Ruby's POV  I approached the figure in the dim moonlight, a sudden chill grazed my arm, causing me to jolt and lose my balance. My heart raced as I instinctively caught myself, only to realize it was just a branch from a nearby tree that had brushed against my skin. A nervous chuckle escaped me. "Get a grip of yourself, Ruby."I stood up and cleaned my dress which was already stained with mud. I approached the figure, only to discover it was merely a tree shaped by the play of shadows. Frustration bubbled up within me, and I muttered a string of curses under my breath. "Of all the times to be jumpy..."I turned to head back towards the pack's territory, berating myself for my overactive imagination. But just as I began to walk away, I heard my name called again, echoing through the quiet night. Fear clenched my heart, and I froze. I strained my ears, trying to determine the source of the voice, but all that

 Ruby's POV  I hesitated for a moment, glancing back to see if Gonzalo was still there. But the darkness swallowed any trace of him. He had vanished into the shadows. I turned my attention back to Max and Vincent as they walked ahead, heading back towards the territory. I followed them, a knot of worry forming in my stomach."Is there something you want us to know?" Max asked me, his voice carrying a stern note as we walked. The events of the night had taken an unexpected turn, and I wasn't sure how to explain it."No," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "I was just curious and wanted to see what was on the other side of the gate."Vincent's eyes bore into mine, and I could sense the seriousness in his gaze. As we reached the small door leading back into the territory, I looked over to Max. He was ordering the gate to be locked and stationed two guards in front of it. It was clear they were taking this matte

  Gonzalo's POV     The woods whispered their secrets as I walked through the darkness, a sense of contentment warming my heart. Meeting Ruby had been a whirlwind of emotions, a bittersweet reminder of the past and something that we had shared. She was as enchanting as ever, her beauty captivating and ethereal in the moonlight. I finally reached the clearing where I had parked my car earlier. It stood there, silent and loyal, waiting for my return. I sighed in relief and got into the car, the familiar scent of leather and pine comforting me. As I drove back to the Moonshade Pack, my thoughts were consumed by Ruby. Her image danced in my mind, her smile, her frown, and the way she looked at me. It was hard to deny the pull I still felt towards her. She was like a magnetic force, and no matter how hard I tried to fight it, I found myself drifting back to her, she seemed to be doing better than she was at moonshade or night

  Ruby's POV Vincent's revelation left me stunned. How did he know that Gonzalo had been in the woods with me? I stared at him, my eyes boring into his, seeking answers."How did you know?" I asked, my voice laced with surprise and a hint of concern.Vincent leaned back, resting his elbows on his knees, and sighed. "Ruby, you might not have noticed, but I pay attention. Even though we haven't known each other for long, I think I've picked up on things that others might overlook."I sat back on my bed, still processing this new piece of information. "So, you saw Gonzalo when we were heading back to the small door?"Vincent nodded. "Yes. As we were leaving, I happened to look back and saw him running into the woods. I wouldn't have recognized him if not for the tattoos behind his neck."The realization that Gonzalo had been so close, that Vincent had seen him and kept it a secret, hit me. "And you didn't

  Ruby's POV  I lay on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Vincent's admission about Gonzalo being in the woods during our secret meeting left me both surprised and wary. How had Vincent known, and why had he kept it a secret from me?"How did you know?" I asked myself aloud, seeking answers that weren't there. I sat back against the headboard, lost in thought, piecing together the events that had unfolded earlier. Vincent's assurance that he had observed Gonzalo during our rendezvous felt unsettling. It made me question how deep Gonzalo's involvement in this competition truly was.Vincent's explanation seemed reasonable, but doubts lingered. "Should I trust him?" I whispered, uncertainty gnawing at my resolve.And then my mind shifted to what I had just seen from my window, Ethan standing and staring. I tried to get through my head about how my day had gone, it was a lot, and almost a mess.