Torn Between Alpha and Beta

Chapter 4: The Warning

Ruby's POV

“Ruby, this doesn’t feel right, you can’t seriously be okay with this.”

Evie's voice cut through the bustle of the training yard as I swept the stone path near the fence. She leaned against the wooden posts, her wild curls falling across her amber eyes, which glinted with a mixture of concern and annoyance.

I sighed, setting the broom aside and brushing my hands off on my skirt. “Evie, not now.”

“Yes, now,” she said, hopping over the fence and landing gracefully beside me. “You’re telling me you’re fine with being handed off to Mr. Perfect over there?”

Her tone dripped with sarcasm, and my stomach twisted at the mention of Jake.

“It’s not about being fine with it,” I said quietly, avoiding her gaze. “It’s about what’s best for the pack.”

“Ugh,” she groaned, throwing her hands in the air. “You sound just like the elders.”

Riley stirred in the back of my mind, her voice sharp and agitated. She’s right, you know. This isn’t best for us.

“I don’t have a choice,” I said aloud, though whether it was to Evie or Riley, I wasn’t sure.

Evie scoffed, crossing her arms. “You always say that, but you do, Ruby. You just won’t take it. You’re too—”

“Too what?” I cut her off, my voice sharper than I intended.

She narrowed her eyes, stepping closer. “Too scared to fight for what you want.”

The words hit me like a slap, and I looked away, my throat tightening. “You don’t understand, Evie.”

“I understand plenty,” she said, her voice softening. “And I know this isn’t what you want. You’re just letting them decide for you because you think you don’t deserve better.”

Riley growled softly, her presence pressing against my thoughts. She sees the truth. Why can’t you?

“Just let me be,Evie.”

"I can't believe you’re seriously going to let the elders throw you into the arms of that guy? The one who strutted in here last night like he owned the place?”

I frowned, setting the broom aside. “Have you even met him?"

“Oh, I met him,” she said, spinning to face me, her hands on her hips. “And let me tell you, Blondie is all charm and no substance. He’s too smooth, too polished. And those compliments he kept throwing around?” She mimicked him, her voice dropping into an exaggerated drawl. “‘You’re so beautiful, Ruby. Your curls are so wild Evie.’ Ugh. Give me a break.”

I couldn’t help the small laugh that slipped out. “I’m sure he was just trying to be polite.”

“Polite my ass,” she shot back, her amber eyes narrowing. “He’s trying to butter everyone up, and for what? So we’ll ignore the fact that he’s hiding something? Because he is, Ruby. I can feel it.”

My chest tightened at her words, the unease I’d been trying to push down all day bubbling back to the surface. I leaned against the fence, wrapping my arms around myself. “What do you think he’s hiding?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice softening slightly. “But he’s too good at playing the part. No one’s that perfect. And the way he looks at you…”

“What about it?” I asked, my stomach twisting.

“It’s not right,” she said, her tone serious now. “It’s like he’s sizing you up, trying to figure out how to control you.”

Riley stirred uneasily in the back of my mind, her growl a faint echo in my thoughts.

She’s not wrong, my wolf murmured.

I shook my head, trying to push the feeling away. “Evie, I can’t just accuse him of something based on a feeling. The pack is counting on this alliance. If it falls apart because of me—”

“Because of you?” Evie cut me off, her voice rising. “Ruby, you’re not the one at fault here. The elders didn’t even give you a choice! They just decided you’d play the sacrificial lamb, like always.”

I looked away, her words hitting too close to home.

“And don’t think I don’t know what’s really eating at you,” she added, her tone softer now.

I frowned, glancing at her. “What do you mean?”

She gave me a pointed look, crossing her arms. “Carter.”

My stomach dropped, and I turned away, pretending to adjust the broom. “This has nothing to do with Carter.”

“It has everything to do with Carter,” she said, stepping closer. “I’ve seen the way you look at him, Ruby. And I’ve seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one’s watching.”

My heart clenched painfully, and I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. He’s Alpha-in-training. I’m an Omega. He’ll never—”

“Stop,” Evie said, grabbing my arm and spinning me around to face her. Her amber eyes burned with intensity. “Don’t you dare say you’re not good enough for him. You’re more than good enough, Ruby. He’s just too much of a coward to admit how he feels.”

I swallowed hard, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. “It’s not that simple, Evie.”

“It is,” she said fiercely. “And don’t think I haven’t noticed how he’s been acting since Blondie showed up. Carter's more tense than I’ve ever seen him. You really think that’s a coincidence?”

I didn’t answer, my chest tightening as I remembered the way Carter's silver eyes had burned into mine last night before he turned and walked away.

Evie sighed, her expression softening as she released my arm. “Look, all I’m saying is, you’ve got options, Ruby. You don’t have to let them shove you into this just because they think it’s best for the pack.”

“And what am I supposed to do?” I asked, my voice breaking. “Run? Where would I even go?”

“You’d be surprised what you can survive when you stop playing by their rules,” she said quietly.

I frowned, studying her. “Evie, what are you talking about?”

She hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. Then she leaned in, her voice low. “There’s more out there, Ruby. Outside the pack. Freedom. Choices. You just have to be brave enough to take them.”

My breath caught, and I stared at her, my mind racing. “Evie… are you—”

“Don’t ask,” she said quickly, cutting me off. “You don’t want to know.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the sound of footsteps approaching made both of us freeze.

“Well, isn’t this a pleasant scene.”

Evie stiffened beside me, and my stomach twisted as I turned to see Jake striding toward us, his golden-blond hair gleaming in the afternoon sun. His sharp blue eyes swept over the two of us, and a slow, confident smile spread across his face.

“Jake," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady.

“Ruby,” he said smoothly, his gaze locking onto mine. “I’ve been looking for you.”

Evie muttered something under her breath that I couldn’t quite catch, but the sharpness in her tone was unmistakable.

“We met last night,” Evie said flatly, crossing her arms. “You don’t remember?”

“Of course I do,” he said smoothly. “How could I forget someone so… spirited?”

Evie raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Charming.”

Jake chuckled, turning his attention back to me. “Ruby, I was hoping we could spend some time together. Get to know each other better.”

I hesitated, glancing at Evie for help.

“Oh, don’t let me stop you,” Evie said, her tone dripping with false sweetness. “Go on, Ruby. I’m sure this will be… enlightening.”

Riley growled, her agitation rippling through me. I don’t trust him.

“Actually,” I began, forcing a polite smile, “I was just about to—”

“Ruby,” Jake interrupted, his voice low and smooth, his blue eyes softening as he looked at me. “Please. I insist.”

Something about the way he said it, the weight of his gaze, made my skin prickle. But with Evie watching, her amber eyes burning with unspoken warnings, I couldn’t find a way to refuse.

“All right,” I said finally.

Jake's smile widened, triumphant. “Excellent.”

Evie stepped closer, her gaze flicking between the two of us. "Ruby—”

“I’ll be fine,” I said quickly, giving her a reassuring look.

Her jaw tightened, but she nodded, stepping back. “You know where to find me.”

Jake held out his arm, and though every instinct screamed at me not to, I looped my hand through it. His touch was warm, steady, but it sent a faint shiver down my spine.

As we walked toward the edge of the clearing, I glanced back at Evie. She stood by the fence, her arms crossed and her amber eyes watching us like a hawk.