Chapter 28

28

Ruby

I groggily opened my eyes, feeling dizzy as I tried to take in my surroundings. I was in a bright room with sterile white walls with an array of medical equipment. My body was covered in soft white blankets, and I was lying on a narrow hospital bed.

Looking around, I saw Wayne, Davy, Rufus, and Jasper sitting nearby, their gazes fixed on me with concern. Confusion surged through me.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice slurring over my words. "Why am I here?"

"You gave birth," said Wayne, his huge hand resting against mine. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked worse for wear. "Do you remember your baby?"

Memories of the labor were starting to come back to me in flashes. My heart started beating fast as I remembered everything.

"Where is my baby?" I asked frantically.

"Don't worry, honey, the baby's fine," Wayne said. "They're bringing her in soon. She's just getting checked out."

Davy's eyes lit up when he saw me awake, and he held my other hand gently, careful not to disturb the intravenous wires attached to my arm .

"Where's Marrok?" I demanded, the persistent fear of him gripping my heart. The last I had seen him was when he was being dragged out of the cabin viciously by my alphas.

"Marrok is taken care of," Wayne assured me. "For now, we've left him tied to a tree. Nature will hopefully sort itself out."

Relief washed over me, but I couldn't shake the sinking feeling that I would never be truly safe from him as long as he was still alive. If he had managed to find me once, who was to say he couldn't do it again?

Davy must have sensed my distress because his voice took on a soothing tone. "Don't worry about Marrok now, Ruby. Focus on healing. And you can tell us everything when you're ready."

Just then, the door creaked open, and I watched as a nurse wheeled my tiny baby into the room. All the alphas and I stared at the baby, our breaths caught in our throats.

"Are you ready to hold her, my dear?" the nurse asked me with a smile, and my heart pounded with trepidation. Wordlessly, I nodded, still in shock that I'd given birth and that I would hold my baby for the first time.

The nurse carefully lifted the baby and placed her in my arms.

The baby had a tuft of soft blond hair atop her head, just like Jasper, and her eyes were a beautiful mixture of brown and blue. Tears filled my eyes as I gazed down at my daughter for the first time, feeling an overwhelming burst of love for her.

"Is this your first baby?" the nurse asked.

"Yes, she is."

"Have you picked out a name for her?"

"Ella," I whispered, stroking her delicate face. "I already love her more than anything. She's so beautiful."

"I like that name," said Wayne.

"She's a cutie-pie," cooed Rufus as he also gazed down at her in my arms. "She's got her mother's dainty ears."

I smiled as the alphas bantered about who she looked like the most. Slowly tuning them out - I focused only on her.

She was fast asleep, her soft baby skin pale in the sunlight streaming into the hospital room. I couldn't believe that Marrok would have…I didn't dare think about it. My chest hurt just imagining what he would have done to my baby. Baby Ella was a miracle in my arms, and as I held her, I was determined to keep her safe at all costs, especially from Marrok, who was still out there.

All night, I didn't want to sleep except to hold Ella at the hospital. During the day, the lactation nurse showed me the ropes of breastfeeding, and it was still painful for me. I was determined to get the breastmilk pumps they were offering so I could take them home. Omegas didn't usually use help like that, but it made my life a little easier by feeding her with a bottle.

"Ruby, you have to get some sleep," said Wayne as he came up to my side while the rest of the alphas snored around me. "I'll watch Baby Ella. It wouldn't be safe if you held her while sleeping."

That was the only thing that got me to finally hand the sleeping baby over to him. He gently put her down in the bassinet.

"Watch her," I said worriedly.

"Don't worry, honey, I will."

Yawning, my eyes felt heavy when I finally closed them as I leaned back into the pillows. Deep sleep that I hadn't gotten in days took over as I told myself that the alphas would watch her. They were her fathers and loved her as much as I did.

The sun peeked through the blinds as I stirred the next morning, its bright rays highlighting the white walls of the hospital room. Machine beeps and soft murmurs filled the air. My alphas were still there, watching over me and the baby. I looked at the baby sleeping in her little bed. Ella looked so angelic, sleeping soundly .

"Our omega is awake," smiled Wayne, kissing me on the lips. "Did you get good sleep?"

"Mhm," I mumbled, sitting up on the bed. "The best sleep I've ever gotten. Oh god, it hurts."

"I'll call the nurse to get you some more pain medicine," said Davy quickly.

"Okay, I need to use the bathroom," I said, my voice croaking from the long hours of sleep. Rufus jumped out of his chair and helped my feeble body out of the bed. Jasper was asleep on one of the chairs in the corner of the room.

"I got you," said Rufus, holding my arm as I slowly walked beside him. My brain was foggy, but sleep helped.

"I want to shower too," I said. "Did anyone bring me a change of clothes?"

"Yes, Jasper went out to buy some clothes for you," said Rufus, helping me into the shower as he untied the hospital gown from me. A flashback of my sundress stained with blood from giving birth hit me, and my breathing quickened. "I smell your stress. What's wrong, love?"

"Nothing just remembered some of the traumatic birth," I said, taking deep breaths as he adjusted the temperature of the water.

