Chapter 4
Breakfast had gone on smoothly with no issues whatsoever. Ruby had to really thank Henry for keeping them all entertained with his stories, the kid really had a talent for stories. But even though she really enjoyed herself she couldn't help but still be worried about her wolf, even now she can still feel it trying to claw its way out of her and wanting to go towards Regina. Throughout the entirety of their meal Ruby hadn't been able to keep her eyes from straying to Regina for more then a second, it was like the mayor was a magnetic force that kept pulling her back. She couldn't for the life of her keep her attention on just Henry, or Emma. Regina was all she wanted to stare at, but she knew it would be extremely creepy if she did. So even though breakfast had been pleasant and the food delicious, she couldn't help but breathe in a breath of relief when Regina and Emma started picking up all the plates to get them cleaned up. She really had to get out of there before another moment like what happened in the kitchen repeated itself. She was already mortified enough that she had lost control over her wolf to the point that Regina had to step in and pull her back, she really didn't want to go through that again if she could help it. Thinking back on the gorgeous mayor's soft hands on her face, body so close to hers, intoxicating scent surrounding Ruby. The thought alone caused her face to heat up slightly, giving a thanks to her lucky stars that Regina and Emma were in the kitchen so they couldn't witness her embarrassment.
"Hey Ruby, your all red in the face", came the forever curious voice of Henry from behind her. Shit. She had completely forgotten that Henry had stayed behind with her while his moms cleaned up. It seemed that whenever her thoughts went to Regina everything else around her just didn't seem as important.
Giving a small cough she looked back at Henry while giving him a small smile, trying as hard as she could to tamper down the heat on her face. "Yeah, I tend to get kind of warm before and after the full moon. I guess I'm still feeling the effects", she said. Which wasn't technically a lie, maybe it wasn't the cause of her red face in the moment but it's something that does happen to her.
Henry's eyes lit up like they always did whenever he learned something new about a fairytale character, more so since its Red Riding Hood, his ultimate favorite. "That's so cool! What's that like? Is it like some type of signal or something that means your going to go all wolf? Do you also get it when you're in-wolf form which would then mean your turning human again?", he fired question after question without taking a breath.
Ruby couldn't help but laugh out loud at the nerdiness coming off of him in waves. She always loved Henry, his thirst for knowledge was an endearing quality that he most definitely got from Regina. This wasn't the first time that he's asked questions about her kind, probably won't be the last time either. Usually she would happily answer all his questions, loving that someone wanted to learn about her with such enthusiasm. But she really just wanted to go and run, her wolf was restless which in turn made her restless. Ever since Regina disappeared into the kitchen with Emma her wolf has been on high alert. Ruby couldn't help the anger and jealousy she felt that Regina was alone with Emma somewhere she couldn't see them. She couldn't stop her super hearing from picking up the sounds of small giggles and the exchange of kisses coming from the kitchen, which caused her to dig her nails into her thigh painfully under the table. She had to control herself, Regina wasn't hers to claim. As much as her heart and body wanted the other woman, she couldn't do anything about it when Regina had her true love.
What she can do though is figure out why this is happening to her in the first place, and why of all people it was with Regina. Completely ignoring Henry's onslaught of questions, Ruby glanced up at the father clock and saw that it was 9:30am. She had about half and hour before her shift at the diner, if she left now, she could squeeze in a quick run and still make it on time. Hopefully the run will calm down her raging instincts enough until she could talk to granny.
Turning back to Henry, who was still firing questions at her, Ruby gave a small laugh at his adorableness and put a hand over his mouth to stop the flow of words. "Hen, I promise I'll answer all your questions soon. But right now, I really should go. I have a shift at the diner, and I want to get a quick run in before then", she explained. She really hoped he wouldn't be too disappointed; she knew how excited he got about learning more about her.
Henry's shoulders did slump a little at the thought of her leaving, he did really love having her around. Not just to answer his questions but because he really did see her as family, almost like a third mom in a way since she helped raise him. He couldn't remember a time when she wasn't around. But he nodded his head none the less, signaling for her to remove her hand. "Alright, but can we please hang out soon? I feel like I don't see you much anymore", he said, a clear whine in his voice.
