Chapter 85: CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE

The drive back to Greyhound was wordless. Silence hung like a cloak hovering over the car as darkness fell over the sky.

Ruby lay in the backseat of the car, watching Noah, who hadn't said a word since they left Redmoon. She had fallen asleep at some point, and when she awoke, they had crossed the pack community borders and were in Greyhound territory.

Vehicles sped ahead of Noah's, and a few more tailed him, sandwiching them in protection, but as they glided deeper into the pack, they broke apart—each going their separate way while some still followed them.

Ruby felt joy soar inside her. She was back home—where she belonged with her mate. Although she had new scars from the demons of her past, she knew they would never hurt her again.

Ruby watched Noah. Her eyes had remained on him, but he glared straight ahead, disregarding the feel of her stare. His fingers clutched the steering wheel like a vice as he made a turn before cutting the engine. Ruby kept her eyes on him as he rounded the car towards the back door. Pulling it open, his eyes finally met hers. It was so clear she thought she was looking into his soul. The fire she had spotted back at Redmoon still gleamed, yet to be extinguished, but this time, it was accompanied by a cannon of guilt, shame, worry, and fear.

Noah blinked, pushing down his swirling emotions, but she had seen it. "Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital?" He asked once more, concern laced heavily in his words.

Ruby shook her head. She didn't want to be in a hospital or anywhere near another doctor and their daunting syringes.

Picking her from the car and into his arms, Ruby clung to him as he carried her into the house. She could spot men stationed at every corner of the house as he walked. It looked like they were preparing for battle. The men bowed in respect as Noah walked by before one of them opened the front door.

It was the first time she had entered the villa. A small corridor led into the living room. The large statement window she had seen from the outside was covered with a thick drape blocking the outside view. A narrow stone wall with a hearth below was etched at a wall left of the window. The walls were bare of anything else, but couches were arranged in the room. At the center was a cream rug over dark wood flooring. Although not completely furnished, it was homey.

"Oh, Goddess!"

A cry made her turn to find Linda. Ruby felt tears fill her eyes as she gazed at the older woman.

Linda's eyes moved from Noah—knowing immediately what had happened by his bloody state—to her. She let her tears fall as she walked to them, her hand cupping Ruby's face.

"Look what they had done to you, my sweet child," Linda cooed as she caressed her cheek.

Ruby remained in Noah's arms as he refused to let her go. She let herself get engulfed in the motherly warmth Linda offered as she caressed her dirty hair.

"I'm alright," Ruby encouraged as she cried alongside the woman.

Noah tensed around her as he pulled her further into his arms. His eyes were hard and alert as they ran over her frame.

"Ruby has been through a lot and needs to rest."

His voice was as cold as his eyes, and Linda stepped away, respecting his decision. Throwing her one final look—a semblance of pity wallowed in her expression before she turned and walked out of the house.

Noah waited until the door clicked shut before walking deeper into the manor. He passed a mini drinking area—with a large liquor case, marble countertop, and brown seats—before ascending the steps beside it.

Ruby whined in displeasure as he lowered her onto a bed. She felt his arms leave her, and she was hit with coldness.

"Noah," Ruby whimpered as she watched him turn back towards the room door.

He stopped in his tracks before turning to her briefly. "I just want to get the doctor at the door."

Ruby shook her head as fear enveloped her. "I don't need a doctor. Please don't leave me alone—I don't want to be alone."

She knew she was safe at the villa, but the traumatizing memory of what had happened still held her in its tight grip.

Noah turned when he heard the break in her voice. He still had his mask up, hiding away his emotions from her. Ruby felt her heart chip at his behavior. It seemed as if he was pushing her away. Had she done something wrong? Did he not want her anymore after he had seen her with Aiden? The thought of him renouncing her put her through physical pain.

A lone tear trailed down her face. "Did I do something wrong?"

Noah quickly sat at the edge of the bed and cradled her face. "Why would you ask that?"

