Ruby's POV
I barely made it to the edge of the bed before my knees buckled beneath me, exhaustion sweeping through every limb like a wave.
Me? The mate of a god? What kind of cruel cosmic joke was this?
There had to be a mistake. I wasn't special. Just a plain wolf from an ordinary pack. I shifted when I was fifteen, kept to myself, and stayed away from the wild parties and one-night heat flings. I always told myself I was waiting for my true mate but now I wondered if I was just hiding from the fact that no one had ever really wanted me.
People didn't exactly call me beautiful. And fine I wasn't the smoothest in a crowd. But I used to tell myself I was single because I chose to be, not because no one had ever looked at me the way I wanted to be looked at.
But then he looked at me with those impossibly sharp blue eyes that held a promise I couldn't decipher. A promise... or a warning. And those lips soft, full, the color of deep crimson. Just the memory made me shudder.
And don't get me started on that body. No, wait he's a literal god. Of course, his body would look like it was carved from moonstone.
I let out a shaky breath and buried my face in my hands. I had to hold myself together. Falling apart now wouldn't help anyone, especially not my family. If no when I escaped, he'd probably come after me, hunt me down like prey. Hell, he might even use my parents as leverage to drag me back.
I closed my eyes tightly.
Why do you want to run? my wolf asked gently.
Because he's dangerous, I snapped back. He kidnaps, kills, and takes what he wants.
My wolf nudged against the mental wall I'd built up, so I let her through.
But how do you know that's the truth? she challenged. Maybe you should give him a chance.
Did you not see the way he acted? I hissed. Told us we couldn't leave, but refused to claim us. He can't just toy with us, teach us how to "use our bodies," and then toss us aside like a lesson plan. I don't want a mate like that.
It hurt, speaking harshly about someone who was supposed to be mine. But I couldn't let myself ignore the truth. We couldn't lie to ourselves, not even for a second of comfort.
What kind of life would I have with someone like him? Would he ever mark me? Or would I just be trapped stuck by his side, hidden from the world, a mate in name only?
No. I didn't deserve that. No one did.
I wanted love. A real love. Maybe not perfect, maybe messy and wild, but real. And I didn't care if that made me naive. He didn't even get a trial in my head I met him after his pack stole me away. That wasn't a meet-cute. That was an abduction.
And what about Lily? And the other girls? Were they safe? Alive?
Panic surged through me. I forced myself off the bed and headed for the door well, I tried to. The moment I stepped forward, it felt like something yanked me back.
"What the hell?" I muttered, scowling.
It was like hitting an invisible wall. I couldn't move beyond a certain point. Was this what vampires felt like in The Vampire Diaries when they couldn't enter a house uninvited? Damn, this sucked.
He told me to stay and just like that, I couldn't leave. What was I now, a pet? Should I roll over and wait for belly rubs?
And then there was that language he spoke the strange one. He acted like I couldn't understand him, but I did. How? Was that something he did to me?
Eventually, I gave up on the door and started inspecting the room. It was huge, lavish, cold. I noticed the only window had thick silver drapes. When I pulled them back, I almost cursed out loud.
Steel blinds. Closed and locked into the frame like a damn prison.
Great. Iron bars dressed up in silk curtains.
I scanned the rest of the room sleek black couch, cabinets, a desk, some abstract paintings, and mirrors that felt more decorative than useful. There were no personal touches no photos, no books, nothing to tell me who he really was.
Maybe this wasn't even his room. Maybe he had another one shared with someone else.
Someone he wanted.
My wolf growled at the thought.
I swear, I'll rip her throat out. Or his balls off. Whichever I reach first.
She was pissed. So was I, though I tried to act like I wasn't.
But let's be honest I was lying to myself.
Just picturing some mystery woman running her hands over his chest, tugging his dark hair I clenched my fists.
He may be frustrating. He may be dangerous. But he was mine.
I flopped back onto the bed, arms spread, not even bothering to smell his clothes. I wasn't about to get caught sniffing my captor's boxers like some obsessed freak. I lifted my legs and stared at my bare feet.
Where the hell were my shoes?
How long had I been here hours? Days?
Where was I?
"Let's make a list," I told my wolf. She perked up immediately.
What should we call it? she asked.
"Hmm. How about... 'Shit I Should Have Done to Stay Alive'?"
She snorted in approval.
I held up my fingers, counting each one.
"One I don't know where I am.
Two I don't know why I'm here.
Three I don't remember how I got here.
Four no clue where my family is.
Five I don't understand why a freaking god ended up being my mate when I'm just a regular-ass wolf.
Six I don't know what day it is.
Seven I don't know what's going to happen to me.
Eight I have no idea what my scary, stupidly hot mate is thinking.
Nine I don't understand half the crap he's been saying.
Ten..."
My stomach growled loud enough to make the silence seem rude.
"Ten I don't know when the hell they're going to feed me."
Honestly, that last one felt the most urgent.
I've always loved my wolf.
