Ruby.
The heavy thud of the closing door sealed me within a chaotic whirlwind of emotions, triggered by the unexpected arrival of a man who I had never expected to meet-not in this life or next-and who was supposedly my second chance mate.
Why moon goddess? Why.
Memories of my past experience surged forth, stirring a maelstrom of conflicting feelings I had long buried and reminding me of the need to prepare myself for a second rejection and heartache of betrayal.
It was inevitable.
My heart raced erratically, torn between disbelief and a bizarre sense of recognition evoked by this unexpected alpha’s presence, and I was taken aback trying to process everything that happened. His scent carried an unfamiliar twist, stirring restlessness within my wolf, a yearning for an unexplainable connection that now seemed to make sense.
I didn’t know when I had held the door in hopes for him to come back and take me along with me, but I was certain that my wolf had taken advantage of my vulnerability and taken control of my body. Thankfully, she didn’t run after him out of the remaining little dignity we had left and could only howl and whimper in pain.
My hands pressed against the door trembled as I struggled to steady my thoughts amidst the turmoil raging within-an acute pang of rejection pierced through; this alpha hadn’t acknowledged me, instead solely focused on his daughter’s frightened pleas.
Angel, she had called me?
My mind was a whirlwind of questions, confusion swirling within. Who is this alpha everyone fears? Is that truly his daughter? Does he have a mate, and if so, who is her mother? Why do I feel connected to him, and is it just a mistake born out of my wolf instincts? The uncertainty left me feeling uneasy and lost.
I hated the fact that I could feel an inexplicable pull towards someone who had unfortunately ignored my existence, or, should I say, fortunately?
I didn’t need any drama anyway.
“What are you waiting for? Go get her!” Lilith shouted, snapping me back to reality. The men, who were scared a moment ago, quickly got up.
I thought she had understood, and I could finally leave. But her eyes showed a dark intensity, hinting at the struggles she had just faced. She wanted to get back at me.
“Capture her!” Lilith commanded, her voice sending a shiver through the tense air as she stood up with a commanding presence.
As soon as Lilith gave her final order, my whole world fell apart, and the calm room turned into a chaotic battleground. The men, who had just kneeled in front of me, now grabbed my hands with a mix of fear and determination.
Their faces showed the inner struggle between staying loyal to their Luna and the fear of the unknown power they thought I had. Their grip was tough, and I fought hard to break free, my muscles straining against their strong hold.
With each passing second, the tension grew, and my heart raced, echoing my rising desperation. Lilith’s voice pierced through the chaos, filled with malice: “Put her in the cell! I command you.” Her words hung in the air, carrying a threat of consequences if they didn’t obey.
Desperation consumed me, and the fear of breaking free overwhelmed me. I looked at Daniel, the beta, begging for help. His eyes showed uncertainty, torn between loyalty and worry.
“There’s no need for this,” Daniel pleaded, his voice shaky. Lilith’s demand grew stronger, her gaze unwavering. “I’ll reward your loyalty generously if you follow my command. We must contain her powers; she’s a threat to us all.” She declared to the men, and her eyes narrowed at Daniel, a sinister smile playing on her lips.
“Arrest him too,” she commanded, pointing at Daniel.
“He’s committed treason by standing with her.”
The men hesitated, glancing at each other, and I saw the conflict in their eyes. Daniel’s face mirrored shock and betrayal. Lilith’s voice cut through the tension, cold and calculated.
“No don’t. Your beta is innocent,” I cried as guilt threatened to consume me for bringing Daniel into my mess also.
“He’s not exempt. Throw him in a cell for betraying the pack.” The air thickened with tension as the men reluctantly moved to carry out her orders.
My mind raced with options, pushing me to try using my newfound power. It felt like a confusing mix of good and bad in this tough moment.
Was it a blessing or a curse? I couldn’t decide because I hadn’t learned to control it yet. What happened earlier might have been a coincidence, as the power seemed to fade.
As I was led away, just as I braced myself for what was coming, I glimpsed the Alpha’s eyes at the end of the hallway, holding his little daughter. He was in the shadows, but his piercing blue eyes stood out. I couldn’t miss the sadness and confusion in his gaze, mirroring my own turmoil. Despite the trouble I was in, I found myself admiring the beauty of his eyes and wishing to see his whole face.
I tried to push away distracting thoughts, telling myself it wasn’t the time to admire the Alpha’s face. I forced my focus onto Lilith, revelling in her apparent victory, but my mind kept drifting to the haunting gaze of the Alpha, who unexpectedly played a big role in my twisted fate.
Seeing the little girl in his arms made me think of my own son. A determination surged in me, replacing my confusion. I had to find a way out before my son returned from school. He had no one to look after him, and there was no one trustworthy in this pack, not to mention the lurking danger.
