She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me "I thought I had no family left" she sniffed tears began to fall off her cheeks.
I smiled and returned her hug, she pulled back "our pack! Are they here?" She asked wiping the tears away, I sighed and shook my head "no, they're all dead" I said simply, she frowned but said nothing. She hardly knew any of them, she was only with us for a short time before heading off with Snow "how did you survive?" She asked, I stiffened, how was I going to explain this? "For the same reason our mother kept me hidden" I started, she inched towards me slightly and everybody was now listening "I can turn at will" I finished. A small laugh came from Snow "that's not possible" she said, I looked up at her "oh it is quite possible I assure you" I said. Ruby placed her hand on my knee "so do you not have to turn during Wolfs Time?" She asked, I shook my head and sighed "no I am forced to turn, just like you but I can turn any other time" I explained. She nodded and stood up, she put her hand out towards me. I gave her a questioning look "show me" she said with a kind smile, I nodded and took her hand. We walked out to the forest and my anxiety levels only grew, there was a reason I was the only wolf to survive. I cant turn back, if I want to turn back I have to wait until the end of Wolfs Time, I have no other choice. We reached the same spot where Emma found me and stopped. I looked around at the people standing around me "when is Wolfs Time?" I asked, Red shrugged "not for another week, why?" She asked, I shrugged, a week of being a wolf? That should be fine, I've been one for a lot longer. I concentrated until I eventually tore into my wolf form.
Ruby's POV
I watched the young girl as she turned, her wolf was dark silver grey, it was just a bit lighter than my black wolf. I smiled and was about to put my hand out to her when I stopped, we don't know whether or not she can control it "can you control it?" I whispered softly as not to frighten her if the wolf took over, she prodded over and rubbed her head against my leg, I'll tell that as a yes then. I laughed as I sat down on the forest floor so I was down to her level, as she is younger her wolf is much smaller that what mine is "I can control it quite well" she growled to me knowing that I would be able to understand her, I laughed "I can see that" I giggled "wait Ruby you can understand her?" Asked Emma, I turned to them and nodded "of course" I said with a smile "I can understand them, they just can't understand me" she growled, I nodded "she can understand you but I'm the only one who can understand her" I explained, everyone nodded and sat down next to me. I heard a branch snap and a large growl came from Rosie as she leapt to her feet "mom!" I heard Henry's voice say in panic "Henry it's okay, come here" Emma said ushering him over to us, I put my hand on Rosie's back "it's okay" I whispered softly to her, she whimpered and sat back down. Henry sat done next to him mom and stared at Rosie "is she a wolf?" He asked staring at her in awe "I'm a child of the moon, learn the difference boy!" She growled fiercely causing him to jump, I laughed "yes but don't worry she wont hurt you, I'm Ruby" I explained and introduced myself, Henry nodded but confusion crossed his face "nice to meet you" He said with a smile. Rosie placed her head on my lap, I laughed and gave her a quick tickle behind the ear. Her fur was soft and thick, it was warm and comforting "we have to tell Granny" I said softly, I felt her shudder slightly as I stroked her fur soothingly "I can't turn back" she barked, I frowned. She couldn't turn back? Why did she turn in the first place? "I can't turn back until Wolfs Time ends" she whimpered, so that's why she asked. She has to spend a week as a wolf before being able to turn back "everything okay Ruby?" Asked David, I completely forgot they were there "um... yeah" I said before shooting Emma a look, I couldn't speak with Henry still here, Emma nodded "hey Henry, why don't you go on ahead to Granny's and we'll meet you there in a bit?" she offered, the boy nodded and scurried off. Emma turned to me once again "she cant turn back" I explained quickly, everyone gasped and started talking amongst themselves in an attempt to come up with a good way to try and get her back. Rosie got to her feet "I'll make camp in the woods, I can easily fend for myself" she growled, how can someone so young be so strong? I guess she had to being from the background that she is, in our land it was kill or be killed for a wolf "what about your cloak?" Offered Mary Margaret, a smile crossed my face. My coat, of course! If it can stop me from turning it could hopefully let Rosie come back. I watched her back away slightly "it's okay Rosie" I said soothingly, she let out a small growl but said nothing "come on, I won't let anyone hurt you" I said standing up, she nodded and followed us back to town. At the edge of the forest she stopped and let out a small whimper, I leaned down and scooped her up in my arms. I expected her to struggle, to complain but she didn't, after a while I heard soft snores coming from her, I smiled "that's cute" said Emma standing next to me, I laughed