Three days later.RubyI knocked softly on the door, feeling the nervousness coursing through me, evident in my sweaty, shaking hands. After a few seconds, the door creaked open, revealing a beautiful middle-aged woman with a quizzical expression. She wore a floral-print blouse and jeans, her hands resting on her hips as she looked at me with a raised eyebrow,her eyes filled with curiosity. I stood before her, nervously adjusting the strands of my newly acquired fake blond hair. With a deliberate blink of my fake blue eye, I attempted to exude confidence, despite the uncertainty swirling within me.What if my plan fails and she sees through my disguise?Clearing my throat, I pushed aside my doubts and mustered a polite smile as I met her gaze."Hello, ma'am," I began, my voice steady."I'm here to speak with Mr. Smith. Is he available?" I kept my gaze steady, hoping to convey a sense of professionalism despite the unease I felt.The woman's brow furrowed in confusion as she glanced a
RubyFeeling completely drained, I stepped into Damian's office, finding him completely engrossed in his work. When he looked up and caught sight of me, a faint smile graced his lips, but it quickly faded into a look of concern. His blue eyes softened with worry as they met mine, sensing the exhaustion written all over my face."Fuck, you must have had a rough day," he remarked, his tone sympathetic. He rose from his chair, a gesture of solidarity, as I made my way to the inviting, comfy couch in his office."Trust me, I fucking did," I managed to joke, a weary smile playing on my lips. Self-consciously, I brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear, feeling suddenly vulnerable under his intense gaze.I had made a conscious decision to regard Damian strictly as a business partner and not a mate in order to feel more comfortable around him. However, the intense gaze he was giving me now ignited an unexpected feeling of warmth inside me, causing me to reconsider my initial stance.For
Ruby:"Anna, sweetheart, what's happening? Why are you so upset?" Damian asked, reaching out to gently touch his daughter's trembling shoulder. His brows furrowed, and his eyes filled with worry as he searched her face for answers.Tears streamed down Anna's cheeks as she tried to compose herself, her voice shaking with emotion. "It's nothing, Daddy," she managed to choke out between sobs. "I just miss Mommy so much. I need her."Her words cut through the air like a knife, filled with raw emotion that tugged at my heartstrings, knowing I could never replace her mother, nor could she ever perceive me as such.Soon, Damian's own eyes welled up with unshed tears, and he wrapped his arms around Anna, pulling her into a comforting embrace, feeling utterly helpless in the face of her pain.Feeling my gaze on him, his eyes met mine, and he gave me a nervous smile. I could sense he was struggling in this moment, unable to find the right words to comfort his daughter. It wasn't long ago that h
Ruby:"Alex, that's enough!" I exclaimed, my voice stern, as I intervened, trying to put an end to his disruptive behavior. But my son seemed undeterred, his anger fueling his determination to assert his dominance."Why don't you tell her the truth, mother? She is not your daughter, so let her go find hers. After all, I never asked her father to be my dad, so why is she so selfish?" Alex's words cut through the air like knives, his bitterness palpable as he directed his ire towards Anna. The hurt in Anna's eyes was evident, her lower lip trembling as tears welled up."Alex, that's not fair!" I snapped, my patience wearing thin as I struggled to maintain control of the situation. "Anna is like your sister now, and she deserves to be treated with respect.""Like my sister?" He scoffed, his stubbornness evident as he began laughing, sending a shiver down my spine. Frustration bubbled up within me, and I could feel my temper flaring as I tried to reason with him, but he kept laughing."En
Ruby:As I eased into my chair within the busy hospital ward, I felt a sense of exhaustion and weariness, despite not having undertaken any demanding tasks. The events of the previous day lingered heavily on my mind, casting a shadow over my present state.Describing my state as one of confusion would be an understatement. My son's unexpected words had left me feeling shaken and uncertain about the future of our already precarious relationship. His words echoed in my ears, a constant reminder of the rift that had formed between us and might become worse if I didn't make a drastic decision for our sake.When I requested some time to speak with Liam on my own, Alex merely nodded, his expression unreadable. He retreated to bed without saying a word, foregoing dinner and avoiding any further conversation. This morning, his demeanour remained distant, with little to no communication directed my way.The mere thought of him leaving to live with his father, abandoning me to solitude, pierced
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?
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