I could feel the tension in the air as I stood firm, looking into Uncle Damien's glowing eyes. His presence was always intense, a heavy feeling I could never shake off. But this time was different."Choose your next words and actions carefully... Uncle Damien," I said firmly. For once, I wasn't afraid."You've grown some nerves, Ruby." His tone was as sharp as a blade. He leaned in closer, squinting as his eyes began to shine more brightly.I didn’t flinch. “You can growl and flash your glowing eyes all you want, Uncle Damien. You don’t scare me anymore.”His silence stretched, each second feeling like an eternity. He stared at me down, his chest heaving as he struggled to rein in his temper. Then, with a cold resolve, he stepped back, pressing his lips into a thin line."We're done here. Time we head back," he said, his voice cold and clipped."Gladly," I replied, brushing past him with a surge of adrenaline coursing through me. For the first time in my life, I had stood up to Unc
Liam leaned in, his lips quirking into a teasing grin. “Something like this?” he asked, pretending to lean in for a kiss.My heart skipped a beat as our faces drew closer. I swallowed hard, my gaze flicking between his eyes and his lips.“Hmmm hmmm,” I coughed, pulling back slightly. “Yeah, something like that. But only in front of Uncle Damien—not when we’re alone.”Liam laughed, leaning back. “Relax, I was just kidding. But... didn’t you say your uncle has eyes and ears all over the city?”I nodded. “He does.”“Then we’ll have to keep up the act all the time,” he said with mock seriousness, though the twinkle in his eye betrayed his amusement.I smirked. “Even Uncle Damien’s ears and eyes has limits. They can’t fit inside a cab with us.”“Hmmm hmmm,” Liam echoed, clearing his throat theatrically before leaning back.I pulled out my phone, scrolling through my contacts. “I need to call Helen,” I muttered.“You haven’t called her since we arrived?” Liam asked, his eyebrows shooting up
The morning air was cool, with a light smell of rain remaining after the early shower. Liam walked beside me as we made our way to the hotel gates. I let my thoughts wander, only for them to be interrupted by the sound of a car pulling up in front of us."Good morning, Mr. Reeves," he greeted, his voice steady."Morning, Austin," Liam replied casually, though his tone carried authority.I glanced between them, confusion knitting my brows. "What’s this about?”“Everything in place?” Liam asked the man, ignoring my question for the moment.“Yes, sir. Tested and trusted,” Austin confirmed with a small nod before slipping into the cab that had been trailing him.I crossed my arms and turned to Liam. “You bought a car?”“Rented,” he corrected, tapping the hood of the sedan with a slight smirk.“For what, Liam?” My tone carried more disbelief than curiosity.He shrugged. “I don’t like the idea of you hopping from one cab to another. So I rented this. For as long as we’re here.”“Liam—”“Whe
The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped out, my mind a haze as I planned for the rest of the day. That’s when I saw him.Roman stood there, his tall figure blocking the path, as if he’d been waiting for me.For a split second, my breath caught. I wasn’t shocked—no, I’d expected this. Sooner or later, we were bound to cross paths. The timing was surprising.“Roman.”“Ruby.” His tone was low, almost conversational. “We finally met.”I said nothing, holding his gaze as I shifted my bag higher on my shoulder.“So,” he continued, a sardonic edge creeping into his voice, “after all the tricks you pulled at the airport, pretending to travel alone…”“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I replied, my voice level.“Cut the crap, Ruby,” he hissed. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. That little stunt you pulled—acting like you were traveling with the kids when, in reality, you left them behind.”I tilted my head, feigning thought. “Yeah… it worked, didn’t it?”His lips pressed int
"But this is a different situation," Roman added quickly, his tone pleading."I'm listening," I said, trying not to let my guard down but still, I couldn't help but notice Roman stealing glances at me.He seemed to hesitate for a moment before finally coming out and saying what he had intended to say. "Ruby, we don't have to go through all that.""Let's not waste our time and cut straight to the point."A smirk appeared on his lips as he replied with what I wasn't expecting. "Same way we didn't waste time on our wedding night?I felt my cheeks burning, and it was only when I felt his breath against my neck that I realized how close we were."Are you flirting with me, Roman?""What if I was?""Well, you can keep doing it. It's not like we're in a hurry."His eyes lit up as a smile spread across his face. "You were always a bit of a rebel, weren't you?"You don't know the half of it.""Then show me," he whispered.It wasn’t intentional, but somehow, the conversation had shifted. The tea