slightly and nodded. As we arrived at Granny's we went in the back way since we couldn't exactly walk through the diner with a wolf in my arms "Ruby is that yo..." Granny trailed off when she saw us, she walked towards us and pointed at the sleeping Rosie in my arms "the hell is that Ruby" she hissed, I frowned "Granny, meet Rosie. My little sister" I said confidently, shock crossed her face "why is she in wolf form?" She questioned. I sighed and explained everything to her. She nodded after a moment "well dinner rush is about to start so I need you back to work Rubes" she said before walking out, well that went well. I sighed and looked at the sleeping cub, I didn't want to wake her. A wolf is one thing but a cranky one... "How bout we go in for something to eat?" Snow offered and they all nodded, Emma pointed to Rosie "what you gonna do with her?" She asked, I shrugged "I don't want to wake her, can you guys keep her under your table? I don't want to leave her back here by herself" I asked, they all nodded and I passed her over to Charming. He smiled "surprisingly light for a wolf, I expected her to be heavier" he joked, I laughed and walked into the diner. They walked around front and quickly his her under the table, I washed my hands and put on my apron. I looked around and found Belle sitting alone at a booth, I sighed and walked over to her "hey Belle, you okay?" I asked, she sighed and nodded "fine I just... Miss Rumple" she sighed, I frowned and placed my hand on her shoulder "they'll find him Bells" I said hopefully, she nodded "we don't even know if he's alive" she whispered. We changed the subject and I took her order and I did the same with the Charmings. I brought out everyone's food along with some Turkey for Rosie, I leaned down with the plate in my hand and tickled her behind the ear, she let out a small growl. I laughed and set the plate down in front of her, her eyes opened instantly "thanks Red" she growled before digging into her dinner, I smiled and got up. I took Belle her hamburger and set it down "did the Charmings get a dog?" She asked pointing to the wagging tail underneath the table, I laughed and shook my head "no their looking after my sister, Rosie, until my shift is over" I explained, she smiled "I didn't know you had a sister" she said, I laughed "neither did I, she came over with the second curse, I met her a few hours ago" I explained, she nodded and took a bite out of her burger. She swallowed quickly "if you don't mind me asking, whys she in wolf form?" Belle questioned, I simply shrugged "she can turn at will but she can't turn back" I explained, she nodded "you can meet her later if you like?" I offered, she nodded and I left her to her meal.
After the dinner rush things started to slow down, I walked around the diner cleaning up and wiping down tables. Emma was still here with Henry, Regina ended up coming in after Mary Margaret and David left, she didn't sit with them though. I think the fact that Henry had no idea who she was hurt her quite a bit, and then Belle was still here as well. I walked over to Emma's table and leaned down, Rosie was asleep again. I chuckled lightly as I nudged her awake, a low growl came from her check "we're closing up" I whispered, she groaned and got to her feet "fine" she growled causing me to giggle. She looked around the room and the moment she set eyes on Regina she growled "whys the Evil Queen here?" Her growling continued, I put my hand on the scruff of her neck in an attempt to calm her "seems your not very popular Regina" I said jokingly, she scoffed "I spent the year before her curse running from her black Knights" she growled, Regina jumped "she won't hurt you" I said rubbing her neck, I gave Regina a questioning look and she nodded "she's right, I won't" she said quietly. Rosie stopped growling and sat down, Regina nodded and left with Henry and Emma "wolves not a fan of Regina?" I heard Belle from behind me, I laughed and turned to her "apparently not by then again who is?" I said jokingly, she leaned down beside me. "So this is Rosie?" She asked, the small wolf watched her carefully "who's this?" Rosie growled, Belle flinched slightly. I put my hand on her arm "she's not gonna hurt you, she's just asking who you are" I said assuring her that I wasn't going to use my sister to kill her or something, she laughed "you can understand her?" She asked, I nodded and stroked Rosie's head "well I am a wolf" I said in a duh tone causing her to laugh. She turned to Rosie "I'm Belle" I said with a kind smile, Rosie gave a slight nod and waved her paw in front of Belles face. Belle laughed and took her paw giving it a small shake, I laughed "I should get going I have to close up the shop" Belle said getting to her feet and leaving. It was just me and Rosie. I did the last bit of cleaning before picking up Rosie who was agin fast asleep. I walked up to my room and shut the door, Granny was probably already asleep. I laid Rosie down on the bed and got changed, I climbed into bed "thank you Red" I heard a soft growl come from Rosie, I laughed "what for?" I whispered, she snuggled up against me. Her fur was warm against me, I stroked her gently "everything" she whimpered before drifting off again.
