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.
~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 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
~Ruby's POV~The drive to the family's house felt longer than it actually was. The streetlights did no good at shedding light on what was on my mind, and the hum of the car engine was the only thing keeping my mind from spiraling. I tapped my fingers anxiously on the steering wheel, rehearsing in my head what I was going to say.This wasn’t going to be easy. Esperanza and Keely had every right to be furious with me. I’d kept a secret from them—one that shattered everything they thought they knew. But I hadn’t done it out of malice. I had tried to protect them, even if it had backfired spectacularly.I pulled into the driveway and cut the engine. The house was quiet as usual, save for the faint flicker of light in one of the upstairs windows. Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the car and made my way to their room. My heart pounded as I raised a fist and knocked gently.A groan came from the other side."For the last time, Dad, go away!" Esperanza’s irritated voice rang out."
~Ruby's POV~The moment I stepped into the apartment, a familiar warmth settled over me. The scent of cinnamon from a half-burned candle and the faint aroma of Helen’s tea made the space feel cozy despite the tension I hadn’t yet acknowledged.I tossed my keys onto the entryway table, shrugging off my coat when I noticed an unexpected guest sitting at the dining table, scrolling through his phone."Kai?" I narrowed my eyes, hanging my coat on the rack. "What are you doing here?"Without looking up, he responded, "I'm here doing something important."Helen, who sat across from him, gave me a helpless shrug, silently mouthing, I have no idea either.I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms. "Oooookay… and by that, you mean?"Kai finally lifted his gaze. "Shipment intel."I froze, my fingers still hooked in the collar of my sweater. My pulse quickened. Shipment intel. That meant trouble. That meant another mission. That meant another risk."What about the kids?" I asked, my voice tightenin
~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
"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
~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
~Ruby's POV~The moment I stepped into the apartment, a familiar warmth settled over me. The scent of cinnamon from a half-burned candle and the faint aroma of Helen’s tea made the space feel cozy despite the tension I hadn’t yet acknowledged.I tossed my keys onto the entryway table, shrugging off my coat when I noticed an unexpected guest sitting at the dining table, scrolling through his phone."Kai?" I narrowed my eyes, hanging my coat on the rack. "What are you doing here?"Without looking up, he responded, "I'm here doing something important."Helen, who sat across from him, gave me a helpless shrug, silently mouthing, I have no idea either.I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms. "Oooookay… and by that, you mean?"Kai finally lifted his gaze. "Shipment intel."I froze, my fingers still hooked in the collar of my sweater. My pulse quickened. Shipment intel. That meant trouble. That meant another mission. That meant another risk."What about the kids?" I asked, my voice tightenin
~Ruby's POV~The drive to the family's house felt longer than it actually was. The streetlights did no good at shedding light on what was on my mind, and the hum of the car engine was the only thing keeping my mind from spiraling. I tapped my fingers anxiously on the steering wheel, rehearsing in my head what I was going to say.This wasn’t going to be easy. Esperanza and Keely had every right to be furious with me. I’d kept a secret from them—one that shattered everything they thought they knew. But I hadn’t done it out of malice. I had tried to protect them, even if it had backfired spectacularly.I pulled into the driveway and cut the engine. The house was quiet as usual, save for the faint flicker of light in one of the upstairs windows. Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the car and made my way to their room. My heart pounded as I raised a fist and knocked gently.A groan came from the other side."For the last time, Dad, go away!" Esperanza’s irritated voice rang out."
~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