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
~Little Ruby’s POV~I woke up feeling... strange. My head was all fuzzy, like when I wake up too early and my brain hasn’t caught up yet. My arms felt heavy, my legs too, and the air smelled weird—like old, wet wood mixed with something sharp and bitter.I blinked a few times, trying to make sense of where we were. It was dark. Not the kind of dark where you close your eyes, but the kind where shadows stretch long and the air feels thick. I turned my head and saw Rhett beside me, still asleep. His curls were all messy, and his mouth was slightly open.I nudged him.“Rhett... wake up,” I whispered. Nothing.I poked him harder. “Hey, sleepyhead. Wake up.”He groaned, scrunching up his nose. “Oh, Ruby… One can’t have a peaceful sleep?” He muttered, his voice scratchy.“Peaceful sleep, I see,” I mumbled, rolling my eyes.“What is it this time?” He finally opened his eyes, blinking at me.I sighed. “Look around, Rhett. We’re in nowhere home.”Rhett stretched his arms—only, they didn’t mov
~Roman’s POV~The door to Abel’s study was slightly open, almost like it was inviting me in. I didn’t bother knocking. As I pushed it open, the hinges made a quiet creak.Abel was sitting behind his desk, looking relaxed, almost lazy, as if he had nothing better to do than wait for me. He leaned back in his chair, one leg crossed over the other, with his hands resting on his stomach. The warm amber light in the room created a cozy atmosphere, but it couldn’t hide the underlying tension that always seemed to surround him.He smirked.The bastard had been waiting for me."Enjoying your grand return?" he asked, tilting his head like a smug cat watching a cornered mouse.His voice, smooth and without feeling, sent shivers down my spine. I could feel my jaw tightening as I walked closer, fists clenched by my sides. Anger pulsed through me, and every part of my body felt ready to explode.“Where are my kids?” I growled, not bothering with pleasantries. Abel leaned forward, resting his elb
“You know this would have been going well if you weren’t born,” he muttered, still staring at the board like it might save him from himself.I let out a dry scoff, bitter and sharp. “So me being born is a crime now?”“I guess so,” he said in a cold and even voice. “We wouldn’t even be in this mess right now.”“That’s absurd,” I countered, locking eyes with him. “You started this mess in the first place.”“You think I did?”“Yeah. Had you stayed in your lane and never gotten involved in anyone’s business, all of this could’ve been avoided.”Abel finally looked up, a slow smirk forming on his face, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “No, Roman. One way or another, I’d have come for you. Eventually.”I clenched my jaw. “And why is that, Abel? Why?”He met my stare, something unreadable flickering in his expression. “You started this, Roman,” he accused in a low voice. “You took everything from me.”My heart thudded once, heavy in my chest. “Me? How exactly?”“You took my place, little bro. A
~Rhett’s POV~We finally reached a big door. It was huge and dark, with heavy wood that made a low creaking sound when I pushed it open.Then we froze.A man was already there, standing tall in front of us. He didn’t move. His hands were behind his back like he was waiting. Watching. A slow, creepy smile grew on his face.My stomach flipped.“Uh-oh,” “Where do you think you’re going?” the man asked in a low and scary voice.“Umm… just trying to get some air,” Little Ruby said with a nervous laugh.“More like you were escaping,” he said, cracking his knuckles loud like breaking sticks.“Something like that,” I said, trying to smile like I wasn’t scared. But I was. So much.“But you’re gonna let us go… right?” Little Ruby asked, hopeful.“Why should I do that?” he asked, raising one eyebrow.“The others that tried didn’t end well,” Ruby said quickly.He laughed. It wasn’t a nice laugh. It made my arms feel cold.“Bluffing type, I see,” he said.Ruby and I looked at each other and tried
~Roman’s POV~ “The kids are missing.”I stood up quickly, and my chair scraped loudly against the floor, breaking the silence with a sharp sound. My heart raced in my chest.Everything stopped.The tension grew until it finally broke, similar to the moment when you turn a key in the lock just before the door swings open.“What do you mean missing?” I asked sharply—at least outwardly.Abel didn’t flinch. He never did. He was still leaning on his chair like this was any other conversation. As if what he just said wasn’t enough to rip through the fragile calm I’d been forcing down all day.“Calm down,” he said, brushing imaginary lint from his sleeve. “Could be nothing. You know the way children are.”“Could?” I repeated incredulously, pushing past that last thread of patience.He gave a lazy shrug. “Be rest assured, I sent people to look.”That was when I moved.My hand was already on his collar before my mind caught up. The force of my grip slammed him against the wall, rattling the
