Ruby: As I read her final words, tears streamed down my face, mixing with the ink on the page. I couldn't fathom the pain Mrs. Thompson must have endured upon discovering her grandson in a pool of his own blood.A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I contemplated the trauma she must have passed through, and in that moment, I felt a bond with her unlike any I had felt before—a bond forged in the trials of life and death. Without thinking, I placed the letter in my pocket, silently promising to try and forgive William for his grandmother's sake, as a tribute to her.I clasped her delicate hands in mine,solemnly pledging to honour her memory through my actions and to pursue justice for the sake of my son and her grandson.The perpetrators of this heinous act were truly monstrous and despicable. It was unfathomable and unbelievable to think that Jane, someone I had interacted with closely, could be among those responsible. She was a monster who had been right under my nose this whole time, an
Ruby:As I burst through the broken door and stepped into the hallway, a cool breeze brushed against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. With my wolf still close to the surface, my senses were heightened, and every sound and movement seemed amplified, fueled by the adrenaline coursing through my veins.I scanned the hallway, my eyes darting from side to side in search of any sign of Jane's fleeing figure. However, she was nowhere to be seen. Determined, I proceeded to check our shared office space, but her scent seemed to have vanished, as if she had been swallowed by the shadows of the night.It was strange, leaving me with a sense of unease.Frustration gnawed at my insides, mingled with a deep-rooted anger that threatened to consume me. I couldn't let her escape, not after what she had done to my son, to Mrs. Thompson, and to me.She had to pay."Trust me, you can run, but you can't hide forever!" I called out into the hallway, my voice echoing off the walls. I knew she wouldn'
Ruby:I stared at the picture as if I had seen a ghost—or rather, I wished it was a ghost, because what I was facing was something far worse. The boy's words echoed in my ears, causing my heart to skip multiple beats.How could this be possible? I searched his face for any trace of deceit, but all I found was a raw vulnerability that mirrored my own."You mean she's your mother?" I questioned, my voice barely above a whisper. The boy nodded eagerly, wiping away his tears."So, are you going to help me find her?" He asked with a hopeful tone, his eyes pleading for assistance. But before I could even nod or respond, a loud noise jolted me, making me spin around to see Mr. Smith standing at the doorway, his face twisted with anger and disdain."You shouldn't be here," he snapped as he strode into the room, his gaze fixated on me."You're fired," he declared bluntly, his words hitting me like a ton of bricks. Fired? I couldn't believe it. What had I done to deserve such swift punishment?
Ruby:"Darling, what were you doing?" Mrs. Smith asked the moment I entered the living room, her gaze flickering between me and her husband like a hawk assessing its prey.Her voice carried an edge, thinly veiling an accusation that unsettled me. After discovering the truth about Mr. Smith moments ago, I understood her behaviour and why she acted like a jealous wife. It was clear that whatever had occurred between Mr. Smith and Lilith had left Mrs. Smith feeling deeply insecure.I met her gaze squarely, refusing to let her intimidating demeanour shake me, and, even with the accusations lurking beneath her words, I tried to maintain a calm exterior, determined not to give her any reason to doubt my professionalism. But as I trailed behind Mr. Smith, her piercing stare felt like a weight on my shoulders, as if she were attempting to see through me.The hostility in her eyes sent chills down my spine. It was unnerving, to say the least, to be the target of such intense scrutiny, and desp
Ruby:I sat at the kitchen table, sipping my morning coffee. Since I inadvertently quit my job and was no longer working as a nurse, I found myself with more than enough time to gather my thoughts. Soon, the sound of footsteps broke the silence, and I looked up to see my son descending the stairs.His presence brought a flicker of warmth into my heart, prompting a smile as I watched him approach."Morning, Mom," he greeted, his voice soft yet tinged with eagerness, which piqued my curiosity and stirred a hint of jealousy within me. I wondered what could have brought him such happiness."Morning, Alex," I replied, returning his greeting with a smile. It had been a while since we had a proper conversation, and I welcomed the opportunity to reconnect with him."I'm heading off to school now," he continued, his tone casual but tinged with excitement."Okay, but I made you breakfast," I said, gesturing towards the neatly packed breakfast box on the counter. I had prepared it earlier, knowi
Ruby:Unconsciously, I found myself heading towards Damian's office, like I had been possessed by a spirit. Pausing outside the door, I hesitated, unsure if I should intrude on his space. But the worry gnawing at my gut pushed me forward, and I gently pushed the door open."Damian?" I called out softly as I stepped into the dimly lit room. The familiar scent of cedarwood and old books enveloped me, offering a sense of comfort.My eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of him, and there he was, seated behind his desk. His brow furrowed in concentration as he sifted through a stack of paperwork, but when he looked up and saw me, his expression softened with surprise and warmth."Ruby, hey," he greeted, his voice soft and welcoming. "What brings you here?""I... I was just passing by," I stammered, trying to mask the nervousness in my voice. "I thought I'd check in on you."Damian's smile softened, and he gestured for me to take a seat opposite him. "Care to join me? I'm finalisin
