RUBY'S POV I barely made it to the couch before the exhaustion hit. I let out a long, heavy sigh, sinking into the cushions as the weight of the day settled over me. Liam was sitting at the other end, appearing lost in thought, with a look of worry and uncertainty on his face.“What was that all about?” he finally asked in a gentle but firm voice, almost as if he was afraid of the answer.“That’s what I’ve been needing to talk to you about,” I said softly, not quite able to meet his gaze. I ran a hand through my hair, struggling to find the right words. “It seems… well, it seems Roman’s back.”Liam let out a slow breath, his brows knitting together as he took this in. “So I wasn’t mistaken,” he murmured, almost to himself.I nodded, swallowing down the familiar pang of anxiety. “You’re not mistaken, Liam,” I said, my voice sounding small and strained. “He’s back. And I don’t know what that means yet, but it worries me.”“Damn,” Liam said, running a hand over his face, his shoulders s
RUBY'S POV The church service had just ended, and the familiar buzz of people talking and laughing filled the air as everyone filed out of the sanctuary. Helen and I had just caught up to the kids near the doors, and they looked up at us expectantly.“So, my place or your place?” Helen asked, giving me a sly smile as we made our way outside.I looked at her, raising an eyebrow. “What do you think?” I countered, knowing full well what her answer would be.“You’re seriously answering my question with a question?” she replied with mock exasperation, and we both burst into laughter, earning curious looks from the kids.“Alright, let’s settle this the usual way,” she said, finally catching her breath. “My house or your house?”Before I could answer, Rhett raised his hand in a vote. “Definitely Aunt Helen’s,” he said with a grin.“Yeah, Aunt Helen’s house!” Ruby added, flashing her brother a wide smile as she joined in.Helen and I exchanged a knowing look, trying not to laugh. She raised
ROMAN'S POVThe morning air felt fresh as I parked in front of Ruby’s company. I hadn’t expected the building to be so… impressive. The tall glass building shone brightly in the morning light, smooth and sharp against the city skyline. I stepped out of my car, straightening my coat, taking in the sight. “So, this is all Ruby’s,” I murmured, almost admiring the place. Even after all this time, it was remarkable. Now, I was catching up, piecing together bits of a life that had moved on without me, seeing how far she’d come.Inside, I made my way to the reception desk, and as I walked, I could feel all eyes on me. Whispers floated around from the employees and passersby, most of them looking somewhere between curious and thrilled.“Oh my God, it’s Roman D’Angelo,” One of them murmured, her voice barely above a breath.I smirked slightly, ignoring the gazes and whispers. “What did they expect?” I thought to myself. Fame had never really left me. But none of that mattered right now. I wa
RUBY'S POV I looked up, instinctively bracing myself, and there he was—Roman. As he stepped through the door, his familiar frame filled the doorway, and for a split second, I was frozen. My mind spun,why was he standing here, in my office, unannounced.“Roman?” I asked, my voice more stable than I actually felt.He sighed, letting his gaze linger on me as if we were catching up over coffee. “How you doing, Ruby?”Anger surged within me, quick and intense, making it hard to control my voice. “What the hell are you doing here, Roman?”He tilted his head, feigning innocence, and his voice was so casual it grated on my nerves. “Not even a welcome? Is that really how you treat guests?”“Guests?” I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes. “You’re an uninvited guest, Roman. I didn’t invite you here.”“Ouch,” he said, pressing his hand over his chest in a mocking display of hurt. “That’s harsh. Still, good to see you.”“Trust me, the feeling isn’t mutual.” I took a step forward, meeting his gaze
The silence stretched between us like a wall we both had a hand in building. Roman’s gaze lingered on me with that insistent determination he’d worn so often in the past. That part of him hadn’t changed—his need to control, to force his way when words alone wouldn’t get him what he wanted.I took a steadying breath, forcing myself to meet his gaze head-on. "Roman," I broke the silence with warning, "this isn’t as simple as what you think you deserve. My kids...they’re not pawns you can just pick up and put down.""That’s not what this is," he countered, leaning forward, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. "I’m not here to uproot their lives, Ruby. I’m trying to find my way back into them, for better or worse."I studied him, the faint lines at the corners of his mouth, the small telltale twitch of his jaw. It struck me that he doesn’t look older, like the years apart hadn’t passed for him. But sympathy wasn’t a luxury I could afford now, not with Rhett and Ruby’s lives on the
ROMAN’S POVAs I left the office, the usual hum of downtown traffic and the low roar of engines echoed around me, but my thoughts were somewhere else entirely. My conversation with Ruby was replaying in my mind, a reel I couldn’t shut off. Her words, the tension in her voice—they gnawed at me. No amount of reasoning could make that feeling go away.I walked briskly to my car, contemplating if I was harsh with my decision to go to court. What if it was up to the kids to decide? They barely know me; I barely know them.A part of me told me I was doing the right thing, while the other part insisted I just shot myself.I couldn’t wait any longer—I needed to see the kids myself. Without Ruby there to complicate things, to add more barriers between us, I could finally see them as they were. My kids. I had to know them for myself, beyond stories, beyond pictures and reports.Before I knew it, I was pulling up at their school, the brick building coming into view. I parked by the curb, watch
