CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR

"Come on this way!"

Sonia yelled gleefully, and Ruby let her pull her as they maneuvered through the walkway, which flowed like tributaries carrying a crowd of shoppers. They snaked deeper into the never-ending mall, passing glass doors and windows that displayed the latest fashions, jewelry, beauty products, and bright signs announcing discounts. The ceiling was domed high and made of beautiful glass. Stores, salons, and food courts were scattered around. Everything was shiny, the smell of new things left had an inviting scent in the air, and in the background, the gentle music felt like a hypnotic tune, soothing the shopper's minds as more notes escaped their pockets.

Ruby apologized when she slammed her bags against someone in her rush before Sonia pulled her into one of the restaurants in the mall. She sighed in relief, happy to be away from the crowd, before depositing her bags on the floor and taking a seat.

"Isn't it exciting? I love shopping." Sonia squealed, flipping her red hair over her shoulder.

"One of the many things you love I may not be able to keep up with," Ruby smiled as a waiter bowed slightly before giving her a menu. She still wasn't used to the fact that the whole pack now saw her as their Luna.

"Stick with me, and you will love it in no time, and besides, you should be excited—everything is my treat as an apology."

Ruby pouted. "You know you didn't have to."

Sonia had called her a day after Hestia's visit while she was stuffing her belongings into boxes. She had little to no sleep the previous night as she stayed up with her mind racing about what to think of Hestia's visit.

Her wolf had been upset at the many thoughts Hestia's presence had ignited but was soon calmed when Noah called. The ease the late-night call brought was immediate, draining all the thoughts racing through her brain and replacing them with warm, comforting languor as he muttered achingly sweet nonsense.

Ruby felt a smile stretch across her lip at the memory. It felt odd that despite the physical distance separating them, while she talked to him in the dark, it almost felt as if he was beside her. She felt contented after the call. Her body got the shot of dopamine Noah brought, and she fell asleep—although she woke up a few times, disturbingly aware of the empty spot beside her and the absence of a familiar warmth.

Ruby made a mental note to end her last few days of freedom soon. She couldn't wait to be back with Noah, buried in his arms, where she belonged.

"I want to know everything!" Sonia said as the waiter placed their orders on their table. "You should know that I was super hurt when I found out from someone else that my best friend, the Luna, is also the Prophetic wolf who saved us all."

Ruby blushed. Her impact on the pack still felt overwhelming. "It's not that big of a deal, and it's in the past."

"Are you kidding? Of course, it is a big deal. Your deed will be cemented in our history forever. Thank the Goddess that my side of town was the first vacated into the bunkers. I have no skill to fight, but I would do anything to experience what everyone who was there that day kept blabbering about."

"I'm glad you were safe during the ambush," Ruby said honestly, placing her hand over Sonia's.

"But then what happened that day during your mating ceremony? Have you always known about the prophecy following your birth and your gift? Do you even consider me a friend because you do not tell me anything?"

Ruby chuckled at her dramatics and apologized before filling Sonia in on the events that had transpired. As she spoke, she processed how so much had happened in such a short period. Ruby informed her about the full moon and the elders stopping the mating ceremony because of her wolf's 'uniqueness.' She made sure not to delve too deep—not knowing what to hold back in case it concerned pack matters.

"The elders were completely wrong for stopping the ceremony. Your gift is something to be joyful about!"

Ruby smiled at Sonia's openness. The elders had no issue with her gift, just Victor, who used it as a reason why she shouldn't be with Noah.

"As I said, Sonia, it's all in the past now. The only thing that worries me now is Hestia."

"Hestia?" Sonia asked with a stunned expression.

Ruby felt her wolf snarl at the mention of the woman. "Yeah, she came over to my place yesterday to talk."

As Ruby spoke again, spilling the tea about Hestia's impromptu visit, she felt her heart swell at the opportunity to sit and gossip aimlessly with a friend.

"And then what?"

Ruby turned her head to look at Sonia, whose eyes were wider than the full moon, with hands fisted tight on the table. She leaned forward, unblinking, chewing on her bottom lips as she processed the information Ruby dished detail by detail.

