Willing Heart

Chapter 6: Darkened Light

~Chester's P.O. V~

        Ruby had been talking about some of the cases she had to be in court for before she could go to Drac's island. First, she had the single mother to deal with in a few days then she wanted to stay for this Katie girls case against that young man. "Alright. But, on one condition." I wasn't going to let her be by herself until she gets to Drac. I would gladly give my own life to protect this woman.

"What's that?" She asked. More than a bit annoyed I might add.

"I stay by your side. You can come and crash at my place and I drive you too and from work." To say she was shocked was an understatement.

"Are you kidding me?! No! I am-" She had to pause while a waitress passed us, then she lowered her voice. "I'm a Unicorn not some wolfy tail you can just chase." I shrugged, but she had to see reason, so I did a dirty tactic.

"Fine. Then I will take you to Drac tonight. I will drag you there if I have to. And you can kiss those cases goodbye." It was underhanded, rude and somewhat black mailing her, but I want my woman safe. Away from Oliver Evens. Her mouth wide open in complete shock as anger boiled in her eyes.

"That's low." Saying through gritted teeth.

"And? It's not like you wouldn't have done the same had our positions been switched." Boy, she had no clue that I belonged to her. If it weren't for her being so stubborn and yet good hearted, I would have whisked her away earlier. She sat back and crossed her arms, contemplating my words.

It took a few minutes, but I got my answer, "I hate you; you know that? I hate that you are right." I smiled and ate my food.

"As soon as Katie's case is closed and he is in jail, I am taking you to Dracula's. Deal?" I held out my hand. I needed to feel her touch again. She rolled her eyes and shook it. Her hands were so freaking soft, I loved them being in mine. They were smaller and more delicate. "Stay here. I need to call him." I got up from the table and went outside. Pulling my phone from, well, an unpleasant area, I dialed his number. He answered with the third ring.

"Chester. What do you want?" Always such the charmer.

"I have a favor to ask." I quickly said.

"No." He hung up on me. I just called him back. "What?!"

"I found my mate, Drac. And you owe me." He groaned loudly before I heard a chair on the other side.

"Who is she?" I smiled and looked inside to my lady.

"A Unicorn. Or I should say, The White Gemstone Mare." I could almost hear his eyes popping out of his head.

"No. That's not possible. I heard she died 18 years ago." Wow... His news network is flawed.

"No. She went into hiding 18 years ago. Look. Alpha Evens of Salem is looking for her. Can you hide her until my Alpha kills him?"

"Whoa! Hold on. You want me to what?!? Hell no! I put up barriers for a reason Chess!" I had to hold my phone away from my ear.

"Did I mention that you owed me for pulling you out of Torpor? None of your own kind would have done that, Drac." I heard banging on the other side. Along with groaning. Heavy groaning.

"Fine! But it's just her! And she is not allowed to approach my castle! When can I expect her?" He asked.

 ~Ruby's P.O. V~

        He was taking a long time out there; I would occasionally see his phone away from his ear. I tried to tell him that he would never allow another person near him after Mina. But, did he listen? Nope. I had to admit, I did kind of feel a pull to him, whether that was a good thing or bad thing has yet to be confirmed. I can't trust anyone right now. I needed to concentrate on Katie and Abigale. They need justice and they come first. I went to the phone booth they had inside. I just realized I had no cellphone, no wallet and no change.

"Here. If you need a safe place from that man." A waitress just came up and handed me change. I placed the change in the slot and dialed my bosses number. After several rings, he finally picked up.

"Hello?" I was happy to hear his voice.

"Hey, Zack. It's Ruby. I need a favor."

"Ah, my star employee! What can I help you with, sweet cheeks?" I hated his nicknames for me.

"I just caught Elias' son trying to r**e a young woman, how can I push that case to be on the same day as Mrs. Chaves' case?" I bit my lip.

"If you have clear cut evidence and his confession, I'd say a pretty high chance." He answered.

"Great! Because I do." I was happy that Katie let me borrow her phone for the recording. And happy that Chester let me borrow his coat again. "I left it with the evidence collector at the SOPD."

"That's a good call. What did you get?" He asked.

"His confession, his name and that this wasn't his first offense."

"Wow. Good work, Miss. Nicholson." He paused for a moment. "Say, after the cases are closed, let me take you out for a well-earned victory dinner."

"I am sorry to decline, sir. But, once I get these cases closed, I have to attend some family business. And will probably be gone for the rest of the month." I knew when I was being asked out.

"I see. I hope it's nothing serious. We can postpone that dinner until you get back." It was then I heard a low growl from behind me. Chester looked pissed off for some reason.

"Of course." I was uncomfortable with this situation. "I gotta go boss. Need to prepare those documents."

"Alright. See you on Monday." I hung up before things could get even weirder with Chester.

"What was that about?!" I asked him.

"Uh..." It wasn't until now that I noticed his eyes. They were black for a few seconds before turning back to their beautiful emerald color. "Sorry, I thought that it was a threat." He wasn't lying. But a threat to who? Me? Or him?

"Alright, I have to go get my laptop and what not from my place first. It has my clients information on it. And I would like to bring a change of clothes too." I crossed my arms and deadpanned stared him.

"Anything else?" What was that glint in his eyes? I shook my head. "Good. It's pretty late and dark out. We should get going." He grabbed my and in his hands was his phone. Where was he hiding it?! I saw him virtually pay for our meals before leaving the diner. We got to the darker part of the forest before he took off his pants again. He used the excuse that it was too hot for a shirt when the waitresses asked, and none of them complained. I was a bit angry that they looked at him with lust. Jealous even. He handed me his pants and shifted back into his wolf. I climbed on him.

"I live near the biggest justice center. You can probably just follow my scent from there." I spoke softly. His fur was warm and embracing. Was I starting to like him? No. I can't. We just meat tonight. Snap out of it, Ruby. He took off in the general direction of my home. Once we got close enough, he followed his nose to my apartment. Stopping in an ally nearby. I handed him his pants when he was back in human form. I buzzed into my cranky landlord.

"Oh. She finally decides to come home, huh?! Your packages are taking up the hallway!" She slammed on the door button. I opened it. What packages? I was confused until I reached the third floor. It was like walking into a flower shop.

"What the hell?" I was baffled. No one has sent me flowers before. All of them shared one thing in common, they were all white and red. I picked one of them up and a note fell off it. Chester handed it to me. I opened it and read it out loud.

"For you, my beauty. Flowers could never compare to you, of course. Until we meet, know that I love you from afar. Your beloved shining knight." Vague and full if themselves. Each had a note on them, with the same name, 'Your Shining Knight'

"Any clues?" Chester asked me. I shook my head. I didn't know anyone outside of work. The landlady came up to help me get into my apartment and with the flowers. I thanked her for it and she promptly left. With things being crazy right now, I packed only what was needed. Chester was waiting for me at my door. I nodded to him and we officially left my small piece of solitary confinement.