章節 30: 29
R U B Y
After I finished helping Xavier with the video, I went back to Natalie's room to check on her. Her backpack
from the night before was sitting by the door, covered in blood so I unpacked her things and placed them all in a new bag.
I got her dressed before returning to my own room to collect my bag and I took them down to the car before I headed back inside. Watching Xavier make that video had been a proud moment. He had looked so strong, so confident. He wore his scars like a warrior and I knew all who saw the video would heed his warnings and would be thankful for his pointers on how to survive.
It wasn't a big deal but I felt proud that I had given him the idea. I had contributed something and wasn't just the human mate, needing protected and served no purpose. Fuck that, I had a purpose and I was useful.
I sighed as I plopped down on my bed, a blush made its way up my neck to my cheeks. I had called myself his girlfriend. I covered my face in embarrassment although the moment had passed. I couldn't believe I'd made that slip.
He seemed more than pleased about it though and that kiss…oh man, that kiss. I could still taste him on my lips.
I was his mate but we hadn't talked about me being his Luna or his girlfriend for that matter. I smiled. Well, it looked like I was off the market. I chuckled to myself as I inhaled deeply and then exhaled. I got up and turned in a circle. I had a feeling I wouldn't be coming back to this house for a while or maybe ever.
When this all ended, of course a lot of renovation would be needed. The stench of blood inside the house would fade but the walls and floor would be stained with blood. There was no time to clean it all up now. I frowned. I shouldn't have given a damn about this house right now. The house would be fine. I needed to focus on getting out of here and being inside before nightfall.
"See you," I said to my room as I walked out and closed the door. I went to Natalie's room but she wasn't there. I figured Xavier must have taken her down to the car, so they must have been waiting on me.
As I headed to the first floor, I stepped around a corner and came face to face with Axel.
His hair hung loose around his shoulders, damp with sweat. He was also shirtless, red scars covering his body, probably from the battle the night before. A bandage sat on his side as well but for the most part, he looked fine. His chest glistening with sweat rose as he inhaled. "How are you?"
I shrugged. "Not good but I'm alive." I pointed at his side. "Are you?"
He peered down at his side. "Yeah, I'm good, I've felt worse. That bite was just a little deeper than the others. I heard what you did to stay safe out there last night. I wish I could have seen you, covered in mud and all."
I rolled my eyes. "Of course, you would." He chuckled. "That was smart."
I looked away, not wanting him to see that I was blushing. A compliment or praise from Axel was rare. "Okay," I replied simply. Neither of us spoke after that as I looked back at him. I soon looked away again, unable to handle the awkwardness and his piercing stare. I felt happy however, to see him well. I shouldn't have expected less. "So…" I drawled. "Your pack is safe right?"
He moved his hair behind his ears. "Yeah, they're all safe. My pack isn't as large as the Blackmoon Pack, so it wasn't hard to move them all. They're at another safe house like the one we were at. They're protected by a warlock's warding."
I crossed my arms over my chest as I narrowed my eyes at him. "You seem to have a lot of warlocks on your payroll. What's up with that?"
He smirked down at me. "You don't need to worry your pretty little redhead about that Ruby." He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned on the wall. "I will be checking on that witch to see if she can help you through. I keep my promises."
I held his stare this time. "So, I guess you're not coming with us then?" With him not being dressed and ready to leave, it was clear he wasn't coming with us but I still asked.
He'd done a lot for Xavier and me as it was. Despite the feud between them and the tension between all three of us, his actions speak volumes to his character. Xavier had said Axel had saved both him and Natalie in the end. I wouldn't tell him this but having him travel with us would make me feel just a little safer. "You have to stay with them to keep them safe, even behind a warlock's warding," I added quickly, so I didn't sound like a child about to cry when their mother leaves for work.
He narrowed his eyes at me and stepped forward rapidly, leaving but a small gap between us.
I held my breath.
"Why? Will you miss me, Ruby?"
I blinked, then blinked again while still holding my breath. Why did he sound that like just now? I frowned. Why was he looking at me like this and why was I being affected? Butterflies began to flap their wings furiously inside me and I stood up straight to hold my composure. "No," I answered and managed to keep a straight face.
His eyes roamed over my face but he made no move to step away from me. He leaned in further, his nose almost touching mine. "I can tell when you're lying. Your voice becomes too low." He tilted his head to the side.
