TROY
For the next couple of seconds, I didn't want to believe what I'd just heard. No matter how many times the words echoed in my head, it didn't make any sense. Not only was it irrational, it was very well bordering on being almost inhumane and ruthless.
I took a little step back to really access thing. We didn't lack money, I didn't lack money and that was the most infuriating part.
But that price, fifty million for a barrier around our borders, was absurd. Even for us. Absurd couldn't even begin to properly articulate the thoughts and how I felt. And as I stood there watching Ruby turn away like I was nothing more than a stranger, one ugly thought clawed its way to the surface.
She was doing this to punish me.
When I'd headed out with Chris to finally find the solution we were looking for, I didn't think I was going to bump into Ruby. Hell, if someone had whispered the words into my ears, then best believe that I would have laughed their heads off. It had been a total shock to see her, but at this point, I think it was safe to say that her new character was surprising.
She'd changed, and I was handling it poorly. Too poorly if you asked me.
The man behind her, Austin, I guess had walked in on our conversation a little over a while ago, and truthfully, I wished he didn't. Maybe if he wasn't anywhere near here, Ruby would have given us a different price.
I wanted to tell myself that that would have made a difference, but seeing that the woman in front of me was nothing like the one I knew, I wouldn't be surprised if she'd turned us down the second time.
A small scuffle pulled my attention back to the present, and I figured it was Austin. He took a seat nearby and he was far too comfortable. Like that wasn't enough torture, he sat too close to Ruby, far too close. I told myself I hated him instantly, for his calm, for his proximity, and for the way he stood at her side like he belonged there.
Like I no longer did.
"For the number of lives that would be protected," Ruby said coolly, folding her arms, and drawing my attention back to her again. "It's cheap. If that's a problem, you're free to leave."
Her voice didn't waver, not even a little, and I just knew she meant business. I was still trying to get a grip on myself, when Chris's voice slid into my head through the link.
"That's not what she charges other packs, Alpha." I heard his voice loud and clear. "This is way too high."
"I know." My jaw tightened.
"Why do you think she's doing this?" He asked again.
"Revenge," it was pretty simple. I'd hurt her in the past, so she was getting her own lick back, and I feared it was hitting all the right spots.
"Fine," I said stiffly. "I'll take this to the council and get back to you. You should hear from me soon."
"Good for you." Ruby wasted no time in answering, and this time, she didn't look at me. Not once.
The moment we turned to leave, something twisted painfully in my chest. She hated me now, and there was literally no other explanation. Her actions were justified and I was paying for my sins from years ago.
The drive back to the pack seemed to drag, but somehow, we were able to arrive in time. I'd had barely settled into my office, before I called for a meeting with the council members. The council erupted the second I finished explaining.
The drive back to the pack seemed to drag, but somehow, we were able to arrive in time. I'd had barely settled into my office, before I called for a meeting with the council members. As I watched the file in, it was more than a hassle trying to keep my emotions in check. My nerves were all around the place and I could be even bring myself to sit down.
"Troy?" The sound of my name from one of the members was all it took to pull me back to the present. I didn't miss the concern in his tone, but I didn't care about that one bit. "What's going on? How did it go?"
"Bad." The word tumbled past my lips faster than lightning. "They're asking for fifty million."
"What?!" Another man yelled at the top of his voice. "That's outrageous! Fifty million? That's way too high!"
"Our sources say the Shield only charges Thirty million." Someone else chimed in. "Fifty million is way too high to protect our packs, that and for only a year."
"That's not even the worse part, the spokesperson for Shield is Ruby." A small sigh slid past my lips as I ran a hand through my hair. "She gave us that price."
"Ruby?" I hated the way her name on his lips. "Who's Ruby? You don't mean, your mate, do you?" Oh so now she's my mate.
"Yes, her. That Ruby. " I huffed, and a wave of silence settled between us immediately.
"And she gave you that amount?!" Father was the first to speak up, and he didn't sound pleased. "She's clearly doing this for revenge."
"That price is unacceptable," one of them snapped. "It's outrageous even!'
"She's your mate," another added. "Is she not?"
"And I lost her because of you," I laughed bitterly, before I added coldly. "Did you all forget that part?"
Silence followed after that. I honestly thought that was going to be the end of the meeting, until my father spoke.
"If she's the key to keeping this pack safe," his voice was low and almost remorseful. "..then you should make her your mate again."
"You think I didn't think of that?" I turned on him sharply. "That's not how it works. She won't agree."
"Then make her," my mother said, unfazed. "She owes it to this pack."
"No, mother." I stared at her. "She owes us nothing. Not after everything that's happened."
"She is still a member of this pack," my mother pressed. "Whether she agrees or not, she must help."
I stared at her after that. Maybe she hah a point, but it still didn't erase the past. I already knew, deep down, that this was the wrong way to go about it.
"You didn't marry Alana," my mother continued. "That alone proves our mistake, that we trusted the wrong people. Explain that to Ruby and she'll come back."
I said nothing, not because I didn't have anything to say, but because some part of me feared she wouldn't, no matter what we told her.
The version of Ruby I'd seen today wasn't one I thought I'd ever had to see. That night, sleep refused to come.
I tossed and turned, staring at the empty space beside me, the space that had always been hers. It had been five long tears and it still felt wrong without her there. I should have fought harder, I should have fought for her, for us. I should have stood my ground instead of bowing to pressure like a coward. If I had, Ruby would still be here. I would be happy and we wouldn't be in the mess we were right now. Heck, even the pack would be safe because knowing her, she would have protected it.
A knock broke the silence. I had barely asked whoever it was to come in before my father stepped inside.
"Troy." He called out slowly, and from how grave his tone sounded, I already knew I wasn't going to like what he was about to say. "We need to talk, son."
I sat up, already dreading this conversation. "About what?"
"It's about Ruby." If I had any bit of sleep lurking in my eyes, it was gone now. "I've heard rumors, and now that you mentioned meeting her and she's a part of the shield company, it all makes sense." He said carefully, his eyes studying me. I wanted to scream at him to let it out already. "A certain Alpha intends to wed Ruby. He wants to make her his Luna. But then again I could be wrong…"
I didn't speak immediately, not because I didn't know what to say, but because I was afraid what I was going to say would ruin things. I saw red, and it took everything in me to not punch a hole into the nearest wall.
"That's not going to happen." The growl tore out of my chest before I could stop it. "She's my Luna."
"That's my boy." My father smiled slowly. "Because if you let her go, our pack is not only finished, but she will belong to someone else."
"I won't let that happen." I clenched my fists. "She's not leaving me."
"Good, then make sure of it, my boy. Make her yours again." He finished with a puffed chest, before pulling the door open.
After he left, I stared into the darkness, something dangerous settling in my bones. Sleep was far from me right now, and in all honesty, there was no way I would be able to rest, knowing fully well that someone else was planning to take my Luna away from me.
She was never leaving, not again. If I had to drag her back kicking and screaming, If I had to chain fate itself, I was going to do it, but one thing was certain.
Ruby would be mine.