"Make yourself at home."As I watched Roman walk into my suite, I tried to ignore the way my wolf stirred uneasily inside me. It wasn’t the first time it had happened since he’d barged back into my life, but tonight… tonight it was different. The air felt charged, like electricity buzzing under my skin, and the longer he stayed, the harder it was to ignore.A quiet part of me hated how easily he slipped into my life—as if the years between us had vanished.I turned away, running a hand through my hair and focusing on unpacking my bag. The soft hum of the hotel’s air conditioning seemed louder than usual, creating a strange heaviness in the room. Shaking my head, I chalked it up to exhaustion and the long day.Then it hit me—the moonlight streaming through the window. Full and bright, it cast silver streaks across the carpet, bathing the room in a glow that made my skin tingle.So it’s the full moon, heightening my senses.Not that I’d noticed it before he arrived—why would I? I hadn
The kiss went on for God-knows-how-long before Roman pulled away, and I felt a pang of disappointment."Don't worry, love. We'll get back to where we left off."The low rumble of his voice sent shivers down my spine, and his words sent a jolt of anticipation through me.I could feel my resolve weakening, my wolf clawing at the walls I'd spent so long building."I...I..." I stumbled over the words, trying to find a coherent thought.Before I could continue, he pulled me into his arms again, his lips finding mine in a gentle kiss. He kissed me, softly at first, but soon his lips began to move hungrily over mine.He sucked and bit down on my lower lips, making me moan in response.He moved his mouth to my ear and whispered, "I want to show you how much I love you. I want to make you happy. I want to make you feel good."All I could do was nod my head as he kissed me, taking steps forward which forced me to move backwards until I hit the bed frame. Roman pulled back a bit and pushed me do
“I see you're very patient, my love. But don't worry, when I'm done…”"Just fuck me already," I interrupted, my voice trembling with desire as I was unable to endure his teasing any longer.There, I said it.My body was screaming for his touch and I have no intention of waiting any longer. I wanted this and I can't wait any longer. Roman on the other hand, seems to be enjoying my pleas as a wilder and wider smirk crept on his face as he shook his head.He didn’t rush, though. Instead, he seemed to revel in my frustration, taking his sweet time as he shook his head.“My lady, don't be in a hurry. Patience, you see, is a virtue. Let me…“ he murmured and then paused in his speech as a sharp gasp, followed by a deep moan filled the room.Roman wasn't shocked at this, mid-sentence as he had used his fingers while he spoke to shift my panties to the side, inserting two fingers into my hot, wet, aching core with a deliberate slowness that sent shivers cascading through me.I gasped sharply,
~Ruby’s POV~A firm knock echoed through the house, diverting our attention. I hesitated for a moment before moving toward the door, my stomach tightening. When I opened the door, Damien stood there. But he wasn’t the man I remembered. He looked… worn. The usually confident, well-dressed figure was gone. His suit was wrinkled, his tie undone, and the bags under his eyes made it clear that he hasn’t been sleeping. He wasn’t the composed, calculating man I once knew. He was raw—on the brink of collapse.I studied him for a long moment before stepping aside, silently inviting him in. He didn’t speak as he entered, his shoulders tense.As soon as he stepped into the living room, all eyes turned to him.“Dad?” Esperanza’s voice was a mix of shock and uncertainty.Keely’s brows furrowed as she took in his disheveled state. “What the hell happened to you?”Damien hesitated, as if realising only now that they were here. His jaw tightened slightly.“Wha… what are you doing here?” Esperanza s
~Damien’s POV~The evening was strangely quiet—the kind of silence that didn't bring peace but instead a crushing weight that pressed down on my chest. I sat on the old wooden ladder leading up to the treehouse, my fingers gripping a worn photograph—one that had started to fade from the countless times I had traced the outlines of their faces. My wife and my brother—both gone—both because of choices I had made.A cold breeze swept through the woods, rustling the leaves, making the branches groan as if they, too, carried burdens too heavy to bear. I exhaled, watching my breath fog up in the cool air, my gaze fixed on the treehouse above me.It had been ours—mine and my brother’s.I could still hear his laughter echoing in the back of my mind, the way we'd race each other up the ladder, barely holding onto the sides, ignoring our mother’s frantic warnings from below. "Damien! Slow down! You’ll break your neck before you even learn to be responsible!" She used to scold, but we never
Ruby’s POVThe room was filled with a warm, golden light as the sun shone through the curtains. I sank back into the couch cushions, trying to get comfortable despite the pain in my side—a reminder of how close I had been to not making it. But for the moment, everything felt peaceful; there were no gunshots or chaos, just the soothing sound of Roman pacing around nearby.I watched him, unable to tear my eyes away. He slouched with his broad shoulders, and his jaw was clenched tight with stress. He hadn’t slept much at all. I could see the tired lines on his face, but there was also a restless anger simmering just below the surface."Roman," I said softly, breaking the silence.He stopped mid-step, turning toward me with an intensity that nearly stole my breath. "You should be resting," he said gruffly, but there was something tender beneath it."I’m fine," I replied, though we both knew that wasn’t entirely true.He ran a hand through his dishevelled hair, letting out a deep breath.