The men pulled me down the dark hallway, their rough grips leaving painful marks on my arms. I heard distant footsteps echoing, making the journey even more unsettling. The flickering lights above created strange shadows on the cold floor, highlighting the harsh reality of my confinement.
At the end of the right hallway, they opened a heavy metal door, revealing a small, dimly lit cell. The musty smell inside turned my stomach. They shoved me in, and the door slammed shut, leaving me alone in the oppressive darkness. Despair washed over me, and the feeling of being trapped lingered.
The cold, damp air stuck to my skin as I sat on the filthy cell floor, surrounded by the unsettling sounds of rodents. Soon, I heard the sound of heels clicking, and Lilith’s silhouette appeared at the cell door, her eyes gleaming with malicious glee and her smirk visible in the dim light.
“Why are you doing this?” I shouted, my voice echoing in the confined space.
“Because I can. Enjoy your stay, Ruby. This is where you belong,” she sneered, her laughter reverberating in the grim space.
I clenched my fists, fighting against the overwhelming sense of hopelessness. The darkness seemed to press in from all sides, suffocating any flicker of resilience within me.
Despite the dire circumstances, I was determined to endure and rise above this cruelty simmering beneath the surface, a flame that refused to be extinguished.
“Why don’t you ask the little girl, and she will tell you I saved her? Is it a crime to be an angel?” I questioned, my voice echoing through the cold, damp cell while Lilith’s cruel laughter danced in the air.
“Oh, Ruby, you were always so predictable. Can’t you see that your suffering brings me immense pleasure? You think I am doing this because I care about the little girl? On the contrary, she is the daughter of Alpha Damian, our biggest enemy, and this would be an opportunity to make him an ally, and I thank you for giving me that opportunity. I guess you aren’t useless at the end,” she sneered, revelling in the torment she orchestrated.
Alpha Damian? That was his name? Even his name was beautiful, I thought, and my wolf howled in agreement.
“Just let me go, and I will never cross your path again,” I said, staring back, defiance flickering in my eyes despite the overwhelming sense of powerlessness.
“I did that, but you came back. I won’t be making that mistake twice. I would end you this time. Tomorrow evening, you’ll be stripped naked and flogged publicly for daring to harm Alpha Damian’s daughter, and it would be an opportunity for me to get back at you for daring to use black magic against me.” Lilith’s malicious grin widened as she relished the anticipation of my impending punishment.
This twisted game of revenge and cruelty had just started, and I prepared for the storm ahead. Fear ran through me, but beneath it, a determined fire sparked. I wouldn’t let her break me. I had to endure this unfair punishment and protect my son, now caught up in the pack’s complicated politics.
“You’ll learn your place, Ruby, and I hope your dark magic can save you,” Lilith sneered, savouring what she thought was a victory. Her words hung in the air, each one a cruel reminder of the suffering ahead. Dread gripped my chest, and the harsh reality of my situation sank in. Lilith walked away, leaving me in the dim cell, knowing my torment was far from over.
My hands shook as I gripped the damp, rusty bars of the cell, feeling despair weigh on me like a heavy cloak. The smell of decay mixed with the cold air, and Lilith’s distant laughter echoed, haunting the background.
Exhausted and parched, I sat in the dimly lit cell for what felt like forever, the rusted bars feeling cold against my trembling hands. Dizziness blurred my vision, making the world spin. The distant sound of footsteps reached my ears, faint and echoing.
Who was there? Lilith?
What does she want now? Don’t tell me it was time to receive my punishment.
It was hard to know the difference between day and night as there was no window, so I strained to focus, trying to discern reality from the doubling images before me as a figure emerged from the shadows.
It was Liam, the man whose path I never wanted to cross, and his steel eyes, once filled with warmth, reflected a mixture of concern, regret, guilt, and something I couldn’t quite decipher as he observed my weakened state.
My heart almost stopped beating as I observed his gaze lingering on my malnourished figure, and the complex array of emotions of guilt and regret never left his eyes, making me surprised by his sudden change of attitude, and I would have scoffed if not for my tired state.
He did this to me. He practically ruined my life. How dare he look at me like that?
Silence stretched between us, heavy with the weight of our shared history. History was over, and the only thing left between us was revenge. I wanted to take revenge on him and his lover, Lilith. I would ruin them the same way they ruined me.
“I didn’t expect to see you in such a state,” he finally muttered, his voice tinged with a hint of remorse.
“Go fuck yourself.”
I managed to respond with the only word that came to mind. My throat was dry as the world around me swayed, and I clung to the bars for support.
“Go fuck yourself, dear Liam.” I repeated.