Ruby felt a small tug at her heart at the sadness in his eyes. He was right, they used to spend a lot of time together before she and everyone else but him and Emma had been sent back to the Enchanted Forest. But when they had returned, and Emma and Regina were confirmed true loves she did pull away. She hadn't even realized she had been doing it until just now. Is it possible that whatever is happening to her with Regina had started way back then? So many questions, not enough answers.
Shaking her head Ruby decided to think on it later, she had an almost pre-teen to make smile. She pulled him in for a hug, wanting to make sure he knew that he will always have her no matter what. "I'm so sorry pup, your so right and I didn't even realize I was pulling away until just now. I promise we'll spend more time together from now on", she said while giving him a small peck on the top of his head. A smile forming on her face when she felt him tighten his hold on her.
"You promise promise?", he asked in a small voice. Ruby frowned at this, maybe her distancing from the Charming-Mills family had affected him more then she thought. It seemed this was a conversation she would have to have with him as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it would have to wait till next time since her hearing picked up the sound of Regina and Emma finishing up the last of the dishes, which meant they should be back any minute now.
Pulling back from Henry and leaning down so they were eye level with each other, Ruby held up her pinkie finger towards the boy. "I pinkie promise you Hen, we will spend time together", she stated, making sure he knew how serious she was.
Henry gave her a mega watt smile and intertwined his pinkie with hers, they grinned at each other while shaking their pinkies up and down.
"Oh oh, I smell trouble. Whatever mischief you guys are up too I want in", said the amused voice of Emma. Ruby and Henry looked up and saw both her and Regina standing in the archway of the living room. Emma had her arms crossed, a smirk on her face while Regina regarded the pair with curiosity and something else Ruby couldn't identify. Ruby couldn't help but let her eyes settle on Regina, she still wasn't used to seeing the mayor in comfortable clothing. It was a spectacular sight, she looked amazing. Ruby felt her heartbeat quicken its pulse as that strange feeling towards Regina flooded her entire body. Okay, things were once again getting dangerous, it was time to make her exit.
Before Henry could answer his blonde mother with what was sure to be a witty retort, Ruby stood up from her seat and faced the two. "Actually, I was just telling Hen that its time for me to go", she stated.
Regina felt her heart fill with disappointment. She knew the time for Ruby to go would come, she was just really hoping it wouldn't come anytime soon. She had loved having the taller wolf with them during breakfast, it almost felt like she was the missing piece they hadn't known they were missing. During the meal she had felt Ruby's eyes on her, and she had loved every minute of it. She had fought her body's urge to turn and meet those captivating baby blues in favor of her son. A task that had been so much more difficult then what it should have been. All she wanted was to hold Emma's hand while she stared into the blue eyes across from her, while also stretching her foot under the table and possibly slide it up the brunette girl's long legs. Those thoughts have been circling around in her head for the past hour, even while her and Emma exchanged loving moments in the kitchen, she couldn't help but want Ruby to also be there with them. She needed information, and she needed it soon. That way she could decide what course of action to take on the matter. But as of right now, she would have to swallow down the disappointment and let the other girl go.
"Are you sure you don't want to stick around a little longer Rubes?", asked Emma, bringing Regina out of her thoughts to focus back on the conversation at hand. She couldn't help but stare at Ruby, pleading with her eyes. A one last ditch attempt to get her to stay a little longer, but she knew it wouldn't work.
Ruby felt a knot forming in her throat at the look Regina sent her. It was clear as day that Regina wanted her to stay, but she just couldn't. She couldn't risk doing something stupid, she had to leave the family so they can enjoy the rest of their day. Plus, she really had to talk to granny, she couldn't put it off any longer in favor of spending time with Regina. She felt her wolf and her instincts battling against her for disappointing Regina, all she wanted to do was please the woman in every possible way. The thought of leaving her was making the hairs on her arms stand on end in an uncomfortable way. But she had to be strong, she had to get some answers.
Hardening her resolve, Ruby looked right back at Regina, "Thanks but I really should get going, granny will have my butt served if I'm late again", she said. She didn't care that she answered to Regina when Emma had been the one to ask the question, she wanted to express to Regina with her eyes that she didn't want to leave, but she had too.
