er supposed act of treason to spread through the pack, but it seemed only the Alpha, beta,

er as it used to. She remembered begging them to stop whenever they wanted to have their fun but she became numb. No matter the pain they inflicted, or the verbal abuse they rained on her, she couldn't bring hersel

ted him to, but a small hopeful part of her still wish

n. Lifting her head from her lap, she stared at her father. She

Alpha? You stupid child! I warned you that this was your last straw, and by the goddess, I'm glad I don't have to be t

with her empty green

ll you? The trial

The decorations that were used for the celebration had

was in and her father stepped out and marched into the pack house paying her no heed. A few people lingered outsid

with his hands behin

se through the front entrance, the hall was large. Two spiral stairs stood side to side leading up to a grand door. O

um where the Alpha was expected to sit was a thick rug that Ruby knew would be devastating to clean. On eac

n her, but she didn't look up to find out who was present. Deafen

nce. "Councilmen." The men seated stood to their

in a suit which fitted him like a glove. He marched to his seat and sat dow

et hers briefly and she sucked in a breath before he

of Edgar Rupert, who stands trial for treason and a

men. "Ruby Laine, what do y

ght staring back at Aiden. His eyes held her captiv

pha's room?" one of the

he words rolled over her ton

ther or probably the s

hing down her anxiety. He didn't blink nei

with her eyes still fixed on his, matching his gaze.

ck in conviction, but Ruby wasn't

it disappeared almost as quickly as it ca

" Aiden finally spoke. "..

as always, all that was wishful thinking. No sorrow or regret lingered on his handsome face. He looked calm.

n again. Whipping her head to the side, Ruby croaked out a cry as Ophelia steppe

olled down her face as she couldn't muster a proper sta

to Aiden. "Aiden,

a with the appropriate title

hoosing Ophelia... Ruby tore her eyes away from the pair as she couldn't stomach how good they looked together. She tried to convince hers

t us together for a reason. The mate bond isn't som

everything she ever wanted, a father's love, and when she thought she coul

is Ophelia, and even if she isn't mine, I will still c

lf, which she knew was howling inside him for the pain he was putting her through. The strength which

. "I will give you two choices, admit you're wrong and apologize t

in her, Ruby looked straig

to a fist. "Fine then. I, Aiden, Alpha of the R