five

Ruby

“You’re not going to die, Ruby, but I can’t guarantee you’ll ever be able to leave this pack.”

Natalie’s words ran through my mind in an endless loop. With each

refrain I felt another piece of my life crack up and slowly disintegrate. What had she meant? I can’t stay here with a bunch of werewolves! Where even is here?

She had come to me to shed some light on my situation and I had given her the cold shoulder. It was killing me. She didn't have to come to see me. She didn't have to offer any explanation, but she had. She’d even brought food for me, and I still pushed her away, the only friend I might have here.

But she’s still one of them. It makes no difference that she’s an “Enchanted” or whatever she called herself. She’s still one of them. If Xavier’s attempt to spare my life doesn’t work, she’ll have to stand by and watch me be killed.

Xavier Blackwood.

I rolled onto my back as that name echoed in my mind. I definitely thought he was strange, even before I learned he has fangs. Now, thanks to him, I’m not even sure whether I’m going to live or die. It's because of him I'm in this mess, but there’s something about him that keeps pulling my thoughts back to him.

From the moment I had seen him in that library, I had gotten the sense that he wasn’t happy. It seems like he’s just going through the motions in life and trying to make the best of it, kind of like I am.

I held my hand up and over my face before curling my fingers into a fist and resting it against my chest. I had looked into the eyes of a monster and had felt no fear. I had slapped him. Hard. I still couldn’t believe I’d done it. Why was he trying to save me? It was obvious he didn’t like me, so why go out of his way to save me to begin with, especially knowing I’d

then have to be killed? Why go against your own law to spare a human’s life, my life?

Was it guilt?

I had too many questions and no one to ask for answers. Werewolves, witches, gods...they’re all real. All the things that go bump in the night are real, and now I’m a part of that world. Or I will be for however long I’m permitted to live anyway. No, I don’t want this. I rolled onto my other side to face the window and yawned, having not slept a wink the night before. Outside the moon’s light was exceptionally bright, causing the trees to casts their shadows inside my room.

I could hear the wind howling outside...or was that a wolf?

I closed my eyes, all out of tears to shed, and fell into a deep sleep.

Do you prefer to die than to live? I woke up with a start those words in my head.

The voice inside my mind had asked a good question. I looked around the room, realizing it was morning, but it felt like I had only just closed my eyes to sleep.

However, being trapped here as a prisoner forever among people who hate my species isn’t what I call living. Dying doesn’t sound fun either. I should be thinking of ways to escape, but I’d be a moron to think I could get out without a house full of werewolves noticing. There was no way I could outrun a werewolf, let alone a pack of them.

Time to face facts: life as I knew it was over.

Two days. I enjoyed life at college for two whole days before this shit show began. I’d long since lost track of time. I’m not sure how many days have passed since I was brought here, but I know I can kiss that scholarship goodbye.

I shook my head and turned my back to the window. There was only one explanation – I was cursed. I think I’ve always known. It’s time to stop pretending. What are the odds of almost being raped, only to be saved by a werewolf, who then tells you it’s their law to kill any human who sees them?

Am I the only one who sees how ridiculous this is? I’m at risk of being killed for being saved. If cursed doesn’t explain it, I don’t know what does.

Unable to lie in bed any longer, I got up and took a quick shower. Thank God there was a bathroom, and a room with a bed at least. I’d think

they’d throw humans into dark dank cells. I pulled on the jeans and top that I had woken up to find on the sofa across the room. There was a comb, toothbrush, deodorant, and other necessities in the bathroom as well. In addition to being given all these things to be comfortable, I was being fed twice a day. It seemed I would escape the “immediate death” option.

A quick glance in the mirror showed me I was starting to look incredibly pale from being inside for so long. If I’m forced to deal with another week or even a month of this, I’ll become practically transparent. I couldn’t help noticing how good my skin looked otherwise, though. There seemed to be a glow to my skin and a brightness to my eyes that had never been there before. I also felt a strength within my muscles that I’d never felt before. Maybe it was all the sleep I was getting?

I shook my head and threw the hairbrush down in disgust. I wasn’t at a spa retreat, for God’s sake. I was trapped in a house filled with monsters.

Do they hunt and eat people? How long will I survive living here before someone decides I look like a tasty snack?

I was making my way across the room to sit by the window when a knock came at the door and it opened. My body grew tense and my heart pounded like a drum in my ears as the largest man I’d ever seen in my life walked into the room.

His body almost filled the doorway, and I swallowed hard as he bent his head to walk under the door frame.

He was tall, six foot seven maybe? His eyes were black pools and his beard was thick. It took me only a moment to realize who he must be, Mathieu Blackwood, Xavier's father and alpha of this pack. When I first heard Natalie mention him, I might have looked him up online. Just out of curiosity, of course. I hadn't been able to find any pictures of him, despite him being a millionaire.

Were all wolves this large?

He looked me up and down, his eyes and face revealing nothing of what he might be thinking. Like the good human I am, one who doesn’t want to be eaten, I stayed quiet and rooted in place.

“Come.”

