Ruby's POV
The night of the second murder, I spent my time sniffing around, trying to find clues, writing down what I could then handing them to Granny to pass on to Emma and Gina. I cut off all physical and social ties to my mates, giving them the space they need in hopes to speed up the process or something. That was 8 days ago. Since then, there's been a murder every night. Always a poor female victim from out of town. Always beaten to death. Always dressed the same... The words 'tick tock' now had me cringing. Yesterday, day 9 since the murders have began, there was no dead body. A meeting was called tonight to discuss what's going on, add the new clues we've found and try to figure out if anything has changed, causing the killer to stop for a day.
I, on the other hand, woke up with a terrible fever this morning and had to rush to the washroom before I lost my dinner. When I stumbled downstairs to were Granny was making breakfast, she turned to see me pale, sweating, shivering and making a face as the smell of the food caused my stomach to roll.
"Ruby. Oh dear, I told you. Come on, let's get you to bed." I followed Granny as she led me upstairs. I quickly stripped off my shirt and replaced it with a tank top and decided to stay in a pair of boxers, feeling too hot to wear anything else.
Granny tucked me into bed before leaving the room and later returning with a bucket, in case my stomach turned against me again, a bowl of soup and crackers, an extra blanket, and a bowl of ice water with a face cloth. While she helped me sit up to eat – and after seeing how weak I was ended up feeding me – then laid me back down, using the cold wet cloth to cool me a bit, she mumbled that 'she told me so' and 'she warned me'. I should have listened to her, I didn't think it'd be this bad, but I couldn't stand being around them without being with them.
You see, after I decided to avoid my mates, only after not seeing them or hearing their voices for two days, my wolf started to rebel. At first – seeing as it was wolves time then – When I woke up after a full moon, I would be asleep, naked, on their porch. Or my wolf would try to over power me and go find them. When that didn't work, I started to get weaker, and weaker, my once huge appetite would be settled with only one small serving, then with half of that, to only a slice of bread, and now, soup is trying to fight it's way out of my stomach. My muscles got sore, and ached, until opening a water bottle left me in pain and exhausted. I would get tired, extremely tired and now, the fever. I'm reaching the final stages of this 'rebellion' and it could easier kill me. Will kill me if I don't see my mates soon.
After forcing down some Advil and some Gravol. I managed to fall asleep and woke up to Granny coming in to check on me and re-soak the cloth.
"The fever only got worth... I have to go to the meeting to hand in all the notes we've taken, but I won't stay the whole time, I should be back in half an hour. I'll bring back some ice with me, it seems like it's be the only thing you'll be able to stomach from now on." I didn't have the strength to speak and only watched as she readjusted my pillows and moved to leave my room. I was asleep again before she could even close the door.
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Regina's POV
Everyone was sitting worriedly around the table. Cautious and scared about the constant killings happening around town. Eugenia and Ruby are the only two missing before we could start the meeting, and if I am being completely honest, while it may be inappropriate with the situation going on, a big part of me is extremely excited to see Ruby. Emma and I haven't spoke to her in days and I could feel a tugging through the bond, wanting me to go find her, hold her... mate with her. Even Emma, I noticed, has been lost in thought a lot lately and I've sometimes caught her whispering the young wolf's name in her sleep, a peaceful smile on her face. The sound of the door opening brought my attention back to the present, I sat up straighter, excitement running through me and quickly deflated when only Granny alone walked in. Noticing the look on my face, she quickly spoke before anyone else did.
"Sorry for being late, Ruby is... really sick. I can't stay long, I have to be back soon to make sure she's alright, so please, if we can start." Worry shot through me at the quiver in her voice and without a second thought I raised my hand. Time froze around Granny and I spoke hurriedly.
"What's really wrong?" Granny glanced around the room before answering.
