"Simple. You are to mate with me."I stared at Riftan with disbelief in my eyes, not understanding a single thing about what he said."W-What?""You heard me clear as day, Ruby," he whispered.His warm voice sent shivers down my spine. I froze for a second before absorbing what he had just said.Mate?Does he mean, like... mating?!My eyes widened, and my buttocks fell into the cold snow. My cheeks were heating up, and I stared at him- still processing the thought of mating with this impeccable person!No way! There's no way that's going to happen! Me?! Mating with a Were?! Never!I shook my head multiple times while my lips still couldn't say anything. Riftan reached out his hand to pull me up from the snow, but I refused to touch it."Get up. You will get your clothes soiled in the snow. You have just gotten out of the bath, haven't you?"I shook my head again.Speak, Ruby! Speak!"I know you are in shock, but can you please get up? It is outstandingly freezing here."I shook my hea
I woke up to the sound of dangling chains.I straightened myself into a rod before sticking my hand out, ready to face my opponent. I glided my eyes across the room only to see it normal, as it was before.In a few moments, a head popped up from the side of the bed which of course, made me jump."Holy moly, Linda! You scared me!"The woman laughed, "Sorry about that. You were sleeping the entire afternoon. You forgot to eat lunch."I palmed my face and took a deep breath while trying to recover myself from the shock she caused me.She unlocked the chains and wrapped them against her palm, "Sir Riftan told me to wake you up. By the way, why... are you in his room?"A heat rushed through my cheeks. I heaved a sigh and slipped myself away from it with a composed feature. "Nothing. He just invited me inside-""Oh my God, did you mate?! Are you okay?!"Linda walked towards me and placed her palms over my shoulders. I shook my head repeatedly, trying to deny everything that she was thinking
"Ow! Ow! Ow!" I winced in pain as I felt Riftan's hand tighten around my wrists. I was still gobbling my meal when in the spur of the moment, he grabbed me and pulled me away from the dining hall."Ow! Let go of me!"Riftan kept walking. His fast pace almost made me trip into every carpet corner we passed. Every second, I felt like we were straying away from the others. The corridors have become silent and I could hear nothing but the pounding of my heart. "Where are you taking me?!" "Hush."I took a deep breath and stopped walking, Riftan halted too. "What-""Would you at least answer me?!" I demanded at him. "I don't wanna keep following sketchy guy like you! Besides, I have not finished my dinner yet! I am starving." "Don't worry. Your food is prepared.""What? Where?!"Riftan reached out to my arm and pulled me like a doll, "Just keep your mouth shut and follow me."I yanked my arm away and glared at him, "How sassy of you! Don't force me to come with you, dimwit!"The auda
I am not buying what Riftan had just told me earlier. That suspicious and sinister look on his face as he explained to me why he got that room for me in the first place, is creeping me out.As I strode across the room, I could feel the tension rising from within my chest. I had a bad feeling about the room in the first place. Thoughts rushed to my head like swarming bugs against a light bulb.I knew that something was up. Riftan definitely won't let me have a room unless it is caged. He would not want an assassin like me, to be let out in these halls nonchalantly.Something is very wrong. I can feel it.Linda walked in front of me and led me to another confusing corridor. Finally, after a very long walk, we found ourselves standing before a pleasant-looking door. I looked at Linda and she just smiled at me."You're so lucky to get a room from Master Riftan!"She seemed very happy and enthusiastic about it. I mean, I am enthusiast
Yesterday's meal was amazing.I don't even know if I was able to contain and secure my sanity for that food. I would die and suffer only to grab a taste of that soft and tender meat, cured with honey and spices which was also braised to perfection.Despite my complaints about how poorly accommodating this shelter was, I would say that they are quite filling in those gaps, and that's scary.I'm afraid that one day, I might choose not to leave this place again. Everything was comfortable. The ambience, the snowy forests, the food.As always, I woke up to the sound of pans clattering that awful stench of wet dog fur and the musky scent of mold. I scrunch my nose and cover them as another set of Weres came from what I assumed, was an expedition to
I watched in awe as a group came from the city with a dozen rolls of thread behind their backs. A few carriages came in as well which seemed to be hauling a mass production of foam and wood. Standing under the shade of the roof to cover myself from the falling snow, Linda placed a palm on my shoulders."I cannot believe that Master Riftan bought these for us.""Well, of course, why wouldn't he? You guys deserve a good rest since you've been working your arses off to feed everyone.""Thank you."I simpered a small smile which unexpectedly came out from my lips."We really appreciate this, Ruby. We are grateful.""Make sure you get lots of rest tonight."
