Feral Obsession

Chapter Thirty-Five

The pain stretched on for days, and yet Ruby never shifted. She was bedridden, moaning in desperation, all alone in the quiet of her bedroom. No one was in there with her this time; her father had abandoned her after the second day. Every morning and every night, Blake would check in, but Ruby was in such pain, such misery, that she barely even noticed his comings and goings.

That morning, she finally felt the pain break the surface. Her body could slowly stretch out again, her limbs no longer locked and paralyzed by the aches. She blinked wearily, wondering why nothing had happened.

She knew her father must have been beside himself with anger. His experiment had done nothing more than send Ruby into the worst week of her life. She wished she could go home so badly, that she tried to close her eyes and transport back to Atlas's house. She would do anything to stand in his kitchen and drink his coffee.

"Ah, and she awakens," came a voice from the door. Ruby had anticipated Blake, or even her father, but was shocked to find Hannah standing there. She had her arms crossed and was smirking at Ruby as if she enjoyed the pain the human was suffering. She probably did. "You're in big trouble." Her voice came out in a song, as if she found this idea hilarious.

"Trouble?" The sinking feeling in her gut made Ruby stiffen against the pillows.

"You were supposed to shift into a wolf. And you didn't. Rodrick was right about you."

Ruby could practically hear her father's words in her head, calling her a failure. Saying she wasn't good enough. It made her bite the inside of her cheek, the hollowness of her childhood stinging her chest.

"If I could bear my own pups, they wouldn't be useless like you turned out to be. It was that human mother of yours. She destroyed Rodrick's bloodline. You know, I'm glad she's dead."

The pain of Hannah's words was a knife to Ruby's gut. She felt the tears burn in her eyes, but refused to give her step mother that satisfaction. Hannah wanted her to cry. Wanted Ruby to feel upset, or perhaps angry, but Ruby had had enough of bullies in her life.

She tilted her chin up and steeled herself for whatever else Hannah would throw her way. She would not cry.

"And Atlas being your mate is the only useful thing about you. You know what else is great about that coupling?" Hannah's voice was delighted. There was a lightness in her voice that made Ruby's stomach twist. When Ruby didn't answer, the woman let out a cackling laugh. "Well, I'll tell you then. After Atlas takes you in, he'll probably kill you. You know that, right? Atlas Langdon is known for being a ruthless killer. You think he'd put up with a human for a mate? No, no, Atlas Langdon would rather murder you than keep you."

Realistically, Ruby knew this wasn't true. Atlas would rather ignore her to the ends of the Earth instead. But she didn't make that comment, didn't suggest that Atlas wouldn't be coming to save her, wouldn't take care of her when she was returned, if she was returned.

"Hannah, what are you doing in here?"

Ruby never thought she would be excited to hear Blake's voice interrupting. She nearly wept with relief that maybe Hannah would be booted from her room entirely. Just seeing the blood drain from the woman's face was relief enough.

"Blake! I'm just checking in. She didn't shift!" Hannah's voice was panicky, a tinge of worry lining her tone. She gave the other wolf a shaky smile, and it occurred to Ruby for the first time that Hannah was not only afraid of her father, but his Beta as well.

"I see." Blake's eyes moved over to Ruby from above Hannah's head. "Interesting indeed. That just means we'll have to up the dosage."

Ruby flinched at his words. "Please, no! Let's give it some time, it could change-"