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 mind, causing discomfort, was the realization that the academy would be overseen by my ex-mate’s himself since his father was now buried six feet.
Adding to the complexity, student accommodation was within the Diamond Pack for security reasons. I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease, knowing I had to ensure Alex never removed his eye patch to safeguard his life, just to make sure Liam never found out about him.
As I contemplated Alex’s safety at the werewolf academy, the unsettling memory resurfaced-the incident when someone had tried to harm him by throwing him into the bushes as a baby. The identity of the assailant remained a mystery, adding another layer of concern to an already complicated situation. I knew I had to tread carefully and investigate the past if I wanted to secure Alex’s future in a place where danger could lurk in unexpected corners.
“Mum!” Alex screamed, and I heard his footsteps running. I turned around, and there he was, my son, wearing a bright smile that could light up the darkest room. His eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Mum, guess what?” he exclaimed, practically bouncing with joy. I looked at him, trying to match his enthusiasm.
“What happened, sweetheart?” I questioned him, faking my ignorance, as the excitement in his voice was contagious.
“The principal told me that you accepted the scholarship offer for me to go to the werewolf academy! Is it true?”
I couldn’t help but smile as I saw the hope and happiness in his eyes. The burden of providing him with the best possible future was lifted, at least for now, and all I had to do was make sure I had to make money and provide his other basic needs. I was about to answer him when his smile dropped, and I sensed the disappointment in his eyes.
“Oh, never mind; I’m sorry for asking,” he waved off, his back hunching down in sadness.
It’s all my fault; I made him feel this way.
“Alex- I”
“It’s alright, mom,” he said, catching me off guard. “I should have learned my lesson. I got my hopes up for nothing when I knew it was too good to be through anyway,” he muttered, turning to leave.
Guilt washed over me as I saw the hurt in his eyes. I wanted to bridge the gap and be the mother he deserved, but the wounds of the past seemed too great to overcome, and I knew I had to try harder.
Our relationship had never been good, and it was all my fault that we were never close. I often told him not to ask questions and was harsh in my responses, and this morning I had gone extra mile in hurting my son.
“Alex, I want you to go to the werewolf acedemy.” I practically screamed, calling him back, a mix of emotions swirling within me, and he turned back to face me.
“I had a long talk with your principal, and I am sorry for not allowing you to go all this way. Alex, I know we haven’t been close, and I’ve been harsh. But this is an opportunity for you, and I want you to make the most of it, and I won’t be the one to stop you,” I said, my voice carrying a rare tenderness. He looked at me, and for a moment, vulnerability replaced his usual happiness.
“Really mum? I don’t have to if you don’t want; I can always go to the school every other child attends in the pack.”
“You are my baby, and you deserve the best. You are very hardworking and earned what you deserved, so I would be a fool to stop you. Here, baby,” I pulled out the toy he had always liked, hoping it would bring a smile to his face.
Alex stood there, his eyes widening with surprise as he looked at the toy in my hands. The room fell silent for a moment, and I could see a range of emotions crossing his face: disbelief, curiosity, and a glimmer of hope. With a hesitant smile, I extended the toy towards him, hoping it would bridge the gap between us, even if just a little.
“I thought you might like this,” I said softly. The air felt heavy with unspoken words as we stood there, the toy hanging in the balance of our strained relationship.
“Really, Mum? This toy is very expensive. Only the high-ranking children can afford it.” Alex’s voice held a mixture of surprise and excitement, and I nodded, managing a small smile.
If you haven’t guessed, today was my last day working at Danny’s restaurant. No, I wasn’t fired because of what had happened, as Danny would never agree, but since I accepted Alex’s scholarship, I had to quit immediately.
There’s no way I would allow him to go alone with someone else, and Danny was kind enough to give me my pay and an extra tip for doing nothing.
That woman was an angel, and I used almost half of my paycheck to buy Alex this toy, and I was happy he liked it.
“Yeah, I thought it might be something you’d enjoy; don’t worry about the cost and enjoy it.” He took the toy, inspecting it with wide eyes.
“Thank you, Mom; you are the best.”
This was a small moment of exchange, but I sensed a glimmer of connection-a fragile thread between our mother-son bond that had weathered storms.