I looked at my belly, which was still swollen, and I felt self-conscious of all the blood seeping down. Rufus was oblivious to that as he gently washed my arms, and I began to relax when I saw that I didn't gross him out.

"Good morning, Ruby," the doctor greeted me with a warm smile as he entered the room. He was a man in his thirties, wearing glasses and sporting a mole on his cheek. "It looks like you and baby Ella are both doing well."

"I think so," I replied softly, grateful that we were alive.

"Would you like to put the father's name on the birth certificate?" he asked, glancing at the alphas around me. He was probably wondering who they were and who the hell the father was.

"No, thank you," I said after hesitating for a moment, confused. I realized that in a human hospital, paternity was important, but in wolf culture, it was frowned upon to designate a specific father. The responsibility of raising a pup belonged to every pack member, creating a strong sense of belonging.

"Alright then," the doctor nodded, confused by my decision. He then gestured towards the car seat on a chair. "I'll need to see you secure your baby in the car seat before you leave."

My hands trembled slightly as Wayne helped me adjust the straps. Because of how tiny she was, I nervously placed her into the car seat.

"Aw, she disappears in it," chuckled Wayne, and I smiled, looking at her cute sleeping face, oblivious to the world.

The doctor approved and summoned an assistant to bring in a wheelchair. With Rufus and Jasper supporting me by my hands, I eased into the chair, feeling the excitement of finally going home build within me.

Davy carefully carried the car seat while Wayne held the keys, leading us through the hallways of the hospital and out into the sunny daylight. As we approached Wayne's car, I noticed all the alphas were dressed in clothes this time instead of being completely naked.

"Davy, how long have we been here at the hospital?" I asked, suddenly realizing that time had slipped away from me.

"A week," he replied softly, concern etched on his face.

During the car ride home, I sat between the car seat with Ella in it and Jasper to my right. The atmosphere felt awkward between us, so I kept my eyes on my sleeping baby girl, gently adjusting her blanket. My mind raced with confusion over why Jasper was here. I thought I had moved on from him, but sitting beside him now, I couldn't fight the attraction I felt for him, which was still there.

Groaning, I shifted in my seat, trying to find a comfortable position as the car moved. My body was still sore from everything I'd been through. As I reached for something to support myself, my hand unintentionally grabbed onto Jasper's arm. I quickly released his arm when I realized what I had done.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

I nodded, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks.

"Why are you here?" I asked him straight out. I needed to know what was going on because I couldn't have him around me anymore.

"I joined Wayne's pack," he said, looking at me and gauging my reaction to the news.

"What?" I asked, surprised. That was the last thing I expected Jasper to do, knowing how much he hated packs and all. My heart started beating fast, realizing what it meant. He was my alpha automatically now that he was part of the pack.

"I did it for you," he said, taking my hand and placing it on his lap. "I love you, Ruby, and I would do anything to protect you. When you were taken, I had to do everything in my power to keep from losing my mind. And I realized how much you meant to me in that moment."

I blinked in shock.

I had done a lot to move on from Jasper, and it was hard to pretend nothing had happened. Our history was rocky, and we needed to start from a clean slate.

"I'm…I'm happy you're here," I said. "But we need to go slow."

"We'll go at whatever pace you need," said Jasper, squeezing my hand as the car began to move. The rest of the pack was quiet as they listened to our conversation.

He laid his hand on my upper leg, and the warmth spread through me, providing comfort. The ride home was long, and as the miles stretched on, I found myself leaning my head on Jasper's shoulder, drifting off to sleep.

Upon waking, I realized we were parked at Wayne's house. Looking out the car window, my heart swelled as I saw all my family members and Carmen standing on the front lawn. Pink balloons and streamers decorated the bushes and trees.

"Oh my goodness," I said, shocked to see everyone there.

"I gave your father a call," said Wayne gruffly. "Didn't think he'd do all of this."

"Wow," Jasper said after seeing how excited my entire family was. I was excited to see them, too, and show off the baby, but a lingering sadness dwelled in my heart after getting kidnapped.

My dad, Benjamin, came around to the car, and his eyes were teary as he helped me out.

"I'm so sorry," he said, hugging me carefully. "Wayne told me what happened, and I'm glad to see you safe."

"It was scary," I admitted, my heart heavy. "I'm okay now. They got to me in time."

He nodded, his eyes on my face, and he helped me by the arm towards my mom and Julie. My mom flew towards me, hugging me as well when she saw me.

"You're safe, thank god," she said over and over.

Rufus came around the car, lifting Ella's car seat from its base. As he stepped out onto the lawn, my family erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable. I couldn't help but smile, knowing that Baby Ella would be surrounded by love and cared for by so many people.

That evening, I found myself in the living room with Julie, Carmen, and my mom. The alphas were outside, manning a barbecue, and soon, the air was filled with the smell of mouthwatering food. The atmosphere inside was cozy, with a dim light illuminating the space and a silent movie playing on the television.

I was so happy to be home at last. It had been the roughest days of my life. I held newborn Ella in my arms, her soft breathing comforting me. I sat down on the couch with them, wincing from the pain.