"Ruby has been avoiding both you and Emma. She hasn't been able to handle not being around you both without Emma knowing and being able to freely be happy with the both of you. Her wolf... rebelled... She's been getting weaker for the past weak. She can't stomach any food, can barely hold herself up.. she's got a horrible fever. Regina. I know you're afraid of ruining yours and Emma's relationship. But if you don't fix this soon... Ruby could... she might.." I understood the unfinished sentence and pushed back tears.
"How do I fix it? How can I help? What do I do?" Granny thought about for a moment and finally answered.
"Tell Emma. Figure out your answer. Let her know you either both love her very much, or if you'd love to have her friendship. For now though... a kiss is better than any doctor, Regina, and while Ruby would hate for me to say this, practically encourage you to cheat on Emma, it's what she needs. She needs to feel you. Needs to know you're there and that you care. Her wolf needs to understand that it can't give up. Not yet." I played back her answer in my head many times before nodding and unfreezing time. Without missing a beat, I continued.
"Alright, we'll make this quick, we'll go through the new clues we have then you're free to go." She nodded her agreement and we quickly sat down to start.
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The meeting ended a few hours ago. I was stuck in my own thoughts and I was fairly sure Emma noticed. She many times placed kisses over my neck, in all the spots that drove me crazy in attempt to catch my attention. After we returned home and had dinner, I instantly went to work. Emma sat behind me at the table as I worked.
"Can you pass me those herbs on the table, darling?" I through over my shoulder. Silence answered my request and after a few moments I turned to see what was wrong only to find my princess with tears in her eyes. I turned the heat down on the stove that was heating a pot filled with many different ingredients for a potion and sat in front of her, my thumb reaching up to catch the first tear drop that fell down her cheek.
"What's wrong, love? Why are you crying?" She took a breath, looking to the table, then back into my eyes.
"You care so much about Ruby suddenly. Interested in the wolf culture, finding every excuse possible to call her, making her potions when she's sick. I've heard you say her name in your sleep." A light bulb went off in my head as I realized what was going on. She thought I lost my love for her and care for Ruby. Not that I don't care for her, I just don't love her more than I do Emma, and I don't love Emma more than I do Ruby.
It hit me like a brick wall when I realized that I was using the word 'Love' and Ruby's name in the first sentence. It could be that I simply understood the bonding mate and already accepted it that it's... accelerating my feelings for the wolf.
"Emma. Emma, no. It's nothing like that. Okay, there's something I need to tell you. It's better if we all speak. You, me.. and Ruby. I promise you, Emma-" Before I could finish, my phone went off, the caller ID showed Eugenia calling. I answered in an instant to hear her voice filled with tears and fear.
"Regina! Please! Ruby, she's... she's convulsing. I- I don't know..." Fear raised in me and I jumped up, grabbing the herbs off the table, I threw them into the pot, mixed them and sprinkled my fingers over it, letting some of my magic fall in. I waved my hand and the content of the pot appeared in a vial. Turning to a still crying Emma, I spoke with pain in my heart.
"Emma, please listen. Ruby, she's very sick and it's my fault. It was Granny on the phone. She-... She's... I have to bring this over now or.. or she could die. Please understand and please meet me there as soon as you can." With another wave of my hands, I disappeared, the last thing I saw was Emma reaching fro the car keys.
I appeared in Ruby's bedroom and was frozen at the view Granny holding down a convulsing Ruby who was beginning to foam at the mouth. Without a word, I rushed over and gently moved Eugenia out of the way to cradle the wolf's head in my arm, keeping her steady as I tipped the vial slowly into her mouth. The moment the liquid slid down her throat, she stopped convulsing and instead all her muscles tensed. She stayed like this for another five minutes before relaxing into the bed and falling into a peaceful sleep. The room was quiet for a few more minutes as I argued with myself, and finally, I leaned in to press a simple kiss to her lips. As I moved back, Granny reached forward to place her hand on the sleeping girl's head.
"Her fever is gone and even with my fading senses I can hear her stomach growling for food." As she finished talking, I too heard a familiar grumble and chuckled. I watched as Granny tucked her back in gently, placed a kiss to her forehead and moved towards the door, I spent a few more minutes with Miss Lucas. I swiped my hand over her body, checking for any injuries the potion missed and was delighted to find none. With a last kiss to her damp but cool forehead, I left the room and walked down the stairs.