~Ruby's POV~The antiseptic smell of the hospital was starting to cling to my skin. That mix of alcohol, bleach, and something sterile that never lets you forget where you are. The steady beeping of the monitors was the only sound in the room, steady like a ticking clock, each one a reminder that this was real.Helen lay in the bed, her face pale, her leg elevated and wrapped in white bandages, bruises painting her skin in shades of angry violet and fading yellow. She looked so small under the thin sheet. Too still. Too quiet.I sat beside her, a damp cloth in hand, gently wiping the sweat from her forehead, though I wasn’t sure if it was from pain or the leftover adrenaline. She was stable. That’s what the doctors said. Stable. But it didn’t feel like enough."This is all my fault," I whispered, more to myself than anyone. "I shouldn't have left you alone, Helen."My voice cracked, and I held her hand tightly like I could anchor both of us here in this moment, away from the chaos
CHAPTER : Trackers~Roman’s POV~Kai had been quiet for a few minutes, walking around the old warehouse. The sky was cloudy, and the air smelled like rust and old oil—heavy and damp. It was the kind of smell that stuck to your clothes and made your mouth taste bitter.I tightened my jaw and looked again, half expecting something to jump out from the shadows. The windows were either shattered or boarded up, and the walls were mottled with old graffiti and creeping ivy. Somewhere nearby, a pipe dripped steadily—one of those sounds that grew more annoying the longer it went on.“Roman,” Kai’s voice called.I moved instantly, my boots crunching over gravel and broken glass as I rounded the corner of the building. Ruby followed close behind. Neither of us spoke, but I felt her tension just as I felt my own.Kai stood near a rusted panel of metal, his hand tracing something on its surface.“There,” he said, stepping back so I could see it clearly.Etched deep into the metal wall was a smal
Ruby’s POV“Who the hell was that?” I whispered, though my voice might as well have cracked the tension wide open.The room fell silent after that question. You could feel the tension in the air. I looked at Roman, and he looked back at me with a tight jaw and darker eyes than usual. I hadn’t even noticed I was clenching my fists. The twins across the room stayed completely still, not reacting at all.Roman stepped forward, his voice dropping low but firm. “Wait… why didn’t you two tell us about this?”Little Ruby raised her chin, defiant but not disrespectful. “You wouldn’t have taken us seriously if we did.”Rhett nodded, crossing his arms. “If we didn’t have proof, you'd have thought we were just being paranoid. You all would’ve.”“No, honey. We would’ve listened,” I tried gently, but the moment the words left my mouth, I knew they rang hollow.Little Ruby gave a tiny scoff. “You definitely wouldn’t, Mom.”My chest tightened.“It all started after Aunt Jean died,” Rhett said, voice
~Kai’s POV~I crossed the living room, heading toward the counter where I had last dropped my tablet. I was still trying to go over the document but right now, I just needed something smaller and lighter.Except when I reached the table, something felt… off.“Good afternoon, Kai,” two familiar voices chirped in unison.I looked up—and there they were. Little Ruby and Rhett, seated like innocent cherubs on the chair, surrounded by toys and wide-eyed expressions that were just a little too wide.“Afternoon to you, too,” I said, trying not to sound suspicious. “What are you two up to?”“Nothing,” Little Ruby said, fiddling with a small plush bunny.“Just playing with our toys,” Rhett added, stacking blocks as if he were being filmed for a commercial.I nodded slowly, eyes drifting to the table.“Where’s my tablet?”Rhett glanced at his sister.“We have no idea,” Little Ruby said quickly, far too quickly.“Really?” I asked, arching a brow. “Because I left it right here. “Are you sure you
~Roman’s POV~I wasn’t even fully out the front door when I caught sight of Kai’s car pulling into the driveway. I stopped, watching as he parked with none of his usual chill. That was my first red flag.Kai wasn’t just my Beta or my best friend or just a tech genius—he was my anchor in chaos, always playful, always steps ahead. But right now? The way he slammed the car door and stalked toward me… something was off.I didn’t even need to ask. “What’s going on, Kai?”He glanced around briefly, eyes sharp, voice low. “We need to talk. Like, right now.”I nodded and gestured toward the house. “Alright. Let’s go inside.”“No. Somewhere private.”That made my stomach twist a little. Kai never needed “private” unless it was something massive—something ugly.As we made it into the house, he scanned the hallway like a detective on edge. “Where’s Ruby?”“Probably upstairs or around. Why?”Kai didn’t stop walking, just muttered, “She should be here too.”I frowned. “You can just tell me. I’ll p
~Roman's POV~I woke up suddenly, heart racing and sweat dripping down my forehead. I was breathing heavily, as if I’d been running in my sleep. Abel's smirk was all I could see behind my closed eyes, clear as day. Even though he was behind bars in my dream, I felt the real sense of being trapped. I could still hear his voice echoing in my mind.“You’re building a kingdom you can’t control, little brother.”I ran a hand down my face, shaking off the memory. Just a dream. Just a dream. I glanced at the digital clock blinking on the nightstand: 9:42 a.m. Damn early for this much mental chaos.Beside me, Ruby stirred softly, her arm slipping over my chest. Her fingers brushed my skin absentmindedly, warm and grounding. I turned to her, letting the sight calm me—dark lashes resting on her cheeks, that faint line between her brows when she dreamed. She looked peaceful, untouched by the nightmare that had clawed through my head. I let out a long breath and tucked a strand of hair behi
