Chloe JaneI wake up the following morning feeling unusually clear-headed, a stark contrast to the haze of pain and discomfort that had clouded my senses for the past few days. Sitting up in bed, I can’t help but smile, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand up, reaching out to find my things. My mind is blissfully blank, I gather my clothes and make my way to the shower, eager to wash away the remnants of the discomfort that had plagued me.After a refreshing shower, I feel rejuvenated, ready to face the day with a new energy. I wrap myself in a towel, go to the bedroom to get dressed, and start the day.But the moment I step in, Ruin’s distinct scent hits me - smoky, worn leather mixed with the sharp tang of whiskey. It’s a scent that’s become familiar, yet in this moment, it triggers a flood of memories from the night before.They flood back in a torrential rush: the pain, the desperation, my pleading voice, and Ruin... how he ‘h

Chloe JaneLying there on my side, the tears just keep coming. It’s like a dam has burst inside me, letting all the pain and confusion flow out. Why did Ruin walk away? What’s the real reason he’s pushing me away? I know he’s complicated, that his life is a web of danger and shadows, but there’s something more, something he’s not telling me. He thinks of me as nothing but a naïve little girl who doesn't understand the world. It's so frustrating!As I lay there, lost in my thoughts, a small voice suddenly pierces the silence. It’s soft, almost melodic, and it seems to come from everywhere, echoing in my head. “Chloe Jane,” it whispers, sending a shiver down my spine. Why does the voice sound so familiar?Startled, I close my eyes, trying to make sense of this new intrusion. That’s when I see it – what must be a fluffy white wolf, but the image is in negatives, as if I’m seeing it through a different spectrum. My heart races, both from fear and a strange sense of recognition.The wolf

Chloe JaneI overdid it. I got too excited about being able to see that I overdid it and now Halo is quiet. Ruin said I was passed out for well over fifteen hours, which seems completely impossible! We arrived at the new safe house about an hour ago, a cabin in the woods this time. Ruin says it’s protected with magic so no one will find us here, not until we’re ready to go back. He made me clean up, then he gave me food and told me I need to rest even after being passed out for so long.There’s one bedroom again, and the one problem with that is the bathroom is inside the main room. So when he showers and I’m in here, I’ll know. The thought sends a shiver up my spine… given that he’s in there now and in bed.The sound of the shower running in the adjoining bathroom fills the room. The thought of him so close, separated only by the thin walls of the cabin, sends an unexpected thrill through me. My heart flutters at the thought; Ruin’s right in there, naked… and I can’t see a thing.I

RuinI lied to Chloe Jane.Her father is 100% involved with the bullshit that’s going down in Chicago. Not only that, but the bounty on my head has been called off, and will be left off if I bring her back within a week.There’s no fucking way in hell I’m taking her back, not when I have a hunch that they’ll be using her for something. I can’t risk it, I just can’t.“It’s cozy here,” she says with a sigh, and I turn to look at her. She’s curled up on the couch I sleep on, drinking some tea while I’m busy tending to the fireplace. I can’t help but think how ironic it is that we’re living out her fantasy with her mate right now, even if she doesn’t know who I truly am.“Yeah, I could stay here forever and be pretty content,” I say, knowing that would never be in the cards for me. Not with the life I lead.“I was just thinking the same,” she says with a smile to her voice, and I don’t even have to turn to see she’s smiling. I don’t say anything after this, because lately I’ve found tha

Chloe JaneInside, the cabin feels like a sanctuary from the world outside. The warmth from the fireplace battles the chill that sneaks in through the cracks in the old wood. Ruin leads me to the couch and sits down next to me, his body a solid presence that’s both comforting and unsettling.“Why do you do it?” I ask, turning my head towards where I think his face is. “Why do you keep pushing yourself so hard out there? You know we’re safe here, at least for now.”His silence stretches, and I can almost hear the cogs turning in his mind. Finally, he speaks, his voice a low rumble that resonates through the room. “It’s not just about us being safe right now, Chloe Jane. It’s about making sure we stay safe. And that means being prepared, always being one step ahead of those who might be after us,” he explains.I frown, struggling to understand his constant vigilance. “But doesn’t it ever get tiring? Always being on guard, always having to be the strong one?”He lets out a soft chuckle,