CHAPTER TWELVE

Life at Greyhound Pack was going smoothly for Ruby. With Linda's help and the little money she had gotten from Betty and Dorian, she managed to rent an apartment for herself. Two months had passed since she first arrived. At first, she struggled to socialize. She remained indoors, only going out for groceries or for walks with Linda, who had become a trusted confidante. But soon, she found herself waving to a few pack members. Mike, who tended to her neighbor's garden, and Polly, who lived three houses from her but still found the time to stop by, bringing pastries and roasts whenever she came by. Life was going great. Slowly, the sense of danger that made her look over her shoulder occasionally had dwindled, leaving her at peace with herself. Her meeting with the pack's Alpha was yet to be arranged. Ruby had discovered that the Greyhound pack was rich in many resources, hence why the Alpha had decided to settle down there. The pack had grown through that, being the biggest supplier of their rare gems. "Ruby, order from table 4 is ready," Tom, the chef, announced from the kitchen at the back of the building. Ruby wiped the beads of sweat that had formed on her forehead with the back of her hand and rushed to the counter where the food had been placed. "Got it," She muttered while picking it up and carrying it to the customer. Although she had no experience working in a restaurant, she had landed the job. A small part of her told her she got it because of Linda's influence. She was not mad but grateful for the woman's kindness. She first showed interest in working when her money was slowly running out. Linda had jumped on the idea of recommending places she knew that were managed by her old associates. One thing led to another, and she found herself with two jobs- working in a jewelry shop in the day and as a waitress at night. "Here's your food, sir. Is there anything else you would like?" Ruby asked politely as she placed the dishes on the table. Its aroma tickled her nose, causing her mouth to water. Trying to calm her grumbling stomach, she prayed to the goddess that the time rushed quicker so she could take her break. The man gave her a toothy grin as he assessed her figure hidden behind her apron. "Your number, if you will." Ruby felt like a deer in the spotlight. She still had a problem with attention. She could feel her heart quicken, but she took steady breaths like she had done so many times. Mustering a professional smile, Ruby replied dryly, "Enjoy your meal." And then she walked away, just in time for the phone to vibrate in her pocket, indicating her break time. Taking off her apron, she hung it in place before grabbing her lunch and headed to the staff room. On getting there, she noticed two more people, whom she recognized as fellow workers, exiting the room. Giving them a polite nod, she made her way to the back of the room, taking a seat at her usual spot beside a window. The window overlooked the center of the pack. Under the night sky, the pack had transformed into another light. Lights from signs illuminated the area as people roamed in the hope of getting a feel of the nightlife. Every time she looked out, she longed to also have a taste of what it was to explore, laugh carelessly with friends, and enjoy all the pleasures she had been deprived of. Her phone buzzing on the table reverted her attention back to the present. Checking the caller ID, she noticed it was Linda. "Hey, Linda," Ruby greeted. "How have you been, child?" That was how their conversation usually went. Linda would ask about work and how she was, and Ruby would eagerly fill her in on anything that transpired that day. Linda would listen to her ramble without interruption, and that was one of the reasons Ruby loved her. "The Alpha has returned, and he set the meeting for tomorrow," Linda informed. Ruby grew anxious. The Alpha had traveled on an unplanned trip, hence the reason why she hadn't met him yet. She had already been accepted into the pack, but it was obligatory for the Alpha to meet new arrivals. It was the way of the pack. Ruby's silence worried Linda, so she asked, "Are you ok?" "Yes, Ruby replied. "I'll meet the Alpha tomorrow." The remainder of the day rolled by with no events, and the next day rolled in. Ruby stared at herself in her mirror. Her heart was thundering in her chest, and her hands couldn't stop shaking. Since she arrived in the pack, she had been preparing herself to meet the Alpha, but as more and more days passed with no word of the meeting, she had slowly forgotten about it. Ruby knew she shouldn't be as worried as she was for the meeting, but who could blame her? The last time she was called by an Alpha turned out to be one of the worst days of her life. Memories threatened to invade Ruby's mind, but she pushed them down along with the lump in her throat. "I can do this," Ruby said to her reflection as Linda's familiar horn blared from the outside. Ruby stared at the big building in awe and fright. Her nervousness seemed to subside a tad bit when Linda patted her on the back. "It's going to be ok. Don't get so worked up," Linda said, leading her in. Ruby knew that, but she couldn't shake the feeling that kept making her heart work overtime. With every step they took toward the Alpha's office, a sense of Deja Vu swept over her. 'Aiden isn't here. He can't find me here.' She kept repeating those words like a mantra in her mind as Linda walked her down a corridor that led to a single door. With steady hands, Linda knocked once, and a deep voice resonated from the inside. Linda turned to her, and with one nod, she opened the door. The inside was breathtaking, but Ruby couldn't bring herself to admire its beauty because of how nervous she was. A large black table sat in the center of the room, and on the left were high shelves containing books and figurines. The wall behind the desk was made up of a large window that overlooked the pack. Matching black seats were placed in front of the desk, and the single chair behind the desk faced the window. "Alpha Noah," Linda said, causing the person behind the desk to turn around. First, the feeling started like a slight tug on her heartstrings, and then it exploded within her. Her head spun at the gravity of the emotions that swirled in her mind. Her stomach erupted with thousands of butterflies fluttering around. Heat spread to her cheek and places she had no idea could pulse along her heart. Her nostrils were invaded with the intense scent that radiated from the man before her- musky and, at the same time, sweet. Slowly, his eyes darkened, matching hers as he stood from his seat. The suit he wore hugged his toned body perfectly, and his eyes, by the goddess, were the most mesmerizing thing she had ever looked upon. A tiny voice she had never heard before echoed from within her just as he did, creating an opus and uniting their souls. "Mate."