~Ruby's POV~The past few days had been eerily quiet—no threats, no signs of danger lurking in the shadows. It was almost too quiet, but I refused to let paranoia rule my life. After much back and forth with Roman, arguing and declining his protests, I had finally convinced him to let me and the kids return home.As we pulled into the driveway, I could feel Roman’s tension from the driver’s seat. He scanned the area with sharp, trained eyes, his senses heightened, searching for anything out of place. I knew what he was doing—even though everything seemed normal, he wasn’t convinced.We stepped out of the car, and the kids rushed ahead excitedly.“Are you sure this is a good idea, Ruby?” Roman asked, his voice low but firm.I turned to him with a reassuring smile. “If it weren’t, I wouldn’t have attempted it.”His jaw clenched slightly. “But we can’t say for sure.”Before I could respond, Little Ruby tugged at my sleeve. “Mum, is everything okay?”I looked down at her bright, innocen
~Ruby's POV~“Alright, there’s still time. This could work,” I said, turning back into the kitchen. “You both go get dressed—we’re going shopping.”Their eyes lit up with excitement as they jumped on a spot. “I don’t have a problem going like this,” Rhett said, glancing down at his clothes.I nodded in agreement. “Yeah, that’s true.”“But I definitely do,” Little Ruby protested, already making a beeline for the hallway.“Oh no, no, no, no.” I quickly reached out and stopped her, placing my hand on top of her head. “Yours is perfectly fine.”“But Mum—”“It’s just a quick trip to the store, nothing more.”“That’s what you always say,” she grumbled, folding her arms.Rhett smirked. “Besides, it’s not like you’re going out there to find a boyfriend.”“Ewwww! Definitely not, Rhett!” Little Ruby shot back, making a face of pure disgust.“So what’s the big deal?” I asked, shaking my head.“You always have to look your best.” She gave me a cheeky grin. “And who knows… maybe I will see a boyf
~Ruby's POV~The morning light streamed through the shattered windows, casting uneven patterns across the chaos we were still struggling to fix. The living room was chaotic. Pillows were ripped apart, furniture was overturned, and shards of glass sparkled spookily in the sunlight. It had looked like this since last night when we came home to find everything in disarray.I tied my hair up in a messy bun and sighed, dusting off a chair before pushing it back into place. The kids worked beside me, picking up books and scattered papers. We were making progress, but the house still felt violated, like an open wound refusing to heal.Then the doorbell rang.We all froze, exchanging quick glances.“I’ll check it,” I said before either of them could protest.They nodded hesitantly, their gazes following me as I walked toward the door. My heart pounded a little faster than usual, my fingers tightening around the doorknob as I cracked the door open.Roman.His dark eyes studied me carefully,
~Ruby's POV~By morning, I had packed our bags, and before the sun had fully risen, we were already on our way to the airport. Roman had been quiet when we left—he hadn’t argued, hadn’t fought me on it. But I could feel his disapproval like a heavy weight pressing against me.The kids were excited about the trip, chatting nonstop on the plane, but I could tell they were trying to ignore the deeper reason behind our sudden departure.Hours later, we landed in Howling Heights.As we stepped out of the plane, the fresh air hit me like a comforting embrace, carrying the familiar scent of pine and earth. It had been too long since I’d been back.A sleek, black, and unfamiliar car was parked just ahead.“Mum, did you book a cab?” Little Ruby asked, tugging on my sleeve.“Yeah,” I replied, glancing at my phone. “But it’s still two minutes away.”Before I could question anything further, the car door opened, and a tall, blonde-haired man stepped out.For a moment, my breath caught in my thro
~Ruby's POV~“Roman?” I blinked, barely believing he was standing in front of me.“Good morning, Ruby,” he said in a neutral, almost unreadable tone.I glanced back into the house, then stepped outside, pulling the door shut behind me. “What are you doing here?” I asked in a hushed voice.“I just wanted to make sure you and the kids are safe,” Roman said simply.I scoffed, crossing my arms. “Are you our guardian angel now or what? The danger is over there, not here, Roman.”“Maybe,” he admitted, his gaze steady. “But I needed to make sure you weren’t tracked or followed here.”I studied his face, trying to figure out what he wasn’t saying. “Oh, I see. So you drove to the airport, booked a flight and flew all the way here—” I paused, narrowing my eyes, “—all just to check on us?”“Yeah, exactly,” Roman said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.A small scoff left my lips, followed by a reluctant smile. “That’s… nice, I must say.” I nodded, pressing my lips together. “Guess
~Ruby's POV~Helen sat facing me with her arms crossed, her face giving away nothing. "So, what should we do now?” she asked.I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair. “We’re going to reject the contract.”Helen’s brows shot up. “We are?” she asked in confusion. “But it’s too late for that already. The agreement is practically sealed.”“It’s still my choice,” I said firmly. “I don’t have to go through with it.”Helen shook her head, clearly unimpressed. “Come on, Ruby. I don’t buy this whole rejecting-the-contract thing.”I scoffed. “Can’t you see? He had this all planned, Helen.”Helen gave me a sceptical look. “We can’t be sure of that. And I definitely didn’t know it was his company when I accepted. Think about it—you’re going to lose a lot of clients if you let personal feelings interfere with business. And it’s perfect to get new clients.”I frowned, thinking it over. Helen had a point. My company had built a reputation for professionalism, and backing out now would send
