Ruby's POV
The forest blurred around me as I sprinted, trying to outrun the hurricane of emotions. My skin tingle with the sensation of sweat and adrenaline, and the rustling leaves sang a chaotic tune, clearly showing the mess that I was in.
I glanced back and saw a wolf, immense and powerful, chasing me. Fear surged through my veins, my instincts urging me to shift into my own wolf form for protection. But something was amiss; I couldn't connect with the wolf within me.
I tried desperately to shift, to connect with my own wolf, to reach out to an instinct that would save me, but my connection with my wolf seemed severed. Panic surged within me, making my heart race even faster.
The wolf closed in, and just as I stumbled and fell, expecting sharp fangs to pierce my skin, something unexpected happened. The wolf spoke.
"Why are you running from me, Ruby, after all that I've done for you?" The w
Ruby's POVIn the dim light of the room, I wore a long cape over what I was wearing, I didn't have the energy to put something else on.. It was a simple yet elegant garment, adding an air of mystery to my presence. I knew that tonight called for something different, a break from the whirlwind of emotions that had consumed me. As I walked down the stairs, I felt the weight of the cape settle around me like a protective shroud.As I reached the main hall, I found myself face to face with the maid I had treated poorly earlier. A pang of remorse tugged at me, and I hesitated. I felt the urge to apologize for my earlier behavior, to make amends for my impulsive actions.But I was also fighting with a sense of pride. Did I really need to apologize, I was the Alphas daughter anyways and they were all below me. The conflict within me wrestled with the desire to mend things and the pride that held me back.As
Gonzalo's POVThe engine roared as I sped towards my secluded hiding spot nestled within the woods, close to the cliff. The drive gave me a chance to collect my thoughts, to distance myself from the storm of emotions that brewed within the pack.I parked the car, the engine's growl reducing to a gentle hum as I turned it off. Stepping out, I was enveloped by the serenity of the forest. It was a place of solace, a sanctuary where I could shed the burdens of being an Alpha and simply be myself.I began to walk towards the woods, feeling the cool breeze caress my face, and the scent of pine and damp earth filling my senses. Soon, I found a spot where I could take a moment to gather my thoughts.With a deep breath, I allowed the transformation to take over, embracing the shift from human to wolf. The change was a familiar and comforting process, a reminder of my primal connection to the world around me.As a wo
Gonzalo's POVThe dark expanse of the forest swallowed me as I drove aimlessly through the woods, leaving the familiar Moonshade territory behind. My thoughts were a whirlwind of memories and uncertainties, tangled like the trees that surrounded me.I couldn't shake the memory of that heated encounter with Alpha Ralph—the first time he set foot in the Moonshade Pack. My father had taken me to discuss potential alliances, and we were met with Alpha Ralph's arrogance and disregard for authorityI remembered the searing anger that surged within me as Ralph arrogantly claimed Ruby as his mate, treating her like a possession. I knew in my gut that their union was not fated, and yet Ralph's sense of entitlement was infuriating. It was a storm waiting to erupt, a clash of wills that couldn't be avoided.In the presence of my father, the tension escalated. My father, ever the good guy, atte
Ruby's POVVincent excused himself, leaving me momentarily alone amidst the lively celebration. I took a moment to look around, realizing that despite being the alpha's daughter, I hadn't really connected with the pack on a personal level. This was an opportunity to change that.As the music played and the dance floor came alive once again, a young man approached me. He had a friendly smile and an inviting appearance. "Hello there," he greeted, extending his hand towards me. "I'm Ethan."I returned the smile, accepting his hand. "Nice to meet you, Ethan. I'm Ruby.""I know who you are." He said almost cutting me off. I looked at him, smiling weirdly."What I meant is that who doesn't know you, Ruby and how beautiful you are." He said. I sighed, he was doing a terrible job in trying to make up for his initial errorHe led me onto the dance floor, and soon we were swaying to t
Ruby's POVI approached the figure in the dim moonlight, a sudden chill grazed my arm, causing me to jolt and lose my balance. My heart raced as I instinctively caught myself, only to realize it was just a branch from a nearby tree that had brushed against my skin. A nervous chuckle escaped me. "Get a grip of yourself, Ruby."I stood up and cleaned my dress which was already stained with mud. I approached the figure, only to discover it was merely a tree shaped by the play of shadows. Frustration bubbled up within me, and I muttered a string of curses under my breath. "Of all the times to be jumpy..."I turned to head back towards the pack's territory, berating myself for my overactive imagination. But just as I began to walk away, I heard my name called again, echoing through the quiet night. Fear clenched my heart, and I froze. I strained my ears, trying to determine the source of the voice, but all that
Gonzalo's POVI released Ruby. "Calm down." I said to her again.Her eyes flashed with anger and fear. She spun swiftly and her hand collided with my face in a resounding slap. The sting was sharp, but I understood her anger."How dare you?" she said, her voice laced with betrayal.I touched my cheek, taking in her disbelief and anger. "It's not what you think."She regarded me with a mix of rage and skepticism, her arms crossed defensively. "Explain, then."I took a deep breath, searching for the right words. "I'm here to apologize, Ruby. To make amends for everything I did to you in the past."She scoffed, the disbelief still present in her eyes. "Apologize? Make amends? After all you've done?""I know I've hurt you," I admitted, "but I've changed. I want to do right by you, by everyone I've wronged.""You're only here for the competition, aren't you?" she accused, her voice cutting an
Ruby's POVI hesitated for a moment, glancing back to see if Gonzalo was still there. But the darkness swallowed any trace of him. He had vanished into the shadows. I turned my attention back to Max and Vincent as they walked ahead, heading back towards the territory. I followed them, a knot of worry forming in my stomach."Is there something you want us to know?" Max asked me, his voice carrying a stern note as we walked. The events of the night had taken an unexpected turn, and I wasn't sure how to explain it."No," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "I was just curious and wanted to see what was on the other side of the gate."Vincent's eyes bore into mine, and I could sense the seriousness in his gaze. As we reached the small door leading back into the territory, I looked over to Max. He was ordering the gate to be locked and stationed two guards in front of it. It was clear they were taking this matte
Ruby's POVI felt the lingering unease from Ethan's response as I walked away from Ethan. He had hurriedly left, clearly still affected by the incident. As I moved through the subdued gathering, the weight of Max's stern expression sat heavily on my mind. I needed to address the situation with him, to clear the air and make amends for my impulsive actions.I found Max still standing in the same spot, his gaze fixed on the distance. He seemed lost in thought, and I hesitated for a moment before approaching him. When I did, he turned to face me, his expression still serious,he was staring at Ethan as he walked away, he had obviously seen his weird reaction towards me."Well, that's becoming a thing," I said, attempting to lighten the atmosphere with a weak smile."He's a weirdo," Max remarked, his tone carrying a note of concern.I furrowed my brows in confusion. "What?""You might want t