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Later that day,we were all sitting in my family’s living room as I sat curled up on the couch, my pack sitting around me protectively.
Memories of the last time I was with my family flooded back- a heated argument with my father, tears streaming down my face, and my last kiss with Jasper. But now, Dad sat across from us, his eyes full of pride as he looked at me and my new pack.
“How are you doing, Ruby?” he asked, genuine concern lacing his voice.
“Better,” I replied with a small smile, but my gaze conveyed how I was still heartbroken about Jasper. He nodded.
“I’m proud of you for making the right choice,” he said softly. I looked down, not wanting to dwell on that painful chapter of my life. Then he looked at Wayne. “Why haven’t you marked my daughter yet?”
“Dad!” I shouted, embarrassed as I jumped off the couch.Why did he fucking care if I was marked or claimed by my pack?Once I was marked, it meant I was going to belong to the pack forever, and we just weren’t ready to take that step.
“This is very serious,” my dad pressed as he kept his eyes on Wayne. He didn’t even bat an eye. “You know why.”
“What?” I said out loud as Wayne nodded.
“We’re nearly there, but I get what you’re saying,” said Wayne cryptically.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I confronted Wayne.
“Daughter, don’t curse.”
Just then, Mom wandered into the living room, her expression lost and distant. I walked over to her and hugged her despite her smell. She didn’t believe in using soap due to her delusions.
“Hey, Mom,” I said, feeling sad that she was still the same. The alphas continued talking with my father while I focused on Mom.
“Ruby,” she whispered, her fingers gently running through my hair. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”
She had always been overly concerned for my safety since the day I was born.
“Yes, I’m always going to be here, Mom.”
“That’s not guaranteed,” she said, starting to panic. Julie walked into the living room to join us. A cloud of smoke followed her, and I knew she’d been smoking outside.
“I’m pregnant,” I announced, and both women gasped.
“That’s fast!” exclaimed Julia while the living room erupted in cheers. My dad’s face was overjoyed, and he looked relieved for some reason. I was never going to understand his obsession with getting me mated off as fast as he did.
I looked over at my pack, and the alphas were grinning from ear to ear. For the first time in a long while, the house felt alive and happy. As we all mingled and chatted, I couldn’t help but glance at the window, a pang of sadness hitting me as I remembered Jasper spying on me from outside. But that was the past, and it wasn’t time to dwell on it as a new chapter in my life had begun.
22
Ruby
Nine Months Later
Istood behind the counter of my small cafe, washing the last of the multi-colored mugs while I admired my cute coffee shop. The alphas helped me start my business as soon as we found out I was pregnant.
The shop was adorned with mismatched chairs, and the walls were painted a warm shade of yellow, giving it a cozy, eclectic feel. My nine-month-pregnant belly strained against my purple sundress as I scrubbed away at the mug.
My thoughts wandered to the Crawford Pack, who had taken such good care of me during this time. They’d helped me open this business, and even though most of our customers were Wayne’s construction workers or townspeople, it didn’t matter- I was glad to be doing something of my own.
“Alright, time to close up,” I announced, exhausted from being on my feet all day.
Rufus came over to help, but he was too relaxed, while I still had a list of tasks to finish before we could leave. This business was serious to me, even though he might think it was a hobby. It was either him or Davy who would help me out with this cafethroughout the week. Wayne was too busy overseeing his own business.
“You should slow down, baby,” he said with a chuckle as I rushed past him to grab the broom.
“I can’t justslow down,” I said sarcastically, feeling irritable and unable to shake off my grumpiness. Deep down, I knew it had to be the hormones causing me to be this way.
