20

TROY

Ruby's words rang in my ear. The absence of even the slightest trust could not be seen in her eyes. She thinks I stole it.

My grip on her loosened and I allowed my legs to move back a little. I needed the space. Air to breathe. My mind was a pool of mud right now and I had no ways to defend myself or my father.

Not that that fucker needed me to do it for him. If he was guilty. He was guilty on his own.

"Now isn't the time to quiet, Troy. I gave you the benefit of doubt when I called Austin first." Fucking fuck.

Here I thought she called him to spite me. To let me know that no matter what, she would still choose him. But now, knowing that it was for a whole different reason, I felt like a fucking fool.

I'd actually wished that was the reason, I didn't think I'd ever wish that but now, she should have made me jealous. Then I'd have a reason to act out.

"I…." My words faltered. My words never faltered before. Ever. "My father, he gave it to me. I didn't know, Ruby…" Good, the words were back thanks to my wolf.

Ruby started to face me, her fingers clutching and unclutching the vial that I feared she would crush it in those small hands.

She looked at it like something was wrong with it. Like she was trying to determine if she should drink the antidote or wait.

Deep down, I knew the answer. For her that is. She wanted her powers back. I wanted that for her too but the way she looked at me, she didn't trust me. And definitely not my father.

After a minute or two, she abruptly stopped and turned. "I don't want this. I don't trust that your father hasn't altered it."

Her tone didn't leave any room for negotiation. I knew even if I pushed for her to drink it, I could be risking everything. Her life, our future. I'd gambled on that once before. I'd be a fool to do it again.

"We can't leave the pack, Ruby. It's not safe." .

She scoffed and rolled her eyes and I swear it was the sexiest thing I had seen. Actually anything she did was sexy. And maybe my words didn't falter out of guilt earlier. Maybe it was because of the way she glared at me and how much I was trying so hard to keep it together so I didn't take her right there and then.

Yes. It has to be it.

A man like me didn't lose his words even in danger.

"Shut up, idiot. You and I know if she tells you to drop on your knees and bark, you'd gladly do it and waggle your tail while at it." I didn't know why he thought he was funny or that this situation needed a joke. But he was way out of point here.

He's right. I'd do it in a heartbeat. Fuck.

Fuck, Troy.

"I'm not asking, Troy. I held my end of the deal, it's your turn."

"and I did mine too sweetheart. That's the antidote, isn't it?" You're playing with fire Troy.

"The one your father stole from my company? Who knows if he poisoned it, that twisted father of yours."

She wasted no time crushing the vial, forgetting that the glass could wound her. She winced, but didn't look down at her hand. I did. And I was right. It was bleeding, heavily.

"Fucking hell Ruby. Why do you have a thing for getting hurt? Come here." I stepped towards her in one long stride and took her hand in mine and immediately began to lead her to sit so that I could stop the bleeding. By then, there were droplets of blood on my floor. Had it been anyone and I would have lost it. But this was her. If I was about to lose it for something, it was because of her, not the goddammed floor.

"Don't touch me!" She hissed at me, yanking her arm. She was seething with rage I could tell. And I was the last thing she wanted around her.

"Sit the fuck down Ruby or I swear to the goddess I will tie you up, bandage that hand and give you a spanking." What the fuck, Troy? Spanking, really?

My throat dried as soon as the words left my mouth. But it worked. Not only did she press her lips in a thin line, she actually walked to the bed and sat on the edge. Sure she had a frown but almost pout like, but she was a good girl still. My good girl.

I exited the room quickly and grabbed the first aid box for the second time today.

As I treated the wound, I felt her eyes on my face. The air was thick around us. Almost electric to me. And I couldn't wait for her to feel it too.

"I know you're worried about my father…" I began to say, wrapping the gauze around her palm.

"I'm not worried." She bit back. "I just don't trust him or you or anyone from this pack."

Valid point. But why did it hurt when she said that?

I had no right to question why. Today was a solid proof.

"Which is why I want Austin to be the one to bring the antidote for me." I paused the wrapping, my eyes snapping up to meet her daring ones.

Austin.

That fucking name again. I was this close to pinning her on this bed and shoving my cock inside her just so she knew who she belonged to.

And my wolf loved the idea.

But I didn't.

I forced a breath in instead and finished wrapping her hand before shutting the box close.

"You're not going anywhere, Ruby. If you think for a second I'm going to let you meet him or be close to him then you have another thing coming."

"Fine, then I want a divorce. I shouldn't have signed the fucking contract in the first place." Language baby!

I screamed in my mind. My eyes fell on her snarling lips and I traced my tongue over mine. Suddenly realizing they were a little dry. I fucking want those lips again.

I rose from the bed and towered over her. "You've been a brat since you got here and it's beginning to get on my nerves." I said to her my voice was deep and steady.

"That's just the hate talking…" that fucking mouth again. I wanted to smile at the smart mouth. But her words jabbed me in the heart like a knife.

Hate.

She hated me.

"You really hate me that much?" I shouldn't have asked when I knew the answer. And she confirmed it by nodding.

"I hate you for coming back into my life. I hate you for forcing me to marry you. I hate you, Troy!" I wince at the intensity of how loud her voice was.

But I love you. I wanted to say to her. But I bit my tongue, hard until I felt the warmth of my own blood.

Anger stirred inside me. I felt the need to punish her. It was sinister given the fact that she had every right to hate me. But I couldn't help feeling offended that she actually did, hate me.

So I did the only thing I could think of that would punish her. I handed her my phone. Crazy but with the antidote, she had no other option but to remain here with me. Her mate. Right where she fucking belonged. "Call him." Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Tell him to get the antidote, we'll meet him at the border. But that's as far as he gets to my pack. And then you two can say goodbye to each other."

I waited for a protest. Didn't get any. Instead, a faint smile brushed her lips. So faint I almost missed it.

She snatched the phone from me, excitedly dialed her precious Austin and placed the phone on her ear.

And the bastard, like he had been waiting, picked on the first ring. Clingy motherfucker.

With a broadened smile, Ruby called his name out. Their affection was like poison to my soul. Watching my mate be loving to another man was a punch in the gut. And this was only over the phone. What would happen if they met, and were alone.

What if they…

"Finish that thought and I'll fucking kill you, Troy." Yup, my wolf was mad. The growl he let out vibrated through my body.

I clenched my fist, holding my jealousy at bay. Away so that she couldn't see it.

"Yes, okay. That's alright. You're literally the best Austin. I'll see you soon." Call me childish, but I made a face at the last sentence.

She turned to me after hanging up, her smile dying as she passed it unto me. "He'll be here in four hours." No thank you. No, you're the best.

Not even a fucking smile.

I was just about ready to give her a piece of my mind when I heard a knock on the front door.

The door swung open, judging from the scent, I could tell it was Chris, he was breathing heavily and that caused my brows to knit.

I left the room in a hurry, leaving Ruby behind and rushed to see why he was the way he was.

"Alpha…" he breathed as soon as he saw me. "We have a problem. Someone is here to see you and she insists it has to be you."

She? A woman.

I didn't know that much females that weren't from the pack.

"And you had to run to tell me this?"

He looked past me, at Ruby who had followed and nodded. "Yeah well, your link was off after you, uhm.."

"Who is it?" I asked cutting him off, pretty sure the person must have me mistaken. I didn't know a reason why a woman would come looking for me.

"It's Alana, Alpha. She insists on seeing you."

Holy Fuck.