Zane

I pull at my cuffs.

Not because my button down needs any adjusting. I just don't spend a lot of my time in crisp shirts and slacks. That's more Herne's department. It feels like I'm wearing someone else's stuff. But I'm coming to see Ruby at her Grandmother's and I want to make a better impression this time.

Even if I don't have the highest opinion of the woman, she's still Ruby's family and Ruby cares about her. Hence the uncomfortable clothes.

I come to a stop on the sidewalk in front of the building, tilting my head back to look up at it. I've passed by it a few times, wondering what Ruby is doing in there. If she misses me even a fraction as much as I miss her. If she feels as lonely at night as I do.

It feels like it's been forever since I've seen her, though I guess it hasn't been that long in actual time. But I haven't been ready to see her until now.

I wasn't where I needed to be in my life to face her. But I hope I am now. I've been ruthless in reshaping my life into a different mold altogether, one that I won't be ashamed of to share with Ruby. No more drugs, no more unregulated fights, no more preying on the weak when they're down.

I always thought everyone was free to pick their own poison, hurt themselves as they see fit if they want to. After all, if I don't provide them with what they want, someone else will. But I find I just don't have the taste for it anymore. I don't want to be a part of that kind of business anymore. And I don't need to be.

I've cut ties with the seedier underworld elements, severing relationships that have been years in the making. Empires that I've built through hard work, planning, and dedication.

But none of it matters. Not even a little.

Not if I can't look Ruby in the eye when I ask for forgiveness and ask for her to spend the rest of her life with me.

I slide my hand into my pocket and touch the ring box, making sure it's still there for the hundredth time since I left home. There's no reason to delay this any longer, but I find my nerves getting the best of me.

Everything hinges on how this goes. Everything that matters.

I stand there for five more minutes.

Ten more minutes.

At fifteen, I force myself to step forward.

Fear of rejection is a heaviness in my stomach, a tightness in my chest. But I need to try.

I can't stop thinking about Ruby. About her smile, her laugh, how she speaks. The light in her eyes when she's excited, her intelligence. Her expression when she comes. Her curves. Her silky skin.

I groan, forcing my thoughts away from that line as my cock twitches. I can't show up with an erection at her Grandmother's place.

Well.

Not again, anyway.

The doorman comes up to me, smiling, the sunlight glinting off his exposed mechanical lower half. I could just override him and walk in. I have the code to do so. But I want to try doing things in the correct manner.

Unless her Grandmother denies me entry. Then I won't hesitate to override everything I need to.

"May I help you?" he asks politely.

"Yes. I'm here to see Ruby Devaux. She's staying with her Grandmother."

"Yes, of course! If you will please allow me to scan your hand…"

I wait, wondering if I'm going to have to start throwing my weight around before the meeting even starts.

But the doorman smiles at me.

"You are welcome to enter."

"Thank you," I murmur, striding past him to the now open door.

First and smallest hurdle down.

I step into the elevator and take a deep breath as it lifts me to the correct floor. I can do this.

I've negotiated complicated deals with people who'd like to see me dead, taken drugs that should have killed me, faced down Singarti who'd rather deny my existence.

Nothing has made me this nervous.

When the door opens, Ruby's Grandmother is already waiting for me, her face set in stern lines as she stares down her nose at me.

Show time.

"Young man, I have only allowed you entry to give you a talking to. You are not allowed near my granddaughter anymore! Do you understand? In fact—"

"I am Prince Zane," I interrupt, knowing the title will give her pause. She's just that kind of person. "I would like to see Ruby. Please."

Her mouth shuts with a click as her eyes widen. I see her register the suit I'm wearing. I know she'll recognize it as the expensive waste of money it is. I figured the suit would be enough to convince her of my Singarti heritage if she had any doubts I was lying.

It doesn't take her long to get with the program. Or to reverse course in an almost comical manner.

"Oh! Oh! Yes, of course! Please, come in!" She steps back, opening the door wide, smiling at me now, though it's straining a bit at the edges.

I smile back grimly. "Thank you."

When I walk in, Ruby is standing in the living room. Her mouth is tight, her face pale.

She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

"Ruby," I say, taking a step towards her but forcing myself to stop before I take her in my arms. I just want to hold her, but I need to say what needs to be said first.

"What are you doing here?" she asks, her voice quiet. "Prince Zane."

I wince. I didn't want her to find out like this. But I didn't know how else to get past her grandmother.

"I miss you," I say. I'm willing to lay everything on the line for her. I find I don't have any pride. Not when it comes to her. "I wanted to come ask for your forgiveness."

I hear her grandmother gasp, but Ruby isn't moved.

"For what?" she asks sharply, her eyes narrowing. "For lying to me about who you are or for taking advantage of me while doing so?"

I swallow, feeling my stomach tighten. She doesn't seem at all receptive, but at least she's talking to me. I hold on to that thin hope.

"Both," I say honestly. "Yes, I started off that night just thinking I wanted you. You were—are—so beautiful. But it became so much more than that." I take another step closer. "I want to come clean. About everything." I swallow. "I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me." When she doesn't say anything, I force myself to continue. I need to tell her everything. "I was a part of that gang that you ran into that night we met. But I'm not anymore. And yes, I am a Singarti as well. I own a number of businesses, though I've worked hard to clean up my act, to make sure they are all legitimate." I take another step closer, though she doesn't seem to be softening at all. "I'm so sorry I wasn't honest with you when I first met you. But I've changed."

Silence as we look at each other. I have no idea what's going through her mind.

"Would you like some refreshments?" Ruby's Grandmother interrupts, her voice cheerful and excited.

I turn to look at her, irritated at the interruption. "No, thank you," I say firmly, turning back to Ruby. "I have more to say."

"Oh, how wonderful!" her Grandmother interjects, sitting down and leaning forward.

Great. An audience is just what I need.

I ignore her as I close the last of the distance between me and Ruby, and drop down to one knee.

I want her to know exactly how serious I am.

Ruby's eyes widen as I hear her Grandmother gasp behind me.

"Ruby, I… care about you," I say clearly, getting right to the point. I want to say more, but I don't want her to feel more pressured than I'm sure she already does. How I really feel might be too much for her right now. "I'm a better man today because of you. I've straightened my life, tried to be the person you deserve." I take out the box and open it, revealing the ring inside. A round opal surrounded by small diamonds that sparkle in the light. It reminded me of the unique light that shines from her. "I hope you can forgive me. And that you'll make me the happiest guy to ever live by agreeing to marry me."

I watch her face changing, various emotions flitting across her features. None of them look promising.

Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe it was too much, too fast.

I feel my heartbeat increasing, a trickle of sweat sliding down my back. My wolf, happy to see Ruby, now starts to rage inside me, worried we're going to lose the only thing that really matters. I can feel my control fraying as the anxiety, the fear, rises.

For the first time ever, I fear I might actually lose myself to the animal inside.

If Ruby denies me… I fear my wolf might take over. I've never felt it this strongly. It's pushing at the boundaries, looking for a way out.

If she kills my hope, there might not be a man left to save.

I bite down on the inside of my cheek, trying to wrestle my control into place as the wolf fights against its chains.

"Please, Ruby," I whisper, my gaze locked with hers.

Please.