CHAPTER EIGHT

Giggles filled the air as the two ladies ran down the dewy meadow. Warmth fluttered within Ruby as the woman held her hands securely in hers as they ran. Her eyes moved to the side as she peeked up at her companion. Instinctively, the woman looked down at Ruby. Her jet-black hair danced along with the wind, and a broad smile played on her face. Ruby felt the love the woman had for her oozing out in ripples. For the first time in a long while, she felt contented, at peace in the strange but familiar arms of the woman, who Ruby knew would protect her if the cause arose. Placing Ruby down on a wide wooden swing tied securely in a tree, the woman sat down beside her. Missing the refreshing warmth from her touch, Ruby rested her head on her shoulder. "I don't want to leave," Ruby sighed. The woman chuckled at her words before wrapping an arm around her. "You know we can't stay here forever, young lady." "But I'm happier here…" Ruby's words trailed off briefly as she glanced up at the still-smiling woman. "With you." The woman turned to her. "You have a long way to go, Ruby." Ruby gasped. The woman knew her name and said it with the most beautiful voice. But who was she? Ruby wanted to ask, but the words got stuck in the back of her throat every time she tried. The woman placed her right hand softly over Ruby's heart. "Feel the power bubbling inside you. Let your heart be your guide. You need to discover who you are, what you are capable of." Ruby felt the woman leave her side. Warmth rolled down her face. It was then she knew she was crying. She felt alone again. "Find your way, Ruby." The woman walked further and further away. "Please don't leave me," Ruby cried, but it was too late. ***** Ruby peeled her eyes open, taking in her surroundings. She was back in the room Dorian had provided for her. Beside her on the bed was a sleeping Lily. She shut her eyes briefly as a wave of vertigo washed over her. Her ears were still ringing, and her head throbbed with a growing migraine. After a few steadying breaths, she tried opening her eyes again before reaching for Lily. The little girl's back steadily rose and fell as she breathed. Images of her helpless and frightened face flashed in Ruby's mind, but she pushed them away, devastated for being the reason she had been sad. She softly wiped the dried tear streaks that trailed down her innocent face using the back of her hand. Guilt crept up her spine as she stared at the frown etched on Lily's face; she had caused that. Her curse of a life filled with pain and suffering was slowly affecting the ones she had grown fond of. "Thank the Goddess, you're awake." Ruby looked up to find Dorian standing by the door, a frown also present on his face. "I see you've mastered the act of sneaking up on people," Ruby jested to lighten the mood, but no emotion crossed Dorian's face. His eyes went to Lily, still fast asleep. "I'll take her to bed." Dorian carefully scooped Lily's sleeping form from the bed. A small groan of protest escaped her lip before she steered into a more comfortable position in her father's arms. He made a short trip to her room before wandering back to the room. This time, he returned with a bouquet of roses tucked delicately in his forearm. Her heart tugged at his actions. Dorian had so carefully grown those roses himself. He mentioned that his mate enjoyed tending to the little garden. So, ever since her death, he took up gardening as a form of solace for his loss. With careful hands, he placed the vase on the bedside table. He looked tired, his eyes were sunken, and his steps were slow. Ruby's guilt grew at Dorian's state. She knew she was partly at fault. "Are you ok? Does anything hurt?" Dorian questioned as he sat on a lone chair at the room's far end. "I'll be fine," Ruby said while shaking her head. Silence filled the room as they both contemplated what to say next. "You know," Dorian began, "this was my mate's room." His words trailed off as he closed his eyes for a second. Ruby remained on edge as the feeling of intruding into a sacred space rushed through her. After a short pause, Dorian continued. "For so many years, I couldn't bring myself to come in here." "I'm sorry," Ruby let out. She didn't know what she was apologizing for, but felt like she had to. "No child! I didn't say that to make you feel bad," Dorian interjected. "You must have loved her so much," The words left her mouth before she could stop them. Dorian smiled as he stared out at nothing. Ruby could imagine the memories playing in his mind, the laughs, the moments