She wasn't just some mystical presence buried deep inside me she was my constant. My best friend. My sanity when the world tilted sideways. I was never truly alone with her curled inside my chest.
Okay… I know that sounds weird.
Still, I didn't expect anyone to come for me soon. I figured I'd be stuck in that room for days, maybe weeks, ignored and forgotten like some unwanted object.
So when the door suddenly opened and he walked in Zaliver I was too stunned to move. A second man followed him inside, his eyes sharp and green like jungle leaves, and something about him screamed danger.
I instantly shot up, heart pounding, eyes darting between them.
"You," I spat, locking eyes with the green-eyed stranger. He was tall, nearly as tall as Zaliver, and stood with an odd mix of arrogance and unease.
Zaliver just stared at me like I was the one causing the problem arms behind his back, jaw clenched, unreadable. Why was he looking at me like that?
The green-eyed man stepped forward and gave me a tight smile that didn't reach his wary eyes. "My name is Albericus. I "
"That sounds like... Algebraicus. Like algebra. You know, math," I blurted without thinking.
His smile dropped into something less than friendly. I winced.
Nice, Ruby. Real smooth.
"No. Not like algebra, little girl," he growled, his voice sharp and irritated.
I tilted my head and narrowed my eyes. I don't care what he says his name still reminds me of equations. And I hate math.
"I mean... are you sure? It really "
"If you end up " he muttered something under his breath.
"Enough," Zaliver's voice cut through the air like a blade.
We both shut up immediately, like kids scolded by an angry parent. Zaliver gave me one last lingering look before turning toward the door.
"Follow."
My legs didn't wait for my brain. I moved.
The hallway was dim, and every step echoed through the silence. I didn't know where we were or how big this place was. All I knew was that Albericus stalked behind me and Zaliver led the way with the poise of someone used to being followed and obeyed.
"Where are we going?" I asked, voice uncertain.
Nothing.
"Where are you taking me?" I tried again, a little louder this time.
Still nothing.
I let out a heavy sigh. So, the silent treatment it was. Fine.
As we walked, the halls twisted like a maze left, right, down, then up. Everything looked the same: blank walls, polished floors, and no sign of life. No sounds. No scent of other wolves. Just us and the whisper of our steps.
Were they taking me somewhere to talk? Or... to finish me off?
The thought made my stomach twist.
I glanced over my shoulder and caught Albericus watching me. I turned away quickly and focused on Zaliver's broad back.
What did he plan to do with me if he didn't want me as his mate? If he refused to let me go... what was left?
My heart thundered. I needed a plan. My wolf growled low in protest, but I ignored her. Right now, survival was my priority.
We stopped in front of a large, gray metal door. The hallway stretched on, but a massive chest sat just beyond the frame, blocking any view of what lay ahead. Zaliver looked down at me, and when the heavy door creaked open, he stepped aside like I was expected to go in first.
The room inside was bright, sterile. The walls were white, but the floor was raw concrete. My eyes landed on a single object against the far wall.
A chair.
Not just any chair the chair. Thick straps on the arms. Buckles at the feet. My blood ran cold.
"Oh hell no," I breathed, backing up immediately. "No, no, no."
My pulse shot up. I turned to flee and slammed straight into a solid chest. His warmth hit me instantly, but I pushed away from it, refusing to believe Zaliver would put me in a room like this. He wouldn't. He couldn't.
"Sit in the chair," he said, voice low, commanding.
And just like before... my body obeyed. I fought it gods, I screamed and clawed at the invisible force that made me move but it didn't matter. My feet dragged across the floor until I collapsed into the seat, trembling.
Tears spilled down my cheeks. My throat tightened as panic flooded every inch of me.
"How could you?" I sobbed. "I haven't done anything wrong!"
Zaliver stepped in front of me, tall and cold and beautiful in a way that made my chest ache. I hated how much I wanted to trust him. My mate. My captor.
"Quiet," he said softly.
I bit back a sob, barely managing a shaky breath. My arms felt numb, my limbs heavy. I tried wiping my face, but my body wouldn't respond.
Albericus lingered by the door, expression grim. Zaliver hadn't strapped me down but I was still trapped, pinned by a power I didn't understand.
"I'm not going to hurt you," Zaliver said, voice clipped with irritation. "This isn't a torture session, Ruby. It's just... the fastest way to get the truth."
The way he said my name made my heart twist.
"I need to know what you know. Who you're connected to. I can't have you near me if I can't trust you."
My lips trembled.
"This won't hurt... but it will drain you," he added, softer this time. "I hope "
He stopped himself. His expression flickered just for a moment but then he pulled back into that cool, unreadable shell.
I hope... you're not lying?
I hope... this doesn't break you?
I hope... you're not a traitor?
Whatever it was, he didn't say it.
I sat there, shaking, frozen in the chair as that invisible weight held me down.
And all I could think was
I hope you're still my mate when this is over.
I hope I'm still me.