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,
I lifted my legs, locking them around his waist and I pulled my bra off completely for his hungry eyes to feast on. I knew I needed an orgasm and I needed it very soon.Roman paused, breaking the kiss to moan my name before attacking my neck with ferocity. I'm sure he's going to leave hickeys; he looks like someone who would love them. He’s definitely the kind of person that would want the world to know I was his.He kissed and sucked with fervor, each press of his mouth leaving a trail of fiery sensation in its wake.My breathing took a big turn as I felt the pleasure rise. I was getting close to orgasm, I knew it and Roman wasn't stopping or giving me a moment of rest.Soon, I began to feel my walls grip his fingers as Roman began to struggle to thrust in and out of me.The next moment that followed was something I wasn't prepared for. Roman lowered his head and took a nipple in his mouth, biting down on it slightly, sending pain and pleasure through me at the same time.I shut my e
My breath hitched as Roman's mouth lingered just above my heated core, his warm breath teasing against my slick folds. The anticipation was maddening, my heart pounding in my chest as his dark eyes locked onto mine, filled with an intensity that made my whole body tremble. He leaned closer, inhaling deeply, his eyelids fluttering shut as if savoring my essence.The next moment, his tongue flicked out, gliding across my parted lips in a slow, deliberate motion that left me shuddering uncontrollably beneath him. And that was all it took. A soft gasp escaped me, quickly followed by a moan, “Roman… oh…” My voice quivered, a mix of need and pleasure.He went to work instantly, kissing my pussy lips and sliding his tongue from my entrance up to my swollen clit and back down again. He repeated the motion, each stroke of his tongue slower and more deliberate than the last. My legs trembled, my hands gripping the sheets as he teased me, my wetness increasing with every touch.Gradually, he
“So fucking tight, Ruby,” he rasped, his voice rough with lust. “You feel… amazing.”His words sent a thrill through me, my walls clenching around him as I neared the edge once more. Tears began to gather at the edges of my eyes, blurring my vision as I felt Roman's cock pushing in and out, stretching me and making me feel full.The pleasure built to an almost unbearable crescendo, every thrust pushing me closer to oblivion. It took all of me to stop myself from squealing from his throbbing member.My thoughts were becoming hazy as I couldn't concentrate on anything else, aside from the huge length pushing in and out of me.I felt his hands stroking my cheeks, his rough thumbs brushed away my tears, kissing me gently.Slowly, he pressed his hips deeper, reaching a depth I had become oblivious of.My eyes closed shut as I felt the tip of his cock press against my deepest parts, the intense pressure forcing me to grip his shoulders, biting my lip hard to stop myself from screaming out.
~Ruby's POV~The tires barely crunched over the gravel before I saw them—Helen, the kids, Keely, Esperanza—all standing outside the house like they were waiting for something spectacular.Well… maybe they were.They held handmade signs above their heads. One in Little Ruby’s unmistakable handwriting read: Welcome Back! and another, messily painted in glitter and marker, said: TELL US EVERYTHING!Roman laughed as he stepped out of the car, squinting against the afternoon sun. “Looks like we’ve got a welcoming committee.”I didn’t even get a chance to grab my purse before the twins launched themselves toward us. Roman caught both of them in his arms with ease, lifting them off the ground and spinning them around. They squealed with delight, tiny limbs flailing mid-air.“Good to see you two,” Roman said, his voice softer than usual. The kind of tone I’d only ever heard him use with them.“Same here, Dad,” they chimed in unison.“How was your vacation?” Rhett asked, ever the polite one.
~Ruby's POV~I woke to silence.No breath against my neck. No warmth tucked behind me. No Roman.My hand instinctively reached for the other side of the bed, but the sheets were cold, untouched. I blinked, sitting up slowly and brushing strands of hair out of my face.That’s when I saw it—folded neatly and left in Roman’s unmistakable scrawl on the pillow beside me.“Wear something pretty. I’m stealing you away at 6.”I stared at it for a second too long before letting out a quiet scoff. “Roman,” I murmured with a small smile, clutching the note for a moment before setting it down on the nightstand.The evening was quiet; the cabin was quiet—too quiet. No hum from the bathroom, no clinking of cups from the kitchenette, not even the rustle of papers or faint footsteps. Just me, the distant ticking of the clock, and… my stomach rumbling like it had a score to settle.“Damn,” I mumbled, placing a hand on my belly. “Calm down.”I grabbed one of the leftover cookies I found in the fridge a
The past three days have been wonderfully fun, and today, being the fourth, wasn't going to be any different. The moment we stepped into the cobblestone square of the old town market, I felt her energy shift.Ruby slowed down, taking in the quaint charm like it was something out of a fairytale. String lights crisscrossed overhead despite it being daytime, casting soft golden hues across the worn stones beneath our feet. Colorful stalls lined both sides of the street, selling everything from handwoven baskets to carved figurines and spices in little muslin pouches. The air smelled of roasted almonds, cinnamon, and woodsmoke.“Whoa… this is beautiful,” she murmured, eyes wide, voice soft with awe.I tried to hide the grin tugging at my lips, but failed. “Told you I had good taste.”She rolled her eyes, not even trying to fight the smile that followed. “Don’t be full of yourself, Roman. You just got lucky.”“Uh-huh. So yesterday’s waterfall was luck? And the valley before that?” I shot
