Ruby's POV  The news of Gonzalo's ascension to the Alpha position and his impending arrival had stirred a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions within the pack. Alpha Ralph had decided to hold a meeting to address the situation, and I respected his choice to keep me out of it, emphasizing it was for my safety. As I sat in the truck, waiting for the meeting to conclude, my mind drifted to the recent events and the dream that still lingered in the corners of my consciousness.The moonlit night seemed to stretch on forever as I watched pack members dispersing after the meeting. My eyes caught Alpha Ralph and Elena engaged in conversation, and an unexpected pang of jealousy shot through me. Alpha Ralph rarely laughed, but there he was, smiling and genuinely enjoying Elena's company. The irrational thought crossed my mind: would he ever laugh like that with me?I sighed, attempting to push those thoughts aside. It w

  Gonzalo's POV   The first rays of dawn painted the sky with hues of pink and gold, gently heralding the new day. I stirred awake, expecting to find Alpha Ralph by my side, but the cold emptiness of the bed sent a shiver down my spine. Confusion clouded my thoughts for a moment as I realized he wasn't there.I got up, wrapping a robe around me, the knot of anxiety tightening in my chest. I stepped into the main room of our shared space, my eyes searching for any signs of his presence. The room was empty, void of the warmth that usually accompanied Alpha Ralph.Frowning, I made my way to the pack house, needing to clear my thoughts and find him. As I approached, I hesitated at the threshold. A flicker of intuition urged me to pause and observe before making my presence known.Standing by the window, I peered inside. What I saw made my heart plummet like a stone into an abyss. There, in an i

Chapter 45  Ruby's POV   Seated silently with Vance by my side, I waited, the weight of the recent revelations and the impending confrontation heavy on my shoulders. Vance received a call, his expression growing serious as he listened, and then he ended the call and turned to me."Can we leave now?" I asked, my voice betraying a mix of impatience and anxiety. Vance nodded in response, not a man of many words, but his understanding gaze spoke volumes.Together, we strolled towards the pack house. My eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of Elena, but she was nowhere in sight. Instead, I spotted Alpha Ralph walking towards us, his brow furrowed in a visible frown. I wondered what had transpired between him and Gonzalo, knowing the fiery nature of the latter."How did it go?" I inquired, my concern evident as Alpha Ralph reached where I stood."Gonzalo's going to

  Ruby's POV   Alpha Ralph entered the cabin, a heaviness in his heart as he witnessed the state I was in. He saw me lying on the bed, my eyes sore from crying. It pained him to see me like this, knowing that my pain was a result of the tangled mess that life had become.He approached cautiously, unsure of how to start the conversation. "Ruby," he began softly, "are you alright?"I sat up, my voice trembling with a mix of hurt and anger. "Alright? How can I be alright, Ralph?" The use of his first name instead of his title reflected the emotional distance that had grown between us.He sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes filled with concern. "I know today has been incredibly difficult for you. Gonzalo's visit... I can only imagine how it affected you.""You think that's all?" I asked, the tremor in my voice revealing the raw emotions. "It's more than that. I saw you, Ralph. I saw you

  Ruby's POV   The morning sun cast a feeble light through the forest canopy as I made my way to the pack meeting, still carrying the weight of the previous day's revelation. The air was crisp, a reminder that life continued its course despite the turmoil in my heart.As I arrived at the meeting, the atmosphere was charged with an energy that hinted at the events that had transpired. I could feel eyes on me, whispers and curious glances from pack members. Word had spread, and everyone seemed to be watching my every move.Elena, Alpha Ralph's confidante, was standing amongst the crowd, her posture betraying a nervous energy. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation that lay ahead. It was time to face her and seek the truth.The meeting began, the agenda a blur as my thoughts were consumed by the impending confrontation. As Alpha Ralph addressed the pack, I tried to focus,