I trailed my index across the sharp steel. I see my reflection. Eyes dilating in fury and excitement, lips twitching- itching to laugh after I have reigned over my prey.This 8-inch knife would do me well. It is enough to reach the carotid arteries of these beasts and end them permanently.But I have no intention to kill this man.I just want a little workout since I haven't played in a long while."If you are truly Riftan's mate then where's your mark?" he raised a brow at me."Ask him about that. I don't even know what he's talking about. One day he just captured me and then, told me that I was his mate. It's not like I want to be his, though. I just want to get out of here."
ZEN RIFTAN"They have arrived, Sir."I close my eyes and yawn, feeling the fatigue leave my body. Putting the book aside, I lifted my head and faced my servant who came to relay the news."Who exactly?""Sir Vale and the others."Vale. The Beta of my pack. My right hand and my assistant. The boy my parents entrusted to ensure my well-being."Where is he, now?""He should be in the dining hall, taking his meal. Would you like me to come fetch him?"I waved my hands and declined, "No need. Allow him to dine. He must be starving after all the journey he spent. We should give him time, alone.""Sir Riftan!"I flinch, hearing that desperate cry resonate from the halls. Turning my head back, I see another servant of mine- face ghasted. I allow her to breath for a moment, before explaining the ruckus she had been procuring."We told you not to run in the halls, Linda!" my guard yelled at her. "How many times have we told you about that?! You never listen! You know that Sir Riftan is not very
RUBY VERMILLIONThe bed was warm. I could feel Riftan's warmth as his arms were wrapped around mine the entire time we slept. Wait what?I immediately rose up at sat on the bed. My sudden movement wakes the male. "R-Riftan?!""Ugh... what?""W-What did we...""We didn't do anything."The sunlight peered from behind the curtains, and we could hear the sound of cogs and wheels. I stared at Riftan. He was shirtless and had a huge wound on his lower torso. I
"Sir?!"I felt a cold hand grasp me. My eyes instantly opened as balls of sweat streamed down from my face.There was a woman before me, holding a mop on her other hand.My breathing became uneven, I gasp for air as I sat straight."You were having a nightmare, Sir." A nightmare.That's right.It was only a nightmare. It isn't real. Nothing is.
ZEN RIFTANMy body felt so heavy.I remember waking up in a vast flowerbed of daisies and dandelions. The warm sun gently bestowing me with its ethereal light. As my irises focused to grasp my surroundings, I slowly lifted my self up and probed around.I remember this place.Where was I exactly? What was I doing? How did I end up being there?All of those, I can remember.