CHAPTER 29“Is it true… are you our daddy?”The question hit like a stone dropped in a quiet pond, leaving ripples I couldn’t ignore. My hands tightened on the steering wheel, my grip unconsciously whitening my knuckles. Outside the car window, the world blurred—a haze of trees, cars, and pedestrians all becoming a distant hum. For a moment, I couldn’t find my voice, my mind spinning to sort out what to say.I took a deep breath, glancing up to the rearview mirror where I could see their faces staring back at me, both sets of wide, expectant eyes fixed on me, searching. They wanted answers, and I could feel the weight of their silent questions, pressing against me like the air in the close confines of the car.“Who told you I might be?” I asked carefully, doing my best to keep my voice steady, though my heart raced at a pace I hadn’t felt in years.Ruby shrugged, casting a quick glance at her brother. Rhett looked away, his cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment. “We just… figured it
I finally settled for a simple scoop of vanilla, Rhett and Ruby took their time, inspecting every flavor as if each one held some hidden secret. I couldn’t help but smile as they deliberated, faces alight with excitement.“Do you want another?” I asked.“Not at all. We were just… you know.” Ruby trailed off with a smile. We found a spot by the large front window, the late afternoon sunlight casting a warm, golden glow across the small parlor. Rhett and Ruby were utterly absorbed, savoring each lick as if their ice cream might just disappear if they didn't enjoy every bite.After a few minutes, I decided it was time to break the ice. “So, I’m Roman, by the way… Roman D'Angelo,” I said, keeping my tone light.“Roman D'Angelo,” Rhett repeated in a quiet voice, nodding thoughtfully as if committing it to memory.“You have a nice name,” Ruby chimed in with a small smile, surprising me with the compliment.I blinked, caught off guard by her sudden warmth. “Ooo… thank you,” I managed, givin
~Teen Ruby's POV~The wind on Silver Frost Peak has a fresh smell in spring—crisp pine, lilacs, and a hint of warmth. It feels calm and settled. It's been almost twelve years since the last war ended. Twelve years since blood was spilled, and we lived in fear. After all this time, our world can finally breathe easy again.And now? The Silver Frost Pack isn't just a stronghold. It's home. It’s laughter echoing from stone balconies. It’s children playing without looking over their shoulders. It’s wolves racing through wildflower fields, not for battle, but for joy.Mom and Dad—they’re not just my parents. They’re legends.Everyone knows Ruby Blackwood D’Angelo and Roman D’Angelo. The Luna who once stood on cracked bones to protect her blood, and the Alpha who bent his power to hold her heart.But at home? They're just Mom and Dad.Dad still smirks when he catches Mom rolling her eyes. Mom still mutters “I swear I’ll murder him” when he forgets to close the back door. He still doesn
Ruby's POVRoman was quiet after the fight. Too quiet.He didn’t complain about the bruises, the slow way he moved, or how he occasionally winced when standing too fast. He just… watched me. Every time I brought him water or pressed a cool cloth to his shoulder, every time I adjusted his bandage or touched his arm longer than necessary—he watched me.Not like a patient. Like a man memorising his reason to stay alive.He didn’t ask for help, but I gave it. Just like he once nursed me when I was broken, lost, confused, and afraid of what I’d become. Back then, his hands had steadied me without demanding anything in return. So now, I gave him the same.It felt… right.The pack had settled for now. No threats. No chaos. No one knocking on the door screaming for blood. Just silence and this fragile space we were building together, like walking on a glass bridge in bare feet.And then, one evening—when the bruising on his cheek had finally faded to a yellow-brown smear and the dark exhaus
~Roman's POV~The scent hit me first.The smell was heavy and strong—like a mix of blood and smoke in the wet earth. Even though it had rained yesterday, the dampness couldn’t cover up that other smell. It was sharp and metallic, and it felt deeply unsettling.The moonlight filtered through the trees, creating bright spots on the ground while shadows from the low branches danced around us. As Kai and I made our way through the woods, I could hear the crunch of twigs and leaves under my boots, but I wasn't focused on the here and now. My thoughts were racing ahead, wondering what awaited us.And then we saw him.“Rhett?” I stopped short.He was just standing there. Still as stone, eyes wide like he’d seen a ghost. His lips were slightly parted, his skin a few shades too pale.Kai stepped up beside me. “How the hell—?”“I don’t know,” Rhett said quickly. “I swear I don’t. One minute I was in the room... and the next... I was here.”“Sleepwalking?” I asked, my chest tightening as I ste
~Ruby’s POV~The wind was sharp that night—cold and wild, like it knew what I was walking into.It didn’t howl. It whispered. Like the trees were holding their breath, the stars refusing to blink. A silence thick enough to hear your own heartbeat in your throat.I left the letter folded neatly on the kitchen counter. One for Roman. One for the twins. I didn’t write much—no drawn-out goodbyes, no sentimental fluff. Just enough for them to understand I had to do this alone.I couldn't risk Roman holding me back. Not with his heart, not with his fear. Not this time.And now I stood beneath the broken arches of the ruined sanctuary, deep in the forest where no streetlights dared to shine. The stones were old, their carvings worn down by the wind and time. Moss covered everything, feeling thick and damp beneath my boots. The shattered stained-glass window above let in bits of moonlight, casting patches of red and blue on the floor like blood and bruises.She was already there, of course.