Regina seemed to have gotten the message because she gave Ruby a gentle subdued smile that didn't seem to reach her eyes. "Alright dear, thank you again for assisting me with breakfast. Also, remember what I said, your always welcomed here", she said, never once breaking eye contact with the wolf. She was hoping it wouldn't be long before she saw the other woman again, but it still didn't stop her from taking her in as if it was the last time.
Henry wrapping his arms around Ruby broke the loaded eye contact between them. Ruby looked down and gave the boy a smile while returning the hug, "Remember our promise", she whispered in his ear, giving him a wolfish grin and wink when he smiled wide up at her.
Emma walked over to her and gave her a big hug, "I've missed you Rubes, maybe you can stop by the station on Monday so we can catch up?", she said, giving her the famous charming puppy dog eyes.
Ruby let out a laugh as she wrapped an arm around Emma's head and put her into a headlock, "Don't try those on me Swan, you cant give puppy dog eyes to someone who's basically a puppy", she said jokingly while messing up Emma's blonde hair.
Emma let a loud laugh as she tried to wrestle her way out of Ruby's grasp, which she knew was impossible due to the girl's wolf strength. That still didn't stop her from trying though. Regina watched all this with love and amusement in her eyes, seeing them two together was flooding her heart with such a warm feeling that it was almost overwhelming. All she knew for certain was that she wanted more of whatever was happening here, almost like she needed it.
Ruby finally let go of Emma as she concluded her assault on the blonde's hair, laughing some more when she saw Emma's messed up hair sticking in all directions, Henry joining her in her laughter. Emma sent a glare their way as she patted her hair back in place, "Traitor", she said to her laughing son.
Ruby calmed down from her laughter, "To answer your earlier question, sure. I'll go over during my lunch break", she said. Regina couldn't help the slight feeling of jealousy that hit her with knowing that her true love will get to spend more time with Ruby then her, but the feeling quickly vanished when she remembered that she was planning on visiting Eugenia later and that she will surely see Ruby there.
"Sounds like a plan", Said Emma back, completely forgetting her earlier annoyance with Ruby's attack in favor of being happy with getting to spend some more time with her best friend. With that said, Henry grabbed Emma's hand and pulled her away into the living room, shouting about picking what movie they were going to start their weekend off with.
Ruby once again looked over at Regina, a smile automatically forming on each other's faces as their eyes met. "Thank you again, for letting me crash here. Also, for not barbequing me for breaking into your yard", she said with a grin, her eyes basically dilating as Regina took a couple steps closer to her. Lord help her, that intoxicating scent filling her nose pleasantly. Her tongue came out to lick suddenly dry lips, her heart racing as she saw Regina's eyes glance down at the movement.
Regina couldn't help herself; Ruby was giving off such a delicious aroma that it had pulled her closer. She didn't even know her nose could be this sensitive, not that she was complaining. She just had to get closer, even if it wasn't nearly as much as she wanted. Then when pink tongue had licked full lips, it had almost caused Regina's iron will to crumble to dust. Glancing down at those oh so kissable lips she answered back, "Don't go spreading that around town dear, someone else might not be so lucky", she said back almost distractedly.
Ruby gave a small gulp, leaning in a little closer to Regina, her mind was in the beginning stages of cloudy. "I guess I'm one of the lucky one's then", she said, eyes firmly locked on Regina's lips.
Regina took a deep breath and leaned in on her tip toes, giving the taller girl a quick peck on the cheek. Her lips had been wanting to kiss something else, but she still had half a mind to know that she shouldn't. It wouldn't be fair to either one of them, not to mention Emma. She will never cheat on her true love, but this thing with Ruby felt much greater than just a simple taste of lust. She knows what lust is, and this is most definitely not it. Whatever it is she will find out, then she will talk to Emma about it. Her and Emma have always been honest with each other, so keeping this from her love was not an option.
Ruby's cheek tingled from where Regina kissed her, she was both relived and disappointed that it was only an innocent peck on the cheek. But she knew it was for the best, she didn't want to complicate things between them. Doesn't mean her heart didn't almost jump out of her chest at the feel of Regina's soft lips. She had to go, and now before she lost the little control she had left, and she'd take Regina and kiss her senseless against the nearest wall.
