continued, "I've seen him kiss you twice. I know what that means. Trust me, I think you two look great together."My lips curled into a hesitant smile, and I mumbled, "Thank you." I had initially apologized, but now I realized that a simple "thank you" was more appropriate. Elena smiled back at me and teased, "That's better; you're learning fast."I chuckled softly, grateful for Elena's understanding and reassurance. It was reassuring
Gonzalo's POVThe words hung heavy in the air, a declaration of Alpha Ralph's apparent victory. Just as the tension reached its peak, Alpha Ralph waved his hand, and to our shock, half of Alpha Michael's pack members broke formation and joined him.He had been manipulating almost everyone throughout his stay in the pack during the competition. The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. The allies we thought we had were now standing with our adversary.Alpha Michael's face contorted with shock and disbelief. The pack members who had stood by us were now seemingly under Alpha Ralph's control. The betrayal was not only strategic but deeply personal.Just then, Drako emerged from the shadows with another set of his own pack members and stood by Alpha Ralph's side. The alliance between Alpha Ralph and Drako became alarmingly evident.Drako sneered at A
Gonzalo's POVI made my way back to Alpha Michael's tent, my mind racing with the urgency of the situation. As I approached, Alpha Michael emerged, his expression a mix of concern and stern determination."Gonzalo," he greeted, his voice low. "You'd better be right about this. If you're wrong, it could cost you everything.""I know the risks, Alpha Michael, but I've seen something that doesn't sit right. We can't afford to ignore the signs," I replied, the weight of responsibility evident in my words.Alpha Michael nodded, his eyes penetrating mine. "Lead the way. We need to act swiftly and decisively if there's a threat to the pack."We moved through the camp, Alpha Michael issuing orders to several trusted pack members to form a defensive position. The urgency in his voice conveyed the gravity of the situation."Get into position
Ruby's POVI rushed toward the door but before I could react, Teresa rushed towards me with the same swiftness and held me tightly. I attempted to scream, but she covered my mouth. Panic set in as I struggled against her grip."Ruby, calm down. I didn't come to hurt you," Teresa whispered urgently.I continued to struggle, my eyes wide with fear and distrust. Teresa tightened her hold but spoke with a soothing tone, "Please, just give me a chance to explain. I mean no harm."Reluctantly, I ceased my struggles, eyeing Teresa warily. She loosened her grip, taking a step back. "Thank you for not screaming. I need you to listen, Ruby."I eyed her cautiously but remained silent, allowing her to continue."I've been watching, and I know the dangers that lie ahead. I'm not here to align myself with Alpha Ralph. In fact, I wa
Ruby's POVI walked away from the bustling competition grounds, the moonlit corridors of the crimson Red Pack's territory stretched ahead. The night air carried a mix of excitement and tension, mirroring the conflicting emotions within me. I couldn't shake the feeling that the challenges unfolding in the competition were only the beginning of a larger narrative.As I approached my room, the heavy wooden door loomed ahead. A sense of fatigue washed over me, both from the emotional weight of breaking the mate bond and the anticipation of what lay ahead. Pushing the door open, I entered a space that had been my sanctuary, a place where I could reflect and gather my thoughts.However, before I could fully immerse myself in the solitude of my room, I saw my mother, Elsa, walking through the same moonlit hallways. Her figure appeared ethereal in the soft glow, and I couldn't help but f
Gonzalo's POVI sprinted through the woods, running away from the designated path of the final challenge, a sense of urgency fueled my every step. Glancing back, I ensured no one had spotted my sudden change of route. Alpha Ralph was far ahead, consumed by the race without even looking back for a moment.Reaching my tent, a wave of relief washed over me. Just as I caught my breath, I noticed Lucas preparing to leave. Instinctively, I called him back, his eyes wide with surprise."Lucas, wait!" I called out, the urgency in my voice stopping him in his tracks.He turned, a mixture of fear and confusion etched on his face. I approached him, holding him firmly by the shoulders. "Lucas, it's me. You don't need to be scared. There's something you need to know."His eyes searched mine, searching for reassurance. "What's going on, Gonzalo? Why did
Gonzalo's POVThe moon ascended higher in the night sky, casting its silvery glow over the competition grounds and where Ruby and I had been a few moments ago, I stood in a spot to observe the unfolding events. The air crackled with anticipation. It was the last dance, one that held a huge significance even though Ruby had chosen me, I was determined to win.Despite the significance of the moment, my thoughts lingered on what transpired earlier. The breaking of the mate bond with Alpha Ralph weighed heavily on my mind. Ruby's bold move had set a new path for the pack, challenging tradition and embracing a path less traveled.As we watched the trials unfold, Teresa's presence added another layer of complexity. Her gaze bore into Ruby, a mix of curiosity and calculation evident. The dynamics between them, intertwined with my own history, cast a shadow over the competition.&
The weight of my decision lifted as I left my father's study. His support meant the world to me, and I felt a renewed sense of determination. The pack's curious glances followed me as I walked through the corridors, but I was ready to face whatever challenges awaited.Leaving the pack quarters, I made my way to the competition grounds. The sun cast long shadows, creating an otherworldly atmosphere as I approached the central area where the mate bonds were formed and broken. The competition had been a journey of self-discovery, and now it was time to navigate the complexities of severing the bond with Alpha Ralph.As I reached the designated spot, Alpha Ralph was already waiting. His imposing figure exuded authority, and his eyes bore into mine with a mixture of curiosity and reservation. The pack members, sensing the significance of the moment, had gathered at a respectful distance, creating a circle around us.
Ruby's POVThe lingering tension between Gonzalo and me demanded resolution, and I didn't intend to let the uncertainty fester any longer. I guided him to a more secluded corner, away from prying eyes and curious ears. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken questions, and I needed answers."Okay, Gonzalo, we need to talk," I said, my voice firm, as I cornered him against the wall.He sighed, a mixture of reluctance and understanding in his eyes. "Ruby, can we not do this here? It's not the right time."I narrowed my eyes, feeling the weight of frustration settling in. "We're going to do this now. The pack already senses something is off, and I won't let rumors spiral out of control."Gonzalo glanced around, as if hoping to find a way out of the impromptu confrontation. "Ruby, I understand your concern, but we can't discuss everything here
Ruby's POVThe next day dawned with a sense of heaviness in the air, mirroring the weight on my shoulders. The events of the previous night had left a lingering tension within the Moonshade Pack, and I couldn't shake the feeling that the storm was far from over.I found myself in the pack's common area, a space that usually buzzed with activity but now held a palpable stillness. As I navigated through the room, the pack members cast fleeting glances my way, whispering among themselves. The air was thick with unspoken questions, and I could feel the weight of their expectations pressing on me.Gonzalo's absence was conspicuous, and a part of me wondered if he was avoiding me after the revelation about Teresa. I needed to find him, to clear the air and understand where we stood amid the chaos that unfolded.As I approached the doorway leading to the training grounds, my mother, Elsa, inte