Ruby's POV
The agony of rejecting Maverick tore through me like wildfire, but I forced myself to remain upright until he completed the severing. Our girls needed at least one parent to survive this nightmare.
When Maverick accepted my rejection, it felt as though someone had carved away half my essence with a jagged blade. My lifespan seemed to shrink in that instant, leaving me teetering on death's threshold.
The torment overwhelmed me completely. My legs buckled, but instead of hitting the cold ground, strong arms caught me. This stranger's scent wrapped around me like a balm, and his embrace somehow began mending what felt irreparably broken.
"How is this possible?" My voice trembled against his chest. "Why now?"
"I wish I had answers. The timing seems impossible, yet I've learned to trust that fate has its reasons. Something called me to this territory today. I had no business being here, but an overwhelming pull dragged me to your pack. Now I understand why."