Clearing her throat a little and taking a quick step back Ruby looked anywhere but at Regina, " Umm, enjoy the rest of your morning", she said while making the fastest escape she's ever done and opening the front door and jogging down the stairs and towards the nearest tree line. She forced herself not to look back as she kept jogging towards the trees, she knew if she did, she would run right back to Regina.
Regina leaned against her door frame; one hand pressed against smiling lips as she watched Ruby run of into the woods. Even though she wasn't sure what was going on, she couldn't help the happy feeling bubbling inside her. She had a nagging suspicion that something was going to happen that will change the course of her life, whether for good or bad has yet to be seen. But knowing it had something to do with the attractive waitress made her want to take that chance and find out. With another glance where she last saw Ruby, Regina stepped back inside and closed the door behind her as she then made her way towards her living room to join her son and her true love.
Ruby ran, she ran and ran and ran until the alarm on her phone reminded her that she needed to be at the diner in 5 minutes. She wished she could stay running longer, it felt like even though she had been desperate for a run it hadn't really helped clear her mind of everything that took place between yesterday night and this morning.
She still felt Regina, even though the mayor is physically miles away from her at this very moment. She could still sense her as if she was standing right there next to her. All those feelings, she couldn't make heads or tails of them. She had so many questions, why Regina? Why now that Regina and Emma had found true love with each other?, so many questions and she felt her head going around in circles.
Ruby had to get to the bottom of this, maybe even find a way to put a stop to it before a total disaster happened.
She felt her wolf growl at the thought from deep within her, just the thought enough to piss it off. Ruby herself felt a little ill at her own thoughts, it's like Regina out of nowhere became a necessity in her life, a puzzle piece she didn't know she was missing when just last week she thought the puzzle was completed. But what else could she do?. There's no way she could even entertain the idea of going after Regina, not when her and Emma were true love. If life has thought her anything, is that you can't mess around with true love. So even if her insides are basically screaming at her, she's not going to get in between Regina and Emma, not even if her life depended on it. They deserve they're happiness, and that's with each other.
Hardening her resolve against her slowly breaking heart, Ruby transformed back into her human skin. She had ran all the way to where she kept her secret bag of clothes, pulling out some underwear and bra, a pair of skinny jeans, a black t-shirt and some black and white Converse sneakers. Slowly putting her clothes on Ruby kept repeating her plan of action in her head.
First and most importantly, try with all her might to NOT run back to Regina. Even now the urge to do so was overwhelming, she swears she can still smell a hint of Regina in the air. A beautiful mix of lavender and apples.
Second, get to the diner and talk to granny about the bizarre situation she's suddenly found herself in and try to get as many of her questions answered as she could. If granny doesn't have all the answers she wants then she's already made up her mind about giving Belle a visit, hopefully her friend would help her find some answers in all those books at the library.
Lastly, but just as important as the first one, try really really really hard to stay away from Regina. At least until she's found a way to put a stop to whatever is going on with her, or at the very least found a way to control herself around the ex evil queen. She can't stress that enough.
With a determined look on her face, Ruby set off towards the diner.
She made it to the diner in record time, thankfully she hadn't ran into any body that could've potentially distracted her from her goal. She remembers a couple people waving and greeting her but she had been too distracted with her own thoughts to really pay attention to anyone.
Ruby bursted through the door of Granny's Diner, not caring in the least that her entrance had caused a couple heads to turn in her direction. She thanked any god listening for the fact that the diner doesn't start getting busy until noon, only a few people were sitting around at the moment, drinking coffee and having a small breakfast before starting they're day. She had about two hours to talk to her grandmother before the afternoon rush started, hopefully that's all the time she'll need.
Ruby rushed into the kitchen where she could clearly hear granny getting dishes ready for the day.
Granny turned at her abrupt entrance and regarded her granddaughter with a curious look, even though she was up there in her old age she still had her wolf senses intact. She could tell something was bothering the young pup, judging by the look on her face and the anxiety rolling off of her in waves. She had been ready to pull her by the ear for being 10 minutes late to work, but decided to cut Ruby a little slack.
