Blacklist Anniversary

RUBY~

ONE MONTH AGO

"Congratulations Mrs. Osborne, you and your husband will be discharged by tomorrow," the doctor announced.

I managed to smile; the acupuncture point and the surgery stitches still hurt like hell. I can't really move my mouth much.

The doctor checked my husband's pulse before leaving us alone, and then I wheeled the wheelchair I was sitting in towards my husband, who was on the bed.

His face broke into a gentle smile, which I always loved. "Thank you so much, Ruby. I will never forget this."

I managed a chuckle and leaned over to feel his pulse. His body temperature is now stable; I couldn't be more than grateful.

"Hubby, are you fine? Does the surgery stitch still hurt?” I asked with concern, ignoring my own pain.

He smiled again, “You should be fine first; what about your stitches?”

“The transplant was successful; now you and I share the same kidney, so don’t worry about my stitches; I’ll be fine soon, I said in bare whispers as I held his hand.

"We are now one. One soul, one body, one heart, I will never leave you for any reason my wife" He replied and reached out to pat my head.

He looked at me lovingly.

"I promise to make you the happiest woman on our wedding anniversary next month. Get ready to get busy, baby, because right there, I'm marking you."

"Hahaha." I laughed with delight.

~~~

TODAY IS OUR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

~~~

"Congratulations, Ruby, but where's Beta Michael, your husband? I haven't seen him around." A friend asked.

The celebration under the full moon was flooded by guests from the neighboring pack. Lycans, Betas, Omegas, and Deltas had come to wish me a happy wedding anniversary and a new remarking day.

"Aside from the wedding, I'm happier that he had found a kidney donor. A Lycan commented, and everyone laughed.

Almost everyone present here today heard that Beta Michael, my husband was sick two months ago and needed kidney donor but despite the huge amount of money we offered to pay, no one is ready to sell their kidney to him. They don't know the kidney donor was none other than me. His Omega wife.

"Hello, sister!! Happy Anniversary. A sing-song voice came from amidst the crowd bearing a flower bouquet. The others at my side make way for the owner of the voice, which was undeniably Ella, my stepsister.

I rolled my eyes and left the circle. Today is the happiest day of my life, and I can't risk ruining it because of this annoying witch.

"So cold," I heard her scoff, but I don't care. I received congratulations from more of the guests before finding a way to slink back into the house to find Michael.

"Babe, where are you?"

No answer.

"Honey...?" I called as I stepped into the hallway upstairs, but still no response.

Finally, at the hallway leading to our bedroom, the door open, and Michael stepped into the hallway, his powerful frame outlined perfectly under the chandelier light.

I felt my heart skip a beat as he came into view; the matching outfit to mine that he wore looked very outstanding on him.

"Babe, why are you here? Every guest is here already, I asked.

His expression was colder than usual, his eyes hardened with a distant look I couldn't place. Despite his frown, he was still strikingly handsome; his dark hair shone majestically, the broad lines of his shoulders radiating strength.

“You can continue welcoming them; I am not in the mood to see anyone at the moment,” he said again, which I found odd.

"Come on, honey, we can’t keep them there forever; at least make an appearance." I jeered again, moving to embrace him.

But Michael barely met my gaze, his eyes distant, his lips pressed into a tight line. He didn't return my smile, and instead of him following me as I expected, he stepped back, putting a slight distance between us. "Ruby," he said, his tone devoid of its usual warmth, "we need to talk."

The unexpected coolness in his voice gave me a pause. I could feel the joy I had been holding onto begin to flicker. Swallowing my nervousness, I forced a soft smile. "Is everything alright?"

Michael hesitated, his gaze fixed on the ground before finally meeting mine. "Ruby, I felt my mate near.

My heart plummeted, the joy I'd felt only moments ago slipping away. How can I forget that we are not mates despite being married to each other? We had promised to reject our mates when we met them.

He could feel his mate near; should I be afraid or what?

"You feel her?" I echoed finally, my voice barely a whisper.

Michael nodded, his expression distant, a guarded look crossing his face. "Yes. We… we had already met before she entered to join the party, but I could still feel the pull and the urge I can’t…”

He paused, seeming to struggle with his words. "I can’t resist her. She... she wants a place here. With us, she wants to be close to me."

The statement hung heavy in the air, the weight of his past pressing down on us. Why did the damn mate have to be here today of all days? Without any sage to predict, I have a feeling that he would not mark me again, not while that mate is here. Still, I forced myself to keep my expression neutral, unwilling to reveal the flicker of hurt and confusion that was quickly overwhelming me.

“Who is the woman? I mean the mate?” I asked with a slow vibe.

Michael hesitated for a while, his brows furrowed and his hand clenched, before he said slowly in a voice that was so unlike him, “It… it’s… Ella. Your sister”

“What?” The excitement I had felt just minutes ago turned into a quiet, painful ache. He was Ella’s mate? That arrogant, rude stepsister of mine?

Something doesn’t feel right because Michael and Ella had met several times, but he never said anything like this before. Could it be… could it be…. No, Michael can never cheat on me, at least not with Ella.

I dismissed unsettling doubts, and with a quiet resolve, I nodded, choosing my words carefully. "I understand, but you're going to reject her right?” I asked blinking expectantly, but the response I got was his cold ambience.

I swallowed back the emotions that threatened to surface. "I'm…. asking you, Michael, you will reject my sister and mark me tonight, right?"

Michael shook his head and muttered. "No, Ruby, let's get divorced."