RUBYThe moment we pulled into the school parking lot, I didn’t wait for Sebastian to say a single word. I unbuckled my seatbelt, grabbed my bag and Warren’s jacket, and stepped out of the car.When I heard the sound of the car door shutting, I thought Sebastian would call me or try to stop me—but he didn’t. Good. That way.I didn’t even bother looking back, even though I could feel Sebastian’s gaze burning into my back like a silent plea.Even though everything in me screamed to glance over my shoulder.But I couldn’t let myself.I swallowed hard, trying to keep my tears in as I made my way across the courtyard toward my department. I passed students laughing and talking. Some greeted me, some waved and smiled—just as they had since they knew I was Sebastian's mate.And I reciprocated, smiling at them, despite the war going on inside me.I couldn’t understand anything anymore.Sebastian. Me. Us.I wasn’t even sure what we were anymore. Was it real? Were we fated? Or were we just what
RUBY I got dressed for school, leaving my hair down as I made my way downstairs to the dining table Noelle had set. I half-expected Sebastian to already be there, but to my relief, he wasn’t.I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. I wished I could avoid him entirely, but that was impossible. We had to go to school together—pretending to be mates, pretending nothing was wrong. Pretending he hadn’t humiliated me last night...“Good morning, Luna,” Noelle’s voice broke through my thoughts.“Morning,” I replied, pushing my sour emotion aside and plastered smile on my face.As I settled into my seat, I dropped my bag onto the chair beside me, eyeing the food she had laid out. “You did great again,” I told her.I had always appreciated her work, knowing it meant something to her.“Thank you, Luna. I hope you enjoy” she said with a bright smile.“I always do,” I replied softly, smiling up at her.She gave a small smile before walking into the kitchen, leaving me alone a
LIZZYThe moment my phone buzzed, I hesitated before walking to the bed and checking the message. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face the consequences of what I had done. But when I read the texts on my screen, a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding escaped my lips."Alpha Maximus has ordered that you should stay in school. Thanks to Dr. Sam, you will not be expelled. But the school head wants to see you in his office tomorrow morning."I reread the message Mrs. Whitewoods had just sent to me again, my fingers gripping my phone tightly. I should have felt grateful that I wasn’t going back to my pack.That I wasn’t going to face my parents’ disappointment. Sure, two of them would look at me like another problem added to their already miserable lives.I wasn’t ready to see them, or hear whatever lecture my father had prepared about what it meant to be the daughter of an Alpha, the expectations I had failed to meet.Maybe a part of me was grateful for all that, but it was buried beneat
ANNALISA "Why did you save her?" My voice was thick with anger as I stepped into the dimly lit room, the air heavy with the stench of alcohol and cigarette smoke.Even though my skin burned with rage, a cold sweat ran down my back the moment the door closed behind me.Warren sat on a stool, his back to me, lazily exhaling a cloud of smoke as he stared at his reflection in the grimy mirror. The wall beside it was covered in brutal red notes and pinned-up pictures of people, the knives securing them gleaming under the flickering light.A chill ran down my spine.I didn't coming here to meet Warren but after I tried calling him countless times and he ignored every call. I had no choice. My body boiled with anger at the memory of that damn video I watched earlier. The way Warren had jumped in to save Ruby from the pool. Warren didn't respond, but I heard the sound of his throat as he swallowed his drink, the glass settling onto the table with a dull thud.I growled, stepping forward, d
SEBASTIANMy blood was already boiling when I pulled into the driveway. The moment I saw Graham standing at the entrance with Ruby, I let out a low growl, my wolf stirring inside me.What was he fucking doing here?I was already fucking furious. The second Kiara called me earlier, telling me that my father had ordered Lizzy to stay in school, I knew something—or someone—had gotten to him. And when I arrived at the packhouse, I saw Doctor Sam just getting into his car.I didn’t know what the hell Doctor Sam had said, but whatever it was, it made my father refuse to hear a damn word from me.Not even my mother could sway him, and that pissed her off badly. I had never seen my father dismiss her like that before. It surprised me, making me wonder what kind of deal Doctor Sam had made with him.He hadn't even let me speak before shutting his office door in my face.I had stormed out of there in a rage. And now, coming home to find Doctor Sam’s son in my house?With Ruby?What was he fucki
RUBY"Are you not okay with this?" Sebastian said softly as he studied my face."Of course... I'm okay. Lizzy got what she deserved," I flashed a small smile. From the corner of my eye, I could see Cassie staring at us before she focused back on her phone.I wasn’t sure if I was truly okay with Lizzy leaving the school, considering her mother’s situation. I didn't know the specifics of her health condition, but from what I’d heard, she had been suffering for a long time.Maybe a different punishment would have been better than expulsion."She will serve as a lesson to anyone else who dares to treat you like shit. And if she tries anything after this, I'll do worse than what she got now," Sebastian cupped my face in his hands. His jaw clenched, and I could tell he wasn’t just punishing Lizzy for what she did to me, he had his own reasons for wanting her gone.But could Lizzy really hate Sebastian for no reason? He had told me to be careful around her but...Could it be that Sebastian