A BREEDER FOR THE ALPHA

JUST PLAIN.

RUBY JUNE.

The atmosphere grew thick, the tension so palpable it felt like you could cut through it with a knife. Charles' expression shifted from shock to confusion.

“What?” he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

“Forget it,” I hissed, dropping the arrow and storming away.

“Ruby, wait,” Charles called after me.

“Leave me alone!” I screamed back, frustration boiling over—at him, but mostly at myself. What the hell was I thinking? That he would suddenly throw himself at me? Even after all this time, I still found myself yearning for his approval. Despite everything I had achieved, despite finally becoming someone I could be proud of, I still craved his validation.

I wanted him to apologize for all the pain and hurt he had caused me. Don’t judge me—I know I’m being delusional and that I should have moved on by now. But if you were like me— unloved by your mother, with a father you never had the chance to meet—and then the one boy who showed even the slightest interest in you turned out to be your worst tormentor, maybe you would understand why I still want his approval.

It’s not a good enough reason, but I hope you understand.

“Ruby, you don’t understand,” Charles tried to explain.

I stopped abruptly and turned to face him.

“Tell me what I don’t understand. That you find me ugly and unattractive?” I demanded.

Charles shook his head, clearly confused. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t act like you don’t know what I mean!” I hissed.

“Do you find me attractive?” I asked again.

“I think you are very talented, Ruby and any mate of yours would see you as the most beautiful person they have ever met,” he said gently.

I scoffed. “So you think I’m just an ugly duckling, unworthy of your love,” I snapped.

“That’s not what I’m trying to say!” Charles exclaimed.

“Oh, really? Because it sounds exactly like what you meant,” I retorted.

“I might think you look plain and homely, but why should that matter to you? I have enjoyed your company, and I would hate for us to ruin it now,” Charles pleaded.

I laughed bitterly. “Plain and homely.” Somehow, those words shattered my already fragile heart.

I didn’t care that I was acting irrationally. “You are a jerk, Charles. You always have been.”

Charles’ calm demeanor finally broke, and his anger was now evident. “No, Ruby, you are the one acting like a jerk.”

“What? That’s a lie,” I spat.

“Oh, it is. Ruby, we were having such a great time together, and somehow, you have this knack for turning a pleasant moment into chaos. You are acting like a pure psychopath.”

I laughed hysterically, probably confirming his point. “A psychopath? This is what you guys created. You turned me into this crazy person, and now blame me for it.”

Charles’ anger dissolved, and he looked at me with pity. “What are you talking about? Have we met before?”

I shook my head, brushing away a few tears from my eyes. “No, I don’t know what is wrong with me,” I said, my voice trembling.

Charles stepped closer, gently touching my cheeks and gazing into my eyes with genuine concern. “Who did this to you?”

I blinked, struggling to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. How could I tell him he was part of why I was like this? He was my biggest bully, my family’s enemy, and despite my attempts to hate him, his kindness was eroding that hatred. I desperately wanted him to be mean again to fuel my anger and continue my quest for revenge. It was becoming impossible to think about carrying out my plans if he kept being so gentle.

“Who hurt you?” Charles asked again, his voice soft but insistent.

I shook my head slightly, unwilling to discuss it. “I’m sorry for lashing out. It was very rude of me.”

“Yeah, you acted a bit crazy,” he said with a laugh, then his expression turned serious. “I understand it might be a trauma response so that I won’t judge you.”

“Do you think a hug might help?” Charles asked, extending his arms.

Before I could respond, he enveloped me in a warm embrace.

I sank into his arms, soaking in his comforting scent, his warmth, and his touch. Everything about him was intoxicating, and I held him tightly as if I never wanted to let go of this moment.

“I’m sorry for lashing out… It’s just that you made me remember an old love of mine,” I murmured.

Charles nodded, gently patting my hair. “It’s okay. I understand that feeling.”

I pulled away in surprise. “Have you ever been in love before?” I asked.

Charles nodded. “Yes, and it ended before I wanted it to.”

“Tell me about her,” I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Charles raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

“Positive,” I said, managing a small smile. But the truth was, I was far from sure. My heart raced a hundred miles per hour, and I feared it might burst. I was consumed with curiosity about the woman who had so captivated him. I watched him smile at her memory.

“Who is she?”

“She was the most beautiful woman I have ever met,” Charles said, his eyes softening. “She made me feel things I had never felt before. I knew she was everything I wanted from the moment I saw her. But unfortunately, those feelings were one sided.”

“She didn’t love you?”

Charles shrugged, his expression pained. “I made a mistake that caused her to slip away from me.”

“One would think you are talking about your mate,” I said casually. “Was she your mate?”

Charles looked me squarely in the eyes before saying the word I wished he hadn’t. “No.”

“Oh,” I replied, trying to mask the hurt in my voice. “I hope you two reconcile.”

“I hope so, too,” Charles murmured.