Ruby had just finished trimming the leaves in front of the Alpha's compound, the hot sun brought sweat that dropped down her face. She wiped her hands on the hand of her dirty cloth and picked up a small basket she always used when she was to go for errands.
Today, she was to go into the village to collect some spices and vegetables from the village market and then return to the Alpha's house before it was evening.
She made sure she kept her head low and moved her legs quickly. Her boots didn't dare make any sound as walked towards the center of Vestia.
As she walked she heard voices in the form of gossip, their words filled with hate as she passed them and she wasn't surprised at all.
"There she goes....the cursed one." They said as she passed
"She should have been sent out the pack years ago." Another said
"If only the Alpha wasn't soft."
Ruby didn't look up. She learned a long time ago, that trying to defend herself or staring them back would only hurt her more. So she kept quiet and just went on.
Why was things like this?
Why do people hate her?
She was a hybrid, the village elders had found out and the news spread round the pack and for this she was labeled as a curse, she was blamed for every bad thing that happened in the pack.
And what's worse?
Her parents had died protecting her and instead of everyone praising their sacrifice, that became another reason for her to be labelled as the curse of veista.
A group of wolves, all of them around her age, walked across her path not too far from where she was heading to. She slowed almost immediately, hoping they would just ignore her and go on their way.
But karma always had the best treatment for her.
They didn't ignore her.
Instead one of them walked into her way and blocked her path.
"Watch it, freak," he spat on her and pushed her shoulder hard enough to hurt her.
Ruby stumbled back and caught herself before she fell. She gasps a little but did nothing more than that, at least not to annoy them.
But it didn't matter.
"Can't even fight back," another mused. "She's just a pet for the Alpha's family."
More laughter erupted around the friends. Her fingers gripped the basket's handle harder and her were knuckles turning white from her tight she was holding the basket.
Still, she didn't say anything.
No one would defend her if she did. No one ever did
Except him.
"Enough!" a familiar voice spoke from behind the group.
Ruby's heart jolted. Not in fear or anger but in excitement.
She knew that voice.
Han. The Alpha's son.
The group in front of her stiffened immediately, upon hearing his voice. Their mocking faces went pale immediately.
Han stepped from behind them. He was tall, so he could easily shadow them. His black leather wear made him, even more dreadful. His eyes, were cold and his expression was full of clear warning. He stood in front of Ruby and and before the group staring at them with a sharp glare.
"Is this how you treat someone in this pack, is this how you were taught?" he asked, bringing in his practiced tone.
"No.....Han," one of them managed to speak.
"Then move," he commanded them and almost immediately they disappeared like they were never there to start with.
Ruby stood still, her legs were shaking, but she didn't move. She didn't know if to thank him or to pretend he didn't see the way she was being humiliated and didn't do anything about it.
Han let out air and turned round to face her. The expression on his face had turn a soft look.
"Did they hurt you?" he asked her as he searched round her body for marks.
She shook her head, trying to avoid looking into his eyes "No."
He tilted his head, trying to search for her eyes. "Ruby..." he called her softly.
"I'm fine," she said quickly, forming a smile on her lips. "Thank you...Han."
He looked down and frowned a little when he saw the basket in her hands.
"Where are you heading to?" He asked as if oblivious to the answer.
"I'm on an errand for the...."
Before she could finish speaking, Han took her by the hand and began leading her.
"Wait a minute Han…..I have to ….."
Han didn't listen to her protest, he just kept leading her.
Ruby had no idea where they were heading. At some point she gave up protesting and just let him lead her.
At least it was away from the eyes. The piercing eyes.
The ones Han never seemed to look at her with.
After a while Ruby felt a cold breeze crawl up her body. A cool feeling. One she recognized from when she was young.
It was the lake.
It was on the outskirts of the territory, past the training grounds and deep into the woods. Not many knew this place, as no one was meant to even go near the outskirts of Viesta.
"Here we are," he finally spoke.
Ruby couldn't say anything. She just stared.
It was beautiful. The trees allowed the sunlight in, forming different beams of light that reflected off the lake and gave it a special feeling. It was silent, as if this was the animal sacred temple.
Too scared for anyone to disturb. And Han had brought her here.
Why?
She removed her hand and stood a few feet from him, confusion written on her face. "Why did you ask me here?"
Han stopped and then walked back towards her, closing the distance slowly. "Because I wanted to see you. Without the stares. Without all the noise."
Ruby's heart beat pounded faster. She tried to speak, to form something in her mouth, but nothing came out.
He looked at her, as if he was looking deeper than just her face and he stared at her with those steady brown eyes. "Ruby...I've been thinking about something. About us."
She blinked, confusion clear on her face. "Us?"
Han nodded in reply. "I don't care what the others say. I don't care that you're a hybrid. You're more than what they say. You've always been."
Her lips closed, her chest tightened, she felt warm on her cheeks. "Han….." the only word she could form
Han stretched and reached for her hand slowly and for a moment, she forgot everything around her. She forgot the whispers, the chores, the loneliness she had all this while. Everything came to a pause.
"Let me be with you," he said softly. "Let me tell my father. I want you, Ruby. I want you Ruby as my mate."
She looked up at him, her eyes wide, searching his face for a hint of mockery in it. But there was none.
She didn't know what to say, she just felt happy at his words. She couldn't stop the feeling.
She felt his lips on hers and she didn't fight back. She never wanted to.
She didn't fight back when she felt her dirty silk leave her shoulders and drop on the leafy ground.
She didn't fight back when her back gently lay on the dead leaves.
She just closed her eyes and continued spinning with the world around her.
Her body urged her like she had been waiting for this her whole life.
Indeed she had.