Unknown’s POV

Dad just told me that my cousin was coming to stay with us for a while. And I was dreading it. He made it a habit of going after those he saw weaker than himself. And since we were in an all wolf school, the person he would be after would be my mate. Both my wolf and I growled at that idea.

When I tried to speak to her at school, her reaction hurt deeply. I was trying to figure out why she acted that way, while trying to figure out how to keep my cousin from noticing her. As I walked to the house, I couldn’t help but feel that I had met my mate before.

Ruth’s POV

Jubal was back and he had several others with him. Though I was still drunk, I could tell that the Alpha was among them. I heard them enter Jubal’s office and the door was shut.

I was torn between wanting to tell Jubal about that night and wanting to protect my mate, though I hated him. Will he do the same thing when he finds out who I am Si?

I can’t tell Ruth. All I can get off of him or his wolf is the regret from what happened. But with his cousin here, there’s no telling what he’ll do just to stay on the ‘in’ with him.

I can’t stay here with both of them around Si. I need to leave.

You need to tell Jubal, Ruth. He can…

He can’t protect me every second of every day Si. They would be waiting and watching and when he turns his back for just a second, they would be able to hurt me. No, I, we need to leave this place and them behind.

She didn’t answer. Si knew that my mind was already made up and I wouldn’t change it. I hated the thought of leaving the only family I had left, but I had to. I stand up and rummage around until I found a bag. Laying it on my bed, I quickly pull several clothes out of the closet and stuff them into the bag.

Pulling a notebook from my book bag, I grab a pen and start writing.

Jubal,

If you’ve found this then I’m gone. I can’t stay here, though it kills me to leave you. I’ll be back one day maybe, once both of them are gone. I thought that I could put up with him being my mate, but now someone close to him is coming. And both of them caused me too much pain for me to stay. They would just as likely cause me more, only this time I know that they would succeed in killing me.

I know that you’re probably mad at me for running, for not facing them head on, and for not telling you anything about it or them. But trust me Brother, if you knew what happened to me, you wouldn’t only hate me, and you would hate someone closer to you than me. And I won’t do that to you. I know that you’ll try to find me, but I’m asking you not too. If you look for me, they could find me.                                                                                      Lovingly,

                                                          Ruth

Placing the note on my bed, I open my window and toss the bag out. Once it hit the ground, I eased myself out of the window and slowly shut it. Holding the necklace around my neck tightly so it wouldn’t fly off, I jump. And land quietly on my feet. With one last glance, I take my bag and run.

 But as everything got further and further behind me, I knew that no matter what he had done to me, I still loved my mate. And that was the real reason I couldn’t stay. I couldn’t watch as his cousin destroyed the man I knew that lurked beneath, the gentleman that every girl wanted to see in her man.

Jubal’s POV

The Alpha and the guards that watched over my sister walked home with me. Once I stepped into the house, I knew that something was wrong. The closer we got to my office, the stronger Ruth’s scent became. I sat in my desk and silently slide a drawer open. With a sigh of relief, I saw that the silver pistol was still there.

I wasn’t sure what made me think she would try and end her life. Shutting that drawer, I notice the one above it was barely shut. Sliding it open, I could see that one of the three bottles of whiskey was gone.

“What’s wrong Jubal?” Nate asked and I looked up at him. “Huh? Oh, nothing. So, Ruth will have only two of the guys around her until you nephew gets here. And then the other two will once again be on detail.” Nate nods.

“Yes. I’m sorry for pulling them, but with the increasing patrols, I need them to guard the house for a few days.”

“It’s fine Nate. They only watch her at school since I’m mainly here with her.”

“Has she had any more of those nightmares?”

“Unfortunately yes. I wake up at all hours of the night to her. She doesn’t scream, just whine. But it’s loud enough to wake me. I’ve tried watching several times to see if I could catch a name or a face, but nothing.”

We talk for several more hours before they leave. I order Ruth’s favorite pizza and walk to her room. Turning the knob, I find the door locked. I knock several times, but I hear nothing from inside her room. Ruth, if you don’t open the door, I’m kicking it open.

She didn’t answer and I felt worry and fear flood my heart. Kicking the door open, I rush into her room and find it empty. Seeing the door of her closet halfway opened, I open it wider. An empty bottle on the floor stares at me as I take in the empty hangers. Growling softly, I turn around to leave when I spot a piece of paper on her bed. My name jumps off the page at me and I snatch it up quickly.

Jubal,

If you’ve found this then I’m gone. I can’t stay here, though it kills me to leave you. I’ll be back one day maybe, once both of them are gone. I thought that I could put up with him being my mate, but now someone close to him is coming. And both of them caused me too much pain for me to stay. They would just as likely cause me more, only this time I know that they would succeed in killing me.

I know that you’re probably mad at me for running, for not facing them head on, and for not telling you anything about it or them. But trust me Brother, if you knew what happened to me, you wouldn’t only hate me, and you would hate someone closer to you than me. And I won’t do that to you. I know that you’ll try to find me, but I’m asking you not too. If you look for me, they could find me.                                                                                      Lovingly,

                                                          Ruth

          With a growl that shook the house, I ran. Throwing the door open, I shift as soon as I’m off the porch. I let a howl out as I tear towards the forest trying to track her. As I got out of town, I heard several pack members answer me and heard them following me. I will find you Ruth and I will protect you from anything and everyone.