Chapter 44 Chapter 44

Chapter 44 Chapter 44
SEBASTIAN

By the time hockey practice rolled around, my frustration was at an all-time high. I fumbled passes, missed plays, and snapped at my teammates. They chalked it up to stress, but I knew better.

"What's up with you today, Seb? Something bothering you?" Robert asked after practice as we headed toward the parking lot.

I sighed, shaking my head.

"Come on, man. I'm your friend. I know when something's wrong with you" he pressed.

Knowing Robert wouldn't let it go, I sighed again and finally said, "Annalisa says she misses me and wants me to sleep with her. She even asked me to reject my mate for her."

Robert gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief. "I knew she wouldn’t let go easily. That girl is fucking obsessed with you."

I nodded. "But she should at least understand that I have a mate now."

I wished I could fully open up to him, but I didn’t have the heart to explain everything from the very beginning.

Robert scoffed. "You’d think she’d get the hint by now, but nah, Annalisa's the type who only sees what she wants."

I sighed again, running a hand through my hair. "I don't know...but I'm afraid I'll hurt Ruby or, worse, let the Alpha find out what's going on between Annalisa and me. I need to play in this hockey world record game. I can't let anything stop the Alpha from letting me play."

"Don’t worry, since your wolf cravings have stopped now that you’ve found your mate."

I nodded slightly, though guilt gnawed at me. I felt bad for keeping so many secrets from Robert.

He studied me for a moment before speaking again. "There’s a party at Lex’s club tonight. You wanna come? Might help clear your head."

I shook my head, knowing that's not what I currently needed.

Robert nodded slightly, concern still etched on his face. "Alright, but if you change your mind, let me know. You look like you could use a break."

He said before getting in his car and drove off.

I was about to text Ruby to see if she was done with class so we could head home together when her scent hit me. I looked up and saw her walking toward me.

And damn. I’d wanted to tell her how stunning she looked earlier this morning that I saw her but I'd kept shut.

As she approached, I noticed she seemed to be lost in thought.

“Hey,” I greeted as she stopped in front of me.

"Hi" she whispered with a faint smile.

"You okay?"

"Yeah" she nodded but I knew she wasn't. or maybe I was overthinking it?

I sighed before opening the door for her. Then I got in and started the car.

The ride home was quiet. Too quiet. I glanced at her, trying to read her expression, but she just stared out the window, her jaw tight. Was she upset about seeing me with Annalisa?

The moment we got home, she didn’t even wait for me to open the door for her. She stepped out and walked toward the house without a word.

"Ruby," I called after her, catching up just as we stepped inside.

Grabbing her arm gently, I pressed her against the wall, caging her in with my body.

“What is this about?” she snapped as she pushed against my chest, but I didn’t budge.

Her scent wrapped around me, making it hard to think straight.

"What do you want?" She asked.

My eyes dropped to her quavering lips, and I had to force myself to look up.

"I know you saw me earlier with Annalisa…”

She cut me off before I could finish. “You don’t have to explain anything to me, Sebastian. I’m not your mate. You can do whatever you want.”

Her forced smile tore at me. She was trying to act unaffected, but I knew she was lying.

“Ruby—”

“Why should I care?” we are nothing, so it doesn’t matter.”

Her lips were so close, her scent overwhelming. My wolf purred inside me, and I realized how badly I wanted to kiss her.

“You’re hurt,” I said softly.

She huffed, smirking. "I'm not,”

I searched her eyes. “I can see it, Ruby. You don’t have to lie to me.”

"Seb, please,” she said, cutting me off again, her voice trembling. “This isn’t something to argue about. Can you just drop it and let me go"

I hated that I was pushing her. I wanted to pull away from her when her lips caught my attention.

I could feel her heart thumping against her chest as I leaned closer, our noses brushing, our breath mingling, generating heat between us.

I swallowed hard, staring down at her lips. Then I glanced up at her eyes, silently seeking for her approval.

For a moment I thought she might push me away. But then she parted her lips slightly and fuck, I took it as her way of telling me she wanted this too.

I claimed her lips and she melted into me. Her bag fell as she clutched my shirt as if she needed me as much as I needed her.

My hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer. Her lips were soft, warm, everything I didn’t know I’d been craving.

But remembering how she crashed me against the wall the last time, my heart skipped. I wanted to pull away but Ruby held me closer, her blue eyes mirrored the lust in mine.

"I won't stop until I rip off your clothes and kiss every square inch of your body" I whispered.

She gasped, her heart pounding. For a moment I thought she would resist but she brushed her lips against mine. She moaned softly, the sound ignited fire inside me and I couldn't hold back anymore.

Maybe if I could bury myself inside her this once, her scent won't affect me anymore.

But then, the sound of shatte

ring glass jolted us apart.

I held Ruby by the wrist, shielding her with my body, my breaths coming fast and heavy as I turned to face whoever had broken into the house.

A low growl rumbled in my chest, my wolf ready to tear them apart.

Whoever they were, they’d just made the biggest mistake of