~DAMIEN'S POV~The room seemed to hold its breath. Evan’s words struck like a hammer to the chest, echoing through every corner of the office. For a moment, my thoughts stilled, and my body froze as his words sank in, pressing down on my chest like a heavy blanket.“My Jean… She’s… she’s gone,” he repeated, his voice trembling, filled with sorrow.I stared at him, unable to fully process the weight of those words. “Jean?” I finally managed, my voice cracking despite myself.Evan nodded, his eyes glassy, distant, as if he were staring into a void that no one else could see. “She didn’t make it. The hospital just called.”A deep growl rumbled in my chest, the primal response of a wolf whose pack had been wounded. My fists clenched tightly at my sides, the nails digging into my palms as a storm of grief and anger threatened to consume me. “How?” I demanded, my voice harsher than I intended, a raw edge slicing through the tension in the room. “How is this possible? She was recovering.
~ESPERANZA’S POV~The hallway felt colder than usual, the fluorescent lights casting a pale glow on the linoleum floor. I sat in one of the chairs lining the corridor, my face buried in my hands. My chest heaved with silent sobs, and my tears soaked into the fabric of my sleeves. My mind raced, replaying the scene in that room over and over again.I had walked in and found her… found her dead and I couldn’t help but blame myself for not arriving earlier. Maybe I would have been there with her and this wouldn’t have happened.The sound of approaching footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced up, my vision blurry from the tears.“Dad…” I choked out as I saw him stride toward me. Though he’s trying to hide it, his face showed worry and anger.He didn’t hesitate. His arms wrapped around me tightly, and the dam I’d tried so hard to hold back broke. “Dad… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I should have…” My voice trembled, unable to complete the thought.“Shhh, it’s alright. It’s not your fa
About an hour earlier…~RUBY'S POV~I woke up to the soft light of morning spilling through the curtains and the warmth it came with, stretching and yawning as the remnants of sleep left my body. The events of last night lingered in my mind like a hazy dream. For a brief, peaceful moment, I felt the warmth of contentment. But when I turned my head, the other side of the bed was empty.I sat up abruptly, clutching the sheet to my chest. My heart sank, a mix of emotions swirling within me. “Son of a bitch,” I muttered under my breath, a bitter laugh escaping my lips.‘So that’s it?’ I thought bitterly. ‘After all this, he just leaves without a word? Without a trace. Typical Roman.’I scoffed, shaking my head as if to clear the memories trying to convince myself I didn’t care. Fine. If we ever meet and he tries to bring this up, I’ll deny everything. All of it. I’ll act like it never happened. My jaw tightened as I replayed fragments of last night in my mind, the memory of his touch, h
~Ruby’s POV~The hospital smelled like antiseptic and sadness. It was a sharp, clean smell that made my chest feel heavier. The only sound that filled the tense silence as Liam drove us to the hospital was the hum of the car's engine. My hands fidgeted in my lap, clutching my phone like a lifeline. The text from Esperanza played over and over in my mind, each word cutting deeper.“We lost Aunt Jean.”Those four words had unraveled something inside me. I couldn’t think straight. My body moved on autopilot, dragging me from the car to the hospital reception desk and now to the ward where Aunt Jean had spent her last days.I pushed open the door without hesitation, and there they were—Uncle Damien, Uncle Evan, Dane, Isaac, and Esperanza. The room fell silent as all eyes turned toward me.“Ruby,” Esperanza gasped, standing abruptly. Her face was streaked with tears, her nose red, and her hands trembling. She ran to me, her arms wrapping tightly around my waist.“I’m so sorry, Ruby,” she
~Rhett’s POV The amusement park was everything I had imagined it would be—bright colors, thrilling rides, the smell of buttery popcorn and sweet cotton candy wafting through the air just like our previous outing with Uncle Liam. People moved around us, their laughter and shouts mixing into the lively sounds of a busy day. Ruby, Aunt Helen, and I stood near the entrance, and I couldn't help the giddy smile spreading across my face.“Alright, Rhett, lead the way,” Ruby said, nudging me with her elbow.“Oh, I definitely will,” I said playfully. “This way, ladies.”We went for the games first . I picked a booth where you had to knock over cans with a ball. It looked simple enough, but it wasn’t. I threw the first ball too high, and it soared past the cans. My second throw was better, but it only knocked over one can. I frowned, determined to win. By the time I knocked over the final can on my third attempt, the booth operator handed me a giant teddy bear.I groaned. "Oh, come on! Not t
~Roman's POV~I stepped out of the hotel into the clear morning air. The city lights flickered like scattered stars, and I hailed the first cab I saw. Sliding into the backseat, I gave the driver my address.The hum of the engine and the soft city noise did nothing to calm the storm brewing inside me. My thoughts churned with questions about Abel. Why now?The cab pulled up in front of my house, and I paid the driver without waiting for change. My shoes echoed against the stone pathway as I made my way inside. The air in the house felt heavy, laden with memories and the weight of solitude. Without hesitation, I headed straight to my room, dropping my keys on the dresser.Grabbing my phone, I dialed Kai."I'm here. Come to my room now," I said curtly before hanging up.Moments later, a knock echoed through the door."Come in," I called, settling into the armchair by the window.Kai walked in, his usual casual demeanor replaced by a seriousness that only added to my unease. He took a s