"Eugenia. It's time, with or without Ruby, I need to tell Emma, and I need to tell her now. Please, when she's awake, and fed, call me, I'll be right over. Granny gave me a thankful smile and turned to the kitchen, mumbling about making tea. It was only then that I realized that without Ruby, Granny would have no one else. I'm Sure Snow and David would be there for her, even Emma and I, but Ruby is family. She's watched her grow, if she were to die... I decided now would be the time to leave, Granny needs some time to calm down. I walked over to the door, opened it, and only made it two steps outside before I was trapped in a hug from behind.
I whipped around to find a tall, tired, brunette standing behind me. Relief washed over me and I pulled her into a hug.
"Oh God. Ruby, I was so afraid. Why did you do that? You can't just do that to me, to Emma, to Granny! That was Reckless! You should have used your head for once! You should have-" I was silenced by the feel of soft lips against mine.
I returned Ruby's kiss with passion and felt her relax into me, a moan echoing in her chest. My tongue flicked out to slide over her bottom lip and she immediately surrendered the kiss to me and opened her mouth, allowing me to discover the warmth of her mouth. As the kiss started to deepen even more and hands started to wander, the sound of a car door slamming closed made us jump apart. We straightened up our clothes and and embarrassed Ruby crossed her arms over the two excited nubs that stuck through her shirt after my recent fondling. We both turned to see Emma marching over.
"I got here as fast as I could. Ruby, you seem fine?" There was something in Emma's voice, she was hiding something, but I couldn't exactly place what it was. I answered for the stuttering wolf behind me.
"I arrived just in time, the potion worked and I was just telling Miss Lucas that if she didn't get back to bed and rest, that it could still fail." I gave Ruby and pointed look and she immediately straightened out of her casual lean and yawned, her arms not coming down.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm going, your majesty." Her voice dripped with sarcasm and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes or giggle and instead raised my brow. Emma cut in.
"I thought there was something we all had to talk about?" Ruby's eyes grew wide and she dropped her crossed arms. I had to stifle my laugh as both my and Emma's eyes zeroed in on her perky peaks.
"What? Now? I mean, uh, yeah, of course! I mean.. Um.." It seemed the fatigue really was getting to her now as she swayed slightly. I instantly reached out a hand to steady her and called out to Granny. Before she arrived I whispered quietly to Ruby.
"I'll tell her tonight, rest, my wolf, it'll all be better tomorrow." Her eye lids fluttered closed as Granny arrived and quickly grabbed hold of Ruby. She thanked us and gave a knowing smile as she helped a stumbling Ruby up to her room.
I closed the door and turned to Emma.
"We have to talk. At home." Without another word, the blond turned and walked back to the car. The ride home was silent, as was the time while we prepared for bed, and finally, I was ready, we were both laying in bed, silence in the air, and right before I had the chance to speak, Emma turned to me and placed her lips over mine. I many times tried to tell her how important this talk was but she always answered.
"It can wait for tomorrow. Please Regina, I need to feel you now, my Queen." Heat shot right to my core and I took control.
I rolled over, laying Emma on her back, both my legs on either side of her. With a wave of my hands, her arms were bound over her head and both our night clothes were gone.
"You crave the touch of your Queen tonight?" I racked my nails down her rib cage, creating angry red marks. Emma groaned and arched into me.
"Y- Yess, my Queen." My lips traced down her neck, teasing her pulse point with my tongue before moving down and capturing a hardened peak between my lips, scrapping my teeth over her sensitive nipple and letting my tongue dance over the tip.
Emma squirmed under me and I kissed the trail between he breast before giving the same attention to her right nipple. The moans that were leaving her mouth were musical and the way she continued to arch and thrust her hips wildly into my core was making me ache for my climax. As I kissed lower, down her stomach, I paused to tease her navel with my tongue and rack my nails down the inside of her thighs.