I stared into the hazel depths of his eyes.
He didn't look away but I did as he raised a hand to hold a strand of hair by my face. I looked back at him as his jaws clenched and he slowly released the strand. "Don't worry, I'll miss you too."
I wanted to snort or laugh in his face or say something witty, but I couldn't. He was too close to me. I feared if I spoke my lips might accidentally touch his and what a disaster that would be. My eyes flicked down to his lips as he licked them and my heart skipped a beat.
His gaze stayed locked on my face. "I meant what I said early, you did well with hiding yourself. You should keep those daggers on you at all times. Xavier will protect you with his life, I know," he said that with a little venom in his voice. "But like last night, you might be left alone to fend for yourself and you have to be able to protect yourself. Do you understand?"
What was with these men and asking me if I understand? I wasn't incompetent. I reached behind me and removed the dagger I'd shoved into my waistband. I brandished it and pressed the tip under his chin. "Don't worry about me, Axel. I'll be just fine. I'm stronger than I look."
The corner of his mouth curved until it turned into a full- blown smile.
I was surprised to see a dimple appear on his left cheek. For someone always so serious, seeing him smile was like seeing the sun after months of rain. I would tell him to smile more but I didn't want it to go to his head.
He moved to the side to whisper at my ear, "I know. A weak woman would never be my mate."
My heart stopped as he moved to stare at me once more. His eyes drifted down to my lips and a ringing started in my ear as I began to panic. Was he going to kiss me? What would I do if he did? Was it cheating if he was my mate as well?
Someone cleared their throat and I stepped away from Axel as if he had burned me.
Axel sighed and looked behind him to find Xavier standing a few steps away from us.
I couldn't tell what the look in his eyes meant—if he was angry or not. He merely looked at Axel and then at me.
"Are you ready? We need to get going," Axel said.
I nodded, unable to speak from embarrassment. What had I just almost allowed to happen?
Axel looked back at me.
I gave him a tight-lipped smile. "Be safe."
"I will," he replied. "I'll come and find you once I've checked on my people and I have information from that witch."
I nodded and stepped around him to join Xavier. Xavier nodded at Axel.
He returned the nod.
We moved away and I didn't look back despite wanting to.
I could feel his eyes on me.
Xavier and I headed down to the car in silence. I felt uncomfortable. What was he thinking about? How much of Axel's and my conversation had he heard?
I shook my head mentally as we walked through the front door. It wasn't like we had been talking about anything secret. I needed to get my shit together and stop being awkward. Being awkward might cause Xavier to think more had transpired than what actually had.
Natalie's head was resting in the seat I was to sit in. Xavier opened the car door for me and then gently held
Natalie's head up for me to sit down. I then placed a small pillow on my lap to rest her head on. I felt uncomfortable having her traveling like this, but I knew there was no other choice.
Xavier closed the door softly and got into the front. Mathieu maneuvered the car away from the house.
Randoll had left long ago with the two wolves that had survived, so it was just us.
As we drove down the long driveway to get to the main road, I moved Natalie's hair out of her face and placed my hand on her cheek to keep her head from moving around. IV drip with fluids had been attached to her arm and anchored to the seat that I was keeping an eye on as well.
"Is there anyone in the pack that might be able to help her?" I asked Mathieu.
He shook his head. "Right now, all we can do is keep her comfortable."
A sound echoed in the car and I assumed Xavier had hit something with his hand. "Reika, we should have called her! She should know how to help Natalie."
"I hadn't thought about her either," Mathieu said as he dug into his pants pocket and pulled out his phone. "Call her, see what she knows." He glanced behind him at Natalie and me before looking back at the road. He turned left as we got to the highway. "Maybe, she can mind-link Natalie. See how she's doing mentally."
I cracked my window a little then drifted off into my own world as he drove. My head lulled back against the seat and I closed my eyes. Even though I had slept last night, I still felt drained.
I just hope Reika could help. I couldn't do any of this without Natalie. She might not be able to shift into a wolf but I knew she did so much for this pack. Losing her would most definitely send everyone into a rage and that would only lead to a dark time for the werewolves.
I didn't know their goddess or how things worked. Like if she was prayed to, the way humans pray to their god but I sent a prayer to their goddess to protect Natalie anyway. I just hoped she accepted prayers from humans too.
