Chloe JaneAs I pace the bedroom floor, the wooden floor creaks under my hesitant steps, each one a stark reminder of my racing thoughts. It’s almost the full moon, the time I’ve always dreaded, and now, it’s entangled with a sense of impending doom. The room feels smaller, the walls closing in on me with every labored breath.I can barely focus on anything else, all I’m thinking about is how my wolf will react to the only male close to me. I shudder as I think about it… but not out of fear. I don’t even remember meeting my wolf, if I ever did.Knowing I’m about to experience the full moon without the help of medication, has my heart beating erratically. It’s like standing at the edge of a cliff, knowing I’m about to fall but not knowing what awaits at the bottom. I’ve never experienced my heat before, either, and the idea of going through it with Ruin, the man who’s been my rock, my protector, sends shivers down my spine.Ruin... He’s been more than just a bodyguard to me. There’s a
RuinThe desert sand feels surprisingly cool against my paws as I push my body to its limit. I know I have to head back soon and face Chloe Jane—the soft timbre of her voice, the subtle sweet scent of her skin, the way my name sounds like a prayer on her lips. It’s a torture of the sweetest kind.A part of me already wants to rush back, but the part that knows how painful it will be to reject her…wants to stay away from her. I’ve seen she-wolves during their heat; desperate to reproduce, they’ll do anything to find a mate for the night.It’s even more potent when that ‘mate’ for the night turns out to be your actual fated mate. The lunar pull is a siren’s call, urging me to claim my mate, to bind her to me in the most ancient and irreversible of ways.But I can’t. I won’t.Because if I succumb to my rut, I’ll fucking ruin her.The very thought is a jagged edge, cutting deep. To surrender to my rut, to let the beast within take control, would mean to unleash chaos on the one pure thing
Chloe JaneI wake up the following morning feeling unusually clear-headed, a stark contrast to the haze of pain and discomfort that had clouded my senses for the past few days. Sitting up in bed, I can’t help but smile, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand up, reaching out to find my things. My mind is blissfully blank, I gather my clothes and make my way to the shower, eager to wash away the remnants of the discomfort that had plagued me.After a refreshing shower, I feel rejuvenated, ready to face the day with a new energy. I wrap myself in a towel, go to the bedroom to get dressed, and start the day.But the moment I step in, Ruin’s distinct scent hits me - smoky, worn leather mixed with the sharp tang of whiskey. It’s a scent that’s become familiar, yet in this moment, it triggers a flood of memories from the night before.They flood back in a torrential rush: the pain, the desperation, my pleading voice, and Ruin... how he ‘h
RuinHow could I be so fucking stupid?I didn’t need to be so cold to her, especially not after what happened last night. It wasn’t her fault, it was her body’s natural reaction to a full moon and now I’ve probably made her feel like utter shite.I’ve been sitting in the car outside the cabin for the last hour, mulling my reaction over in my head. She didn’t deserve it; I was pissed off at myself for giving in to her, pissed off for losing control.“Fuck,” I groan, pinching the bridge of my nose and letting out a sigh. I have to make it right with her; what I did was unfair. So, after grabbing her medication, I slip out of the car and walk into the cabin.Without even looking, I know I’ll find her under the oak tree. It seems to be her sanctuary, and honestly after my reaction, I don’t blame her for wanting to escape. And now I’ll be interrupting her moment.She stiffens up as soon as she hears my boots and it’s like a knife twisting in my gut. Fucking hell, I deserve that and more. I
Chloe JaneLying there on my side, the tears just keep coming. It’s like a dam has burst inside me, letting all the pain and confusion flow out. Why did Ruin walk away? What’s the real reason he’s pushing me away? I know he’s complicated, that his life is a web of danger and shadows, but there’s something more, something he’s not telling me. He thinks of me as nothing but a naïve little girl who doesn't understand the world. It's so frustrating!As I lay there, lost in my thoughts, a small voice suddenly pierces the silence. It’s soft, almost melodic, and it seems to come from everywhere, echoing in my head. “Chloe Jane,” it whispers, sending a shiver down my spine. Why does the voice sound so familiar?Startled, I close my eyes, trying to make sense of this new intrusion. That’s when I see it – what must be a fluffy white wolf, but the image is in negatives, as if I’m seeing it through a different spectrum. My heart races, both from fear and a strange sense of recognition.The wolf
RuinAs if my day couldn’t get fucking worse, Halfway into doing a grocery run for the week, I receive a call from Valentine to say hunters are crawling all over Vegas. I no longer feel safe here, so I think it’s about time for us to find a different safe house. Ryker pointed me in a different direction — Seattle, so I’ve stocked up on enough food for the trip there. Now I’m on my way to the cabin to tell Chloe Jane that we’re leaving… just after fighting with her.Fuck my life.I park the car and rush inside, calling her name. She answers me from out back, but when I walk toward her and she turns to face me, her eyes roll back in her head and her knees give out.“Chloe Jane!” I rush towards her, catching her before she hits the floor and my heart fucking drops when I see blood running out of her nose. “Oh, fuck! What the hell…”I scoop her into my arms and carry her to the bedroom. As I lay Chloe Jane on the bed, her limp form sends a surge of panic through my veins. Her heart is st
Chloe JaneI overdid it. I got too excited about being able to see that I overdid it and now Halo is quiet. Ruin said I was passed out for well over fifteen hours, which seems completely impossible! We arrived at the new safe house about an hour ago, a cabin in the woods this time. Ruin says it’s protected with magic so no one will find us here, not until we’re ready to go back. He made me clean up, then he gave me food and told me I need to rest even after being passed out for so long.There’s one bedroom again, and the one problem with that is the bathroom is inside the main room. So when he showers and I’m in here, I’ll know. The thought sends a shiver up my spine… given that he’s in there now and in bed.The sound of the shower running in the adjoining bathroom fills the room. The thought of him so close, separated only by the thin walls of the cabin, sends an unexpected thrill through me. My heart flutters at the thought; Ruin’s right in there, naked… and I can’t see a thing.I
Chloe JaneThe next morning, as I slip into a dress I found among the new clothes Ruin had bought, I feel a sense of normalcy in the chaos of our lives. The fabric feels soft against my skin, and I can’t help but wonder what color it is, what it looks like in the light.I make my way to the kitchen, guided by my mobility cane and the familiar sounds and scents of breakfast being prepared. Ruin’s presence fills the space, the sound of him moving about, the clink of utensils, the sizzle of something cooking.“Good morning,” I say, a smile in my voice as I find a spot at the table.“Morning, Chloe Jane,” Ruin replies, his voice carrying over the sounds of cooking. “I hope you slept well.”I nod, even though he can’t see it. “I did, thank you. It’s quiet here, peaceful.”Ruin chuckles softly. “Yeah, it is. But it gets pretty nippy at night. I’m planning to get some firewood ready for us later. Keep the place warm.”The mention of firewood sparks an idea in my mind. “That sounds nice. Can