"Are you sure?" Roman’s voice dropped to a low, rough whisper.I didn’t let myself hesitate. I nodded. "Yes."He clenched his jaw as if he were battling something within himself."Kiss me, Roman," I whispered once more, this time more gently but still just as sure.A low growl rumbled in his chest, a sound so deep it vibrated through me. And then—His lips crashed against mine.It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t gentle. It was raw, desperate, and demanding. His fingers tangled in my hair as he pulled me closer, as if closing the distance between us could somehow drown out the fear clawing at me.And maybe it could.I held onto him tightly; my body pressed against his warmth while the cold fear in my veins melted away from the passion he awakened in me. His lips moved against mine in a perfect rhythm, devouring and giving affection all at once.Roman shifted, his arms wrapping fully around me, his strength enveloping me completely. The smell of cedarwood, smoke, and a unique scent that reminde
"Tell me what you want," he said softly in a dark voice that sounded full of promise.I swallowed hard, my body trembling from the intensity of it all."More," I whispered, breathless. "I need more."A slow, wicked smirk curled on his lips."Then let me give it to you."Roman’s smirk was nothing short of sinful, hinting at everything I desired and even more. His hands tightened on my waist as he shifted beneath me, his hard length pressing insistently against my core, even through the thin fabric of my shorts. The sensation sent a jolt of heat through me, a desperate ache curling deep in my belly."You feel that?" he murmured in a voice thick with need. "That’s what you do to me."I whimpered in response, my fingers sliding down his chest, tracing over the ridges of muscle, feeling the heat of his bare skin beneath my touch. I wanted to memorize him, every dip and every shudder I could pull from him.Roman’s lips were on me again, moving from my breasts back to my neck, nipping and
~Roman's POV~Ruby slept peacefully, her breathing slow and calm, her body warm next to mine. The stress she felt earlier had faded, leaving a tranquil stillness. Her head lay on my chest, her gentle breaths touching my skin, and for the first time in a long while, she appeared completely at ease.But I wasn’t.Sleep refused to come.Her words kept echoing in my head. The kids are in trouble.I gently held her tighter, trying not to wake her, but feeling the need to reassure myself that she was here and safe. However, her warning still rang in my ears.And then, there was him.The cloaked man on the bridge. The memory of our meeting played back in my mind, every detail clear as if it had just happened. His voice was empty yet powerful, both old and familiar."A great evil is coming, Roman. One that will tear through everything you know. And only you and your twins stand a chance to stop it. All will be revealed in time."I clenched my jaw, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing.It
Ruby’s POV“So, what’s your plan?” Roman asked, his deep voice pulling me from my thoughts.I sighed, rubbing my forehead. “Honestly? I have no idea.”And that was the truth. There were too many moving parts, too many unanswered questions. I needed more information before I could even begin to form a solid plan. Right now, all I knew was that something dark was coming, and Damien’s sudden decision to cut ties with his allies had only escalated things further.Roman studied me for a moment, his gaze unreadable. Then, he nodded. “We’ll figure it out.”I hummed in response before swinging my legs off the side of the bed. “I know one thing, though. I need to freshen up.”“Mind if I join you?”I shot him a glare over my shoulder, but Roman only smirked, feigning innocence.“What?” he asked, his lips twitching.“Stay. Put.” I pointed a firm finger at him before getting up.But he wasn’t done. “You were practically pleading for something different last night.”My body went still.Immediately
~Ruby's POV~I was still leaning against the bathroom door when my stomach let out a loud, traitorous rumble.I immediately looked down at it, as if I could glare it into silence. Ishhhhhhh. I bit my lip, hoping Roman didn’t hear—"Someone's hungry," Roman teased from the bedroom.I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn't see me. "No, I'm not.""Oh, Ruby, you don't have to deny it every time." I could practically hear the smirk in his voice.I pressed my back against the cool bathroom wall, letting out a small breath. "I'm actually not."Roman chuckled. "Then what was that noise?""Umm… it was—"Before I could even finish, my stomach growled again—louder this time.I squeezed my eyes shut. Traitor."Oooops," Roman said, clearly enjoying himself.I cracked open the bathroom door and peeked out, narrowing my eyes at him.Roman was sprawled on the bed, propped up on one elbow, his dark eyes dancing with amusement. "You were saying?"I huffed, stepping out fully. "Fine. Maybe I’m a little
~Ruby’s POV~I couldn’t wipe the smirk off my face as I stepped into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me with a satisfying click. That had been fun.Roman had played his little teasing games long enough, always pushing just far enough to make me squirm, to leave me breathless. But this time? This time, I had won.And the look on his face? Priceless.Still, I leaned back against the cool wood of the door for a moment, pressing a hand to my chest as I tried to calm my racing heartbeat. Because holy hell, that kiss.It had started as a joke, a way to turn the tables on him, to make him suffer just a little for all the times he had left me flustered. But the moment his lips met mine, the game blurred into something else entirely. Something dangerous.Roman kissed like he had all the time in the world, like he was savoring a meal he’d been craving for years. And the way his hand had moved—firm, warm, possessive—I had almost forgotten my own plan.Almost.I shook my head, biting my li
Ruby’s POVI swallowed a bite of my food, chewing slowly as I pretended to think over Roman’s words."We’ve never really sat down and talked. Like, you know? What this is… between us."Oh, I knew exactly what he meant.But I wasn’t going to make this easy for him.I tilted my head slightly, feigning innocence. "What do you mean?"Roman’s eyes flickered with something unreadable, but his smirk remained. "Don’t do that, Ruby.""Do what?" I asked, stabbing my fork into a piece of steak.He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table, his gaze locking onto mine. "Pretend like you don’t get what I’m saying."I exhaled slowly, setting my fork down. "Fair enough… but we haven’t really gotten the chance to talk about this with everything that’s been happening."Roman arched a brow. "We definitely had the chance, Ruby. Before all of this started. You just… never gave me one."I sighed, rubbing my temple. "Here we go again."His voice softened, but his intensity remained. "Trying wouldn’t hav
~Esperanza's POV~A few moments back…I grabbed my purse, giving myself one last glance in the mirror as I finished applying my lipstick. Keely, however, had her arms crossed, leaning against the dresser with a suspicious look.“Are you sure that’s exactly where you’re going, Esperanza?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at me.I sighed, putting the makeup brush down. “Sure, Keely. Where else could I be going?”“You could be sneaking off to Ruby’s without telling me,” she accused.I turned to face her fully. “Why would I do that?”Keely raised an eyebrow. “Probably to be the first to give her an update on what we discovered.”I gasped dramatically, clutching my chest. “Oh no, no, no! Come on, Keely. I’d never do that.” I paused, dabbing my lips together to set the colour. “We both agreed to tell her together, remember? No two ways about it.”Keely didn’t look convinced. She studied me for a moment before placing her hands on my shoulders. “You sure?”“Absolutely,” I said, giving her my b
~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