Damien’s jaw tightened. “What were you thinking, Ruby? Giving birth before marriage?” His voice was low, but the accusation in his tone was unmistakable.“And by that, you mean?” I shot back, my voice sharp.“You never mentioned having kids,” he said, his voice rising slightly.“I don’t need to tell you everything about my life,” I retorted.He took a step closer, his presence looming. “Sure, but with an outsider? Ruby, this is—”“That’s none of your business,” I cut him off, meeting his gaze with unflinching determination. “I owe no one anything.”“Oh, you think so?” he said, his tone dripping with derision.“What is your issue with me, Uncle Damien?” I demanded, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me.“We wouldn’t have an issue if you’d just do the right thing,” he snapped.“And you think you know what the right thing is for me?” I countered, my temper flaring.His eyes narrowed. “Not exactly, but—”“But what, Uncle Damien?” I interrupted again, stepping closer.“But if
~Ruby's POV~The moment I spotted Roman across the burial grounds, a surge of frustration swept over me. Turning back to Rhett and little Ruby, I kept my tone steady. “I’ll come back to this,” I said, my eyes narrowing on Roman as I started walking toward him.As I approached, the man he spoke with stepped away, leaving Roman alone, hands casually resting in his pockets as though he belonged there.“Hey, Ruby,” he said gently..“What are you doing here?” I snapped, cutting straight to the point.“I came to pay my last respects to Aunt Jean,” he replied matter-of-factly.“Last respects?” I scoffed in disbelief. “You didn’t even know her.”Roman’s jaw tightened briefly before he nodded. “You’re right, I didn’t know her well. But she was family to you, which makes her family to me.”I shook my head, glancing away to gather myself. “Oh, I see. And staying at a distance today, is that your way of being respectful?”“It’s… complicated,” he said, his tone hinting at regret. “You wouldn’t und
Ruby's POV The drive back from the burial had been quiet. The kids seemed subdued, lost in their thoughts. I pulled into the driveway, the familiar sight of home bringing a small measure of comfort.As we entered the house, I placed the car keys on the counter and turned to them.“Alright, you both go to your room,” I said.“Alright, Mum,” they chorused, heading toward the hallway.“Make sure you take your baths and change into something comfortable,” I added.“Of course, Mum. You don’t need to remind us,” Rhett said with a hint of exasperation, glancing back at me.I smiled faintly, shaking my head at their retreating figures.Once in my room, I let out a long sigh. The day had been draining, emotionally and physically. The burial, the whispers, the stares—everything had weighed heavily on me. But somehow, it hadn’t been as terrible as I’d feared.As I stepped into the bathroom, I felt the warm water washing away my stress. While I scrubbed, my thoughts turned to the funeral. I rem
~Ruby's POV~"Good evening, Ruby. I’ve been expecting your call."The voice on the other end was calm and steady, yet it felt unsettlingly familiar in a way I couldn’t identify. My heart raced as a wave of unease washed over me."Who is this?" I demanded, masking the nervous tremble in my voice."It doesn't matter right now," she replied in a clipped yet certain tone. "What matters is what I know… what your Aunt Jean knew and wanted you to find out."I tightened my grip on the phone, feeling my whole body tense up. "You knew Aunt Jean?""Meet me at Collins Garden and Park in 120 minutes, alone," she said, ending the call before I could ask another question.The silence that followed was deafening.I sat on my bed, the phone still pressed to my ear, long after the call had ended. My thoughts raced. Who is she? How does she know Aunt Jean? And the bigger question: Why does she want to meet me now?I glanced at the clock. It was 6:43 PM. If I was going, I had just under two hours to prep
~Ruby's POV~The weekend had started early, with the three of us tackling the house like a team preparing for battle. I watched Rhett and little Ruby buzzing around the house, half laughing and half bickering, but surprisingly, they were getting things done.“Why are you both here? Are you done cleaning your room?” I asked, catching them loitering in the hallway.“Sure, Mum… we definitely are,” Little Ruby said with a wide grin that seemed too perfect.I narrowed my eyes at her suspiciously.“We honestly are… want to take a look?” Rhett chimed in, crossing his arms with confidence.The look in their eyes made me pause. Could they actually be telling the truth?“No need for that… I'll take your word for it,” I said, testing them with a smile.“Seriously, Mum?” Rhett asked, clearly surprised.“Not at all. Lead the way to your room,” I said, watching their faces fall.When we reached the door, Little Ruby swung it open with a dramatic flourish. “See? All neat and clean,” she declared pro
“So, what do you say, Ruby?” Roman asked.“Hmmm… I’ll think about it. But today, I’m staying home,” I held firm.“Alright then… if you say so, Mum,” Little Ruby said, her voice tinged with disappointment. “Just don’t regret missing out on all the fun.”I crouched down to their level, smoothing Little Ruby’s hair and giving Rhett’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Did you forget anything?”“Even if they did, we could just get a new one,” Roman chimed in, his casual confidence unshakable.I rolled my eyes but smiled. “Alright. See you three in two days.”Little Ruby and Rhett threw their arms around me in a tight hug, clinging as if they were going off to another country instead of just a day or two away.“That’s enough. Off you go now,” I said, gently pulling away.“Bye, Mum,” they chorused, their excitement bubbling back as they headed out the door.I followed them to the car, watching Roman load their bags into the trunk. He gave me a long, thoughtful glance before nodding, his lips c
~Roman's POV~The sound of laughter filled the living room as Rhett and Little Ruby sat on the floor, their eyes glued to the TV screen. Kai sat on the couch, leaning back smugly as another animated fight scene unfolded.“This is so cool,” Little Ruby said excitedly.“Kai has great taste in cartoons,” Rhett added, nodding in approval.Kai smirked. “You think this is good? Wait till you see what’s next on my list. I have masterpieces lined up.”“Don’t get carried away,” I said, leaning back in the armchair.Kai shot me a playful glare. “Finally, someone appreciates my work, and now I’m being told not to get carried away? Do you know how much effort it takes to curate perfection?”“Cartoon selection isn’t exactly a groundbreaking skill,” I teased, scoffing.Before Kai could retaliate, my phone buzzed on the side table. I glanced at the screen and saw Ruby’s name flashing. A smile tugged at my lips—this was unexpectedly expected.“Hold on,” I said, picking up the phone and stepping into
“This is bad Ruby, this is really bad.” I said, running a hand through my hair. My mind raced as I tried to figure out our next move.“Is she going to be okay?” Ruby asked, her voice trembling.“Barely,” I said, my throat tightening. “We need to move fast.” I handed her my car keys. “Go open the car doors.”I scooped Bronwyn into my arms, her weight surprisingly light, and carried her out of the house. Ruby held the door open as I gently laid Bronwyn across the back seat.As we drove off, Ruby kept glancing back at Bronwyn’s unconscious form.“This doesn’t feel real,” she whispered.“Stay calm,” I said, gripping the steering wheel tightly. “We’ll get her to the hospital, and they’ll take care of her.”“No,” Ruby said abruptly, turning to face me.I shot her a quick glance, confused. “No? What do you mean, no?”“She told me not to take her to a hospital,” Ruby said, her voice firm but laced with fear.“That doesn’t make any sense, Ruby,” I said, my frustration bubbling up. “She’s injur
~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