RUBY'S POV The cab pulled into the city, and as the familiar skyline came into view, a tightness crept into my chest. I clutched my bag a little closer, staring out the window as the streets passed by in a blur of muted colors and ghosted memories.I was back.The place where everything began, where everything fell apart. The city that held every piece of me—the good, the bad, the broken. Each corner seemed to echo with memories of smiles, laughter, and heartbreak. It felt as though the air itself weighed heavier here, thick with the past.I blinked away the feeling and reached for my phone, dialing Liam’s number.“Ruby,” he answered almost immediately. His voice was warm, like a balm to my frayed nerves.“Hey. I’m here,” I said in a steady voice despite the emotions bubbling beneath the surface. “Is it still the hotel I told you about?”“Yeah, same place,” he confirmed. “I’m already here waiting for you.”I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “Alright. I’ll be there
RUBY'S POVLiam and I stood outside the hotel, waiting for the car we had ordered. The morning air was both clear and heavy. I tried to focus on the simplicity of the moment—the soft breeze brushing against my skin, the faint hum of traffic in the distance—but it was impossible. My thoughts were racing, my stomach in knots.“She’s going to be fine,” Liam said beside me.I looked at him, trying to take comfort in his calm demeanor. “I hope so,” I murmured.The ride to the hospital was quiet, almost painfully so. I watched the buildings blur past the window, every street corner bringing me closer to memories I’d buried for years. My fingers fidgeted with the hem of my coat, a nervous habit I’d picked up as a child. Liam sat next to me. His steady presence helped me stay grounded when my thoughts felt like they were going crazy.When we got to the hospital, the tall, white building stood in front of us. It looked cold and clinical. My heart sank as we entered the lobby, the antiseptic
Liam turned toward me with that reassuring smile of his, the one that always managed to make things feel lighter, even when they weren’t. “I’ll just be outside, alright?”I gave him a small nod. “I’ll see you in a bit.”He turned around and walked away. The door clicked shut behind him, sealing us in calm silence. For a brief moment, I let myself breathe, only to turn back and find Aunt Jean watching me. Her gaze—steady and probing—held something I couldn’t quite decipher.“He’s…” Jean began but trailed off as if searching for the right words.“Straightforward,” I supplied, offering her a faint smile.Jean nodded slightly, a knowing look flickering in her eyes. “Disciplined. Open. He has every good quality you could ask for in a person.”“He sure does,” I admitted softly, unable to hide the small smile tugging at my lips. I could still feel the lingering warmth of his presence in the room.“You two seem very close.” Jean's voice was careful, but there was a question in it that she di
ROMAN’S POVThe airport buzzed with its usual chaos—announcements blaring over speakers, the shuffle of luggage wheels on tile, and the hum of impatient travellers. As my car pulled up to the curb, I spotted Kai standing near the entrance, casually leaning against his car, arms crossed like he didn’t have a care in the world.I rolled down the window as we approached. “Driver, stop here,” I said, motioning toward Kai. Grayson nodded and pulled over.Kai noticed me and straightened up, a smug smile creeping across his face.“Finally decided to show up?” he quipped, walking toward me as Grayson unloaded my bags from the trunk.I stepped out of the car and nodded to him. “Thanks. I can take it from here. You can head back now.”He nodded, tipping his hat before driving off.As I turned to Kai, I couldn’t help but notice his car parked behind him. A thought struck me, and I smirked. “So, what’s the plan for your car, Kai?” I asked, gesturing toward it with a tilt of my head.Kai patted t
The car arrived at the large apartment building, which looked sleek and modern with its glass exterior reflecting the city skyline. Several workers hurried out to greet us, their faces eager but restrained, their bows precise. I offered a curt nod in response, the weight of my thoughts leaving little room for pleasantries.Kai let out a dramatic sigh as he dragged my luggage to the entrance and flopped into the nearest chair. “Feels good to be back,” he said, kicking his feet out and leaning back.I raised an eyebrow at him. “Don’t get too comfortable. My office—now,” I said, already heading for the stairs.“Damn it,” Kai muttered behind me.“I can hear you,” I called over my shoulder, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth.“Of course, you can,” he shot back, throwing his hands up in mock exasperation. “A little break would be appreciated, you know.”Reaching the top of the stairs, I called back without turning, “You wouldn’t know what to do with one.”Kai groaned theatrically be
Dane cleared his throat and looked at Jean briefly before focusing back on me. “Alpha Damien wants you in his presence,” his voice smooth but edged with something sharp—an order disguised as a request.I swallowed hard, forcing myself to keep my expression unreadable. “Is that so?” I asked coolly, folding my arms across my chest to mask the trembling in my hands.Dane’s eyes narrowed just slightly. “Yes,” he said simply. “And he doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”My jaw tightened at the mention of Damien. It had been years since I’d last heard his name spoken aloud, but just like that, the memories came rushing back—his cold eyes, the weight of his commands, the impossible expectations.Aunt Jean squeezed my hand again, grounding me. I looked at her quickly, her face pale but determined. Her expression spoke volumes: Don’t do anything rash.I took a slow, steady breath before answering. “And what if I don’t want to see him?” my voice sharp but steady.The tension in the room thickened
“She can’t hide forever,” I said, pacing the office. My voice was calm, but beneath it was a storm brewing. “She’s good, but I’m better. Start digging—contacts, security footage, anything. She’s here, and I’m going to find her.”Kai nodded, his expression grim, his lips pressed into a thin line. “On it.”I left the room without another word, heading down the hall to my bedroom. Once inside, I locked the door behind me and leaned against it for a moment, my thoughts spinning. How the hell had Ruby pulled this off?I stepped into the bathroom, the faint hum of the shower filling the silence as I turned the water on. The warm spray hit my skin, and for a moment, I let the tension in my muscles ease. But my mind wouldn’t stop racing.I had underestimated her. That much was clear. She was always sharp, but this? Leaving the kids behind meant she wasn’t running—not in the sense I thought. If she was planning to disappear, the twins would’ve been the first thing she took with her.“Then why
The living room felt like a snapshot of my past, frozen in time. Everything was exactly as I remembered—familiar furniture, design patterns on the walls, even the scent of sandalwood and aged books lingered in the air. Yet, the warmth that once existed here had evaporated, replaced by a tension so thick it felt suffocating.Damien gestured toward the couch. “Please, sit.”Liam and I exchanged a glance before lowering ourselves onto the leather sofa. It creaked softly under our weight, as if protesting our presence. Damien remained standing for a moment without removing his gaze, before he finally settled into the armchair across from us.His eyes shifted to Liam, sizing him up like a hawk studying its prey. “And who is this?” he asked smoothly, but with a sharp edge beneath it.“This is Liam,” I said in a steadfy voice. “My fiancé.”Damien’s eyebrows lifted slightly, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. “Fiancé, you say?” He leaned back, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Hmmm.”L
~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