~Ruby’s POV~I felt a dull ache all over my body, reminding me of everything that had happened. My arms and legs felt heavy and sore, as if I had just run for miles without a break.My throat was dry, and even though I was a bit foggy at first, I slowly started to remember bits and pieces of the night before. The faint light coming through the curtains suggested it was morning, but I had no clue what time it was.The next thing I noticed was the scent—cedarwood, warm and familiar. Roman.Turning my head slowly, I found him sitting nearby, elbows resting on his knees, his face buried in his hands. His dark hair was disheveled, his usual confidence replaced by exhaustion. Even in the dull light, I could see the tension in his shoulders, the weight of everything still pressing down on him.I swallowed, my voice hoarse as I whispered. “Roman?”His head snapped up instantly, as if he had been on high alert despite looking drained. His dark and intense eyes softened the moment he saw me aw
~Roman's POV~My hands trembled as I carefully settled Ruby into the passenger seat of my car. The weight of her body felt so much lighter than usual, as if she had already lost too much blood. I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm. Panic wouldn’t help her now.Her head lolled slightly to the side as I buckled her in. A faint groan escaped her lips, but she was too weak to say much else. The sight of her like this—wounded, barely holding on—made something vicious coil deep inside me. My wolf was restless, snarling at the scent of blood filling the air, at the reminder that I had failed to protect her.I yanked my phone from my pocket and pressed Kai’s number. The moment he answered, I cut straight to the point."Kai, tell Helen there was… a situation. Don’t let the kids worry, but Ruby and I won’t be back tonight."There was a pause, then Kai’s voice sharpened. "What happened? Is she okay?"I clenched the steering wheel. "She’ll be fine." My voice was harder than I intended
~Ruby’s POV~Everything had been going according to plan—at least, as much as it could when sneaking into a black-market masquerade auction filled with the world’s most dangerous people. Roman and I had stayed calm, observing, listening, and waiting for the right moment to act.Then, it happened.A low, growling snarl broke the chatter of the crowd. Before anyone could respond, the volunteer who had received the injection suddenly lost control.He lunged—his body moving with unnatural speed—as he sank his teeth into the throat of a nearby guard. The man barely had time to scream before blood sprayed across the floor.For half a second, the room stood frozen.Then, chaos exploded.Screams filled the air as people scrambled toward the exits, knocking over chairs and shoving past one another in a desperate attempt to escape. Glass shattered as expensive champagne flutes hit the floor. A woman in a deep red gown tripped over her heels, shrieking as she was nearly crushed underfoot.Roman
~Ruby's POV~I kept my eyes trained on the group ahead of us, watching as they disappeared into the elevator.A soft chime echoed as the doors slid shut, swallowing them whole.Roman and I stood near the edge of the ballroom, champagne glasses in hand—props, nothing more.This was it.Roman, ever composed, reached into the inner pocket of his suit jacket and pulled out a small, sleek device.I barely glanced at it, keeping my gaze steady on the elevator, but I knew what it was.Roman turned slightly toward me, voice low. “Ready?”I inhaled, exhaled. Nodded.Without another word, we moved.Confidence was key.We approached the restricted area where two big men in black suits were standing guard. Their faces were hidden behind masks, making their expressions hard to read. Their eyes shifted toward us, carefully evaluating our presence.Roman didn’t skip a beat. He confidently held out the pass, his voice steady and calm—impossible to challenge."We’re expected."One of the guards took
~Ruby’s POV~I had been alone for a while now.The music from the ball still drifted faintly through the air, but I had put enough distance between myself and the chaos that it felt like a distant hum. The cool night air filtered through the open balcony doors, the faint scent of roses and expensive cologne still lingering in the air.Only God knew where Roman had gone—or how he and Liam had settled their little misunderstanding.And to be honest?I don't actually mind.As long as Roman didn’t do anything out of the ordinary—which, knowing him, was asking for too much—I wasn’t about to get involved.All I needed was a break.A moment of peace.Away from their drama.Or, should I say…Their action movie.I stood near the edge of the dance floor, watching the swirl of gowns and crisp suits move in perfect harmony. It was supposed to be a night of luxury and indulgence, but deep down, my mind was elsewhere. The tension in my chest hadn’t eased since the confrontation with Liam earlier,
~Ruby’s POV~The evening had been going smoothly—almost too smoothly—until I saw him.Liam.Standing at the bar, dressed in a crisp black tuxedo that fit him just right, he looked completely at ease in the lavish setting. The golden glow of the chandeliers cast soft highlights on his sharp features, making it impossible to ignore him. But it was the way his piercing gaze found mine across the room that made my stomach twist.And then Roman saw him.“What the hell is he doing here?” Roman muttered under his breath, in a dangerously low voice. He clenched his fist on the table, the muscles in his forearm standing out sharply.Liam’s lips curled into the faintest smirk as he raised his glass in a silent, taunting toast.I felt Roman tense beside me, and the shift in his posture was immediate. The air around us thickened, the weight of his Alpha instincts pressing against me like a storm waiting to break.I placed a gentle but firm hand on his arm. "Roman," I murmured. I had no idea why