~Little Ruby’s POV~It was really, really late when the ceremony ended. My eyes were so sleepy that they kept trying to close on their own. Rhett was walking like a zombie beside me. The grown-ups said goodbyes and thank-yous, but all I wanted was a pillow and a blanket.“Are we not going home?” I asked, rubbing my eyes.Mom looked at Dad—well, and they did that grown-up eye talk thing.“Not at all,” Mom said, fixing my hair gently.“It’s late already. We’ll deal with all that tomorrow. For now, you have to rest,” Dad said, and his voice sounded kind of soft like it did when he used to read us stories.They led us into the guest room together and tucked us in—one by one. Mom kissed my forehead, and Dad did the same.“Alright then, have a good night,” she whispered.“Goodnight, kiddos,” Dad added, and the light clicked off.Now we were alone. And my eyes are wide open. I tried to sleep. I really did. But my brain didn’t wanna listen.Because I saw her.That lady.The one from the party
~Little Ruby’s POV~Few hours ago…“Come on, kids, we're running late!” Aunt Helen's voice echoed from the living room.I pulled my socks on in a rush. “Coming, Aunt Helen!” Rhett shouted before I could say it first.I pouted as I looked in the mirror. “We should’ve just slept over after the wedding,” I said, brushing my hair quickly.Rhett sat on the bed, trying to fix his shoelace. “Oh yeah? And we couldn’t just because you forgot your gown.”I narrowed my eyes. “So you’re trying to put the blame on me?”He shrugged like it was nothing. “Not exactly. But we do know whose fault it was.”Before I could throw my hairbrush at him, the door swung open.“Oh you two,” Aunt Helen said, her hands already on her waist. That meant trouble. “On your feet. Now.”We both jumped up like soldiers. Rhett almost tripped over his own shoe.“Remind me again—why are we going there?” Rhett asked as he walked out behind her.“I thought the wedding was done,” I mumbled, still grumpy.Helen turned to us as
~Ruby’s POV~Sunlight streamed into the room, shining brightly through the light, flowing curtains that danced in the breeze. I blinked slowly and felt the soft silk sheets against my skin, reminding me that I wasn’t in my old home anymore. This place felt new, different, and—most importantly—safer.Being back here in the Silver Frost Pack House brought back memories—memories that I’ve tucked down deep in the abyss of my mind. But none of that mattered as much as the warmth that pulsed quietly through my heart. A warmth I hadn’t felt in years.I sat up, running a hand through my hair, exhaling deeply. The scent of sage, firewood, and freshly baked bread drifted in from somewhere down the corridor. Even with the grandeur surrounding me, it wasn’t the luxury that settled my nerves—it was the laughter I could hear in the distance. The twins. Safe. Happy.And Roman.A soft knock echoed from the door before it cracked open. “You’re awake,” came his voice, deep and calm.He stepped insid
"Want to go for another round? Slowly this time?" he asked, his voice low and husky."Sure."He slowly pulled out, his cock slipping from me. He scooped me up and brought me to sit on his lap. I straddled him, his hard cock pressed against me. He pulled me closer, our lips meeting in a passionate kiss. His hands roamed over my body, cupping my breasts, squeezing gently.He broke the kiss and looked at me, his eyes full of lust."You are so fucking sexy," he murmured, his fingers teasing my already hard and sensitive nipple."Mmm," I moaned, my hips rocking, his cock sliding along my wetness."Do you want me to make you come again?" he asked, his other hand moving between us, his fingers finding my clit."Yes," I gasped, my hips bucking as his fingers stroked over the sensitive bundle of nerves."Such a good girl," he murmured, his teeth nipping at my neck.I moaned, his touch sending jolts of pleasure through me."Are you going to be a good girl and ride my cock until we come together
"I'm yours," I breathed, giving myself over to him, letting him take control."And I'm yours," he murmured, his teeth grazing my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.I could feel his cock pressing against me, hard and throbbing. I ached to feel him inside me, filling me, stretching me.Roman released his grip on my hair, his hand moving down to cup my breast, teasing the nipple.I moaned, arching into his touch, craving more.He groaned, his fingers pinching and rolling the sensitive bud."Fuck, Ruby," he growled, his lips finding mine again, kissing me hard."Please, Roman," I breathed, kissing him back with equal ferocity, my body trembling with need.He broke the kiss and grinned down at me, his eyes glittering with desire. "Patience, Luna," he teased, his fingers ghosting over my nipple."No," I protested, my body arching, trying to get more. "Please, Roman."He chuckled and grabbed the top of my dress, tugging it down, revealing my breasts. He cupped one, squeezing firmly, his t