Ruby’s POV
By the time the clock read 8:50 PM, I was pacing like a trapped animal, my bare feet whispering across the polished floors of the room. Every few steps, I glanced toward the door, then back again, as if staring hard enough would make time move faster or him arrive sooner. My stomach twisted with nerves, like a pack of wolves were scrapping it out in there. I brought my fingers to my mouth, hovering near my lips. I didn’t bite my nails, hated the sensation, but tonight I was sorely tempted.
What was Zaliver going to do when he walked in? Was he really going to mark me without actually marking me? That thought made no sense, but my anxiety didn’t care. My wolf paced right alongside me inside my mind, equally restless.
The moment the clock struck 8:59, I froze mid-step. My eyes
