CHAPTER SIXTEEN

She was doing it again. As Ruby narrated her story, she omitted some parts just as she had done with Linda, but it was far worse. She told him she ran away from home but didn't tell him the reason, the cause, or the pack's name. Her heart thundered in her chest as she watched his expression darken. That was what Ruby feared. His reaction when he found out she was mated to someone else. She imagined the fury he may unleash on her. She imagined him also blaming him for witchery and also rejecting her. Ruby didn't know what to call the bond they shared, but she didn't think she'd be able to handle it if he left her. Silence fell in the room after her narration. Anger rolled off Noah in ripples, and his eyes fluctuated between blueness and pitch black. His aura in the room became more vigorous as his wolf threatened to break free. Ruby didn't know what to do, and without thinking, she placed shaky hands on his fisted ones. Ruby could feel his attention snap back to her. Was he mad she touched him? Ruby asked herself as she tried removing her hand, but he pulled her. Entirely from the couch, and soon, she found herself straddling him. Heat rushed to her cheek as he nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck. She could feel the violent shake in his body reduce, and slowly, his heart regained a steady beat. "I'm sorry you had to go through all that," Noah whispered as he lifted his head. Ruby stared back, transfixed at his gaze. Involuntarily, her hand caressed his scar. He jolted in surprise at first but soon relaxed to her touch. The tingles erupted with every graze she made. Noah's eyes remained on her as she observed it. She didn't feel disgusted by it. No, she was glad he had survived whatever encounter had created it. Now, he wore it as a source of pride of what he had overcome and a map of what he had come from. Noah leaned against her hand, slowly nuzzling into her hand. Ruby's heart clenched at the sight. Dare she say, the intimidating beast of a man looked like a kitten at that moment? "Aren't you mad?" Ruby asked, perplexed by his reaction. His blue eyes melted into pools of tenderness. "Why would I be?" "You still want me as a mate after everything I've told you?" Ruby said. She was shocked by how freely she spoke with Noah around. "Why the hell would I think otherwise? What you have said makes me want to protect you the more. To never let you out of my sight," Noah said, circling his arm around her waist and pulling her closer. The friction sent delicious waves down her body and an animalistic growl from Noah. His calloused, rough hands ran up her thigh, which lay bare as the skirt she wore had ridden high up, almost exposing her panties. Her eyes flickered shut as need and euphoric thirst for him entrapped her. The hunger to pull him closer and let him have his way with her grew stronger. Heat rushed to her lower abdomen, and red painted Ruby's cheek when she realized he could feel and smell her arousal. His scent feverishly put her in a lust-induced haze. Ruby couldn't focus on anything but him. The way his arms on her waist held her in place. The way his hard chest pressed against her breast caused her nipples to stand upright, sinfully begging for his attention. The excitement as his lips latched on her neck. He kissed, sucked, nipped, bit, marking her as a lover would. He pulled down her shirt, exposing more of her shoulder as he continued his assault, leaving love bites in his wake. Ruby let out a moan. "Fuck, you're perfect," he grounded out, his voice a tad bit deeper. His canine grazed the spot on her neck where he was supposed to mark. Restraining himself, he left kisses there before moving down to her chest. Ruby writhed under him. Almost coming undone when he thrust his hip upward against her core. The utmost pleasure left her a moaning mess. Impulsively, Ruby ground her hips against the hardness, and he moaned on her neck. It was the most sensually seductive sound she had ever heard, feeding her inner desire to do it again. This time, he held her hip tightly. His nails dug almost painfully into her skin. "You won't do that again if you know what's good for you." But a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes. Never had anyone given her such power, and she loved how it felt. She grounded her hip against him, not looking away from his eyes. A smirk stretched in the corner of Noah's lip at the defiance in her eyes. With a newfound resolve, she leaned down and placed kisses along his scar, loving how smooth it felt against her lips. "You'll surely be the death of me," Noah groaned with humor in his tone. Ruby giggled shyly. "Come live with me," Noah said out of the blue. Although her head still felt fuzzy, she still processed his request. "You're my mate. We should be together," he added. "I don't think I can," Ruby said. Her heart tugged painfully in her chest at the disappointment that crossed his face, but he masked it quickly. "Why?" "I just started living on my own, and as odd as it sounds, I'm getting to know myself better. I need my space for now." Ruby watched his eyes as he contemplated her statement. As much as she wanted to spend every waking moment with him, she needed her freedom. Yes, the house was big enough for both of them, but his overwhelming aura loomed at every corner. "As you wish," Noah answered, earning a smile for her. '" But on one condition, you'll work with me." "W-What?" Ruby didn't know how to work in an office. The only reason why she did reasonably well in her jobs was because she was good at serving people. "You'll work with me in my office. That way, I get to see more of you, and you get to keep your place. Win-Win." "I don't know how," Ruby retorted. "I'll teach you." "I-I" Ruby searched her mind for excuses why she couldn't work with him. "I don't have appropriate office outfits." "That can be arranged." Noah smirked. And he got it arranged. Three hours later, Ruby stared dumbfounded as van after van filled with clothes parked outside her house. People stepped out, wheeling racks of apparel into her house- dresses, skirts, pants, tops, shoes, jewelry. She even spotted a few guys sneaking in a whole vanity table. Embarrassment stained her cheek as her neighbors stepped out of their houses to see the reason for the commotion, only to find their Alpha instructing people on where to keep things. Ruby stared and marveled at Noah. His sleeves were rolled up, and his face was blank of all the emotions she had seen cross it earlier. He was perfect, too perfect for her. She wondered if what had transpired was all a dream. Her heart tugged at the thought. If it was a dream, she never wanted to wake up. She couldn't define the bond between them yet, but she knew she would be broken if he changed his mind and hated her. A woman placed the last shoe box into the house and entered the van. And just as they had come, they went away. Noah walked up to Ruby. He towered over her. She had to look up to meet his eyes. A victorious grin adorned his face. "Is there anything else you need?" Was he mad? Ruby thought. She shook her head frantically. "Good. I'll see you tomorrow then." He placed a kiss on her forehead, and with that, he was gone.