“Now go prepare yourself. We will be leaving tomorrow. It’s going to be a long journey, so get yourself ready, son,” I said, patting his head lovingly, and I watched him run to our room happily playing with his toy.
I felt so proud to have such an intelligent son, as the acceptance to the werewolf academy meant a chance for him to excel, but the thought of him meeting his father had me rethinking my whole decision.
“Ruby, you’ve made a difficult decision for Alex’s future.” I heard the voice of my grandmother say, and I gazed up to see her. She gave me a soft smile, walking towards me, and there was a softness in her eyes, a reassurance, and she placed her weathered hand on mine, squeezing it gently.
“Grandma, when did you come back?”
“About thirty minutes ago,” she grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischievousness, and I realised that all along she had watched the exchange between me and my son.
“It may feel lonely now, but remember, you’ve given him a chance to grow and find his path. In all our seven years together, this is the most I am proud of you, my dear.”
“Will you be alright alone, grandma?” I asked, feeling a mixture of sadness and gratitude for having her in my life all these years as my pillar of strength, but knowing that despite the challenges, there was a glimmer of hope for my son’s future made me smile.
“Of course I will, and I have a small gift for you.” She grinned, bringing out a box wrapped in red fabric.
“I better not regret this decision,” I muttered to myself as I opened the box to see a book inside it.
******
The air was thick with tension as we walked through the scrutinising gazes. A hushed murmur swept through the crowd, like a dark undercurrent echoing the prejudice that had haunted me before. My grip tightened on Alex’s hand, an attempt to provide him with a sense of security in this hostile atmosphere.
“Mum, why are they staring?” Alex asked through our mindlink, his innocent eyes searching for an explanation, while I offered a reassuring smile.
“We’re just new here, sweetheart. Besides, people get curious when they see a star like you, but don’t worry, we’ll try to make this place our home, okay?”
“Okay,”
“And remember the things I told you. Firstly, I am your nanny, not your mother. Secondly, make sure you never trust anyone and tell them your real name. Also, never remove your eye patches. Is that clear?”
“Yes, nanny,” he replied, nodding his head, and I could see sadness clouding his eyes.
Although it hurt me so much not to hear him address me as mom, I knew this was for the best. I had told him before we left some rules and regulations he must follow to ensure his safety, and he shouldn’t dare make the mistake of calling me mom in front of anyone until I was sure he was safe enough to do so.
“Good boy”
Arriving at the Diamond Pack made me feel nervous, with a mix of anticipation and anxiety, but luckily for us, Anna Alex’s principal was kind enough to send us a representative to help us settle down.
We met her at the entrance, and she greeted us warmly, introducing herself as Sarah and offering assistance in helping us settle in. The journey was tiring, but Sarah’s welcoming attitude helped ease the tension.
We walked further into the diamond pack, the murmurs of the crowd growing louder as curious eyes followed our every move. I tightened my grip on Alex’s hand, shielding him from the prying gazes, as I couldn’t help but feel nausea as we walked through familiar surroundings.
“Witch!” A distant voice rang out, sharp and cutting through the silence, making me pause on my feet and feel a cold chill down my spine.
“You witch,” The voice repeated the derogatory word, causing goosebumps to fill my skin as the venomous words sliced through the air.
The voice was foreign yet familiar, carrying the cold resentment of someone who harboured a grudge. Panic gripped my heart, and I instinctively tightened my hold on Alex, shielding him from the potential threat.
“Where’s my son?”
Who was that, and who was her son?
“Stop acting all innocent, you wicked soul. Where’s Andrew, and why did you kill him?” The voice continued, each word laced with bitterness and hatred.
Andrew? Andrew was her son? Fuck.
My mind raced, trying to identify the person talking, but the crowd remained a sea of hostile faces. The threat was real, and the mention of Andrew sent a chill through my veins.
“As long as I am alive, I will make sure that I take yours along with me. Revenge is a dish best served cold, and for seven years, I had planned on a million ways to kill your son.” The voice said before disappearing, and I held Alex’s hands tightly like my life depended on it because they actually did.
I would be nothing without my little boy.