~Roman's POV~The second day of our little escape began with nothing but sun, wildflowers, and an open valley. The scent of spring was thick in the air—crisp grass, blooming petals, and that earthy sweetness that only comes when you’re far from city noise. For once, everything felt… quiet. Still. Like the world had decided to hold its breath and just let us exist.We rode out into the valley after breakfast, the horses crunching over gravel and dry brush. Ruby looked ahead with this gleam in her eyes like she was ten again, wild and unbothered. She had insisted she was a "natural" at horseback riding.I should’ve known better.We had barely ridden into the open stretch when her horse wandered off-course, heading toward the ridge with a mind of its own. Ruby’s posture tensed, both hands gripping the reins like they were her last lifeline.“Whoa—okay. Alright, not funny,” she muttered, trying to redirect the horse, but it kept veering left.I didn’t even laugh. Not yet. I kicked my
Ruby’s POVThe next morning came faster than expected.Roman had been up early—earlier than me, which was a rare occasion, but it shouldn’t have surprised me too—and had already packed both our bags by the time I made it downstairs. He was standing near the door, arms crossed, looking smug as hell.“You ready?” he asked, that crooked little grin playing at the corners of his lips.I narrowed my eyes at the sight of the duffle bag slung over his shoulder. “What exactly are we packing for?”He raised a brow. “A break.”I folded my arms. “Roman D’Angelo, you said peace—not mystery.”He chuckled. “It’s a peaceful mystery. You’ll like it.”“You’re terrible at surprises.”He leaned in and brushed a kiss to my cheek. “And yet, I keep trying. That has to count for something.”Despite myself, I smiled.We left just before noon—Helen waving us off with a mock salute and a muttered “Godspeed” as Rhett and Little Ruby shouted goodbye from the porch. Esperanza had already set up an emergency gro
~Ruby's POV~“SURPRISE!!” We all shouted, popping up from every corner like confetti cannons.Helen froze, her mouth parting in surprise. Her eyes filled with something I hadn’t seen in days—real joy.Keely stepped out from behind the couch and shouted, “Welcome back, warrior!”Esperanza handed her a paper crown that read Queen of Comebacks, placing it gently on her head.Rhett and Little Ruby hugged her tightly around the waist, careful not to bump her leg.And I… I just smiled. For once, things felt light again. Not perfect. Not healed. But lighter.And that was a start.The house felt different—brighter somehow, warmer in a way that had nothing to do with the lighting. Voices echoing over each other, plates clinking in the kitchen, laughter spilling out of rooms like music. For the first time in a while, it felt like a real home again.Helen stood at the center of it all, beaming like she’d just stepped out of a miracle. Her cheeks were flushed, eyes still glassy with emotion eve
~Ruby's POV~It had been over a week now.The night outside was cold, quiet—too quiet for a mind like mine that hadn’t rested in what felt like years. I was curled up on the couch, the throw blanket pulled to my chin, knees pressed close to my chest. The television was on but muted, the flicker of images dancing faintly on the wall. I wasn’t watching it anyway. My eyes were wide open, but my mind was somewhere far away, running backward like an old film reel.Everything had happened so fast.Aunt Jean’s death. Bronwyn’s murder. The ambush at the cabin. The WE Project revelations. The attack on Helen in this same house. Even now, when everything was starting to settle, it still felt like a dream. A bad one. The kind that followed you into the morning, clinging to the edges of your thoughts even after the sun rose.I tucked my feet deeper under the blanket.When we moved back with Roman, it hadn’t been by choice. It was about safety. Protection. We were all targets. Me. My kids. Every
~Roman’s POV~The grand hall of the Pack House was colder than I remembered. Not in temperature—but in silence, in the tension that gripped the walls like ice. I stood at the center of it all, straight-backed and unyielding, though every step inside felt like trespassing across the bones of my past. Familiar faces stared back at me—pack warriors, curious onlookers, council elders seated in their formal robes like ancient statues.They whispered. Of course they did.“What’s he doing here?”“He was banished.”“Is he insane?”“He’s going to get himself killed.”I kept my eyes ahead, ignoring the murmurs from the crowd. My hands were steady. My pulse was not.Elder Cael stood slowly from the council bench. “You violated your sentence, Roman D’Angelo. You were banished. To return is an act of rebellion punishable by death.”The words lingered in the air, serious and heavy. I didn’t react at all.“I didn’t come here to defy,” I said in a controlled voice, “I came in peace. I came to protec
~Ruby's POV~I didn’t even realise I was crying until I felt the sting of salt against the cuts on my cheek. My arms were full—one child cradled on each side—and my legs barely kept pace as I pushed forward, praying we’d make it out before something else went wrong.Rhett’s limp grew heavier with each hurried step, but he clung to me with everything he had. Little Ruby had her face buried in my neck, her tiny breaths trembling against my skin. Blood had dried beneath her nose, crusted against her upper lip. I kept brushing her curls from her face, murmuring like a chant—words meant more for me than for them.“Almost there, babies. I’ve got you. I’ve got you. Just a little more.”The hallway ahead was a blur of dim light and flickering shadows, but I caught the movement before the face. Kai. He was hobbling toward us, his lip split, bruises painting one side of his face, but gods—he was smiling.“Hey!” he called out, breathless, in a hoarse but warm voice.The twins stirred in my arm