Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 131 - Chapitre 140

Ruby's POV When he finally pulled back, we were both breathless.The silence that followed felt fragile. He gave a faint smile, and I managed a quiet, trembling laugh.We stayed there, caught somewhere between confusion and longing.Austin finally exhaled, his gaze distant as if trying to steady himself. I stepped back quickly.We didn’t talk about it. Pretending was easier.After I finished dressing Austin’s wound, we were about to head out to grab something to eat when Sally appeared out of nowhere.Her expression was dull, almost lifeless, and her glow flickered faintly. “I feel down,” she said, hugging herself. “Everything just feels… wrong today.”Austin and I exchanged a glance. I stepped closer. “Then let’s find a way to help you feel better. Maybe we can talk or—”“Don’t,” she interrupted, shaking her head. “Nothing works. I don't feel like walking or talking.”I hesitated, trying to think of something that might lift her mood. “We could listen to music? Go somewhere quiet?”

Ruby's POV John’s voice echoed off the empty street. “I told you before, Lisa. You were never more than a phase. Ruby was always the one I cared about.”Lisa’s face twisted, disbelief and rage clashing in her eyes. “A phase?” she spat. “That’s all I was to you?”John didn’t flinch. “You were convenient. But now I’m done.”For a second, Lisa just stood there, trembling. Then, something in her expression snapped.“You’ll regret saying that,” she hissed.Suddenly, her hands lifted, and the air shimmered. A pulse of red light surged from her palms, the ground beneath us quaked faintly. John stumbled back, and in a blink, his body convulsed. A low growl ripped through the air.His bones cracked, reshaping. Fur sprouted along his arms. Within seconds, a massive wolf stood where John had been, panting heavily, eyes wild.Lisa just laughed, her tears streaking through her makeup. “Still think I’m just a phase?” she shouted.The wolf lunged. Lisa dodged, throwing another burst of magic that

Ruby's POV When we finally pulled apart, silence lingered between us. Austin’s hand brushed against mine before he murmured, “Let’s get out of here.”The city lights streaked past us, the hum of Austin’s motorcycle steady beneath us. The cold air stung, but the warmth radiating from his back kept me calm. When we finally pulled up to a modern apartment complex, Austin cut the engine and turned toward me. “I rented this place recently,” he said, his tone gentle. “I wanted somewhere safe for us away from everything else.”The words sank in slowly. He’d thought ahead long before tonight. “You planned this?” I asked softly.A faint smile touched his lips. “I plan a lot of things when it comes to you.”Inside, the apartment smelled faintly of cedar and fresh coffee. It was neat, warm, and felt unexpectedly homely. He set down the keys and turned to me. “Trust me, Ruby. I’ll handle everything from here.”There was something steady in his eyes that made it easy to believe him. I nodded. “

Austin's POV John showed up at the rink early the next morning, standing near the boards with that smug half-smile that always managed to irritate me.“Father wants to see you,” he said, tone deliberately casual. “At the golf course. Said it’s important.”I didn’t answer right away, just nodded, grabbed my duffel, and headed for the showers. Something about the way he said it told me this wasn’t going to be a friendly chat.The grass was still wet with dew when I met Father at the course. He looked relaxed, swinging the club with calmness.“I hear you’ve been… distracted lately,” he said lightly. “Is someone you like responsible for that?”I kept my eyes on the ball. “When you need to know, you’ll know.”He gave a low chuckle. “Still evasive. You get that from your mother.”My swing connected cleanly. The ball arced perfectly across the field and landed right where I wanted it. Father’s next swing sliced too far left.“Maybe you should focus less on my personal life,” I said evenly,

Ruby's POV The apartment felt quieter once Austin left.I stood by the window for a while, before finally pulling out my phone.When my adoptive mother picked up, her voice was softer than I remembered. “Ruby,” she said, “I was just about to call you. How are things over there?”“I’m fine,” I said. “How about you? Any trouble lately? Is anyone bothering you?”She sighed. “No, nothing like that anymore. Ever since that last incident, it’s been peaceful. I’ve even started tending a small garden behind the house.”“That’s good,” I said, a small smile tugging at my lips. “You deserve some peace.”There was a pause before she asked, “And you? You sound… different. Is it because of that young man?”My pulse quickened. “You mean Austin?”“Yes. Is everything all right between you two?”I hesitated. “It’s… complicated,” I began. “We’re—”The door handle turned, and Austin stepped inside. I stiffened.“Mom, I’ll call you later,” I blurted, hanging up before she could reply.Austin paused, look