~Ruby's POV~"I'm Sarah Merlin, by the way," she said, her voice smooth and confident.I reached out, and we shook hands. Our handshake lasted a bit longer than usual, and our eyes met in a quiet evaluation. There was something about her—something thoughtful and strategic. A hidden challenge lay behind her practiced smile.Before the tension could stretch any further, Roman coughed, breaking whatever silent battle had started between us. We both released our grip, and Sarah turned back to him with a smile—one far too familiar, far too comfortable.I didn’t miss the way she leaned into him, her body language hinting at something possessive."Roman, you look even better than the last time I saw you," Sarah said, running a manicured finger down his sleeve. "You know, I’ve missed our little late-night talks. You always did have a way of keeping things… interesting."Roman forced a chuckle, shifting slightly away from her. I clenched my fists at my sides, keeping my expression neutral.Th
~Roman's POV~A few minutes ago…I watched as Ruby walked away, the tension in her shoulders obvious even through the graceful sway of her gown. I had noticed her reactions during the conversation—how her polite smile faltered, how her eyes darkened every time Sarah touched me.I knew she hadn’t been enjoying a single second of it.Moments later, Helen excused herself, leaving me alone with Sarah. I turned to face her, my patience wearing thin.“What’s the meaning of all this, Sarah?” I asked, keeping my tone as calm as I could.Sarah raised a brow, feigning innocence. “The meaning of what?”I exhaled sharply. “You’re really going to play innocent now?”“Oh, come on, Roman.” She waved a manicured hand dismissively. “I was just telling the truth.”“The truth you chose to believe,” I countered, stepping closer.Sarah smirked. “You think so?”“I know so. And whatever game you’re playing, it’s obvious you’re trying to get on Ruby’s nerves.”“That’s definitely not what I was trying to do,”
ROMAN’S POVWeeks turned into months, but the thought of Ruby never left me. The girl I had cast out, humiliated, and tossed aside had taken root in my mind like an ache that wouldn't fade. I didn't know when it started—when guilt became regret, when regret became longing. And when longing turned into something I never thought I'd feel.I had fallen for her… even in her absence.But she was nowhere to be found.At first, I convinced myself she was hiding, waiting for things to blow over before she returned. But as time passed, that hope crumbled. She wasn’t at her uncle’s. She had no friends who would take her in. She had nowhere to go.So where the hell was she?Desperation clawed at me. I sent out word myself, asking anyone who might have seen her. I searched the city, turning over every stone, checking every street she might have wandered. But it was as if she had vanished into thin air.The thought that she might have wandered into the woods haunted me. I sent patrols out, ordere
~Romans POV~Seven Years Ago…The Pack House stood tall and intimidating, its walls filled with years of memories—some good, some bad. But today, I felt nothing but cold detachment. The air inside was heavy with judgment, and the smell of incense couldn’t hide the tension in the grand hall.I stood before the council, my face expressionless, my hands clenched into fists at my sides."You are no longer one of us."The words echoed in my mind, cutting deeper than any blade could. "You are dead to this pack, and if you return, it’s death."This moment—this exile—had started long before today. It had begun weeks ago, with a mistake, a misunderstanding, and a choice that had set everything into motion.******I stood in my bedroom, my hands sifting through his wardrobe. The scent of old fabric and polished wood filled the air as I searched for something to wear. My eyes sighted a small cloth, tucked away between neatly folded clothes.Ruby’s clothes.My chest tightened, memories of days a
~Roman's POV~Minutes ago…The hospital lights above me buzzed softly, their harsh glow doing little to ease the anxiety churning inside me. I clenched my phone tightly as I walked back and forth in the hallway, my thumb repeatedly pressing the screen in frustration. The call just wouldn’t connect. I dialled once more, my patience thinning with each unanswered ring.“What the hell was he thinking?” I muttered.“Calm down, Roman. Relax for a second.” Kai’s voice was steady, but I could hear the wariness laced beneath it.I turned to him, my glare cutting. “Don’t—don’t tell me to calm down, Kai.”Kai sighed, rubbing his forehead. He knew me well enough by now to understand there was no reeling me back once I got to this point.“This was between me and him,” I seethed, stuffing my phone back into my pocket. “No one else. He had no business dragging anyone into this.”Kai exhaled, arms crossed over his chest. “Helen was obstructing, I guess.”“No.” I shook my head. “Even if she wasn’t,
