~Roman's POV~Ruby slept peacefully, her breathing slow and calm, her body warm next to mine. The stress she felt earlier had faded, leaving a tranquil stillness. Her head lay on my chest, her gentle breaths touching my skin, and for the first time in a long while, she appeared completely at ease.But I wasn’t.Sleep refused to come.Her words kept echoing in my head. The kids are in trouble.I gently held her tighter, trying not to wake her, but feeling the need to reassure myself that she was here and safe. However, her warning still rang in my ears.And then, there was him.The cloaked man on the bridge. The memory of our meeting played back in my mind, every detail clear as if it had just happened. His voice was empty yet powerful, both old and familiar."A great evil is coming, Roman. One that will tear through everything you know. And only you and your twins stand a chance to stop it. All will be revealed in time."I clenched my jaw, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing.It
"And the award for Best Fashion Designer goes to... Ruby Blackwood!"My heart stopped. I heard the applause, but it was distant, muted, as if I had momentarily detached from the present. Me? Ruby Blackwood, Best Designer of the Year? It felt surreal.I stared at the stage in disbelief. The host smiled brightly, waiting for me to claim the award. The room, full of clapping and cheering people, seemed to blur as I tried to process what was happening.Suddenly, a small hand tugged at mine, snapping me back to reality."Mummy!" Rhett’s excited voice pulled me back to the present as he grinned up at me, pointing toward the stage. "Aren’t you going? They’re waiting!"I blinked, my pulse quickening. "Oh my God," I whispered under my breath, shaking off the daze. How could I forget? I had won! I had won.With shaky hands, I stood up from my seat, smoothing down the fabric of my black gown as I tried to compose myself. I could feel the eyes of the entire room on me, but amidst the sea of fa
If you're wondering how it all led to this moment, where Roman is staring at the twins with wide eyes and confusion, it’s time to revisit the past. The story that began not with love, but with a fateful marriage of convenience, where neither Roman nor I could have foreseen what would come next.SEVEN YEARS AGO"Do you, Ruby Blackwood, take Alpha Roman Wilder D’Angelo as your loving husband...?" The priest's voice echoed in my ears.My heart skipped a beat as he read out the vows, each word drawing me deeper into a reality I had not chosen.How did I end up in this situation? Marrying someone I'm meeting for the first time today, a man I know only by reputation—powerful, ruthless, and feared by all.The truth stung even more because it should have been my cousin, Esperanxa, standing here today, not me.She was meant to be the one sacrificed as a bride to secure my uncle's alliance with the D’Angelo pack."Ruby?" The mention of my name snapped me back to the present. The faces around me
I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came. My throat felt tight, and my brain scrambled to make sense of the chaos spinning inside me. The dull pounding in my head grew louder, syncing with the frantic beat of my heart.How did this happen? The last thing I remembered clearly was his lips on mine, and then—my gaze drifted down to where the sheets barely covered Roman's body.Oh God. What had we done?"What the hell are you doing in my bed?" Roman repeated sharply as he pushed himself up. His emerald eyes were no longer hazy with alcohol but hardened with confusion—and maybe regret."I—I don't know," I stammered, instinctively pulling the sheets up to cover myself. Heat flooded my cheeks as flashes of last night hit me like a freight train. The kiss, the roughness of his touch, the hardness of his member in me, the feverish way we collided into each other, desperately seeking something neither of us could define. And now this—the cold, harsh reality of daylight exposing everythin
The cab's tires crunched on the gravel as it pulled up outside the mansion. My mansion—or at least, it had been. Now it stood like a mausoleum of my father’s legacy, taken over by a man who had no right to the empire my father built.I fumbled with the money and paid the driver, my fingers still trembling from the shock of Roman’s rejection. My entire world had collapsed in the space of a few hours, and now I had nowhere to go but back to the house I once called home. As I handed the driver the cash, I caught my reflection in the window. I looked like a complete stranger with my pale, drawn face. My long black hair, which is usually neatly combed, was tangled, and my eyes were red and puffy from holding back tears."Thanks," I muttered as I climbed out, my legs still unsteady. The driver gave a curt nod, and as the cab pulled away, I stood frozen, staring at the mansion. The last time I was here, I had been forced into a marriage I didn’t want, but now... what was I? A castaway. U
“Ruby… why do they look like me?”The question hit me like a punch to the gut. I felt the blood drain from my face as I looked up to meet Roman’s gaze, his dark eyes filled with confusion—and something else I couldn’t quite place. For a moment, I was frozen. I couldn’t find the words, couldn’t even think of how to respond. But I had no intention of answering that question here, not in front of my children.I stood up, holding Rhett and Ruby’s hands tightly, pulling them closer to me. “Come on, Rhett. Come on, Ruby. We’re leaving.” My voice was steady, though my heart was racing.“Wait… Ruby,” Roman said, taking a step toward us, his voice more urgent now. “You haven’t answered my question.”I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. My children were my priority—always. I tightened my grip on their hands and continued walking toward the exit. “Hey!” Roman’s voice grew louder, frustration creeping into his tone. I felt his hand wrap around my arm, pulling me to a stop. “Ruby, I’m talking to you.”I
ROMAN'S POV“Ruby, hold on. Don’t go yet. Don’t we need to… like… talk?” I asked, hoping she would agree.Instead, she shook her head, trying to free herself from my grip. “I don’t think we have much to say. I would have said it was nice seeing you after all these years, but your presence just made things more complicated. Saying those words, I felt the same way I had felt over 7 years ago. As soon as she said those words, she turned to her children. “Come on, my loves. Let’s go home.”As they turned away, her soft voice echoed amidst the chaos of my heart. I stood frozen, watching her disappear with children clasped tightly in her hands. I stood rooted to the spot, the initial intention of heading to the restroom long forgotten. Now, all I could think of was her, of going after her, and not letting this opportunity slip through my fingers once again. Memories of that one day we spent flooded my mind.The day I hurt her, the way it all went down seven years ago. She stood there,
RUBY’S POV"Bye mom," Ruby and Rhett both waved as I helped them out of the car, their small hands clutching their lunchbox tightly."Alright, Munchies, I'll come pick you up after school," I waved back with a warm smile.Ruby quickly looked around before turning to face me, her cheeks pink with embarrassment. "Mummy, don't call me that," she whispered as she casted a wary glance over her shoulder.Rhett, catching on, let out a soft chuckle. "Alvin might hear you, and he'll tease her about it.” Turning to his sister, he switched to a mocking tone, which I guess was to mimic Alvin. “Hey Munchie.”I couldn’t hold back the laugh. "The boy you like in your class?" I asked with raised eyebrows. "Won't you like to introduce me to him?"
~Roman's POV~Ruby slept peacefully, her breathing slow and calm, her body warm next to mine. The stress she felt earlier had faded, leaving a tranquil stillness. Her head lay on my chest, her gentle breaths touching my skin, and for the first time in a long while, she appeared completely at ease.But I wasn’t.Sleep refused to come.Her words kept echoing in my head. The kids are in trouble.I gently held her tighter, trying not to wake her, but feeling the need to reassure myself that she was here and safe. However, her warning still rang in my ears.And then, there was him.The cloaked man on the bridge. The memory of our meeting played back in my mind, every detail clear as if it had just happened. His voice was empty yet powerful, both old and familiar."A great evil is coming, Roman. One that will tear through everything you know. And only you and your twins stand a chance to stop it. All will be revealed in time."I clenched my jaw, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing.It
"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
"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
~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