CHAPTER THREE

Ruby would do anything to erase the expressions that crossed Aiden’s face; disgust, pain, and then anger. It was bound to happen. Ruby expected it, but all she could do was hope. What did she think? An Alpha mated to an Omega was unheard of. Ruby could imagine the humiliation and insults Aiden would receive from the pack if he accepted her. Her fate was cursed. All she wanted was someone who was destined to love her and all she got was a match that could never happen. “I came here because Grace has been looking for Ruby.” Ophelia’s voice broke the silence that seemed to stretch as the seconds ticked by. “She was supposed to turn over the key to your room thirty minutes ago, so she sent me up here to check if everything was in place.” Ruby couldn’t believe that Ophelia was calling her a thief again. “I didn’t take anything,” Ruby said sharply. As she spoke, her eyes went to Aiden, but she was shocked to find his eyes on her. Pathetically she begged him with her eyes to believe. Her rank in his pack may be a disgrace to him, but she didn’t want him to think she was a thief too. Aiden looked away and back at Ophelia. “Everything looks fine in here. You can let Grace know that.” Ophelia seemed taken aback by his response but she hid her disappointment with a giggle. “Fine. I’ll see you after the ceremony if you know what I mean.” She continued suggestively before turning to Ruby. “Come down quickly, there’s so much to be done.” “You know where to find me,” Aiden added, earning another string of giggles from her before she dashed out of the door. Ruby stood glued to her spot as the door closed once again leaving her alone with Aiden. The silence stretched longer than it should. Ruby picked on her nails as tension grew in the room. She could feel Aiden’s stare on the side of her face and heat rose to her cheeks. Not being able to take any more of the silence, she reached for the door, but his voice stopped her. “Leaving already?” Ruby gulped. “I have work to do.” Aiden scoffed. “But you’re my mate. The future Luna shouldn’t do such menial work.” Ruby raised her head to meet his. She couldn’t believe his words. Does he accept her for what she is? Did he not care about her place in society and the embarrassment he would face if he chose her as the future Luna of the pack? Ruby couldn’t hide the hopeful glimmer in her eyes as she stared at him. And then he laughed, right at her face. Embarrassment flooded her senses. Tears pricked the back of her eyes, and a pang erupted in her heart. “You should have seen your face.” His laughter grew louder and then stopped abruptly and said suddenly. “What did you think? That I would accept you? An Omega. Curse my luck,” Aiden spat out. Venom evident in his voice Her world began to fall apart, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from his face. She couldn’t, despite the impending pain she knew would tear her apart if he continued talking. Move, get out of there, she urged herself, but her feet felt as if they were planted in the spot. The tears that were once again building up, glazed over her eyes. “I will never accept you. You’re nothing but a worthless, weak excuse of a wolf. Do you even have a wolf? I can’t sense it.” Her mind was clouded with growing pain and every word she uttered felt like lead on her tongue. Shaking her head, she slurred out. “I’m a late bloomer.” Aiden scoffed and ran his hand over his face in frustration. “Late? You’re wolfless!” he exclaimed chipping away bigger pieces from her heart. “Pl-please, Aiden.” Ruby was aware of how pathetic she sounded but begging was nothing new for her, especially when it came to her fate. “The moon goddess put us together for a reason, please.” She pleaded and took a step forward reaching for him. The tears rolled down her cheek in constant streaks and her vision blurred but she could still make out his blue eyes. Her fingers barely grazed his side when she grabbed his wrist and squeezed. She was sure he’d leave a bruise but she didn’t make a sound, neither did she attempt to stop him. “Is this what you want?” Aiden bellowed as he flung her towards the bed. Ruby tried to scurry away from him, but before she knew it, he was on her like a wolf on its prey. He pinned her hands on the top of her head and began running his hands everywhere. Panic began to rise in her throat. She could feel his touch everywhere, but it felt like anything but affectionate. “You want to be the Luna, but can you withstand the pain of an alpha’s mark?” Before she could comprehend his words, she felt excruciating pain as he dug his fang into the delicate skin of her neck, not where she was supposed to be marked. Pain flooded through her and she bit down on her lip, but not before a small scream escaped. The sound from her must have startled him because he jumped away from her. He stood a few feet from her but his eyes never left her neck. Ruby pressed her hand on the open wound to numb the throb but it never went away. Normal wolves begin to heal immediately after the source of the injury is removed. Wounds inflicted by an alpha take a longer time to heal, but it would eventually. The only one who could start healing almost instantly from an alpha’s wound was a Luna. But she couldn’t. Without a wolf, it took longer for her to recover. “Pathetic,” Aiden finally spoke up as the wound remained. “You’re broken.” Ruby slowly stood from the bed and began walking to the door. She had lost again. She had nothing left. Before she could pry the wooden door open, it flung open to reveal a blonde-headed guy. He looked to be around the same age as Aiden. Ruby recognized him as the beta. Although he traveled with the alpha, Ruby had seen him a few times when he was sent to her father. The beta’s eyes landed on her, then shifted to the red spot on her neck, and then went to Aiden. “What’s going on? I heard your wolf’s howl.” Aiden answered almost immediately as if he had rehearsed his answer. Ruby didn’t think he could hurt her any further, but she could feel physical pain with each word he spoke next. “It was a mistake. She’s a witch whose goal was to seduce me,” he lied through his teeth. “Have her escorted to her home. She should be on constant watch until she stands trial for treason.”