So with one final wipe of the plate she had been cleaning, granny set it down to dry with the others and turned with her arms crossed to give Ruby her full attention. " Whats the matter with you pup?", she asked in her usual no nonsense tone of voice.
Ruby gulped, now that she was face to face with granny it was harder then she first thought to get what she wanted to say out. She was certain her grandmother knew something was off with her, her senses are even better then Rubys own.
It seemed she hadn't answered fast enough because her granny spoke up again, this time with a little annoyance in her voice. " Out with it girl, you know better then to keep me waiting", she said, her foot tapping impatiently on the floor.
Ruby did know better, that's why when she opened her mouth next she just let everything spill out in an embarrassing word vomit while she paced back and forth around the kitchen, her granny's eyes on her the entire time.
" I don't know what's happening to me granny, I'm losing my fucking mind, last night when I shifted everything started off normal like every other time. But then all of a sudden my memory just went black, then I find myself waking up in human form in Reginas backyard of all places. At first I couldn't remember anything from after I shifted to when I woke up, but then after thinking really hard everything just came crashing back. I had been running, then this strong irresistible scent just attacked my senses. It was so intoxicating to my wolf that I just ran all the way to Reginas backyard. Then Regina found me and all of a sudden the sight and thought of her has been doing things to me. I can't even describe what it's like to be around her, it's like all I wanna do is hold her and kiss her and ravish her and protect her from everything. Then I remembered Emma and how she's Reginas true love, and I got so angry and jealous and I just wanted to take Regina and claim her for myself, the wolf in me was basically demanding that I do so. But not just the wolf, my human side too, everything that makes me who I am wants Regina and for the life of me I can't understand why. Why now?!, why Regina?!, I keep asking myself these questions but all I get is more questions. It was so hard granny, watching them together this morning after Regina invited me to stay for breakfast, seeing how much they love each other. Emma's my best friend, how could I want to take her true love away from her?. Especially when in the beginning I was so happy for them. This makes no fucking sense!. Then after breakfast when I had to go, it was as if I was leaving a piece of me behind at that house. I had to basically force myself to keep running and not turn right back around. I need to know what's happening to me, please granny. Please tell me you know what's happening so that I can stop it." Desperate blue eyes turn to her grandmother, she had been walking a circle around the kitchen that she's surprised she didn't leave a hole. But after the words started spilling she couldn't stop them even if she wanted to, being able to talk to someone about this was liberating. She felt like she had been carrying a weight on her shoulders ever since leaving Reginas house. She really hoped her grandmother understood the seriousness of the situation and helped her out, she really needed someone to help her out of this mess and her granny has always been there for her. They've had their differences before, but their bond has always been stronger then anything.
Granny stared at her granddaughter with a blank expression on her face. Everything Ruby just said processing in her brain, this was most definitely not what she expected. She's equal parts surprised and not at the same time. If she understood everything correctly, then she had a pretty good idea of what was happening to her little pup.
Letting out a tired sigh, granny walked over to Ruby and put a hand on her shoulder. Looking up at her blue green eyes with her own same color eyes.
Ruby felt her heart pounding in her chest, she had a bad feeling. Gulping, she said. " Why do I have the feeling that you know what's happening to me, and that I'm not going to like what I'm about to hear?", she asked nervously. The anticipation of what her grandmother might say killing her.
Granny continued to look up at her, different emotions passing by in her eyes too fast for Ruby to analyze.
Finally, granny spoke up. " Oh pup, I should have told you this a long time ago. Maybe you wouldn't be losing your marvels this bad if you had known, but considering Regina is involved then I'm honestly not so sure any more. I thought since we aren't in the enchanted forest any more that it wouldn't happen to you, it seems I was wrong." She said, taking her hand off Rubys shoulder but not breaking eye contact.
Ruby couldn't take it anymore, she grabbed her grandmother's hand and lifted it to her chest. " Granny, please. What's happening to me?", she asked, her heart basically on the floor at this point.
Granny took a deep breath before finally giving her the answer she has been desperately waiting for," You've enter mating heat, and based on what you've told me so far, fate has chosen Regina to be your mate", she said, placing her other hand over Rubys own.
Rubys heart went through the floor, " Fuck", was the only thing she could say.