they shared in each other's arms. "More than you can imagine. She was my mate, my other half. The best thing that ever happened to me." Ruby felt a pang in her heart. She could see and feel his love for his mate, and a slight ting of envy grew as she watched him. That was all she had ever asked for. Someone who would treasure her through all her days, someone she could also love. "I guess that's a sensitive topic for you. I'm sorry for bringing it up." Ruby shook her head and wiped the tears that threatened to fall. "No, it's alright. What you had is beautiful, and I'm sorry for your loss." "I didn't bring my mate up to make you feel bad. I brought it up to let you know that from the moment I saw you hurt and alone in the forest, I promised myself that I'd protect you for as long as I could." Ruby listened as her eyes watered with tears of gratitude. "Seeing you all broken and in pain for two days worried me. You were suffering alone, and I didn't know what I could do to help. I have never asked you about your past, about what you were running from, but I have a feeling it's related to your pain." Ruby nodded, still stunned by his revelation that she had been out for days. "I'll tell you everything." And she did. She told him about her family, about the day she found out Aiden was her mate, and she told him about her death penalty. When she was done narrating her story, she felt a slight feeling of liberation. For so long, she had kept everything bottled in, taking everything the universe dished her way. And for the first time, she had someone who cared enough to help lift even the tiniest bit of the burden that weighed her down. She was grateful. "He didn't reject you?" Dorian asked after a short pause. "No." "No wonder you were in so much pain when he mated with someone else." "Just mated? He didn't mark her?" "If he marked her, you would have been in a far worse state, even dead, if you couldn't handle it." More tears ran down her cheek as she processed the information. Aiden knew she was still connected to him. And as a form of punishment, he put off rejecting her and proceeded to mate with Ophelia. Ruby couldn't believe how far he'd go just to hurt her. How far he would go to break his wolf, which she knew was against his decision to make Ophelia his mate. "The only way you can be free of him is to break the mate bond. Reject him, Ruby. Give yourself a chance to be free." Ruby jerked up, staring straight into Dorian's eyes. His gray eyes were clouded with anger but also resolution. "I-I don't think I can. He is the alpha-" Dorian cut her off, clasping her hands in his. "And you were blessed by the Goddess to be a Luna. You are stronger than you think, child." Her hands trembled in his, but his reassuring hold kept her from breaking down. As if sensing her inner turmoil, Dorian slowly rose and exited the room, but not before saying one last thing, "For once, make a decision for yourself." Ruby lowered her head in shame. He was right. Everything had always been decided for her. First, her father allowed the pack to name her an Omega, then Ophelia, and then she let the bond between her and Aiden cloud her judgment. Ruby cried out when she realized the idea of escaping wasn't even her plan but Betty's. Even then, Dorian was the one who had encouraged her to reject Aiden. And the most pathetic part was that she couldn't bring herself to do it. Doubt crept into her mind. Would she be able to handle the after-effects of rejecting an alpha? The alpha and Luna bond was the strongest bond ever made, and severing it had life-threatening consequences. They would both be in unimaginable pain after the rejection until he accepted it. Ruby knew he would accept it as quickly as possible to avoid going through the pain, and that fact hurt her. She knew how quickly he would sever the bond carefully crafted by the moon goddess. But he had already severed it. By lying and mating with Ophelia, he had disregarded the bond, so she had no choice but to do away with it as well. "Before the moon Goddess with my soul laid bare," Ruby's voice cracked as she recited the oath. With every word she spoke, she could feel her mind open. Pain erupted from her chest, but she ignored it. "I, Ruby Laine of the Redmoon pack…" Her voice trailed off when she felt it. Being without a wolf, she shouldn't be feeling the bond, the mate bond opening to reveal the mate link present between two mates. But she could feel him. She could feel Aiden. A gasp flew out her mouth when she felt his eyes open, and dreadful words flowed out. "Found you."