Run. I sprinted across the snow, trying to get back to the inn. I regretted my decision to meet with Sir Dreyar. Everything became much more worse!I could see the door from our room. I reach out to it and opened the door. I went inside and locked it behind me, and then took the time to breathe some air.'He was just toying with you. None of that matters now. Tomorrow will be your last day here in this place. Just stay close to Riftan and-'
Riftan lay on the couch, eyes heavy from the alcohol. I chuckled as his head hit the cushions with a soft thud. Poking him did nothing—he was out cold."Weakling," I muttered, amused. Who knew one mug of beer could knock him out so easily?As I stared at him, a dark thought crept into my mind. Kill him now.The voices in my head told me.I could end him, use the lamp to stab him... But then what? I'd be hunted before I even got back to the palace."No," I breathed, shaking my head. "It's not the time. Don't mess this up."Taking a deep breath, I crouched and lifted his arm over my shoulder, dragging him to the bed. He groaned in his sleep as I tucked him in."Let's get you to bed," I whispered, more to myself than him. He was out for the count. I had the whole day to myself, and an unsettling memory of Dreyar’s offer lingered in my mind. Evening came, and Riftan still hadn't stirred. I watched the golden clock tick away the hours, then sighed. Waiting for him to wake up wasn’t an opt
I could see Riftan’s composure slipping, his hand twitching as he forced himself to eat. I stayed silent, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks."Haha, my bad, Riftan, I was just explaining why you wouldn’t let her drink.""That’s not the reason!" Riftan gritted his teeth. "At least… that’s not the reason.""Then what is it?" Dreyar provoked. "Why are you so adamant?""I-I think we should stop here," I whispered, feeling Riftan’s embarrassment. "It would be bad if he got mad at me."Dreyar chuckled, ignoring me. "Zen, let the woman make her own decisions. She follows her king."Dreyar’s words dripped with malice, and Riftan’s glare intensified,"Stop provoking me, Hector," he warned. "I don’t appreciate you mentioning his name.""Kinh Ydrian Hezel," Dreyar continued with a smirk, "The Great King of Hezel.""You know him?" I asked, curious."Everyone knows the Great King," Dreyar whispered, his eyes gleaming. "Watch me piss Zen off by saying his name over and over again."He cleared his th
RUBY VERMILLIONRiftan and I walked toward the taverns, our steps echoing the tension between us. After last night’s strange encounter, we’ve been avoiding each other, unsure if that kiss was a dream or reality. The memory was too fuzzy.This morning, I found Riftan pacing the room, his restlessness stirring the floorboards. Irritated, I threw a pillow at him. He stopped, wide-eyed, scratched his nape, and then turned away, avoiding my gaze. I wasn’t sure if he was embarrassed, but I wasn’t taking the blame—it was his kiss on my forehead, after all.Riftan pointed to a busy, run-down shack. “Shall we eat here?”“Sure,” I mumbled.As soon as we stepped inside, the tavern fell silent. All eyes were on us, particularly on me. Riftan remained indifferent, but I could feel the weight of their stares, the whispers that followed us.“Isn’t she the assassin who killed our brethren?”“Why did Lord Dreyar let her into the camp?”Their words didn’t hurt me anymore. I’d been through enough.“Rift
Riftan and I hurried back to the inn, our clothes drenched because of the snow. He opened the door and I stepped inside. I threw my shoes on the corner and aimed straight for the bathroom. Riftan was left in the bedroom, taking off his clothes and reaching out to a nearby dresser to get some spare clothes.I opened the bathroom door and peeked at him. Riftan's body was just out of this world. He had a perfect body shape. Lean chest, broad back, chiseled abdomen. His wet hair adding more to the beauty of hi
RUBY VERMILLIONWhat's taking him so long?I had already finished my meal, and I still couldn't spot him anywhere. If I leave this place and escape, I swear that it would be his fault. I looked around me, trying to catch a glimpse of his silhouette in the surroundings. But all I see were Weres on their beautiful suits and dresses.Riftan is a tall man with unusual white hair, so spotting him would be easy. I just don't understand why I am not seeing him right now."Hey there," a woman whispered to me. I turned my head aside and realized she was one of the table's Lunas. I gently arched my head and bowed at her in respect.I can't make too funny movements. I must remain pleasant because if these Weres ever found me disrespectful, they would break my bones and feed on them."What's your name?" she asked. "My name is Stella.""It's Ruby," I responded to her and smiled. "Ruby... you have a very beautiful name. It befits you perfectly.""Thank you," I responded to her. "Yours too. It so