”Whoever takes on this job has to have enough experience to make the party a success, your claim to the throne is dependent on it. So, for two candidates who have never worked with the palace before and who don’t know how the kitchens work, the timing of events… it could be a disaster.”“I have plen
CALEBReally, I shouldn’t be so surprised that Ruby knows as much about Lucas as she does. They were mates after all, and even though now she seems to have turned against him, she has been following him around like a love-sick puppy for as long as I could remember.I sighed, the dilemma beginning to
And here she stood before me, hideously beautiful, and as calm as the Prenian breeze. I clawed my way out of the memory. I refused to ever be put in that same position again.“I can’t trust you completely while it’s still true you are tied to my brother.” I paused, she still hadn’t looked up or ack
RUBYI panic and duck underneath the windowsill, wrapping my arms over my head to stay hidden. Who was that woman? I think of her perfectly shaped limbs, the easy way she attached herself to Caleb. But mostly, the fact he let her. Who is she to him?I shake myself out of my thoughts. He isn’t my ma
But I also knew that I couldn’t let him die. Even if he wouldn’t realize it, I would do everything I could to protect him.History would not repeat itself.He seemed satisfied with my answer, and put an arm around my waist to guide me down the street. “Come on, let’s actually get out of the rain.”“
CALEB“Daniel, let it go,” Ruby yelled, her hands swishing at her sides. Goddess, she is extremely drunk. “He didn’t really mean it, like not actually.” She said to me, squeezing in between us and trying to push us apart.“I think your little friend needs to be taught a lesson, Ruby.” I said, liftin
RUBYMy body felt like it was on fire. I was still groggy from the wine, but the sensation of throbbing, aching pain drew me instantly out of my stupor.“It hurts…” I moaned, pulling Caleb’s body closer into me. He was warm, and his presence was soothing.“Ruby, what’s wrong?” He asked, pulling back
Caleb leaned back, laughing at Lucas’s words. “Your mate? You don’t have the right to call Ruby your anything.”Lucas growled, breathing heavily. My body was still warm from Caleb’s touches, but the look on Lucas’s face made my skin go cold. “The mate bond between us would say otherwise, brother. Yo
The Alpha Ball was safe from Lucas’s plans to spike the food, but we still had to be on guard for whatever else he had in store for us.I walked to the front door of my apartment and had already unlocked the door before I realized Caleb was following me.“Thank you,” I said. “For protecting me.” I h
“We did it!” I shouted as I clambored down the vines on the side of the building, finally landing in front of Caleb.“It’s all thanks to you,” he said, grabbing my face with his calloused hands. His excitement was contagious, and I thought I could feel his fingers trembling behind my ears.He brough
“Are you ready?” Caleb asked me, watching as I climbed into the passenger’s seat of his car.“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I said, twisting around to pull the seat belt over my lap. I adjusted the sleeves of my black gear, and made sure the breastpiece was zipped fully to the top.It was just past mid
Caleb had refused to speak to me for a few days, which I found both infuriating and slightly freeing. We needed to be working together, but with the Alpha Ball coming up so closely, it gave me a little bit more time to get my own work done to be sure it would be a success.I waved to him as I left t
“Ruby!” Daniel exclaimed as he opened the door, “Come on in, I have wine, cocktail mixes, what would you like?”I stepped into his apartment, marvelling at the beautiful decorations and tasteful lights hung around the walls. “After the last time, I think I should just do water.” I said as I hung my
“How’s that?” He asked, adjusting the bar slightly.“That’s perfect!” I said, and handed him another screw.CalebSo domestic, you’re acting like a husband already. Thor said teasingly, offering up the images of Ruby bent over looking through her things.I brushed the thought away as I walked out of
Ruby“What about this?” My mother asked, holding up a blouse I hadn’t worn since grade school in Prenia. “This is a sweet top.”“Mom, I doubt I could still fit in that even if I wanted to,” I responded, folding another pair of socks to be put in my luggage. It was finally time for me to bring the re
“This all looks good, Ruby,” Caleb says as he puts the papers down on the coffeeshop table. We met early in the morning to go over my plans for the Alpha Ball. It had been a few days since I saw him last, and I had finally had time to write out my proposals.Still, I didn’t share the details about H
I spent the next couple of days scouring the markets and running thorough checks on all of the producers I could find. I ensured none of them had any connections either to Lucas or his supporters, and made absolutely certain that their ingredients and chefs were the best in the business.I went home