"Because you are pushing me away!"

Noah's jaw tightened, his body tensed stiff as he watched her break down again. Pain crossed his eyes as he pulled her into his arms once more. "I would never. I want to get the doctor. She needs to make sure you are ok."

"I don't want to see the doctor! I just want to be with you, Noah! Don't you want me anymore?"

"Of course I do—with the whole of my heart. You don't know how thankful I am to have you back with me."

"Then why are you pushing me away? Why are you hiding from me?" Ruby fisted his shirt as she looked up at him.

His depth hardened as he scanned her face before his gaze dropped to their joined hands. And then she saw it again. The burst of emotions swirling in his eyes as he got lost in thought. His hands grew cold in hers as she waited unblinking for him to tell her what was plaguing him.

"I-I'm just so pissed at myself for letting all this happen to you," Noah sucked in a shaky breath and whispered. "I felt so scared of what would have happened if I didn't get to you in time."

Noah looked at her. Unbridled fear glowed in his beautiful blue eyes. The vulnerability in his orbs made her heart break in two. The man who had ruthlessly and mercilessly stormed into a pack and killed their Alpha was breaking apart before her. His strength and power, which he had let the world know about, dissipated as he allowed himself to crumble.

Noah's eyes turned glassy as he lowered his head. "And seeing you there, scared, in pain, broken…"

Ruby smiled. The part of him Noah was letting her see was unlike any other she had ever seen. She ran her hand over his jawline. Aiden's dry blood still stained his skin, but he was still perfect.

"Noah, I'm alright," Ruby sniffed. Joy sparked within her as she remembered the little bundle growing inside her. "We made it. You saved us and ensured Aiden never darkens our doorstep again."

A confused frown thinned Noah's lip. "Us?"

Swallowing the lump in her throat. "I'm pregnant," Ruby whispered.

Noah froze. Ruby felt her heart pound on her ribcage. She clutched the hem of his shirt as she waited for the tiniest reaction from him. But he gave away nothing.

Ruby felt panic surge through her. "I made a vow to not have children, Noah, because I wanted the gift to end with me. But I discovered I was with child all along, and Aiden tried to take it away from me. As much I didn't want one, I could never let him take my child—our pup."

She rambled, hating the silence that hung in the air. Anxiety fogged her brain as she stared at him.

"You're pregnant?" Noah repeated as he fell from the side of the bed to the floor.

Ruby nodded slowly, tears blurring her eyes as she watched him sit on his heel and then hug her torso. Her shirt grew damp, and tears filled his eyes when he looked up at her. A laugh broke past his lip as his eyes shone with happiness and love.

"You're pregnant!" he bellowed, louder this time, as he captured her face between his hands.

Ruby laughed between sobs. "I'm pregnant."

Noah crashed his lips to hers in a bruising kiss. She melted in his arms. Feeling his wolf give off waves of adoration and delight. The fear which had almost crippled her faded away into nothing as she let herself succumb to the love of her mate.

"What if she is gifted like me? Noah, I don't want my child to suffer the same fate my mother and I did."

Noah brushed her hair from her face. "Hey, it's ok to be scared. But I promise you with my life, gifted or not, I will not let our child suffer in any way. She will be the strongest, gifted child the world will ever see."

Ruby giggled as he plastered kisses all over her face. "She will be spoilt by her father."

Noah nodded frantically with tears still in his eyes as he placed a hand on her belly once more. "Sadly, she has no grandparents to smother her with kisses. I'm sure Linda will happily take up the role."

She laughed, tangling her hands in his black locks. "And Isaac will take on her rides and through the training grounds when she comes of age."

Noah scrunched his nose at the suggestion. "Hm, we'll think about that one."

Ruby chuckled in contentment as she let him pick her up and spin her around while yelling to the world that he was going to be a father. Her heart leaped in joy as she felt a soft swirl in her mind.

Everything was perfect.