~Ruby’s POV~I hugged Esperanza tightly before watching her step into the cab. "Thanks for coming," she said with a faint, sad smile on her face."Anytime, you’re always welcome," I replied, holding her close for a second longer before letting go. I stood there and watched as the car drove away, disappearing down the road, leaving a lingering sense of loss in the air. The morning sun cast a warm glow, but the chill of the moment felt heavier than the breeze that swept through the street.I stood there for a moment, letting the weight of the morning settle. Beside me, Liam shifted his stance, sensing the shift in mood. “You hungry?” he asked, his tone light, trying to lift the atmosphere that felt thick with unexpressed grief.“Starving,” I admitted, forcing a small smile, though my stomach twisted in knots. “Let’s find somewhere close by.” The idea of food felt trivial, yet there was a comfort in routine that I craved.A few minutes later, we found ourselves at a small restaurant, t
~Roman’s POV~The sharp scent of car leather and faint cologne lingered in the air as I sat in the driver’s seat, staring at my phone. Ruby’s name appeared on the screen every time I called, and her lack of response was eating away at me. It wasn’t like her, and the longer she avoided me, the heavier the pit in my stomach grew. “She’s probably fine,” I muttered, gripping the steering wheel. But the thought didn’t stick. What if she wasn’t? What if something happened? A myriad of scenarios raced through my mind, each darker than the last. I imagined her in trouble, her voice pleading for help, and the weight of that possibility settled like a stone in my gut.“I should go back to the hotel. Just to make sure she’s alright,” I said, as if convincing myself. I turned the key, the hum of the engine filling the void in my chest, an artificial comfort that did little to quell my rising anxiety.When I arrived at the hotel, I felt the weight of disappointment settle as the receptionist c
~Ruby’s POV~I woke up suddenly, gasping for air. My chest felt tight as I struggled to breathe. I was shaking, soaked in sweat, and felt a chill run down my spine. I held onto the sheets tightly while my heart raced.The fear still lingered, creeping under my skin like something alive.Roman was suddenly next to me. I hardly noticed him move from the couch to my side, his hands gently holding my arms to help steady me."Ruby, what is it?" His voice was urgent, filled with concern. "Talk to me."I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "I… I had a dream. A bad dream." My voice wavered, my hands clutching at his shirt as I looked at him with wide, terrified eyes. "The kids… Roman, the kids are in danger."His grip on me tightened slightly, grounding me. "It’s okay, Ruby," he said in a firm but soothing tone. "You’re safe. The kids are safe. Just breathe, alright?"I forced myself to take slow, deep breaths, trying to ease the pounding in my chest."Let's call Helen," he suggested, reaching for
~Ruby's POV~I woke up suddenly, breathing fast as I gasped for air. My room was dark except for a soft glow from the moon shining through the curtains. I quickly turned on the bedside lamp. My heart raced, and I felt a cold shiver run down my spine.But I didn’t remember why.I had been dreaming—of that I was certain. But the details slipped through my fingers like grains of sand. All I felt was a persistent fear in my chest and a suffocating unease that filled the silence of my empty room.I didn’t want to be alone.Reaching for my phone on the nightstand, I dialled the first name that came to mind.Roman.He picked up after the second ring."Hey, Ruby," he said, his voice still heavy with sleep but quickly becoming more awake. "Everything… okay?”I hesitated, my fingers gripping the sheets. "I'm… not sure," I admitted. "Sorry for calling this late.""Not at all," he said quickly. "What’s wrong?"I exhaled shakily. "I can’t really say… but can you come over?"A brief silence follow
Ruby’s POVI left Uncle Damien’s house with my mind spinning. Each new revelation added to my confusion, turning my thoughts into a tangled mess that I couldn’t sort out.So this was it.Dad had been onto something—something dangerous. And because he refused to align with them, the Werewolf Council had removed him... permanently. I had spent years questioning whether his death was the result of bad luck, an unfortunate accident. But it wasn’t. It was deliberate.And Damien? He had been part of it.I felt a sour and infuriating knowledge twist in my chest. Damien knew the people responsible; he had worked with them and considered them allies. Yet, he never avenged my father, as his own power and position mattered more to him than justice.But Aunt Jean? She must have found something—enough to make her a threat. Enough for them to take her out, just like they had done to Dad. And now, after all this time, Damien was finally cutting ties.But cutting ties wasn’t enough.They had take
