19

RUBY

I was wet. How the fuck did I let myself be turned on by this asshole? It was a question I had no answer for no matter how hard I tried to ask myself.

Something was wrong. With me. With him. All of it.

And the audacity of him to say that he didn't say when I was going to get the antidote. I should have known. I face palmed myself, pacing in our bedroom.

I thought I'd never have to return to this place again. Yet here I was. I'd spent years running and planning a life away from where just to be forced back to it.

I clutched the collar of my dress, as though it were my heart. I didn't know who to be mad at. Myself for not listening to Austin and keeping away from Troy or at the asshole himself for ruining my life a second time.

My mind traced to Austin. His brokenness that mirrored mine. The moon goddess must be cruel to let Troy and his father succeed in tearing us apart.

And my body, the traitor had the nerve to feel something out of a kiss with the monster?

Yeah, something is definitely wrong with me.

And I wasn't going to stick around to find out what it was. I wasn't that interested.

A knock on the door startled me, and I paused the pacing to see Troy walking in with a tray of food in hand. My mouth watered at the sight of food. They were my favorite things to eat and the bastard knew it.

"Here, brought you something to eat. Go clean up and come eat."

I looked at the tray and nodded. There was no point putting up a fight anymore. I'd already signed the document.

I waited for him to leave but he sat on the bed, staring back at me instead with a knowing smile painted on his lips. "You can leave now…" I blurted, self conscious about myself all of a sudden.

"And miss the smell of your arousal? No thanks." Oh my fucking goddess, kill me now.

I'd totally forgotten that he could smell me. Damned wolf senses. His smile grew wide at tue shock on my face that he laughed a little. The sound making my stomach twist.

I spun so fast I almost got a whiplash. I shut the bathroom door behind me, cursing under my breath from the sheer embarrassment.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid Ruby." I got out of the dress faster than I could spell my name and ran the shower. I remained in the bathroom for as long as an hour before stepping out. My wrist stung. I didn't see the sense in him cleaning and treating it only for me to have a shower a few minutes later, washing off the treatment.

I went to his closet and grabbed the nearest shirt. Hate that I have to wear this.

I did.

It only meant that his scent would linger on my skin and everyone would know I was his.

I slipped the oversized shirt over my head and stepped to the vanity that used to be mine. Well, was still mine I guess and sat on the stool to dry my hair.

Every part of me was aware of where I was. Home. Or what it used to be. Everything that became a distant memory wasn't anymore.

My hands trembled slightly when I pulled the drawer in search of the hair dryer. It had been neatly wrapped and tucked away. My eyes watered at every memory that started to wake up. But I shook my head, forcing them away.

This is temporary, Ruby. You'll be out of here soon.

Troy had to be crazy if he thought I was going to remain in this pack, acting like a loving couple for a whole damn year with him. The slightest chance at escape, I was taking it.

I'd been so engrossed with thoughts, the sound of the dryer serving as white noise that I didn't notice Troy come into the room.

"I didn't know being a creep was part of your title, Alpha." I turned off the dryer and looked him through the mirror. He didn't say a word. He just continued to watch me in a way that scared the shit out of me. And not the bad way either.

Troy's eyes were bright yellow, his wolf was out, maybe in control too.

"Nothing wrong about looking at my mate." Yup, that voice wasn't Troy's. "Goddess you smell like heaven mate." His voice hung deep, low and strained.

My heart raced as I watched him. And even though he had an expression that was scary, I wasn't afraid.

I'd met him before. I'd loved him too.

But like Troy, he discarded me the second Alana appeared.

I let out a sigh and resumed drying my hair without a word. He remained still for a while before his eyes switched back to its original color.

"I planned to wait a few days before I gave you this but…" he broke the silence between us again, pushing his weight off the door frame and walking towards me.

He had a hand stretched out, and in it was a vial, the liquid a growing blue.

I gasped, immediately shutting off the dryer and tossing it on the table. I was on my feet in a second. Recognition coursed through me. I knew that vial and the glowing liquid inside it.

"Where did you get this?" I asked, my chest tightening with each word. My hands shook violently as they reached for the vial.

My eyes traveled from his hand and face, confusion running in my mind.

Troy's face was in a frown and confusion at the same time. "What?"

"I asked where you got this Troy. Who gave this to you?" I pressed, snatching the object from the palm of his hand before he could take it back.

A million and one thoughts ran through my mind in a way that nothing made sense anymore.

Not Austin's warnings, not Troy's actions and not the fucking antidote.

Something was wrong. And the realization weighed heavier than a ton of bricks. I needed Austin and I needed him now.

Maybe not physically. A phone call was just fine.

Troy still didn't answer. Seeing my state, worry replaced the confusion. He tried to reach for me, to offer comfort maybe but that was far from what I needed at that moment.

I took two steps away from him, clutching the vial to my chest, right next to my racing heart.

"I got it from my father. What's wrong? Is it not the antidote?"

Two questions that I didn't know which to answer first.

"Oh it's the antidote alright…" I answered through gritted teeth. "Give me your phone, I need to make a call."

I'd taken two strides back towards him only to collide into him. His hands immediately snaked around my waist, holding me steady.

"Tell me what's going on, my luna." Again with that damn nickname.

I backed away like his touch burned my skin. "I'll tell you when I make the call. Phone, Troy."

I put my hand out and waited as he pulled it out of his pocket before snatching it and dialing a number.

Austin's.

My heart did a painful squeeze. I waited for it to ring, fully expecting him to end the call as soon as he heard my voice. But he didn't.

"Austin, we have a problem."

Then there was a shuffle from the background, and sharp breathing.

"Ruby? Thank fuck, I've been trying to mind link you. Are you okay baby?" My eyes glanced at Troy whom I knew for certain could hear Austin. And his eyes darkened. He looked just about ready to kill someone.

"I'm okay." I rushed out and turned away from Troy. "About that problem, have we sold any block vials recently?"

Please say yes.

"No we haven't. What's going on?"

"Troy's father found a way to block my powers, blocking my wolf as well. And the antidote he just gave me is one of ours, Austin. How did he get his hands on it if we didn't sell any? We haven't made these in a long time."

I was shocked at Troy's restraint. By now I'd expected him to yank the phone away and demand answers but all I got was feeling him drilling the back of my head so patiently.

"Shit. I'm going to have to get back to you on this. But before that, what happened baby? Why did you marry him? Why did you tell me to leave, you know I could have been able to get you out, right?"

Because I had to.

There was so much to say and explain. The phone was out of my grasp before I could even brace myself.

"Talk, now…" A pissed off Troy growled. I tried to wiggle out of his hold, it was tight. "What the fuck is wrong with the antidote?"

"Nothing and that's not what the problem is."

I sucked a breath in. "The problem is how your father got this."

"Ruby…"

"My company made this. I fucking made this. Now you understand why its a problem right? Why the fuck am I drinking a fucking antidote that hasn't been in circulation for almost a year now?" I yelled in his face, forcing my voice steady.