Ruby
"Shoo.""Go away," I muttered with a newfound protective instinct as I stepped between the hungry bear and the vulnerable infant in the basket.In any other case, I could have easily transformed into my wolf, which would have made all this easier; however, my body was weakened from rejection, and I couldn't feel my wolf.Yet, I felt the need to get the baby out of here alive, even if it meant a loss of body parts. Maybe it was the Luna instinct in me that was making me act this way and feel an odd sense of protection over it, but I couldn't just abandon the baby like its mother had done and get it eaten up.The wood was a dangerous place, making me wonder what type of animal in human form would be wicked enough to dump a baby out here in the dangerous forest.Determination flashed in my eyes as I faced the bear, praying to the moon goddess to help me out so that I could rescue both myself and the baby.I squared my shoulders, and as the bear hesitated, I made myself appear larger. I had learned this tactic while I was young when I once attended the werewolf acedemy, but that was just it. It was called the primal dance of survival in the moonlight, and I couldn't learn more defence lessons since I was a girl who had found her mate on time.While Liam, my mate, was practically inheriting the position of alpha from his father, I was practicing to be the Luna, and I was glad I did."Go; find your own sustenance. This child needs my care." I said firmly a mix of authority and desperation in my voice as I raised my legs higher so that I would appear larger than the bear and, input, fear it.The bear grunted for some minutes, sensing my resolve, before retreating into the shadows, leaving us in an uneasy calm.I let out a loud sigh and tiredly stretched my body to relieve my pain. With cautious steps, I approached the blood-stained basket. Confusion and dread gripped me as I took in the blood-soaked scene painted in a macabre picture, and the cries of the baby seemed to become louder as I drew closer, tugging at my heart.It was just like me being rejected and broken, as it had also had a harsh reality in its earliest moments.Slowly, I opened the basket, and a gasp caught in my throat, and my heart seemed to freeze. I stumbled back in shock, feeling lost for words, as I took in the unexpected sight before me.The baby's eyes, staring up at me with an intense gaze, mirrored the unmistakable shade of steel grey—identical to those of my mate, Liam.Shock and disbelief coursed through me, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.The uncanny resemblance between the infant's eyes and those I had once lost myself in left me breathless, the cruel irony of fate etched in the delicate features of the newborn.Alex? My baby.No, no, it can't be. This can't be real. I'm just seeing double. The baby in the basket looked exactly like how I had always pictured my baby—soft skin and steel grey eyes.Tears welled up in my eyes, and a storm of mixed emotions ran through me—grief, astonishment, and a flicker of hope.Was the moon goddess giving me a second chance to live? Is this a miracle?Why does this baby look so much like my mate? So much like how I had pictured my baby Alex. My baby.Williams said he died, but then again, I heard my baby cry. Although I was weak, my hearing senses were functioning, and I heard my baby cry.And now this. Was it all a coincidence? Any mother would be able to recognise her baby's voice, right?I stared at the little soul, and its cries sounded so familiar as they kept ringing in my head, just like the ones I had heard while unconscious. I reached down and gently lifted the cutie from the basket into my arms while the baby, with his steel grey eyes, stared back at me with curiosity.A magical hush enveloped me, and the cries ceased almost instantly, replaced by a sudden stillness. I cradled the fragile life against my chest, and as I hugged it closer, uncertainty filled my heart.What if this wasn't real? What if I was dreaming and everything was all an illusion?But then again, if this was a dream, then I never wanted to wake up. I felt the profound connection that destiny had brought us together in the heart of the woods.The whole forest, once filled with haunting cries if the little soul became silent like it was witnessing an unexpected twist of destiny, held its breath.In my arms, the baby's tiny face transformed from distress to delight. Giggles bubbled forth, and a wide, toothless grin spread across its face.Those innocent steel grey eyes, brimming with a mixture of curiosity and joy, looked up at me with an unspoken connection, yet I felt doubtful. I needed to confirm if this baby was mine and Liam's or if it was just Liam's.And if it was the latter, then it means Liam betrayed and cheated on me. Worse, he was heartless enough to throw his baby away.I needed answers, and the only person who could help me was my grandmother, and luckily for me, she was a healer.The forest seemed to brighten as the baby found solace in my embrace. It was so tiny and cute, and its laughter echoed, creating a melody of pure happiness that danced through the air, which somehow managed to heal my depressed soul.With a mix of disbelief and joy, I decided instantly to take the baby back home and cradle the precious life against my chest as I walked out of the forest in the direction of my grandmother's house.I made sure to hide the baby from preying eyes as I found my way back. I entered the house and saw my grandmother stirring her traditional herb in a pot, and upon seeing me, her eyes widened in surprise, her warm smile fading as she glimpsed the bundle in my arms."You probably think I am crazy," I chuckled out, and she gave me a look of pity, which I was already used to, but I didn't care as my whole body was renewed with a sense of hope and wonder.Ruby"Ruby, I understand this is a difficult moment for you,but you don't have to steal another's baby just to make up for your loss," she said, unaware of the unfolding miracle."How can you think so low of me, Granny?" I ignored her lack of trust in me and smiled at her warmly. She looked at me unsurely with the same look she gives her patients, who had a few nuts loose in their heads.I don't blame her; these past few days have been rough for me, and the only thing I ever did was cry and walk around the pack like a lost soul."What is this, then? Whose baby is that?" she asked, her voice tinged with a blend of curiosity and apprehension.I carefully cradled the baby, my voice filled with a blend of disbelief and excitement. "Grandmother, this is Alex. I found him in the woods—the baby I thought I had lost. Alex, meet your grandma." I grinned at the baby, who laughed softly, and I shifted my gaze to my grandmother, watching her eyes flicker with a complex mix of emotions."In the wo