"Tell me what you want, princess." Emma's hips thrust into me frantically as she tried to form words. I grabbed hold of her hips and roughly pushed them into the bed. Holding her still until she spoke.
"Fuck me. Please Regina, my Queen, Fuck me." I smirked and without a paused slid two fingers into her wet centre.
She moaned loudly, her hips trying to free herself of my one hand still holding her down as she tried to fuck herself on my fingers. I started a steady pace and ran my tongue gently over her little bundle of nerves. As she started to near the edge, I climbed up her body to kiss and suck her nipples and her pulse point, my thumb replacing my tongue on her clit. Emma's orgasm was quickly approaching and I sped up my pace as I chose my favourite spot on her neck and let my tongue slide over it, it was only a few more seconds before Emma's moans started to get louder and I could feel her walls quivering against my fingers, I thrust my fingers in roughly a single time, curled my fingers forward, pressed down on her clit and bit into her neck. Emma let out a scream as her hips jumped uncontrollably. I started thrusting my fingers again, slowly and licked around my bite mark to help her come down until she was completely relaxed. I leaned over her, released her arms from the magical bond and massaged her sore arms.
"Thank you, my Queen. Please, allow me to thank you properly.." I raise my brow at her and had to hold back my laugh as she flipped us over. As she kissed down my body, it never occurred to me that there was something important I needed to talk to her about.
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Ruby's POV
The next morning when I woke up, I was happy to see that I felt 100% better and quickly jumped out of bed at the smell of bacon that wafted up the stairs and to my room. Granny was happy to see me rushing down the stairs and didn't hesitate to fill my plate with food. Today is going to be a good day.
Or at least that's what I thought..
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The day got worse around noon. Granny convinced me to go back to bed for a few more hours, and told me I could come in during the lunch hour. I knew it was because she knows Emma and Gina eat lunch together at the diner everyday, but she played it off as if she just didn't want me to work the full day yet. I showed up around 12:45 and Instantly perked up at the view of the police cruiser parked in the front. I was even happier to see Emma leaning against said car. After a quick look around, I noticed Gina wasn't here yet.
Scared, yet excited to know how the talk went, I hesitantly walked over to Emma. She looked up as I approached and squinted slightly at me.
"Follow me, Rubes." She turned sharply and walked towards the woods. A bad feeling settled over me but I followed my mate like a lost puppy. We walked maybe five minutes into the forest before I started talking.
"Uh, Emma, wha-" My words were cut off by the impact of a fist to my jaw.
I looked up to her from my new position on the floor, hurt flashed through me and I could feel my wolf whimpering, wanting to fight back, but not wanting to hurt my mate in any way. Before I could speak again, Emma raised her leg and her boot covered foot came down sharply on my stomach. There was another small pause before she went for a punch again, this time, it landed on my nose with an audible crack and I felt blood gush over my top lip. Her beating got worse and worse as she started to rant.
"I love her. I always loved her. I talked to you when I needed help with her, when I was scared, and you do this? I LOVE her. She... She loves you though, I can see it, and you love her. I didn't want to here that talk last night. You know what we did instead? We fucked, and it was soo good. But you probably know how good she is in bed already, don't you?" With a final punch to my already swollen eye, she stepped back.
"Regina is Mine. I love her. Stay away from us." She brushed her hair back, took a final look at me, then turned back towards the diner.
Tears streamed from my eyes, pain radiated from practically everywhere and I could smell my own blood strongly in the air...
My own blood and... What was that?
My eyes widened.
All those crime scenes, every time, I smelt it, and it didn't hit me. Of course! That weird smell..
Horses.
I forced my body to roll over to find the source of the smell and I froze when I saw who was standing behind me.
"Well it seems my Princess is done with her little wolf mate. Oh, I could have fun with you." I watched, to weak to run, as he approached me with a syringe filled with, by the smell of it, wolfs-bane. I felt the dull prick in my neck and felt a final tear roll down my cheek as the world faded to black.