~Ruby's POV~I knew something was wrong the second I saw Rhett sitting on the edge of the couch, shoulders tight, hands tucked beneath his thighs like he was trying to stop himself from shaking. His eyes darted to me when I walked in, then back to the floor.“Mom,” he whispered.I sat beside him. “What is it, baby?”He looked up, his little face pale and frightened. “There was… there was light. From my hands. Like real light, not in my head. It burned.”I bit my lips. Roman had actually told me what he sawI didn’t know what to say at first. I felt Roman’s shadow behind me, his presence instantly tense.“What do you mean, it burned?” I asked carefully.“I dreamed again,” Rhett continued. “Shadows and fire. But this time… when I woke up, my hands were glowing. Like fire, but not hot. And then it stopped. And it happened earlier today during training.” I reached out, gently cupping his cheek. “Did anyone else see it?”He shook his head. “Just me, Aunt Esperanza and Uncle Evan.“Okay,”
~Roman’s POV~The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the open training field. The air was filled with the sounds of light grunts, the thud of feet on the ground, and the rustle of grass being disturbed by determined movements. I stood just outside the entrance to the field, my hands in my pockets, quietly watching everything happen.In the centre of the clearing, Rhett was hard at work. Sweat trickled down his forehead, and his cheeks were bright red from the effort. His moves were sharp. They weren’t perfect—he was only six, after all—but the fact that he was out here, going up against Evan and Esperanza, said a lot."Keep working on those forms, Rhett!" Evan called out."You're doing really well," Esperanza added from the sideline, her arms crossed, a satisfied smirk on her face.I watched as Rhett adjusted his footing, shifting his weight like Evan taught him. He maintained a wide stance, with his knees bent just enough, his spine straight, and his f
~Ruby's POV~“Miss me, Ruby?”My breath caught. My throat went dry. That voice—smooth, mocking, sharp like a blade drawn slowly from its sheath.“Sarah,” I whispered.She laughed. “Still sounds good coming out of your mouth. But don’t worry—I’m not here to play games. Not yet.”And then, just before the line went dead: “Roman is mine and I’ll make sure of it. So be ready, Ruby. I always get what I want.”It echoed in my ears long after the silence took over. The words weren’t new. She’d said them once before, months ago at that party.That night still haunted me.Her red dress. Her wineglass clutched with elegance. Her gaze, like a sniper’s, locked on Roman and burning holes through me.“I don’t know what little fairytale you’re living in,” she’d whispered that night, smiling like we were old friends. “But Roman belongs to me. And I don’t lose.”I hadn't taken it seriously. I’d told myself she was just jealous. Obsessed. Bitter.But now?Now I knew better.I stormed down the hallway.
~Kai’s POV~The dim blue glow of my laptop screen was the only light in the office, throwing strange shadows across the scattered papers and empty coffee cups. My fingers flew across the keyboard, heart hammering in my chest as I pulled the last of the encrypted files from Damien’s hidden folder.Almost there. Just a few more seconds.Lines of code scrolled faster than my eyes could follow, the Tribunal’s secure database unravelling in front of me like an old, fragile map. I had hacked into high-clearance systems before—military, government, and even private wolf packs—but this felt different. More dangerous. More... necessary."Come on," I muttered, tapping my foot anxiously.Finally, the upload bar blinked green: SUBMISSION COMPLETE.I sat back with a sharp breath, wiping my forehead with the back of my hand. The files—everything: illegal experiments, secret auctions, conspiracies — were now public. Leaked under a fake, high-level Alpha Court signature. The Tribunal had no choic
~Ruby's POV~We were under attack.The cold night air hit my face as I stood on the balcony, the wind tugging at my clothes. My heart raced in my chest, pounding hard. Below, I watched as soldiers and warriors sprang into action, their weapons shining in the dim light. I could hear their shouts and the commands being yelled over the growing tension.No time to waste.I quickly turned and raced down the marble stairs, the sound of my boots pounding against the floor ringing in my ears. I wasn’t thinking about the warriors gathering or the enemies getting closer; my main concern was the kids.Always the kids.I reached their room and flung the door open, my breath coming fast.“Mom?” Rhett sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes, confusion twisting his young face.“What’s going on?” Little Ruby asked.I forced a smile — a poor disguise, but the best I could manage. I crouched quickly beside their beds, gathering them close.“Nothing too serious," I said lightly. "Just a small fight. Nothing t