Ruby"I command you to let me in," I declared, using the authority of Luna's voice. Liam might have rejected me as his mate, but I was still Luna and his equal, with only him having the ability to stop me. A visible struggle played out on the faces of the warriors as they exchanged wary glances, torn between loyalty to their alpha and the undeniable power vested in my words.I felt bad for placing them between a rock and a hard place, as they were probably only following instructions given to them by their alpha, but I was also caught between a rock and a stone myself.I can't believe Liam kicked me out of our pack, which we had ruled together for fifteen years.I was fucking tired, mentally, physically, and emotionally, and the journey back to Liam's pack was excruciatingly exhausting. Each passing moment filled me with anticipation and uncertainty.I was weak and unable to transform into my wolf, so I had to lean on Andrew for support, who had carried me on his back after transform
Ruby"How dare you, Lilith, or whatever you call yourself? You are a monster and a mate-stealing bitch. How could you be so cruel? You are not sane to be a Luna." I spat angrily, clenching my first.I couldn't fathom how someone could be so cold and heartless as to mutilate an innocent man simply for disobedience."He deserves it for obeying the words of a nobody," she said, turning to the injured warrior and walking slowly towards him in a taunting manner that made his eyes widen. He shifted back in fear, and before I could understand what was happening, she picked up his detached left hand and began chewing."That's what you get for disobedience." She said this and licked her bloody lips. "Your hand will serve as my dinner tonight," she laughed loudly before turning her gaze to me, a look of undisguised disgust etched on her face."Bring the papers," she says, signalling another warrior, who swiftly approached, carrying a paper, which I assumed was the resignation paper."Open the g
RubyIt's been days.It's been long, unbearable days, to be precise, and the only thing on my mind was how I wish I could turn back time and listen to the advice of my grandmother.I would never forget the echo of Liam's cruel parting words that reverberated in my ears as the gate slammed shut, shutting me out of the pack I once called home."I hope that's enough of a parting gift for you to get it through your thick skull—the fact that I don't want you anymore. Here, keep your lover's heart," he spat, throwing Andrew's heart callously to the ground at my feet. Tears streamed down my face as I stood there, paralyzed by the cruelty of his rejection.I came to the realisation that the one person who stood by me was gone, and I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye as it was unexpected.Loneliness descended upon me like a suffocating blanket. Unexpectedly, I heard thunder roar and lightning strike, and I looked up at the sky as nature mirrored the turmoil within me.Rain began to pou
Ruby:Does it ever drive you crazy?Just how fast the night changes?It was funny how everything I had ever dreamed of disappeared right before my eyes, and eventually I had to wake up to my new-found reality.Seven years had slipped away, yet the wounds from that haunting night remained etched in the deepest recesses of my soul. It became the main purpose of my existence, finally helping me understand the saying that even though time flies, scars and wounds still endure.Each day I wake up, I struggle to suppress the bitterness, yet life has a way of presenting unexpected challenges for me. So far, in the last seven years, I have had less drama and a somewhat peaceful life.The morning was beautiful as usual, painted with hues of hope as my son and I got ready for the day. Alex was almost finishing middle school, which was faster than expected, but then again, my son wasn't ordinary, and everyone in the sapphire moon pack could attest to that.He was too wise and intelligent for his
Ruby:"You're late," Danny remarked with a disappointed tone as I entered through the back door of the restaurant.I let out a sigh, glancing at my watch, to discover that I was twenty minutes behind schedule. It was a rare occurrence for me, as I usually prided myself on being punctual and composed, regardless of the challenges life threw my way."Yeah, I'm sorry. I had some issues to settle," I replied, the dryness in my voice reflecting the tension I carried. I reached for the blue net on the table, draping it over my hair.Danny looked at me with a touch of sadness in her eyes. "It's so unlike you; do you maybe want to talk about it?""I'd rather not," I replied flatly, and I winced at the harshness in my tone."I'm sorry; I'm just not in the mood to talk about it.""I understand, dear... Well, better late than never, then," she said, handing me an apron.I mustered a thankful smile, appreciating her understanding as I prepared myself for the challenges of the day ahead. The resta
Ruby :"She found hair in her food, and I was trying to get her another after apologising." I explained as Danny came to stand by my side. Danny glanced at the disgruntled customer and then turned her attention to me."This ugly fool tried to poison me just because I warned her not to look at my man in a slutty way and stop being a slut. If you want me to keep eating here, then you will have to fire her.""What." I gasped."You heard me right. Fire this dirty-looking ugly bitch or else I will make sure I ruin your restaurant forever." She smirked, folding her hands, and my steps fell back in shock.I looked at the man almost in tears, and I saw him make a sign with his hands, which said I should call him. I scoffed, and before I could open my mouth to give the shameless woman a piece of my mind, I felt Danny's hands on mine as she touched my arms, holding me back."Don't worry, Ruby. I will take care of this. Go on, you have a visitor.""B-but,""No, but Ruby. Just go to the back entr
Ruby.I sighed, running my hands through my hair for what felt like the millionth time as I took a seat on my grandmother's old couch. I couldn't help but question whether the decision I made was the right one.Choosing to send Alex to the werewolf academy had been a difficult one, but oddly enough, that sharp slap on my face helped jolt my thoughts into place. It was a harsh reminder that sometimes the right decisions come with their share of pain.However, knowing that I would have to return there made my heart rate increase drastically. The place I never wanted to set foot in again—a place that took the life of someone I cared about and ultimately shattered me.The werewolf academy was built by my ex-mate's father as his contribution to the werewolf world, financially supported by other pack alphas. It was renowned as the biggest and most prestigious school out there.Yes, Alex receiving a full scholarship was a pretty big deal and significant opportunity, but what lingered in my m