Chapter 7

Travis

I glanced at the raven-haired woman as she brushed past me to join the rest of the group. I usually do not intervene with common gossip and petty comments, but when I heard the taunting, my body moved on its own. I didn't even know who they were talking about, but I needed to see which assholes to kick out of my camp. The training camp had to succeed, or my goal to expand would end. I wouldn't allow petty bullshit to get in the way of that. Then I saw the long silk black hair held up in a tight ponytail and froze in place.

I hadn’t intended to make her an instructor, and I had no idea whether she could do anything, but her name alone caught my attention. This she-wolf was the one who turned down my offer. She refused my generosity and even stood her ground against me in the hallway. Her actions hadn't been outright challenging and disrespectful, but the alluring strength behind her words made my wolf perk up his ears. Was it just the black hair that held my curiosity? I shook my head to clear my thoughts before walking to my spot. I stood in front of the group of instructors and called them all to attention. I began to go over the schedule for the day. Discussing the roles, classes, and other orientation objectives we had previously met about in a quick reminder. I needed to review and analyze any portion of my camp that would need adjusting in the future.

Rue stood to the side, soaking it all in, and I resisted the temptation to keep my eyes only on hers. They called to me, and I held her gaze longer than any others.

Rue’s face changed from confusion to understanding as soon as one of the instructors called me by my name. Rue’s eyes snapped to mine, and I couldn’t help the smirk that spread across my face. I ended the meeting by letting everyone head for their assignments, as check-in times should be completed by now. I called out to Rue and gestured for her to follow me, much like I had in the hallway earlier. This time, she followed without a word, and I felt disappointed by the sudden meek demeanor.

We entered my office, and I gestured toward the seat across from where I would sit behind my desk. Rue hesitantly sat down, glancing around the room. I studied her features and felt a tug of familiarity that I couldn't place. I cleared my throat to bring her attention back to me. “Thank you for joining me,”

“I don’t think I really have a choice, do I?” Rue retorted with a defiant look,

I chuckled, “No, you don’t. I know you registered as a student, but if you are anything like Luna Libby, you would be more of an asset as a trainer. Those positions are full, though. I will start you as an instructing assistant to my Beta.”

Rue sat back in her seat, her features guarded and calculating, “How would you know anything about me or my mother?”

“I actually am very familiar with your mother. After all, she is the reason I’m alive today.” I revealed while leaning back in my seat. Rue's dark eyebrows tug low as she searches my expression for the truth. I let that information sink in briefly as I brought my computer back online. I logged in and looked at class schedules to find where Rue would be best utilized. My program alerted me about the opening with Sammy. The last girl royally screwed up simple admin tasks while flashing her tits to anyone with an ounce of power. I chewed out the HR guy who hired her in the first place. The situation worked out in my favor, though, as Rue now had a position I could keep an eye on. I continued, “When I was younger, your mother protected me and my mother during a rogue attack that took her life.”

“You’re the boy my mother saved?” Rue asked in a quiet voice, her expression still guarded.

“Yes.” I thought she knew all of this already, as it was part of the engagement agreement. “On her deathbed, she requested a few things from me. Have you not heard this story before?”

Rue shook her head, “No. My father suffered from depression, and when he finally was able to come out of his grief, he remarried. My stepmother does not appreciate references toward my mother at all.”

No wonder she refused my offer. I growled in frustration, “The request she made was for us to be wed, and you become Luna of the Dark Night pack, potentially joining our packs. Your father agreed to this arrangement long ago; however, both families have yet to complete the agreement.”

“Wait a second.” Rue held up one hand palm forward and ran her other through her straight black hair. I had to force my eyes away from how the silky strands beautifully cascaded around her shoulders. “You are telling me that my mother saved the Prince of the Dark Night pack, and both Alphas decided for us to be engaged?”

I sat forward, bridging my fingers together under my chin and meeting her gaze, “Yes, I’m willing to fulfill all of your mother’s requests. So to start, I have arranged a villa near here for you and your son to move into. After that, we can decide how to handle the engagement and future claim of you as Luna. It will be tricky with your son, but I will raise him as if he is my own, even with no claim to my line.”

“No,” Rue stated.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. What did she mean no? “You cannot expect me to announce you as Luna and your son of unknown origin as my heir?”

Rue laughed hysterically, “Seriously? I don’t give a flying fuck that the Alphas made this promise years ago. My son is mine and no one else’s. So Thank you, but no thank you.”

I was taken aback. “You do realize you would live a life of luxury, and your son would be well taken care of for the rest of his life. There is honor in being the child of an Alpha.”

“First of all, you are an Alpha Heir currently. Which is the same as me, so any prestige that you have, I would also. Second, I’m not here for a life of luxury. If I wanted to be a Luna, I would be a partner to my Alpha, not a trophy mate. So with all due respect, Your Royal Highness, fuck off.”

I stared at her blankly, trying to wrap my mind around this she-wolf. I’d never in my life encountered someone like her. She stood up and looked over the paper I’d just printed for her instructor assignment, “Is that information for me?”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. She took it from my hands and walked out without another word.