Chapter 3
1153 Words
Ruby wakes up early, having spent half of the previous day sleeping, and goes for a run. She returns to the pack house in over an hour and sees Ryder awake and dressed.
"I had no idea you enjoyed exercising," he says.
"I have to train every morning and evening in my true form. I learned to enjoy it after a long time," she replies, and Ryder smiles proudly, making Ruby smile back at him.
"We should go together tomorrow," Ryder suggests, and Ruby agrees.
"I'm going downstairs to get breakfast. You should change and come down as well," Ryder says, and Ruby promises to be down soon before exiting into the bathroom.
When Ruby finishes, she sees her belongings properly arranged inside the closet.
She smiles at Ryder's considerate behavior, which differs from the rumors she had heard about him.
Ruby picks a pair of trousers and a green top to wear, then applies a small amount of foundation and lipstick.
Remembering she will run into Logan, she tries to remain calm.
As soon as she enters the dining room and sees Logan chatting with Ryder, her heart skips a beat.
"Ruby, here," Ryder calls, holding out a seat for her.
"Here, have some," he says, helping her place food on her plate and pouring water for her.
"Thank you," Ruby says, while others at the table watch them with keen eyes.
"I'm surprised our Alpha can be gentle when in love," George jokes, and Pete laughs.
"My sister seems equally smitten. Looks like last night went great," Pete teases, and Ruby snaps gently at her brother.
"Shut your mouth and eat," she says.
"You both mind your own business," Ryder adds, but that only makes them tease more.
Ruby hears a scoff across the table and turns to look at Logan, who has a scowl on his face and picks at his food.
"Logan, what do you plan to do on your birthday?" Ryder asks.
"Nothing, there's no need to make a fuss about it," Logan replies, tearing his gaze away from Ruby.
"It's your eighteenth birthday, and there is a high possibility you find your mate the same night," Ryder insists, but Logan shrugs.
"You already gave me a gift; I don't need a mate," he says, and Ryder stares at him quietly.
"Why are you moody? Is it because of..." Logan quickly cuts him off.
"It's nothing," he says, and Ryder sighs.
"We don't have to discuss our matters in front of strangers," he adds, his unpleasant gaze turning to Ruby, who responds with the same taunt gaze.
Logan stands up.
"I'm done. I need to get to school now," he says and leaves.
"I apologize; he's not usually rude," Ryder says.
"It's okay," Ruby replies, not offended.
Pete mouths, "We experienced this once before."
"What do you mean?" Ruby asks.
"Remember when Logan came to our pack for the first time? He acted the same way," Pete explains, and Ruby looks puzzled.
"He has been to our pack before? When?" Ruby asks.
"Three years ago. He liked you then, though; don't know why he's changed again," Pete says.
Ruby nods slowly, but can't recall it properly.
Piper's presence in the room changes the topic.
"Why are you up so late? I heard you had a fever yesterday," Ryder asks Piper, who nods in greeting at everyone.
"How are you feeling now?" Ryder asks, and Piper replies in the same manner before sitting down to eat.
"I haven't introduced you properly," Ryder says, noticing the looks on Ruby and Pete's faces.
"This is Piper; she joined the pack a year ago and doesn't have anyone to stay with, so she's staying here at the pack house," Ryder explains.
"She also can't speak for the time being, but will soon get better," he adds.
Ruby studies Piper again, noticing she looks around Logan's age and is very beautiful.
"Nice to meet you, Piper," Ruby says, taking Piper's hand.
~
Cole, Logan's best friend, calls out to him as soon as he pulls over his motorcycle.
"How did your brother's marriage go yesterday? My parents assigned me to do some work and wouldn't let me come," Cole asks.
"It's an engagement, not a wedding," Logan corrects him.
"What's the difference? They're eventually going to get married, aren't they?" Cole shrugs.
"So, how is our Luna? Is she very hot?" Cole asks, and Logan pushes him away with a glare before walking off.
"Krista is waiting for you in class," Cole calls after him before going in the opposite direction.
Krista stands up immediately when she sees Logan approaching the classroom and adjusts her uniform.
"Logan, you're here. I bought this for you," she says, revealing expensive earphones, but Logan ignores her and takes a seat, closing his eyes.
Krista looks embarrassed but doesn't mind his attitude, satisfied that he hasn't used any hurtful words.
She drops the gift on his table before sending a warning glare at the other girls staring at him, then returns to her own class.
Logan sighs loudly and opens his eyes when Krista is gone, looking out the window.
"Did she really sleep with him?" he wonders, trying to stop thinking about it but unable to shake his curiosity.
He closes his eyes again. Despite knowing Ruby and Ryder are destined for each other, Logan can't help but feel a pang of jealousy.
Unlike Ruby, Logan had recognized her at the bar and hadn't expected her not to recognize him.
He had hidden his crush on her for three years after finding out she was fated to be with his brother and got excited seeing her again.
Even gave her his first time...
Logan exhales deeply, trying to keep thoughts of Ruby sharing the same bed with Ryder out of his head, and gets distracted throughout the whole class.
At lunch, Logan joins Cole on the way to the cafeteria and notices the lipstick stain on his uniform.
"You were with Miss Miles," he says, and Cole grins.
Logan shakes his head and takes his usual space at the cafeteria. Krista joins him in a few seconds and starts making small talk.
"How is our Luna?" she queries, and Logan feels a surge of irritation at hearing Ruby's name mentioned again.
"Don't you have something better to do with your time?" Logan snaps.
"Knowing more about my future sister-in-law is useful," Krista replies.
"I saw her yesterday, and she is really beautiful."
Her fiery red hair that cascades down her back in a loose wave while in his arms the other night, and her emerald green eyes that stared lustfully at him, are definitely beautiful...
Logan exhales when he realizes the thoughts are coming from him, not Krista.
"Sister-in-law," Krista calls with excitement.
"I told you not to..." Logan's voice trails off when he sees Ruby walking towards them, and he is stunned for a second.
- Writer
