Chapter Two

Caleb

I waited until Ruby had slipped back through the door before I crept up to the sitting room window of the farmhouse.

"No, ma'am. I know it's hard, but I need you to remain calm. Kids do this a lot and there's every chance she hasn't gone far. Now, I need you to give us a full description of her," I heard a female speaker give the instruction, in a controlled voice.

She was a pack soldier, who to any human resident, looked like a normal law enforcement officer. Ruby and her mother weren't the only human inhabitants here in Lakewood.

There were roughly around half a dozen but most were elderly. This also meant that Ruby would be the only human child at her school. I was curious to learn how they came to move here because as far as I knew, we didn't usually advertise our rental properties beyond pack boundaries. Which meant they'd probably stumbled upon it by chance.

"Yes, of course, officer. Here's a recent photo of her. Her coat is missing and I think she may have..." There was a brief momentary pause before the woman spoke again, this time with relief. "Oh my God, she's here!" She exclaimed in a frantic voice. That must be her mom, I thought.

I could hear mixed voices coming from inside. Two females and a male, asking Ruby questions about where she had been.

It seems as if her disappearing act hadn't gone unnoticed. Her mom must've realized that she was missing, then contacted who she thought was the cops. Pity we couldn't link while in human form or else they would've known to expect her straight home.

"Hey there, Ruby, you gave your mommy quite a scare. You can't be going off on your own like that. I want you to promise me that you won't ever do that again," the male officer explained to her, in a stern but gentle voice.

"I won't, I promise. I'm sorry I broke yours and Daddy's picture, Mommy. I didn't mean it. I just couldn't remember Daddy's face anymore. I'm sorry. Don't cry, Mommy. I'm really sorry," I heard Ruby explain things, apologizing in between.

I could hear her Mom sobbing as she listened. "I thought I'd lost you, too. Baby, I'm not crying because I'm mad at you. You scared me, is all. I don't know what I'd do without you," her mom told her.

It was hard to listen to. It sounded as though they'd been through an awful lot, just lately. Her mom seemed like a nice person, and I could tell by the relief in her voice that Ruby meant the world to her.

I heard her talking to the cops, explaining about Ruby's dad. That he died whilst at work, during some construction accident. And that Ruby had been having a really hard time dealing with it. They'd moved from North Carolina, all the way here to Michigan, and that they didn't know anyone.

She's had to deal with a lot of changes recently, more than most kids her age went through. First, her dad died. Then they lost their house, which meant they were forced to relocate.

"Thank you, officers, for coming out like this," her mom replied, sounding relieved.

"That's really no trouble, ma'am. We're just glad little Ruby's home, safe and sound. It's pretty late and I'm sure you'll wanna get her off to bed, so we'll get going now. You two take care, alright?" He responded as they made their way outside.

"Goodbye," her mom replied before closing the door.

I darted behind the hedges, hanging around for a few moments more, listening to Ruby's mom telling her how much she loved her. She told her that she was going to make a scrapbook filled with all the memories of her dad, and of them as a family.

I walked away once I saw the lights go out. Taking a slow walk back home. I couldn't shake the heavy feeling I felt in my heart for my Little Ruby Red and how it must suck really bad to go through all of that, at six years of age.

The only friend she felt she had was a wolf that she found in the forest.

Damn, poor kid!

It hadn't taken me as long as I thought to get back home. On the bright side though, all the guests had now left.

The house was left unlocked and everywhere was in darkness. You couldn't tell that there had even been a party in here earlier. Everything had been cleared away, leaving the house in its usual pristine condition, once again.

A deathly silence filled the void as I crept in through the entrance hall. This was too good to be true. Just as I thought about it, the hall light came on with a click.

"And just where the hell have you been?" My mom was standing in her dressing gown and slippers with a thunderous look etched across her face.

This wasn't going to be pleasant. I fidgeted awkwardly, staring up at her in nothing but my skin. My bare feet had splattered a trail of mud along the marble floor tiles. I covered my modesty with my dirty hands, cringing sheepishly.