"And then she left, still apologizing," Ruby ended, slumping back in her seat.

Sonia pouted, shaking her head. "I don't believe her act one bit."

Ruby felt her wolf yelp, glad someone else understood that Hestia was not to be trusted.

"I agree, but I can't help but wonder why she had to apologize. I can't figure out what her plan may be if she has something up her sleeves."

"Of course you won't. That woman is sneakier than the rogues who lurk around the borders at night. Even before you came here, she wanted Noah, and I don't think she is one to give up," Sonia exclaimed exasperatedly as she fished her ringing phone from her bag.

Ruby's face contorted into a deep frown as she took sips from her drink. The dew from the melted ice cooled her skin. Sonia's words only made her more anxious. Was Hestia's attempt to form a friendship another ploy to take Noah away?

"Ruby dear, I am so sorry, I have to go," Sonia said with an apologetic look.

Ruby shook her head, pushing back the thoughts plaguing her for days. "It's alright. I'll be leaving soon anyway. Thanks for the day, I had fun!"

Sonia gave her a half smile. "Are you sure you'll be alright?"

Ruby nodded, encouraging her to go. With one final look, Sonia hurried off, but not without promising to explain her hastiness.

Ruby looked around the restaurant awkwardly, feeling the gravity of Sonia's absence. Might as well get back to packing, Ruby thought as she gulped down the last of her drink, grabbed her bags, and exited the store.

The crowd of shoppers in the mall had remained relatively high as Ruby made her way towards the exit. She wondered how Sonia was leaving when a driver assigned to her by Noah brought them to the mall. Ruby felt the hair at the back of her neck stand. Her wolf jerked its head up as it looked around cautiously.

A wave of self-consciousness filled her as she could feel eyes on her, but when she turned, she couldn't make out whose intense stare was burning daggers into the back of her head. Ruby shuddered as she sped up her pace, digging her nails into her palm as her anxiety grew. Just a little further, she thought as she could make out the exit of the mall. She just needed to make it to the left side of the parking lot, where the driver was waiting for her.

But the closer she got to the exit, the more the sickening feeling of someone tailing her increased. Her wolf growled in her mind, annoyed by the haunting presence behind her. Ruby turned abruptly in one final attempt to catch who was putting her on edge. She locked eyes with a man not far from her. When he noticed her staring, he stopped but didn't look away or show he was caught.

He looked like he belonged. He wore light-washed jeans with a graphic T-shirt like an ordinary person would. His hair was extremely short, almost buzzed. He fits perfectly in the environment of the mall like he was there with friends or family, but Ruby couldn't shake the shiver that ran down her spine.

His eyes were the things that stood out most, giving away his true motive and allure. They were hauntingly dark and narrowed on her frame. They were hooded and tense, brewing stifled anger and malice.

Ruby felt her wolf snarl as the man began taking steady steps towards her, his heavy boot-cladded feet stomping on the mall's shiny floors matched her quickening heart. Ruby sniffed the air. He smelt woodsy, like the forest, with a hint of spice, but a wicked aura surrounded him like a thick cloak.

Ruby turned, trying to seem unaffected by the stalking man's presence; her steps quickened as she counted the steps to the exit. She turned to her left when she noticed another man leaning against a wall, his eyes watching her every move. He looked older than the first, but their auras were parallel.

Just a few steps more, Ruby encouraged herself. Her wolf stood with ears perked, ready to act if any of the men attacked. Ruby almost cried when she envisioned the extra walk she would make to reach the driver parked at the far end of the parking lot. A part of her assured her that the men wouldn't attack—not when they were in a crowded place. And besides, Noah had stationed warriors to watch her; the thought gave her a ting of comfort.

Cool air hit Ruby when she stepped out of the mall, making all the hair on her body stand erect. Her eyes moved over the parking lot as she began making her way to her driver. She hadn't even made five steps before she was pulled from the walkway and into the rows of cars.