Chapter 45: Bad and Good Day


    Ruby''s POV


    Anger consumes me, hot and searing. I hate today more than I can ever


    remember


    Maybe not, but for now, I''ll let myself believe it.


    The Alpha''s den is a disaster. No wonder the pack''s administration is always slow and disorganized no one here is actually doing the job. Papers are scattered across therge wooden desk, some stacked haphazardly, others spilling onto the floor and draped over the chairs. Dust clings to shelves packed with reports, records, and untouched decrees that should have been handled weeks ago. The air is thick with the scent of parchment and ink, stale and oppressive, as if this room had been abandoned long before Dominic left for what he called his honeymoon.


    Honeymoon.


    The word alone is enough to rekindle my fury. He left. Without telling me.


    When I asked the pack members about his whereabouts, they told me somewhat sheepishly-that Alpha Dominic and Cami had gone off to ''enjoy some time together.


    My so-called foster parents had the audacity to tell me to leave them alone, iming that after the chaos of their wedding they deserved some peace.


    Deserved?


    I clenched my fists, swallowing the words that threatened to spill out. Instead, I stepped into the abandoned room to clean up the mess he left behind.


    My wolf, Leia, was already grumbling in my head, saying we should just burn all these documents along with the entire room. It was the best idea she had heard all day, but it would also harm the pack. My loyalty was a curse, always making me care about others'' well-being. Leia, frustrated, finally severed our connection.


    I massaged my temples. "I''ll make them pay with every document I process."


    Oh, I have plenty of ns. Dominic hasn''t even had his turn at being poisoned yet. But this time, I had something far more entertaining in mind. Something much more enjoyable than thest two incidents. Dominic would definitely love it.


    As for Cami... well, she''d find out soon enough. Perhaps at one of their social gatherings or afternoon tea parties with thedies from the allied packs.


    It''s astonishing how someone who once adored Cami could turn so quickly. Then again, no woman in her right mind would tolerate infidelity-except for a brainless one, like Cami.


    Hours passed, and I barely noticed the sun beginning to set through the dust- covered window. My fingers ached from signing document after document, my back stiff from hunching over the desk, and my eyes burned from reading line after line of financial reports, patrol schedules, and alliance requests.


    At least the work was almost done.


    I had just allowed myself to lean back in my chair for a moment when a knock on the door pulled me back to reality. Gamma Ares entered, carrying a small stack of pending documents. He hesitated upon seeing me, guilt flickering across his face as he ced the papers down.


    "Apologies for the intrusion, Luna," he said, his voice quiet with genuine remorse. "These need to be reviewed."


    I sighed but waved a hand dismissively. "It''s fine."


    Ares hesitated again, ncing between the mess of papers and me. "This shouldn''t be Luna''s job.*


    I let out a humorlessugh, stacking the papers neatly before picking up the next sheet. "And yet, here I am, doing it. The Alpha won''t be back until his honeymoon is over, so someone has to take his ce."


    I caught the shift in his expression-pity.


    I hated that look. I didn''t need it. I didn''t want it.


    Ares quickly schooled his features. “Forgive me, I didn''t mean to bring it up. I hope you can get some rest soon."


    I nodded, offering a brief word of thanks. Before he could turn to leave, I spoke


    up.


    "I have a question. Maybe this will sound like I''m being inattentive, but I''ve been dealing with a lottely."


    Anyone would understand what I meant, considering all the who


    mack and the various disgraceful scandals that


    had tarnished the Ravenhold Pack''s name-on the


    Sessfully unlocked!


    "How long have you been serving as Gamma?" I added.


    ort to restore to its former glory.


    The Gamma blinked, then gave me a polite smile. "My tenure is still young, Luna. Just a little over a month."


    "Ah, I see. Are youfortable in your position?"


    Chapter 45: Bad and Good Day


    Judging by his appearance, he was younger than Dominic and certainly younger than the previous Gamma, but what mattered was skill, not age.


    "Quitefortable. The warriors have weed me well, Luna,” he replied.


    I nodded. "Good to hear. In that case, report to me if anything negative happens around you or if you experience any issues." From his expression, the younger man seemed surprised by my words, but he nodded and epted them quickly. After that, he bid farewell, casting me onest nce before leaving. Even as his figure disappeared, his presence lingered in my thoughts.


    Gamma Ares.


    The new Gamma, recing the one who had followed Dominic blindly. Today was the day we spoke more than usual, and perhaps he was different. But there were no guarantees-everything could still go wrong. Just like the Beta who remained fiercely loyal to Dominic.


    I despised him. He should have been here, taking over the Alpha''s responsibilities, yet he imed he had to handle security matters for the pack. A convenient excuse, clearly, to leave me drowning in this endless pile of documents.


    He would be my next target.


    He had even been pleased when Dominic finally ended up with Cami, openly anticipating the birth of a child that wasn''t even Dominic''s.


    Pushing away my anger for now, I immersed myself once again in the remaining documents.


    Silence fell as I focused on my work. It had always been my way-pouring everything into something just to survive another day.


    Then, a voice.


    A voice I knew all too well.


    A deep baritone,ced with amusement and arrogance.


    "Working so hard, little Luna?"


    I jolted, my head snapping up so fast that my vision blurred. And there he was-


    Killian Rudwick, standing at the threshold of the Alpha''s Study, wearing his


    signature smirk, his crimson eyes gleaming in the dim light.


    My heart pounded as I shot up from my seat. "How did you get in here?"


    His smirk deepened.


    "Easily." He stepped forward, unhurried, as if he had all the time in the world. "And


    I have a reason, of course. Our cooperation, remember?"


    Cooperation?


    I narrowed my eyes. "What cooperation?"


    "Oh, of course... this one." Killian gestured between us with his finger, as if the


    answer should have been obvious. "Do you understand now?"


    "You know that''s not what I meant. What excuse did you use this time, Your Majesty?" I asked, half-annoyed.


    "Don''t think too hard about it." He waved a dismissive hand. "Why don''t we spend some time together? Your documents can wait."


    I nced at the paper in my hands. It was thest one.


    Killian wouldn''t take ''wait'' for an answer, and truth be told, he was far more interesting than these lifeless sheets of white. "As yourmand, Your Majesty. But I expect some exnations." I ced the document back on the desk and stepped around it to meet him and still maintained my scowl.


    Killian chuckled darkly. "Always so demanding, Luna."


    "You taught me well, Your Majesty."


    Our fingers brushed, and the intensity in his gaze sent heat coursing through my


    body.


    "Ah, I am a fine teacher, indeed." He murmured, a charming smile that was


    perfectly set on his ever-tempting lips. "Which


    means I should teach you another lesson today... don''t you think?"