MasukRue’s POV“I understand,” Brandon said. “Then let me act as a proper partner. As your partner, I should help you prepare for an important pack event. As your partner, I should stop you from choosing a gift that looks too formal or too plain. And as your partner, I should make sure you don’t spend the whole afternoon reading reports.”I stared at him. “You always have a reason ready.” Brandon looked serious on purpose and said, “That is also part of being a good partner.”I almost laughed, but I held it back. Brandon was clearly interested in me, but he did not pressure me. His tone was calm, and he gave me enough room to refuse.“You won’t stop unless I say yes, will you?” I asked. He shook his head and said, “I will stop if you truly dislike it. But if you only feel awkward, I think I can still try.”I looked at the files on my desk, then at the clock. The party was in the evening, and I did need to choose a gift. “All right,” I said at last. “But this is still a work-related outing.
Rue’s POVThe next day, Percy’s mother came to see me. I was in the council office when a guard said she was waiting outside. Percy had tried to take me to meet her yesterday, but because of his condition, we had never entered her house.I asked the guard to bring her in. When she walked into the office, she looked calm, but she kept studying my face. “Miss Rue,” she said gently. “Thank you for seeing me.”I gave her a polite nod and asked her to sit. She sat across from me with a thin file in her hand. I knew she had not come only to greet me, so I waited.After a short silence, she said, “I know this may feel sudden, but I came because of Percy. He has not been well.” My fingers tightened on the edge of my desk as I replied, “The doctor told me about his condition.”“He cares about you,” she said. “Percy is not perfect, but he is serious with his feelings. If he chose you, then he truly meant it.”I lowered my eyes for a moment. “I know Percy is not a bad person.” She looked at me a
Rue’s POVThe wine dripped slowly down the front of my gown, staining the fabric red like fresh blood. The chilled wetness clung to my skin, soaking through the material I had once personally selected for myself during my last shopping trip with Bella.Then came the whispers.“They’re fighting…”“Did you see that?”“Vanessa looked terrified…”“No, Rue looked angry first…”Vanessa stood in front of me with widened eyes, one trembling hand covering her lips while the empty wineglass lay near her heels.For a brief moment, she looked exactly like a victim. If I had not seen the deliberate satisfaction hidden in her gaze a second earlier, perhaps even I might have believed her act.“I…I’m sorry…” Vanessa whispered shakily. Then her voice suddenly cracked louder. “But Rue shoved me first, everyone saw that…she wasn't looking.”The surrounding crowd instantly erupted into murmurs.I stared at her, disbelief burning through me fiercely. She had intentionally rammed into me and deliberately s
Rue’s POVTHis was ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous. After everything that had happened between us… after the heartbreak, the betrayal, the endless nights I had spent forcing myself to move forward…My body still reacted to him instinctively.The lights reflected against his black suit, outlining his tall figure sharply against the crowd behind him. His expression remained calm, almost indifferent at first glance, but I knew Percy too well.The second our eyes met, I saw the possessiveness and the longing.Beside me, Brandon followed my gaze toward the entrance. His expression shifted slightly.“Someone knows how to make an entrance,” he said quietly.I tried to answer casually, but before I could respond, Percy was already walking toward us. People moved aside instinctively as he crossed the ballroom floor.He stopped directly in front of me, close enough that I caught the familiar scent of his aftershave and perfume.“Rue.” His voice was low and calm.I forced myself to remain comp
Percy‘s POVI did want forever with her. I wanted mornings with her. Arguments with her. Growing old with her. I wanted to spend the rest of my life beside her. And maybe that was exactly why she kept running from me.“I can’t promise you that anymore,” Rue continued softly. “So just quit while you still can.”The cold practicality in her tone nearly crushed me. As though she truly believed love was something that could simply be abandoned.I exhaled shakily.Silence stretched between us again then finally,“I have work to do.” she said and the connection severed instantly.I sat there motionless afterward staring into nothing. The emptiness she left behind inside my mind felt unbearable. Yet strangely…even after being rejected again, I still could not let go. Maybe I really was losing my mind.I looked down at the Southern Border reports again. Then suddenly, a decision formed inside me. If Rue refused to come back to me…then I would go to her.Rue’s POVThe Southern Border was exhau
Percy’s POVThe Southern Border project had never truly been separate from me. Most people probably thought Blood Claw and my pack were merely business allies, connected through contracts and military cooperation, but the truth was deeper than that. The Southern Border trade routes were tied directly to my pack’s supply chains and transport networks. If Rue succeeded there, my pack would benefit alongside hers. And if she failed…the consequences would spread to my pack.That was why I had secretly arranged support behind the scenes from the very beginning. I had made sure every dangerous road she traveled through was monitored by my men long before she even arrived there.After everything that had happened between us, my instincts still revolved around protecting her. It seemed pathetic. But even now, after Rue had looked me in the eyes and ended our relationship… after she had repeatedly told me to let go…I still could not stop loving her.I sat alone inside my office overlooking th
Percy’s POVThe ink had barely dried on the partnership documents before the news broke: Alpha Marcus had fallen gravely ill.The timing was unfortunate. My company was still celebrating, everyone was excited about the promise of growth, of opportunity. Now everyone was unsure. Without Marcus’ acti
Aiden’s POVThe square had gone deathly silent after the assistant’s trembling finger pointed straight at Haven.“She told me to block Rue,” the man blurted, his voice cracking under the weight of everyone’s stares. “She said Alpha Marcus must never see her. I only followed orders!”The guards shif
Rue’s POVPercy is my second chance?The answer came in an instant when I questioned my wolf. Yes. He was wounded. His wolf was injured when the outbreak struck. That’s why you didn’t feel him before. But now you do.My hands shook under the table. I excused myself quickly, murmuring something abo
Aiden’s POVThe sound of her voice, detached, calm and out of emotion replayed in my mind like a song stuck on repeat.Stay away from me. Focus on Haven. She’s the one you chose. Live with that.In a way, her words hurt me more than they ever could. I had stood there, staring at her retreating figu