Xavier
rested my elbow on the window as dad stepped on the gas. I could tell he was starting to become uneasy because it was already almost 4 pm. I
checked on Ruby in the mirror on the door to see her gazing out her window.
I had heard what Axel had said to her about her being his mate and I didn't disagree with him because I believed the same for myself. I still wanted to rip his spine out though. He'd stood far too close to her. For so long, Axel had been denying his feelings for her but I could hear them loud and clear in his voice.
He wanted her and there was no hiding it.
I closed my eyes as the breeze beat against my face. I'd slowly become less pissed when I saw them talking. At first, the mere mention of the fact that I was not her only mate would enrage me. Accepting the way things were was all I
could do because I couldn't allow this thing between the three of us to drive me insane. It still pained me to see her with him but at the end of the day, she was mine more than his.
However, I was no fool. I knew what the wolf bond was like and I knew she must have had some lingering feelings for him but I trusted that our bond was stronger than the two of theirs. I wasn't sure what I would do if I ever saw Axel kiss Ruby. It would cut me to my core, but I knew I wouldn't be able to kick his ass or be angry with her.
The bond pulls mates together and that couldn't be helped. I could only imagine how he felt seeing her with me.
Reika had rung dad's phone the moment I was about to dial her number. She instantly asked for Natalie and said she had gotten a bad feeling about Natalie. I shouldn't have been surprised. She was a powerful Enchanted much like Natalie. I filled her in on what had happened. As soon as I told her vampires had attacked the house, she asked me if Ruby was safe. I hesitated for a moment, finding it strange that she seemed so concerned for Ruby, specifically.
She then clarified that despite what was happening, Ruby being kept safe was extremely important. She was the first human to be mated to a wolf. She, I—and Axel—were making history.
She then told me forcing Natalie out of her coma wouldn't be wise. It could be done but it wasn't something she recommended. Natalie would have to wake up on her own terms and if she dove into Natalie's psyche now, it would be dangerous for them both. She offered to hop on a plane to aid us since Natalie was out of commission. I refused her offer.
Natalie trusted her, but I didn't since she still worked for Olcan. She was still way too close to the Council. She quickly told me she knew I was wary of her but she was on our side.
Natalie had told me all about how she had played a part in helping Ruby and me to escape, but I refused to completely trust her.
"Thank you, Reika but I think you remaining there would be wise. We'll be able to keep track of what the Council is doing. If you leave to come to our aid, the Council will turn their attention to you, assuming that you've betrayed them." She saw reason and told me she would keep me updated.
For now, all she knew was that Olcan didn't seem all too shaken up about vampires still being alive. She told me to keep her updated on Natalie and our call ended.
I hadn't said this to her, but I wouldn't be surprised if Olcan had known all along about vampires still being alive. I didn't make sense that the vampires hadn't tried to kill him, instead of another Council member.
"She helped Natalie the night you left. She placed Olcan and me under a sleeping spell," dad said after my call with Reika ended.
"If you weren't asleep, would you have stopped Ruby and me from leaving?" I asked him.
He didn't answer right away. I turned to look at him.
"No," he finally said. "I wouldn't have stopped the two of you. I didn't need to hear it from Olcan to know he would try to kill Ruby."
"Then why were you so relaxed about the whole thing? You were willing to let us go with him knowing what the outcome would be."
He then looked over at me, a deep crease between his brows. "You think I would let Olcan hurt my only son? Acting outright against Olcan would be foolish, but I had no intention of letting him kill you or Ruby."
I felt bad for asking him a question like that. An erratic heartbeat pulled me from my thoughts and I frowned. A
pained moan then met my ears and I looked behind me to find Natalie trying to move her hand.
Ruby looked at me with wide eyes before placing her hand on Natalie's chest. "Natalie?" she whispered to her. "Natalie? Can you hear me?"
Natalie's head began to move from side to side, her heartbeat increasing rapidly.
"Dad, slow down!" I called to him.
He slowed the car down to a snail's crawl. Ruby caressed Natalie's hair. "Natalie?"
Her heartbeat started to slow down and she soon stopped moving. I released a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding.
"What was that?" Ruby asked.
I shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe she's slowly waking up," I answered before facing forward again. "Maybe I should have told Reika to come after all."
Dad sped up only a little as he checked his watch. "We're running out of time."
"I know that but…" I froze, my ears twitched as Natalie started to mumble. I swing my head around to look at her.
