CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Ruby stared at the racks of clothes that now occupied the little spare room in her home. She had wondered when she first moved in on what to make of the room. Indeed, now it was to be made her closet. Ruby ran her hands through the clothes. They all had tags still on them. The materials ranged from cotton to silk, and the colors from beige to pink. She could start a business with the amount of clothes that stared back at her. The corners of Ruby's lips lifted upward as an image of Noah's cocky grin flashed in her mind. He definitely didn't like being refused. But as absurd as his actions were, they warmed her heart. Ruby shifted her gaze to the mirror on her new vanity table, and a different person stared back at her. She looked happier. Her cheeks hadn't lost their redness yet, and her eyes twinkled for the first time in a long time. She was still in her underwear as she prepared for her first day working with Noah. The thought of seeing him made her heart somersault in her chest. The color on her face grew redder as she remembered their little escapade at his library. She never knew she could be so bold. Her eyes moved to the bouquet of flowers that sat on the vanity, and an involuntary smile took over her expression. It had arrived earlier that day with a note. Noah had apologized, saying he wouldn't be able to pick her up that morning, but he would send a car that would bring her to him. Ruby couldn't help the disappointment that coated her expression but forced it down, knowing she still had to spend most of the day with him. Not wasting any more time, Ruby pulled a pair of trousers and a top from the rack. She eyed the heels which lay on the floor. She had been practicing walking in them the night before. Along with watching every video, she could find on how to draw a perfect wing. Ruby wanted to look good for Noah. She wanted him to look at her, not just like a girl who had run from her pack, but someone who deserved him. A honk echoed outside her door as she popped the last piece of toast into her mouth. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of her house to see a black car with a man standing beside it. Giving her a slight bow, the man spoke up. "I am Isaac, the beta of Greyhound. No-Alpha Noah asked me to drive you to work, Luna." Luna… The title felt weird, falling on Ruby's ears. She didn't think she had what it took to take that title. Ruby smiled as anxiety began building within her. "Thank you, but please call me Ruby." The man nodded, but she knew he wouldn't take her word for anything. Opening the back seat, she stepped in. The drive didn't take long, and soon Ruby walked through the building doors. Eyes landed on her from every corner. Ruby kept her eyes straight ahead as she tried as much as possible to look unfazed, but every part of her shivered with self-consciousness. What was she thinking accepting Noah's offer? She should have refused it with everything she had. She was an imposter, and with the eyes she felt pricking her skin, she knew they could see that fact, too. As she made her walk of shame towards the elevator, its doors slid open, and inside was Noah. As if a gush of wind had blown past her, Ruby felt all her previous worries disappear as he locked eyes with her. Everything else seemed to stop, and all that mattered was him. His eyes raked her body, and a look of approval crossed his eyes, urging her to move toward him with a little bit more confidence. Noah was on her as soon as she stepped into the elevator, and its door shut. His scent invaded her nostrils as he pulled her into his chest. "I missed you," Noah sighed, making Ruby's heart swell with warmth. "We saw each other yesterday," Ruby giggled. "That's too long ago," Noah whined, pulling away but still holding her hand. "I want to see you every minute of the day. Reconsider living with me." "No," Ruby smiled at his playfulness. His attitude at that moment contrasted with the blank front he gave everyone else. "Sooner or later," Noah growled as the elevator doors opened to his floor. Ruby followed closely behind him as they approached the door that led into his office. Then she noticed a few other doors on each side of Noah's door. She had been so engulfed in her emotions the last time she was there that she didn't notice them. As they neared the doors, a woman stepped out of the doorway on the left. Ruby stared at the woman as a strange feeling washed over her. She had beautiful blond hair which descended down her back in waves. A smoky eye shadow stained her eyelid, which concealed striking blue eyes. She wore a tight black dress which hugged her figure perfectly. A smile played on her face, accentuating her beautiful face. "Alpha." She bowed in respect. A frown marred Ruby's face when she could see the woman's cleavage. Noah grunted a response, and Ruby tightened her hand in Noah's as the woman followed them into his office. "Ruby, I'd like you to meet Hestia," Noah announced. "She is my secretary, and she will help you with what you have to do." Ruby turned to Hestia to see a broad smile on her face directed to her. "And Hestia, your Luna," Noah concluded, and warmth spread through Ruby as he said the title. Hestia's smile did not falter as she gave her a slight bow. "It's wonderful to finally meet you, Luna." Ruby smiled back at her, warmed by her kindness. "Please, Ruby is fine." Hestia nodded with her smile still as wide as ever. Noah pulled Ruby along to a door at the side of his office. Pushing it open, a desk, chair, and cabinets were the only things inside. "This is your office, Ruby. Right next to mine." Ruby recognized the playful glint in his eyes, and a smile made its way to her lip. "That door opens to the outside, in case Hestia wants to hand you something," Noah continued, referring to the door Ruby noticed on the right earlier before he pointed to the one they walked through. "And this one, in case I have an urgent business for you to attend to." The innuendo floated in the air, evident to anyone, and Ruby could feel the heat rise inside her. Vibration from somewhere in the room broke the silence, and Ruby let out a sigh to ease her already thundering heart. "Excuse me," Noah said as he retrieved his phone from his pocket and closed the door that led to his office, leaving Ruby alone with Hestia. Ruby had almost forgotten that the other woman was present, and heat rushed to her cheeks. She couldn't believe someone else was there when Noah was flirting with her. "Sorry about that," Ruby said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. She knew she had no reason to apologize. Noah was her mate, after all. But she just wanted to be polite. "You should be," Hestia replied sharply. Her smile was soon replaced with a glare. The switch shocked Ruby, and she recoiled at the murderous look Hestia was shooting her way. "What?" Ruby aired out her shock. "I just want to make one thing clear, Ruby," Hestia spat out her name with so much venom. "Noah is mine." Ruby stared dumbfounded but took a protective stance. "He is my mate." She didn't know where the confidence came from, but she could feel anger bubbling inside her as Hestia staked a claim over what was hers. "I don't give two fucks. I had him first, and by the goddess, I will not sit back and let a little girl like you destroy what I have worked so hard to build. So I suggest you run back to wherever you came from and leave Noah alone." Anger flashed in Ruby's eyes. She couldn't believe what Hestia said. She was going to overlook the fact that Noah already had a mate. Her insides boiled as Noah's name fell out of Hestia's mouth. "Noah doesn't belong to you," Ruby grounded out. "We'll see." Was all Hestia said before the door swung open, interrupting the heated exchange. "Am I interrupting anything?" Noah asked as he walked in. Hestia giggled. "No, Alpha, I was just letting Ruby know that since she knows almost nothing, she should start sorting out documents that need signing." Ruby stared with her mouth slightly ajar. Hestia had switched entirely to the enthusiastic persona that had deceived her earlier. But her eyes still held a hateful glint. "Perfect," Noah replied before turning to Ruby. "Are you ok?" Ruby wanted to tell him everything, but the daring look on Hestia's face stopped her. Instead, she nodded her head, also hiding the sour expression on her face with a smile. "I'll leave you to get comfortable then." And with that, he left, with Hestia behind him. Ruby couldn't help the scowl that marred her face when Hestia turned and gave her one last smirk.