The Ruthless Beta’s Forbidden Mate

002

RUBY

My father’s boots slammed against the floor, back and forth, like a caged animal pacing its cell.

"I can't believe it," he snapped, his voice echoing off the high walls of his private study. "He killed the damn beast."

His right hand man stood by the cold fireplace, holding his hands up in a soothing gesture. "Please, Alpha. Try to calm down."

"Calm down?" My father whirled around, his cheeks flushed dark with anger. "How the hell am I supposed to calm down? Look at it—that beast won't survive the night! The filthy rogue is going to ask for something now. Or worse, he's going to pull something right under our noses. You need to keep an eye on him. I don’t trust him."

Before his advisor could answer, the doors creaked open. A guard rushed into the room, bowing low, his breathing short and heavy.

"My lord," the guard panted, keeping his eyes on the floor. "The beta demands to stay here. For two days. Before he returns home."

My father didn't speak. He stepped up to his desk and slammed his fist down so hard the brass inkwell jumped. The sudden crack echoed like a gunshot in the tense room.

The right hand man swallowed hard, looking at the dented wood before turning to my father. "What will you do, Alpha?"

"I clearly can turn him down but I won’t," my father grated out through clenched teeth, his shoulders rigid. "Obviously I won’t. Not after he won in front of every pack member out there." He looked up at the guard, his eyes icy. "Take him to the rooms on the lower level. Way down. As far from my own quarters as possible, don’t you dare make any mistake."

The guard bowed quickly. "Yes, Alpha," he whispered, turning on his heel and darting out of the study as if escaping a fire.

I kept my hands folded tightly in front of my dress, stepping back toward the doorway. "I'll take my leave now, Father," I said softly, dipping into a low bow.

I turned to go, my shoes silent on the rug, but my father’s sharp command stopped me dead in my tracks.

"Ruby."

I halted, my stomach dipping as I slowly turned back around to face him.

His eyes locked onto mine, hard and unyielding. "Stay away from the lower level, you and your maid. For now and don’t cause any trouble," he paused then continued “quit whatever you might have in mind, I know you more than anyone. Quit it.”

I gave him a quick, obedient nod. "Yes, Father."

I didn't wait for another word. I slipped out of the room, my skirts rustling softly as I hurried down the wide corridors to my private chamber. The moment the door shut behind me, I unlatched my golden half mask and set it on the polished table, rubbing the indentations it had left along my nose and cheekbones.

My maid was already inside, bustling around the canopy bed. She looked up as I entered, her hands dropping the throw blanket.

"Are you all right, Lady Ruby?" she asked, her voice hushed as she studied my pale face. "Are you a bit frightened about everything that happened down there?"

I let out a long breath, my shoulders slumping as I pressed my cool palm against my cheek. "Of course I'm frightened," I admitted, stepping further into the room. "Everything went off so fast."

She nodded sagely, coming over to take the cloak from my shoulders. "Rumors are already flying through the kitchen," she murmured, leaning in a little closer. "They say the rogue beta often doesn't listen to his own alpha. But his alpha can't get rid of him anyway—not with their loyalty and that tight sibling bond. I wonder what made them turn out this way. Both rogues but still controlling a strong packs of rogues.”

"Hopefully he leaves soon," I murmured, watching my reflection in the glass. But as I said the words, the image of those piercing blue eyes locking onto mine flashed in my mind, hot and unbidden. I turned back to face her, a sudden thought taking root in my chest. "But before he does, I need your help with something."

She paused, folding the cloak over her arm. "What is it?"

"I want to know more about that beta, where they were originally from," I said, stepping closer to her. "He looks intriguing."

My maid’s eyes widened, and she took a small step back. "Lady Ruby, you heard what your father said! You need to stay away."

"If I don't get more info or study a man like him," I pushed back, my chest tightening with a stubborn spark, "I'll never become the writer I've dreamed of being and besides he might be up to something so I need to step up and find out."

She stared at me like I'd lost my mind. "What sort of writing requires you to risk your life just to study a dangerous man?" she asked, throwing her hands up in frustration. "You're a princess, for goodness' sake!"

"I'm an alpha's daughter," I corrected her instantly, rolling my shoulders back. "Not some dang fragile princess."

She rolled her eyes hard, scoffing under her breath. "Well, your father will kill you if he catches you down on the lower level."

"Which is exactly why I need your help," I said, a small, desperate smile tugging at my mouth.

She crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "What kind of help?"

I walked over to the edge of my bed and sat down, leaning forward with my hands flat on the mattress. "We're going to exchange dresses."

She froze. "What?"

"Yes," I insisted, nodding quickly as the plan fully formed in my head. "We exchange dresses. I'll wear your maid's clothes, and you'll wear mine. Then I can go down there and serve him water or something."

My maid gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "You're going to get yourself killed if you do that! Absolutely killed!"

I rolled my eyes, pushing myself up from the bed and grabbing her by the hands. "I promise to survive," I told her, holding her gaze until she stopped shaking. "I won't be harmed."