~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
~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
~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 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~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 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
"Are you sure?" Roman’s voice dropped to a low, rough whisper.I didn’t let myself hesitate. I nodded. "Yes."He clenched his jaw as if he were battling something within himself."Kiss me, Roman," I whispered once more, this time more gently but still just as sure.A low growl rumbled in his chest, a sound so deep it vibrated through me. And then—His lips crashed against mine.It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t gentle. It was raw, desperate, and demanding. His fingers tangled in my hair as he pulled me closer, as if closing the distance between us could somehow drown out the fear clawing at me.And maybe it could.I held onto him tightly; my body pressed against his warmth while the cold fear in my veins melted away from the passion he awakened in me. His lips moved against mine in a perfect rhythm, devouring and giving affection all at once.Roman shifted, his arms wrapping fully around me, his strength enveloping me completely. The smell of cedarwood, smoke, and a unique scent that reminde
"Tell me what you want," he said softly in a dark voice that sounded full of promise.I swallowed hard, my body trembling from the intensity of it all."More," I whispered, breathless. "I need more."A slow, wicked smirk curled on his lips."Then let me give it to you."Roman’s smirk was nothing short of sinful, hinting at everything I desired and even more. His hands tightened on my waist as he shifted beneath me, his hard length pressing insistently against my core, even through the thin fabric of my shorts. The sensation sent a jolt of heat through me, a desperate ache curling deep in my belly."You feel that?" he murmured in a voice thick with need. "That’s what you do to me."I whimpered in response, my fingers sliding down his chest, tracing over the ridges of muscle, feeling the heat of his bare skin beneath my touch. I wanted to memorize him, every dip and every shudder I could pull from him.Roman’s lips were on me again, moving from my breasts back to my neck, nipping and
~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