~Ruby’s POV~The room was quiet, with only the soft hum of the laptop filling the space. On the screen, surveillance footage from eight different angles showed the attack happening in real time. I felt a knot in my stomach as I watched it all unfold.The front door burst open first—five masked men storming in like they owned the place. Helen was the first to react. She fought them off or at least she tried to, but she was outnumbered. One of them struck her hard across the face. She staggered but didn't fall. Another one lunged at her with a knife. Helen dodged once, twice—then pain shot across her face as the blade found its mark from behind.I gripped the edge of the chair.I barely heard my own breathing over the frantic pounding of my heart. The glow from Kai’s laptop screen bathed our faces in cold blue light, but nothing about this moment felt real. Roman, Kai, and I sat frozen, watching in horror as the nightmare unfolded before us.Rhett grabbed the nearest thing—a lamp, m
~Ruby’s POV~As soon as Roman and I stepped into the house, a suffocating weight settled over me. The silence wasn’t just empty—it was wrong. Heavy. It crawled over my skin, sinking into my chest, making it hard to breathe.My breath caught, my chest tightening as my eyes darted wildly over the destruction before me. The couch lay overturned, shattered glass crunched beneath my boots, and streaks of blood—dark, smeared—marred the walls like something, or someone, had been dragged.A cold shiver clawed up my spine. My stomach twisted into knots.And then it hit me.The kids.I sucked in a sharp breath, my voice breaking as I called out. "Helen? Rhett? Ruby?"Nothing.No footsteps. No voices. Just the eerie stillness of a house that should’ve been filled with laughter, with noise, with life.Panic gripped my throat, making it hard to breathe. I moved without thinking, pushing through the mess of broken furniture and accidentally knocking over a lamp in my desperate search. My heart rac
~Roman's POV~Abel’s voice carried through the speaker in a manner that was both smooth and taunting. "Good evening, little bro."I tightened my grip on the phone, jaw clenching. "What do you want, Abel?" I went straight to the point. No need for games—not that he ever played fair.“A little greeting won't hurt.” He mused. “I have no time for such.” I countered. “Christ, ever serious. Put the phone on speaker. I’m sure you’re not alone."Ruby's voice was soft but filled with suspicion as she shifted against me. "What’s he saying?"I raised a finger, signaling her to wait.Abel chuckled. "Oh, Ruby's there too? Nice. Go on, Roman."Damn it. Of course, he heard. He always did. I set the phone down on the table, hitting speaker.Abel’s voice filled the space around us, casual but laced with arrogance. "Figured you’d all be together after that little stunt you just pulled."Everyone exchanged glances but remained silent."You thought you were in control, didn’t you?" Abel continued, then
~Ruby’s POV~The basement was poorly lit, the single hanging bulb casting long, wary shadows along the damp concrete walls. The air was thick with the scent of rust, sweat, and something more metallic—blood. It clung to the space, making the atmosphere suffocating.Roman and Damien towered over the two men tied to the chairs, their faces revealing nothing as they contemplated what to do next. The men were restrained in worn metal chairs, their wrists and ankles firmly secured with heavy-duty zip ties.Their clothes were torn, blood seeping through the fabric where Roman and Damien had already introduced their fists.One of them, a stocky man with a split lip, glared up at Roman, his breathing heavy but controlled. The other, leaner with dark, piercing eyes, had a smirk despite the cut above his brow.Roman cracked his knuckles, the sound sharp in the silent room. “Who do you work for?”The stocky man didn’t answer. He only winced, his jaw tightening in defiance.Damien let out a shor
WARNING: GRUELSOME AND A BIT BRUTAL FOR SOME PEOPLE. PROCEED WITH CAUTION~Roman’s POV~The port had a salty, rusty smell mixed with something more foreboding—the scent of a deal about to go down. The waves gently hit the docks, creating a tense atmosphere. Flickering overhead lights cast long shadows between the stacked shipping containers.I adjusted the lens of my camera, angling it just right to capture the blurry figures exchanging briefcases. Each soft click of the shutter sent a jolt of adrenaline through me. This wasn’t just some shady deal. It was bigger—dangerous. And I could feel it in my gut.Beside me, Damien shifted restlessly, his fingers twitching near the concealed weapon at his side. His eyes scanned the scene, always watching, always ready."Standing here beside me isn't of any help," I muttered, focusing on getting the best shot."You think so?" Damien replied in a low voice."Obviously. And you know that.""I'm actually watching your back while you take the shots
~Ruby's POV ~Damien’s office was still as I last remembered—perfectly lit, a little too neat, and carrying that ever-present scent of leather and expensive cologne. It was the kind of place that made you feel like you were either about to be recruited into something dangerous or interrogated for something you didn’t even know you did.The tension was already thick before we even stepped inside. Roman entered first, with his hands in his pockets and a relaxed posture, but his eyes were alert. Kai came in right after him, unusually quiet and not his usual talkative self. I stayed by the doorway, feeling nervous.Damien sat on the edge of his desk, arms crossed, watching us as we filed in. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes flickered with curiosity—no, scrutiny. He barely let the silence settle before speaking. "Glad you could make it. Thought you’d have a change of heart."I met his gaze, unfazed. "We should be the ones worried about that."He let out a low chuckle. "Be res