She moved at wolf speed, vanishing and re-emerging on the landing to throw a pair of sweatpants at my feet.

"Here, put those on. Your father and I want to talk to you in the study," she spoke, her voice as cold as ice.

She turned, sauntering off along the corridor towards my father's study. The clock in the entrance hall chimed twice to indicate that it was two a.m in the morning.

What was so important that it couldn't wait until later?

I pulled on the pair of sleep shorts and trudged hesitantly up the stairs.

A strange unsettling feeling began to manifest itself inside my chest, concerned as to what repercussions I was likely to face. Granted, I'd gone AWOL during my own coming of age party. I'd never caused a scene before, so I was confused as to why they were making a huge song and dance over the one time I had.

The door to the study was left ajar, spilling a slither of yellow light along the darkened corridor. I could just about make out their exchange of hushed whispers inside the room.

Just as I feared, they were discussing the fact that I may, or may not, find my mate and that perhaps they would have to resort to selecting a suitable mate for me.

"Of course we should intervene, Claire. What about the Miller girl? What's her name again? Rebecca? Rene?" I heard Dad mutter in his gruff tone. He wasn't good at keeping his voice down. And to add insult to injury, he had as much subtly as a brick.

Mom tutted. "Her name is Rachel. Seriously, James, I swear you never listen to a word I say," Mom replied, frustrated.

I'd heard enough at that point. So I stormed through the door, in irritation as to what I'd just overheard.

You see, my parents weren't as considerate as Ruby's mother was. Mine were more formal, more conservative. They only cared about their status and reputation. I wished more than anything that they'd show me an ounce of the respect that I'd witnessed Ruby's mom bestow to her, in the half hour that I'd spent eavesdropping beneath the window.

"What's going on, in here?" I asked, unable to help the accusing tone in my voice.

"Watch your mouth, boy," my father warned with a growl.

"We were saying that since you haven't found your mate, that given time we would find a suitable Luna to help you, when you become Alpha of the pack," my mother responded, casually.

I watched as she admired her manicured nails with more interest than she had ever shown me over these past few years.

If only she knew how Rachel had personally been the pack boys 'coming of age welcoming committee,' she wouldn't be so quick to suggest I consider her as a potential Luna.

I had nothing personal against Rachel, per se. She seemed alright, deep down. She just wasn't who I envisioned spending the rest of my life with, that's all.

"That won't be necessary," I replied, flatly.

My father pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly agitated. "It's not up for debate, Caleb. You will do as your mother and I say. And now that you've finished school, you are to come to work with me."

As well as my father being Alpha of our pack, he was also the CEO of his company: Grant Enterprises. It was a multinational company that manufactured outdoor recreational equipment and clothing.

Working with Dad, I could cope with. However, them interfering in my love life wasn't happening-- period.

"I've found my mate as a matter of fact. Tonight, during the party. I stepped out to get some air and there she was," I told them the half-truth.

I didn't know how to drop the bombshell yet, but hey, at least it bought me some time from my meddling parents who seemed keen to play matchmaker.

My father's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Oh, you have? Well, that's wonderful news, Son. What's her name?" He asked. His dark-brown eyes were fixed firmly upon me, awaiting further details.

I looked away as I spoke. I'd never lied before. Not about anything major, anyway. I suddenly felt as if the ground would open up and swallow me whole. The look of guilt must have been evident as it crept across my face in the form of a red-hot blush.

"Her name is Ruby," I replied without making direct eye contact.

This was my first mistake. My father wasn't easily fooled. Being Alpha meant that he could smell a lie from a mile away.

My mother gasped, elated. "Oh, what a lovely name. Is she pretty?"

I internally cringed, feeling myself shrink to about two inches tall under their intense gaze.

This must be how it feels to be placed under a microscope and analyzed.

"Yeah, she's a cutie," I replied, awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck.

My mom's eyes grew wide as I'd now earned her full undivided attention for the first time ever.

"So," Dad announced, with a clap. "When do we get to meet her?"

All that escaped my lips in response, was a dumbfounded groan.

Okay, perhaps I should've seen that one coming.