It had been a week since Han confessed his feelings to Ruby.
A week since they had such an intimate relationship at the lake.
The memory of that day still replayed in Ruby's mind, like she was reliving that day, over and over.
Her fingers would sometimes touch her lips, as if she was feeling his lips for the first time. When she remembered such a feeling, she would smile.
She had never felt something like that seen before. Never felt something so close to being loved by someone.
And even now, as she did the dishes, her mind went back to the lake.
Ruby had secretly loved Han from day one. She loved everything about him.
The way he protected her when others mocked and shunned her in different ways.
The way he looked at her with those soft eyes that made her feel special.
She had loved him in secret for as long as she could remember. Always watching him from a distance, her cheeks growing warm Everytime he defended or even stared at her.
Han professing his love to her...it had been like a miracle.
Something she had never dreamt to happen.
And yet, it had happened.
Ever since that day at the lake, they had been seeing each other in secret.
Always at the lake.
It was the only place no one would find them....it was hidden and quiet.
The calm water, the breeze, the way the sunlight would penetrate though the trees' defence and scatter, it was a sight to behold.
And it was theirs.
They both loved the feeling that came with being there.
Han had finally summoned the courage and will to tell his father….The Alpha. About their relationship.
It wasn't a sudden decision, they had talked about it. How they planned it. Planned what Han would say, how he would go and how Ruby would be introduced.
Ruby had made sure he was certain. That he truly wanted to do all of this.
"Are you sure?" she had asked him, her voice shaky with uncertainty.
He didn't respond to her question.
He looked at her…..really looked at her like he was seeing something new for the first time…..his eyes were full of emotion. The expression on his face made Ruby almost forget her question.
Then came his kiss. Passionate and soft. Unexpected but wanted.
He didn't need to reply to her question,
She already knew his answer.
He was ready.
Han walked with determination, his footsteps firm and wide as he walked towards the large compound…..the Alpha's house. His father's house.
He knew he wanted to do this.
No….. he needed to do this.
He had loved Ruby for as long as he could remember, despite the stories he heard, despite the mockery she faced. None of that mattered to him.
He had never cared.
All that mattered was her. Ruby.
The thought of their moment by the lake. The way her skin felt when he touched her, the way she held onto him like he was her life line.
He smiled softly at the memory, totally lost in it.
So lost in the memory….. he didn't see the person coming.
He bumped into the person, and they stumbled backward.
His eyes cleared, and he looked up…only for his mind to go completely blank.
His own words failed him. His tongue couldn't arrange the words for him and his thoughts were scattered.
"So…..sor…..so…" he stammered, trying to force the apology out of his mouth.
The person in front of him giggled at him struggling.
She was beautiful, striking in a way that would capture most eyes and keep them locked. She was wearing a simple white dress that made her angelic…..in Hans' own words.
Something inside Han was finally at peace like he had just found his…..
Fated mate.
Without any doubt, they both knew.
They were meant for each other. That fate brought them together .
Small interaction between them. But they both knew it was more than that, something deeper than what someone could explain.
Han stretched out after a while of small talk and then took her hand, and the moment he touched her skin, he felt a sudden electric feeling move through him. Her angelic touch sent a warm feeling around his body.
Evelyn. That was her name.
Han barely remembered walking the rest of the way to the Alpha's compound .
His heart was pounding, his thoughts were spinning, but he held strong to her hand like it his own life line.
When they entered his father's chamber, the Alpha was seating with a few elders gathered around him. Han didn't hesitate even for a second.
He stepped forward, his head high, and introduced Evelyn to them.
There was no need for explanation.
The elders too saw it instantly. They recognized their glow, the unmistakable connection of fated mates. Most of them had felt it themselves once in their life, many in their young years.
They nodded in understanding. No questions asked. No doubts presented.
Then afterwards came the smiles...the cheers.
Ruby was still working in the kitchen when the sound of cheers erupted from the Alpha's inner compound.
It was loud and joyful. So Full of excitement.
She paused at the sound, her hands still deep in the soapy water as she look towards the open window.
A cheer like that could only mean one thing…..something big had happened in the Alpha's compound.
And no celebration was bigger than the one Han had promised her.
Her cheeks felt warm as a smile formed on her lips.
She quickly rinsed off the remaining set of utensils and wiped her hands on a towel beside her.
She looked down at her blue silk, which was stained with oil and dust and she tried her best to smoothen the cloth. It wasn't much, but she wanted to at least look presentable.
She pushed her hair backward, as the feeling of excitement crawled up in her. She left the kitchen and head toward the sound of happiness.
Just as Ruby was about to step into the Alpha's chamber, a hand gently grabbed hers and pulled her back.
She turned quickly, confused for a second but the moment she saw him, her heart pounded faster.
"Han," she sighed, the smile on her face grew wider.
But just as it came it disappeared.
Han wasn't smiling.
He held a serious look, but still trying to avoid her eyes.
"Han?" she called softly, worry building up in her.
He sighed and then ran a hand through his hair, still trying to avoid her gaze.
"Um…..Ruby….. I didn't tell him," he murmured.
Her brows came together. "Why?" she asked him, her eyes locked on him, searching his face.
He finally turned and looked at her…but something in his eyes made her scared.
They weren't the eyes of the boy who held her closely back at the lake.
They were different.
"I'm sorry, Ruby…." He said, his voice barely above whisper.
"I met my fated mate today."