Ruth’s POV

As the five of us walked through the hall to my first class, I could feel the stares. And all I wanted to do was become invisible. It didn’t help that I felt his eyes watching me. We slipped into the classroom and I let a small sigh out. At least I would be able to hide from his view for an hour.

I sat in the same seat as yesterday, while my guards sat around me. Lynette walked in and looked surprised to find me surrounded by the Alpha’s guards. She smiled at me but I just lowered my eyes.

History flew by and we were on our way to Science; my least favorite subject. The bell and just rung when the door opened and in he walked. I slide further down in my desk, hiding my face with my hair. He walked towards us and sat just in front of the guards, but where he could still look at me. I prayed that he hadn’t noticed me, but my hopes died when he turned around and winked at me.

It turned out that he was in my other two classes as well. I was getting to the point where I was starting to like my classes, but now I knew I would dread them. And it was due to the fact that he would be in them. After my last class, we were walking towards the office when he tried to speak to me. I knew that it didn’t escape the notice of the wolves around me that I flinched away from him, but I couldn’t help it.

“Ruth, could I speak with you for a minute?” I shook my head no, my eyes never leaving my feet. “Please, we need to talk.” My thoughts went into overdrive. Shaking my head faster, I step behind one of my guards. He finally got the hint and walked away. As we stepped outside, I heard them whispering. They thought that since I was a human that I wouldn’t be able to hear them. But I heard every word.

“Why is she afraid of the Alpha’s son?”

“You’re asking the wrong person. If you want the answer, you’ll have to ask her.”

“According to Oliver Jackz, she wasn’t like this yesterday until right before school ended.” I blocked the rest out by slipping my earphones in. It wasn’t long before Jubal pulled up. When I sat in the car, the four men took off for the woods. Jubal smiled at me. “How was school?” I just shrug and turn my music up.

It wasn’t until we were half way home that the conversation I overheard earlier hit me. My mate, the wolf that ruined me, was Alpha Nate’s son. This was his pack. He acted as if he didn’t recognize me, but I knew it could be an act. He was probably waiting until he could get me alone before he finished the job.

When we reached the house, I grabbed my bag and ran inside. I was halfway up the stairs when Jubal called my name. “Ruth, I made Mom’s famous dumplings.”

I’m not hungry Jubal. I say softly as I shut my door and lock it. Tossing my bag on my desk, I lie on my bed and curl up into a ball. As I feel asleep crying, I wished that the crash would have taken me instead of my parents.

Jubal’s POV

I watched her disappear up the stairs and I felt my heart sink. It hurt me to watch her go through this and not be able to do anything about it. Sighing, I head to the kitchen and put the dinner I had made into the fridge. It would be there if she got hungry.

Jubal, I need you to come to the house. My nephew’s coming to stay for a few months and we need to go over a few plans. How’s Ruth?’

I’ll be there in a few minutes Sir. She’s not doing so well: not eating and blocking everyone out.

Maybe I’ll swing by and see her in a day or two. I drop the link and walk up to Ruth’s room. Knocking on the door, I wait for her answer, but it doesn’t come. Ruth, I need you to answer me.

What is it?

I have to go to the pack house and speak with Nate for a little while. His nephew’s coming for a few months and he needs my help to get a few kinks fixed.

Ok. With a sigh, I turn and leave the house, making sure to lock the door behind me. She was starting to worry me.

Ruth’s POV

As I listened to my brother leave the house, I couldn’t believe my ears. Another one of the monsters would be in my life again. I knew that my mate didn’t remember me, but my old Alpha’s son did. I can remember his words the day my parents died.

He blamed me for the death of my father. And I couldn’t help but think he was right. They were taking me to see a movie because I wouldn’t stop begging them. It was raining and I knew we should have stayed home. But we didn’t.

It was the drunk drivers’ fault they died Ruth. Not yours.

We wouldn’t have been on the road if I stopped asking to go see that movie, Si. She started to speak again, but I just blocked her out like I did my brother. Looking towards the bathroom, I shake my head and walk down to my brother’s office.

Opening the door, I step in and close it quickly. It took some searching, but I soon found what I was after. Heading back up to my room, I lock the door and sit in my closet. Popping the lid off of the bottle, I take a huge swallow and wince as it burns my throat.

An hour later, the whiskey’s gone and I’m curled up in a corner, drunk. But I was numb, I couldn’t feel the pain and that’s what I wanted.