15

TROY

We were here. It took some fighting, and a little kissing that I just could not wait to get another taste of, but we got to the hall in one piece. Or I at least got us here. Ruby was being hard headed than I expected. I'd thought that by now she would understand the situation and accept it but no. The way she acted told me she repulsed every bit of this. Her eyes were still cold. If looks could kill, I'd sure be a dead man by now. But they were beautiful still, her eyes.

And it was okay. I mean, for as long as she needed to hate me, she could. But she could only hate me while being my mate and my Luna. Mine, completely and utterly. Not fucking Austin's.

My blood boiled at the slightest thought of them getting married. I had questions about their relationship but that could wait until another day.

Today, right now, she was to be mine. In front of all these fucking people and the goddess herself.

I'd finally get my Ruby back.

Everyone else wanted her around because of who she was now, the powers she carried inside her and the company she controlled.

I needed her for a deeper reason. I needed her because for too long I lived life without her. And if I was being honest with myself, it wasn't actually living. My body had been on autopilot for years.

My heart only ever started beating when I saw her again.

I smiled to myself, letting relief and a deep sense of contentment flow through my body like a water fall. And I looked at her, my bride.

Even with tears on her face she looked radiant. There was confusion lingering in those eyes too.

And I knew exactly why. So I leaned forward, "There's nothing wrong with your powers, Ruby…" her brows furrowed. I had hoped letting the cat out of the bag now could give her some relief. Plus it was pretty obvious that among the many things she was thinking about that I was certain of, her powers seemed to be a priority.

Because without them, how else was she supposed to fucking escape my grasp. For fucking once, I was finally impressed and appreciative of my father's twistedness.

"The reason you can't use them is because my father injected you with a serum he found that blocks your ability to manifest your powers."

She lowered her head and stared at her hands, before letting them fall along with her shoulders.

Defeated.

But mine.

I felt bad for her. But this was the only way I could make her mine. Father was right. I should have made her mine when she first got here to set up the barrier.

Fresh tears gathered in her eyes and streamed down her face and I felt my heart break some more. I'm sorry baby. I'll be over soon, I promise.

I said to her but she wouldn't be able to hear me. At least not until I marked her that is.

"And how long will it take before it wears off?" She lifted her eyes after a full minute but didn't meet my gaze. Instead, she pointed her eyes forward, somewhere behind me. They were empty, void of the sweetness of her soul.

"It doesn't wear off until you're injected with the antidote."

Hearing myself speak was heartbreaking even for me. I knew what this was doing to her. And it was breaking me to know she was like this because of me and there was nothing I could do about it for now.

"I'll get the antidote for you. But only if you marry me, Ruby. Become my Luna and I swear I won't hold you back."

My words felt like my vows. And the ceremony hadn't even started yet.

She scoffed like she didn't believe a word I said. But it didn't matter. Because while I was about to tie her down with me, I had a plan in mind. One I knew she would appreciate.

As people gathered in the hall, whispers and murmurs quickly filled the room. Most wondered why she was tied up. I think they got the idea that this was a forced marriage situation.

One of the council elders marched forward when the time arrived. I held onto Ruby's hand, avoiding her injured wrists and pulled her with me to the center. She pulled back a bit, her silent protests noted.

When we stood at the center she spotted my father and her eyes grew cold and void of any emotion. If anything, I think she was forming a plan on how to kill him first before she got to me.

"Thank you all for joining us, everyone. This evening, as you know, our Alpha is about to take a mate and make her our Luna…"

The room remained mostly quiet. He continued. "For those of you who don't know, this is Ruby Carl, beloved daughter…"

"Ruby Mercer…" Ruby cut in, her tone anything but happy. "My name is Ruby Mercer." She repeated and I swear I could imagine the steam blowing out of her father's nostrils.

The elder glanced over at me his eyes puzzled. I nodded. "Well, Ruby Mercer it is. She is the reason we all get to sleep soundly at night. The moon goddess has gifted her, as one of our own to protect us. Hence the need for her to remain here, become Luna and serve her people…"

I continued to look at her as he spoke. My heart pounded. She looked like she had a lot to say and was barely restraining herself.

She chuckled mockingly when she heard the last bit. "Hear this now, all of you. As you can see…"

"Ruby…" I whispered warning her to be quiet. She threw a glare at me and continued to speak.

"I'm being forced to wed your Alpha. I do not wish to be his mate or your Luna. I will not serve anyone or be forced to partake in any pack business. What your Alpha's father did was drug me and steal me away from my fucking wedding!"

Her wedding. I almost laughed. Her fucking wedding she said. To that fucker? What about this one? What the fuck about me?

I was her fucking mate.

"That's enough, Ruby!" I'd lost it. My wolf did too at the mention of her almost belonging to anyone else but us. She didn't flinch, not out of fear. But her lips shook a little, her holding back tears for that bastard. "Get on with the ceremony Elder. She will marry me whether she likes it or not." I finished, turning from the crowd without a fucking care if they settled or not. I didn't give a fuck anymore.

My eyes didn't leave hers though. I wanted to see all the emotions those eyes were holding. The anger, the heartbreak. All of it.

My hold on her tightened painfully, she winced, trying a step to back away but I didn't let go. She stood with me the way she was supposed to.

The ceremony went smoothly after that. Ruby refused to say the vows but that was okay. Mine counted and that was all that mattered. The only thing that remained was the marking.

My wolf pranced happily. He had waited a long time for this. Five fucking years.

He'd hated me for so long because I let her go. It was time to earn his forgiveness. Give him what belonged to him.

For a second I considered not going through with it. As it stood she was already my wife, but mates needed to mark one another to be able to communicate with each other. Plus, I longed to know what she was thinking about, what her emotions were.

"She will block us out…" my wolf stated, the reminder biting.

Maybe when she's willing. I dared to think.

That was until he came, barging into the hall with tons of men like he fucking owned the place.

"How did he fucking get into my pack, Chris?" It was second time someone was breaking in past the border unnoticed, even with the fucking barrier up.

My head swept to Ruby, whose expression was now filled with hope. Want? Relief?

Fuck no.

Did she do this?

The crowd gasped, some screamed, some trying to find the exit. Without thinking, I pulled Ruby to my chest, barred my teeth and sunk them into her neck, right where my mark should be.

I watched with great pleasure as his eyes widened and something in him broke.

The sound of screaming filled my ears, before the whimpering and soon the unmistaken sound of a moan. I sucked on her blood for a second before pulling out and licking the wound. There. Finally mine.

Ruby's eyes were wide as saucers, her mouth agape like a fish. Not words, not emotions in those eyes.

"Ruby, no! Troy you fucking bastard, I'm going to have your fucking head."

Austin shouted, sprinting towards us. I instinctively moved Ruby behind me, shielding her from his attack.

"Show me what you're made of, boy."