He turned and walked away, leaving the door open for me to follow him. He didn’t spare a glance behind him to make sure I was following. He knew I wasn’t going to defy him.

I walked behind him quietly, my eyes trying to absorb as much of my surroundings as possible. I had imagined the house to be dark and mysterious, semi-lit, with antique furniture and creepy halls. As we descended a large double staircase, and then another and another before going outside, I was pleasantly surprised with how beautiful the house is. The décor was simple but elegant, gold-handled doors and marble floors. Mathieu Blackwood wasn’t just a werewolf; he was a wealthy man. Why would he not be living comfortably?

Yes, I’m curious about him, as well as Xavier and Natalie. I want to know what they are, what it means to be what they are. I want to know their history and their plans for their future. If I’m now linked to these people, I want to know everything about them. And not just werewolves for that matter.

I’ve always been a fan of the supernatural, and now I was a prisoner in their world. I might as well gain a better understanding of my new reality.

Once we were outside, I paused to stare up at the house, my hand on my forehead to shield my eyes from the morning sun.

I closed my eyes for a moment as I inhaled the scent of fresh air, and with my head tilted up to the sky I smiled as I felt the sun warming my skin. My body relaxed for the first time in days as I felt the cool breeze brush over me. The view from my room had shown nothing but trees upon trees, so I had known we were in the woods. But actually being outside, smelling the fresh air, was so soothing.

“When I was younger, I used to do the same.”

Just like that, my euphoric haze crashed back into reality. Since I had stopped walking and had fallen behind, distracted by the world around me, I hadn’t realized he had returned to my side. Mathieu’s deep baritone voice caused the air to vibrate with each word he spoke, pulling me from my daydream.

“I’d stand and inhale the air. The air in the city is stuffy, tainted.” He looked down at me, and although he wasn’t smiling, he wasn’t looking at me with hatred either. “Do you like the house?”

Was this man really asking me about his house right now? “I do. It’s not what I was expecting.”

He scoffed at that. “I know.” He looked up at the house. “This house has been in my family for generations, with a few renovations here and

there, of course. This is my home, and the home for many wolves.” He looked down at me. “A human being here puts them all, us all, in great jeopardy.”

I swallowed. “Sir, I find it hard to open a jar of jam sometimes. I’m no danger to any werewolf, let alone a pack of them.”

His brow arched. “Are you scared?”

“I’m scared of being killed. I don’t want to die.”

“Are you scared of the monsters that are surrounding you right

now?”

I looked back as a man walked through the door we had just exited.

He was shirtless with both his arms covered in tattoos and I watched as he paused, sniffed the air, and then looked my way.

He stood there, his eyes piercing mine, before he suddenly took off at a run. My eyes widened as within seconds he disappeared into the woods. Though my heart was hammering in my chest, I realized it wasn't from fear but excitement, and from curiosity to know how he was able to do that. No, I wasn't scared of werewolves. They are people, just not the kind I'm used to. It's not like I have a great love for humans anyway. Most people annoy me to no end.

"I'm not scared of werewolves unless one decides to attack me. What I am is curious. I want to know more. Humans I know all about, and sometimes I wish I didn’t. Werewolves are all new.”

After a few seconds had passed without a response from Mathieu, I looked his way and found him staring down at me.

Shit, had I said something wrong? “I um…”

“I’ll release you,” he said as he cut me off, and my mouth dropped open. “I’ll release you to attend school and to work. I understand you work at a diner in the city. But you will be living here from now on. You may come and go as you please, but you will remain under my watch, my care. Say nothing about what we are to anyone and I’ll have no reason to harm you.”

His threat didn't go unnoticed by me. I wasn't being given freedom exactly, I was just getting a long leash. My mouth opened and closed, and he tilted his head to the side as he watched me. I didn't have to ask. I knew my options were to take this deal or die.

“Okay,” I replied, my voice a mere whisper. “But why? It’s your law to kill any human who finds out about werewolves. It’s already clear to me that humans are hated, that I’m hated. Why spare me and invite me to live with you?”

He turned his back to the house as he buried his hands in his pockets, his crisp white shirt stretching somewhat. We stood in silence, both of us listening to the sounds of the forest, but I knew he was hearing so much more than I was.

“My son spoke to me, as did Natalie. They’ve both convinced me to let you stay. There will be a time when humans and werewolves will have to come together again. And if you tell anyone I said that I’ll rip your throat out.” My eyes widened but I kept my eyes forward. “Times are changing, and we need to change with them. My wolves need to be comfortable around a human. We’ll learn from you and you’ll learn from us. That seems fair doesn’t it?”

“Yes.”

In my peripheral vision, I saw him nod his head and remove his large hands from his pockets. I was all too aware that those would be the hands to strangle me if I ever stepped out of line. Would the alpha do such a messy job or would he get some sort of enforcer to do the deed. Would it be Xavier?

"The human saying is, keep your friends close and your enemies closer." He looked down at me. In my mind, I heard jail cells slamming closed. "You will be moved to a different room and someone will bring your things from your apartment. I'm afraid I must go, but it was nice talking to you Ruby. I see what Natalie saw in you."

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