Sweat formed on her forehead as she continued to mumble under her breath.
"Xavier?" Ruby called—her face twisted with worry. "What's wrong with her?" She placed her hand on Natalie's cheek. "Natalie, can you hear me? It's Ruby." She reached down to hold Natalie's hand. "Squeeze my hand if you can hear me."
Nothing happened as Natalie continued to mumble but soon, she started to shake. Under her lids, I could see her eyes darting from left to right frantically.
Ruby released her hand as she started to twist and turn. "She's going to rip the needle from her arm if she keeps doing this!" Ruby said in rushed words.
I leaned over just Natalie's eyes popped open. I paused as I felt a burst of relief to see her awake. That relief was short- lived because before I could say anything to her, she started screaming. A high pitched scream and I felt my blood immediately rush to my ears. I covered my ears and fell back into my seat.
Ruby covered her ears. She, however, didn't seem to be affected.
I figured with my father's and my heightened senses, we were being affected more than Ruby.
The car started to sway, blood pouring from my dad's ear. My vision was even starting to blur as her scream continued to pour from her lips like something from a horror movie. I could feel a burst of power in the car and my dad hunched forward with a pained growl as blood slipped from the side of my mouth.
I felt like I was being crushed from the inside out. What kind of power is this? I swung around to her again. "Natalie! Stop! Natalie!"
Natalie stopped screaming suddenly and her hand flew to Ruby's face to hold her forehead. Blood instantly began to roll down Ruby's face where Natalie's nails were digging into her.
Ruby's eyes widened and so did mine. I grabbed at Natalie to release her hold on her. "Natalie, what the fuck are you doing? You're hurting her."
Ruby's mouth fell open and her eyes turned white as she started to scream.
Natalie groaned as her head swayed from side to side and she started screaming once again.
I held my head. It felt like my brain would explode. I turned back around to face forward and with the car swaying as dad lost control, I was thrown forward, my head slamming against the dashboard.
"The-they're—going to—kill us," my dad said as he coughed and blood splashed onto the steering wheel.
This couldn't be happening! What the fuck was happening?!
I reached around my seat and grabbed onto Natalie. I didn't want to do this but I had no choice. I held her throat and pressed down—she instantly fell unconscious. I just hoped I didn't send her back into a coma.
Is she even really awake or was she doing this in her sleep?
Her hand fell away from Ruby's face and her head lulled to the side as her eyes rolled back.
The car skidded to a halt in the middle of the road and I pressed my fingers into my temples. My heart felt like it was trying to beat its way right out of my chest.
Dad was panting loudly beside me as he touched his ear and nose, his finger coming away with blood. He shook his head a little, no doubt feeling disoriented like me. He glanced behind him at Ruby and Natalie before looking at me.
We could both hear them breathing just fine but when I looked at Ruby, blood started to run from her nose.
Dad started the car again and pulled over to the side of the road.
Ruby's eyes opened, showing her normal green eyes before they changed back to white once more. She started to mutter, her eyes twitching. She began feeling around the car door and pulled the door before dad stopped the car, forcing him to stop suddenly as she stumbled out.
I jumped out as well and rushed to her, scooping her up in my arms. "Ruby?" I moved her hair back from her face and patted her cheek gently as her eyes started to close. "Stay with me. Stay with me, baby."
Dad hopped out of the car to check on Natalie.
I was close to losing my shit as Ruby kept muttering incoherent words and blood started running from her eyes as
they closed. "Fuck! Dad! What's wrong with her?" He rushed over to me.
Gasping abruptly, Ruby bolted upright and out of my arms. She was wheezing with her heavy breathing as she started looking around frantically.
"Ruby! Ruby, calm down, I'm here!"
Her eyes looked as if she widened them any further, they would pop from her face. She began wiping at the blood on her face, seeming confused as to why she was covered in blood. Her eyes teared up.
I felt like howling because I didn't know what to do to help her. What had Natalie done to her?
My dad's piercing howl suddenly rang out around us.
Ruby jumped, her eyes streaming with tears but she stopped panicking and looked at me. "The-they're all— going t-to die," she stammered, her eyes still as white as the clouds above us.
What the hell is she talking about?
"Who? Who is going to die?" Dad asked as he stooped down.
Whimpering, Ruby closed her eyes and held her head as she moaned. More tears fell from her eyes. "They're all going to die."
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