~Ruby's POV~"It wasn’t a dead end, Ruby," Keely added, her voice just as quiet.I felt my stomach tighten.Damien lied to me.I took a deep breath, steadying myself before I spoke. "How? What happened?"Keely and Esperanza exchanged a glance, and you could tell they were unsure of what to do or say."Come have a seat," Keely finally sighed."We don’t want anyone overhearing this," Esperanza added in a whisper.I nodded, following them to the bed, where we all sat in a tight circle. I could feel the goosebumps on my skin, my body itching with anticipation."So… from what I heard," Keely began, rubbing her temple, "the lead actually led them to a man. What was his name again?" She bit her index finger, thinking."Umm… Ramsey Hearts, I think," Esperanza chimed in."Yeah, yeah… Hearts," Keely nodded. "So, he gave them some details, but of course, I couldn’t get the full story out of him—at least, not yet.""Wait, wait…" I raised a hand, narrowing my eyes. "Who is he?"Keely hesitated, gl
~Ruby's POV~Some Minutes Earlier…I smirked, opening the car door. “Thanks for the ride, Roman.”And just like that, I stepped out, shutting the door behind me before he could respond.I walked up the steps steadily, with a straight posture. It was clear that I wanted to keep our conversation brief, and fortunately, Roman was nice enough not to insist. When I reached the door, I unlocked it and stepped inside. I exhaled slowly, my gaze sweeping over the space.“Been a while,” I whispered to myself.The air still smelled faintly of amber and vanilla—probably from the last time I’d cleaned. Everything was exactly as I had left it, but somehow, it felt… different. Maybe it was because my life was slightly less complicated the last time I was here.Shaking the thoughts away, I headed to the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water. I made my way to my bedroom, feeling really exhausted. I rubbed my temple absentmindedly, knowing sleep wouldn’t come easily tonight.Maybe a bath would help.I
~Roman's POV~“Did you do everything I asked?” I asked, my eyes still on the quiet street as Kai shifted beside me.“Yeah, everything’s in place.” He nodded and handed me a tablet.I took it, my fingers scrolling across the screen as live footage from inside Ruby’s house appeared. The cameras were subtle, nearly invisible to the untrained eye, capturing different angles—the living room, the kitchen, the hallway, and the bedrooms.“Mini surveillance cameras all around and inside the house... except the bathroom, of course,” Kai said with a smirk.I glanced at him. “No one will know they’re there?”“Not at all. Not a single clue.”Satisfied, I continued swiping through the views, watching as Ruby moved through the house. She walked into the kitchen, grabbed a glass of water, then made her way to her bedroom. She looked… tired. I could see the way her shoulders slumped slightly, the way she rubbed her temple absentmindedly.Yet, even in exhaustion, she was beautiful.I exhaled, leaning
~Roman's POV~“The one who, by the way, threatened me to stay away from you so she could have you all to herself,” Ruby said.My head snapped up, and I turned to face her fully. “She what?”Ruby leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, lips pressed together in something that looked like annoyance—but I could tell there was something else beneath it. Frustration? Hurt? Maybe even jealousy.Not that she’d ever admit it.“Yeah,” she continued, picking at the edge of her napkin. “She pulled me aside, smiled all sweet like she was about to give me some business advice, and then told me I should step aside so she could have you. Like I was just some obstacle in her way.”I clenched my jaw. That sounded exactly like something Sarah would do.“And you just let her say that to you?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.Ruby scoffed. “Oh, please. You think I just stood there and nodded? No, Roman, I made it very clear that I don’t take orders from women who act like desperate high school girls.”A small
~Ruby's POV~The car rolled to a slow stop, and I glanced around, confused. The engine hummed softly but there was no red light, no sign of traffic.“Umm… why are we stopping?” I finally asked, leaning slightly forward.Roman adjusted his seatbelt, glancing at me through the rearview mirror. “We stopped because I’m hungry.”I blinked. “Hungry? Like… right now?”“Yeah, right now.” He turned to look at me fully this time, and he was completely serious.I followed his gaze and realized we were parked in front of a restaurant. “Oh, come on,” I whispered under my breath.Roman smirked, as if hearing my frustration was the highlight of his day. “When I found out you were leaving town, I had to leave what I was doing, take a helicopter, and get here before you.”I scoffed. “Like seriously, Roman?” I shook my head. “You sent yourself on that errand, not me.”“You could at least say thank you for my efforts,” he quipped.I crossed my arms and huffed, looking away.Kai, who had been unusually
~Ruby's POV~Kai stood there, casually leaning against the car as if he had all the time in the world. His usual smirk played on his lips, amusement twinkling in his eyes.“Good evening, Ruby,” he greeted, his tone smooth and composed.I forced a smile. “Hey, good evening, Kai. How are you doing?” I asked with a forced smile, trying to play along.“Nice to see you, Ruby,” he said, standing up a little taller, a playful look in his eyes.I glanced around, pretending to look for someone. “What a coincidence. Who are you waiting for?”Kai smirked. “Umm… a young lady. She just arrived.”I narrowed my eyes at him. Of course, he’s playing along.“May I have your bags then,” he said, stepping forward to take my luggage.“No, no… not at all, Kai.” I pulled my bags back.His smirk faded slightly. “Roman actually sent me, Ruby. He asked me to pick you up.” His tone was more serious now.I sighed. Of course, he did.“Nah, no worries, Kai. I can take care of myself.”“Umm… Ruby, he specifically a