Chapter 58
Chapter Fifty-Eight
I t had been one month since he’d claimed Ruby as his Mate, and she’d claimed him every day since.
One month of her telling him she loved him and him doing his damnedest to believe her.
One month of late-night runs through the woods, of waking Ruby slowly with his tongue between her legs, of endless sandwiches, of rides to work over bumpy back roads.
It had been one month of piecing his soul back together, of trying to see himself the way Ruby did.
And that seemed worth celebrating. Right? That was something humans did, celebrate relationship milestones? He was sure they did, but he never had, and now this whole thing seemed ridiculous.
He glanced at where Ruby was still asleep in his bed and then to the wooden basket clutched in his fist. He had made it for her. To carry leftovers home after work.
Maybe this was stupid. It was only a month. The best month of his entire life, but still.
Ruby moved suddenly, startling Rafe from his thoughts. She sat up straight in the bed, flinging off the blankets as she moved. He was beside her just as quickly, the basket tossed aside.
“What is it?”
Ruby stared at him wide-eyed, her hair a nest of black around her head.
“Ruby.” He grabbed her arms and gave a little shake until she blinked, recognition returning to her face. “Ruby, what is it?”
She blinked again, her brow furrowed. “It’s Lena.” Her voice was raspy from sleep, and her sister’s name came out choked and scratchy.
“It’s okay. We’ll go check on her.” Dread pooled in Rafe’s gut like he knew what Ruby would say before she said it. He’d let his guard down. He’d let himself believe that everything was fine, that there would be no consequences for his actions.
Ruby shook her head, suddenly frantic, grasping at his shoulders. Her fingers dug into his flesh.
“No. We can’t.”
“We can. Ruby, she’s fine?—”
“She’s not fine. She’s gone.”