Damian:"Is this your new side chick?"Selene's words hit me like a slap in the face, leaving me stunned for a moment. I could feel my anger rising, and a cold shiver ran down my spine. It took me a great deal of effort to control myself and not snap her neck in half. The nerve of hers to refer to Ruby in such a disrespectful manner!I hadn't introduced Ruby to my sister officially because I didn't see it as necessary; however, I was sure that James would have updated her with the full details involving my life, and then she should have figured out by herself that any woman seen intimately close to me would obviously be my mate.My wolf snarled in agreement, feeling irritated by the disrespect given to our mate, his instincts urging me to defend her."She's my mate, Selene," I asserted firmly, my grip on Ruby's waist tightening protectively. "So if you don't want your head rolling on the floor, I suggest you watch your words." My voice carried a warning tone as I stared my sister down
Ruby:After closing the door behind me, I wandered through Damian's house, my mind still reeling from the tense exchange I had just witnessed.I hadn't anticipated feeling so uneasy during my first encounter with one of Damian's family members. His sister turned out to be quite different from what I had imagined—she bore no resemblance to him whatsoever. Instead, she exuded an air of arrogance and intimidation, and I couldn't shake the peculiar scent that seemed to linger around her.She didn't have the scent of a typical werewolf or an ordinary human, and her manner of speaking clearly indicated her dislike for me and her opposition to any woman being with her brother. I couldn't help but wonder why.Was she fond of Ava? I sighed as I glanced around and noticed that my feet had carried me to an unfamiliar spot. A portrait caught my eye, depicting a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Anna. The only person who could fit that description was Ava, Anna's mother. It was weird to se
Adrian;A year laterI stirred awake, smiling sheepishly as the early morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a gentle glow on my beautiful mate's face. She was cuddled up against me, her warmth bringing me sparks, tingles, and comfort.I grinned as I savoured the peaceful moment, but my tranquilly was short-lived as Hazal began shaking me gently."Adrian," she whispered into my ear, "I need to pee, and we need to get up. We have to be ready for your coronation. You can't be late again."I grumbled, trying to pull her closer. "Can't we just stay here? I can call my parents and have them postpone it."She sighed, clearly exasperated. "This is the third time we've postponed it. Get your lazy ass up.""Five more minutes," I muttered, burying my face in her neck. I started peppering her face with sweet kisses, hoping to distract her. "Just five more minutes."She giggled, trying to squirm away. "Adrian, stop it! We really need to get ready."Ignoring her protests, I continued m
Hazal. "I thought I would die, Luna. I was so scared," I sobbed, tears streaming down my face as I collapsed into her arms, unable to hold back my emotions.Luna Ruby held me tightly, sensing I was on the verge of breaking. Her embrace felt so motherly and warm, reminding me of my own mother when she was alive."It's okay, Hazal. You're safe now," she said in a soothing voice."I can't move," I whispered, my body trembling with pain. Every muscle ached, and the bruises from Anna's assault throbbed with each breath.Her eyes softened as she gazed at me, and then she began muttering words in a language I couldn't understand. I'd heard rumours about her being a powerful half-witch or werewolf—some called her a hybrid—but I never believed them. However, seeing her hands glow with a warm, healing light that sent comforting warmth through my body, I couldn't help but believe those rumours had some truth.Slowly, the pain began to fade, and the bruises on my skin disappeared, leaving no tra
Hazal:I was fast asleep in my bedroom, dreaming about my failed life, when the door burst open and warm hands shook me awake."Hazal, Hazal! Miss Anna is calling for you again." Emily yelled, and I groggily opened my eyes, disoriented."What? Where?""I don't know, Hazel. She's not in her room. She's waiting for you in the basement," Emily replied worriedly. I sat up, my heart racing."The basement? Why would she want to meet me there?" I questioned, and Emily hesitated."She said something about her apologising for taking your dress and offering you another one."My eyes widened in surprise. "Another dress? Why would she do that?"What did Anna want from me now? And why was she being so nice all of a sudden? Emily shrugged. "I don't know, Hazal. But be careful, okay?"I nodded slowly, threw off my covers, and followed Emily out of my room, my senses on high alert.As we walked, I couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked in her dress for the mating ball. "Emily, your dress
