Caleb
“Are you ready?” I asked Aaron.
He had just called home to check in with Angie and the kids before we set off to the bar. We finished our work for the day, and now it was time for us to relax and wind down.
“Let’s go,” he replied with enthusiasm.
He needed a breather. I had known the man all my life and never had I witnessed him lose his cool like that before. The whole way there, I just let him talk it out, letting him get everything that had all piled up on top of him off his chest.
“I just feel taken for granted, that’s all.” It deflated his mood, which was so unlike the fun guy I knew.
“Yeah, but Angie loves you, man. You’re
RubyThe day after...“How can you ‘not’ park a Mini in that space?” Sarah huffed, agitated after my second attempt failed and I had to reverse back again.I growled, flustered. “It is new and I don’t want to dent it, so shut up and let me concentrate.”A group of guys had congregated in the parking lot and were all stood by, watching with amusement.Sarah, being her usual sassy self, applauded. “Bravo! Third time lucky. Oh, look, we have an audience.”I turned to glare through the rear window. “So what? They all walk to school.”Who were they to judge?
RubyI placed my things out on my bed. I had my makeup bag, hair products, new underwear, and my silver glitzy shoes. All my life, I had wanted to look like a princess, and today was that day.“Oh God, I feel sick. I don’t want to go,” I groaned to myself, having a sudden rush of nerves.I admired the floor-length red prom dress that was hanging up on my curtain rail. The diamanté crystals sparkled as they captured the light. So, no, I was happy with the gown. That wasn’t it. I was just worried sick.I paced back and forth along my bedroom floor in nothing but a towel. I was wearing out my carpet, clutching either side of my head muttering ‘Please let me be attracted to him, please, please, please’.
RubyDad was rather excited as he ushered me through the door to where a white stretch limousine was waiting, parked up at the side of the road.“Oh my God! You guys did this for me?” I practically shrieked with joy.I had always wanted to ride in a limo. I let out a high-pitched girly squeal as I trotted over to look inside.“Oh my God, it’s huge in here!” I breathed, awestruck.I’m not kidding you, I could’ve sprawled out three times over in there.“Pose for a picture.” Dad had the camera ready. He took one of me standing next to the limo, one of me sitting in it, and one of me pretending to drink straight from the miniature bottle of champagne.
CalebRuby placed her hands on my shoulders. I wanted nothing more than for her to wrap her arms around my neck and lean into me. Her eyes kept fleeting to mine as if she couldn’t believe it, searching for a clue why I had sent her that message, as if ‘why her’ out of everyone.Thoughts were racing through my mind. How do I explain it to her? What do I say? I had planned this whole scenario for years. Finally, here I was, and words had failed me ... but why?Here’s the thing: because one wrong word, one dangerous move, and all the time I spent waiting, would’ve been for nothing. I couldn’t tell her what I was, yet. She said she would give me a shot, and I wasn’t stupid enough to blow it.For a moment, I almost forgot how to breathe. It was as
Ruby I couldn’t stop smiling as I touched my swollen lips, leaning my back against the front door as it closed. It felt as if I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. Mom crossed her arms as she observed me, her eyes narrowing and for some reason, then they homed in on my lips. “Ruby, was I seeing things, or was that Mr. Grant, who just dropped you off? Please tell me that you haven’t been walking around like that all night?” She pointed to the mirror above the phone table. “I’d take a look if I were you.” I turned to look in the hall mirror and burst out laughing. “Uh, would you look at that?” I looked like Ronald McDonald with red lipstick smeared all over my face. If it was all over me, then it was bound to be all over Caleb, too. “Yeah, it was Mr. Grant.” I sighed dreamily. “He drov
Caleb I pulled back the white sheet and witnessed the horror, revealing from the neck upwards. The fatal wound that killed Anna was a gaping hole where her throat ought to be. Tyler had torn it out in a pure act of evil. What other explanation could there be? “Where was she found?” I asked, demanding answers. Every death that occurred in my pack was painful, whether it be by natural causes or someone who had been killed in a rogue attack. I felt the loss all the same. But this ... a young girl, murdered by another member of the pack, was just unfathomable. The deplorable notion was that her mate was the culprit and that beggar’s belief. It was unheard of. I wanted him to find his mate so badly, I just wasn’t prepared for it to come to this. She was Aaron’s youngest sister-in-law. Anna’s e
RubyA whole week had gone by, and still, there was no news on Tyler. He hadn’t tried to make contact with me again. I did try calling his mobile to ask him if what everyone was saying was true but the number was no longer in service. Just as well. I had regretted making the call as soon as I tried.Part of me knew that my dad was telling the truth, but a part of me was left in a state of denial.The police were everywhere. Cops were literally out in force all over town. I’d been asked to give a statement about the last time I saw and spoke to Tyler. I felt pretty bad, having to explain the way I broke up with him like maybe it was me who pushed him over the edge. It sorta made me feel responsible, I guess.Snuggling beneath my comforter made me feel safe, warm, and secur
CalebLauren had canceled my nine o’clock appointment, just as I asked.I helped myself to another strong cup of coffee and slumped down at my parent’s kitchen table.“You look as if you haven’t been sleeping, son?” Dad asked, his brows scrunched with concern.“I’m fine,” I replied, scrubbing a hand over my face, letting out an exhausted sigh.My dad made a noise in the back of his throat. “That’s why you look ready to drop.”I yawned. My eyes stung with fatigue as they watered. “It’s my fault. Ruby and I were texting until three a.m.”“Ah, so it begins.&rdquo