RubyStanding in front of my mate, Damian, I skillfully adjusted his tie. It was a small act of intimacy I had performed for the past twenty years of our life together. My fingers brushed against his chest, sending a flutter through my heart, while his arms encircled my waist, pulling me close as I worked. I felt safe and loved in his embrace."Perfect," I said, stepping back to admire my handiwork.Damian's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "You always make me look my best, Ruby."I smiled back, but my mind was elsewhere. I could feel the tension between Anna and me escalating; all her threats kept playing in my head, and I feared it would come to a head at the mating ball.Damian's gaze narrowed, his eyes piercing mine. "What's wrong, my love? You're stressed about something."I sighed, my shoulders sagging. "Damian, I'm worried about Anna's behaviour," I said, my voice low and concerned. "She's been treating the omega, Hazel, with such disdain. And now, she's become overco
HazalI passed by Adrian's room on an errand, and I overheard my name mentioned between Luna Ruby and Anna, making me feel like an outsider. The tension between them was overwhelming, and knowing I was partly the reason for their argument filled me with distress.If I had to choose sides, even without knowing the full story, I would always stand by Luna Ruby. She had always been kind and warm, treating everyone with respect, regardless of their rank, but Miss Anna, on the other hand, was harsh, cruel, and unforgiving.Returning to the kitchen, my thoughts wandered back to Adrian. His mother seemed to believe there was something special between us, but I wasn’t so sure. Adrian was kind and handsome, but he was an alpha, and I was just an omega. Could we ever really be compatible?I remembered the kiss we shared, absentmindedly placing my hand on my lips as I recalled the subtle sparks that had flown between us.What happens next?Before I could delve deeper into my thoughts, I felt a p
Adrian's Pov:"Adrian, where have you been all day?" my mother asked as I walked into the house with Hazel trailing awkwardly behind me. She was seated on the couch, her face lighting up with surprise when she saw me. She rose to her feet; her eyes then shifted to Hazel, and her surprise deepened."Oh, Hazel, hi there.""Mum, I’m not a child. I'm a twenty-year-old adult who can take care of himself," I hissed in irritation, feeling my earlier anger build up. But then I felt a soft hand touch mine and met Hazel's eyes. The rage within me died down instantly.My mother's gaze shifted to Hazel’s hand holding mine, and she raised an eyebrow. Hazel noticed my mom's gaze and blushed, quickly removing her hand from mine as if it had burned her."Luna, you asked me to take Alpha Adrian to the tailor shop, remember?" She muttered shyly, and my mother nodded with a large smile on her lips."Yes, I remember. Thank you, Hazel. And while you're at it, make sure you get a dress for yourself as well
Adrian-I pushed away my disappointment in Anna and forced a fake smile as I descended the stairs. At the bottom, I spotted Hazel standing awkwardly, and my smile immediately turned genuine as I secretly admired her cuteness."Hey," I said, and she lifted her face, meeting my eyes."H-hey," she stammered, shifting from one foot to another. Together, we walked out of the house. I could feel my palms getting sweaty from the anticipation and nervousness about the upcoming mating ball, a significant event. The thought of Hazel assisting me with my suit fitting added to my nervousness for some reason."So, do you know much about suits?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood as we made our way to the tailor shop."A bit," she replied, her voice still a little shaky. "I’ve helped with fittings before.""Good to know," I said, offering her a reassuring smile. "I appreciate the help."We walked in comfortable silence for a while, the tension from earlier slowly dissipating. I realised this might
Adrian The next day, the sun was barely up when I headed to the training grounds with my friends. We were sparring, honing our skills, and pushing each other to our limits. In the midst of a particularly intense training session, our pack beta, Daniel, joined us and signalled for us to form our usual circle."Adrian, Jake, step forward. It’s time to test your fighting skills," Beta Daniel said. Jake shot me a smirk as we moved to the centre of the training grounds.Jake was always a bit of a jerk, constantly boasting about his strength and making snide remarks about how I was only in my position because I was the alpha’s son. His words often grated on my nerves, but as usual, I did my best to ignore him.I don't like boasting or displaying my full strength, regardless of my alpha lineage, because I possess inherent strength that surpasses everyone on the training ground, owing to the chief spirit judge residing within me. This spirit enables me to perform supernatural feats. I consci
Adrian;"Anna, wait!" I called out, jogging after her, hoping she would slow down and listen to me, but she didn’t. Instead, she quickened her pace, her shoulders tense with anger and frustration.This wasn't the first time I found myself running after her, especially after she had a heated conversation with my mother, and I knew it wouldn't be the last. For some unknown reason, she deeply loathed my mom, which made me uncomfortable since I cared about them both.What made everything more frustrating was that neither my parents nor Anna ever explained the reason behind her anger. Whenever I asked, they would all change the subject, which I found slightly annoying.Using my advanced werewolf speed, I quickly closed the distance between us, seeing the determination in her stride."Anna, please stop!" I called again, louder this time. She halted reluctantly when we reached the front of the house, aware that I would follow her even into her room, invading her privacy. She hated that.She