"You look like you're still in pain," Carmen observed, her brow furrowed with concern. "Did the doctor give you any pain medicine?"

"Yeah, they did," I replied, my voice strained. "Would you mind grabbing them for me?"

"Of course," she said, quickly disappearing down the hallway.

Meanwhile, my mom sat quietly, her eyes distant and unfocused. With a pang in my heart, I wished she wasn't sick with the illness she had.

"Mom, would you like to hold your granddaughter?" I asked softly. "You're a grandma now."

Mom looked at me for a moment before smiling hesitantly and shaking her head. Her gaze drifted back to some unseen point, and I sighed, my sadness growing.

"May I hold her?" Julie asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Of course," I said, carefully passing Ella into her waiting arms.

"She is just the cutest thing," crooned Julie as she gazed at the baby. "Let me give my niece a call."

Even though we've only met briefly, I admired Breanna's strength in letting go of Julie to live with us. Just a couple of years ago, Breanna was frantic when my fathers took on Julie as their second omega since Henry's orders. I helped her see her aunt Julie again, and after that, she started a life with her pack.

"Hey, Auntie," said Breanna on the video call.

"Guess what? Ruby just had her baby," said Julie, proudly showing off the baby on camera. I smiled as they talked amongst themselves.

Carmen returned shortly after with the painkillers and a glass of water. I downed the pills gratefully, waiting for the pain in my body to ebb away, especially from between my legs. "Thanks, Carmen."

"No problem," she replied, then launched into telling me about the new business she was starting – a babysitting service. She explained that I had inspired her when I opened my café, and she wanted something of her own. With two betas hired and gigs already lined up, Carmen glowed with pride.

"Wow, that's amazing," I praised, genuinely impressed. "If I ever need a break, I'll definitely hire you."

At that moment, Benjamin entered the room carrying a large tray of barbecued meats and placed it on the dining room table.

"Food's ready!" he announced, and Wayne followed through the balcony doors, holding a plate just for me. Wayne joined me on the couch as he tenderly fed me bites of the succulent meat, which practically melted on my tongue.

"Do you like it, Ruby?" he asked softly while the others gathered in the dining room.

"I love it, thank you," I murmured between bites.

"Anything for you, babe," he said, kissing me on the cheek as he watched me chewing on the piece of meat. "I love to see you eating again."

The dim glow of the nightlight cast a warm haze over the room as I cradled Ella in my arms, her tiny mouth latched onto the bottle. The quiet of the house hummed around me, a stark contrast to the chaos and terror that had consumed my life just days before. Memories of Marrok's twisted grin and cold eyes haunted me, and suddenly, tears spilled down my cheeks.

It was like no matter how hard I tried to forget, I just couldn't.

"Whoa, why are you crying?" Jasper's soft voice startled me, and I realized I wasn't as alone as I thought. He handed me a tissue, concern etched on his handsome face.

"I-I thought everyone was asleep," I stammered, embarrassed. "It's just Marrok is still out there, and he might come after Ella. You have no idea what he's capable of, Jasper. He had photos of me doing everyday things- like he'd been stalking me for years. He could be watching us right now. "

Jasper's eyes widened, clearly shocked at the full extent of Marrok's depravity. "Don't worry, Ruby. We'll know if Marrok ever gets close because of his scent. And soon, we'll all mark you after you heal to keep you safe. You have nothing to fear."

I nodded, my gaze drifting over to Wayne's sleeping form.

"But I don't think he'll ever mark me," I whispered, more to myself than to Jasper.

"Why do you think that?" Jasper asked gently, his breath brushing against my cheek.

"I'm not going to beg or ask him. It should be the alpha's choice whether to keep me as his omega or not."

"Ruby," Jasper murmured, his eyes locked on mine. "There's no doubt that we want to keep you. I want to keep you. And if he doesn't do it very soon, you know I will."

Slowly, he leaned in, his lips tenderly kissing away the tears that traced my cheeks. The warmth of his mouth ignited my skin.

As our lips met again, a shiver of longing ran down my spine. His soft kiss reminded me of the past when there were no worries between us. A year ago, when we were just a lovestruck couple running away from society.

"I missed you," I whispered in the dark as the baby suckled on the bottle peacefully.

"I missed you more," said Jasper, who was breathing in the scent from my neck, his breath ruffling the soft tendrils of my hair. "More than you can ever imagine."

His words hung heavy in the darkened room, the silence that followed filling the space with a tangible tension that seemed to resonate with our pounding hearts.

"Kiss me again," I pleaded softly, any remnants of my stubborn pride melting away under the weight of his gaze.

With a low growl of approval, he obliged.

His lips met mine in a passionate kiss that consumed us both and chased away my doubts about him. His taste was intoxicating, an addicting mix of sea salt and desire. It left me breathless, my heart pounding in my chest as he pulled away slowly, reluctant to let go.

Looking down at Ella, who had fallen silent and was now dozing peacefully in my arms, an expression of tender affection washed over Jasper's face.

"Once she's in her crib," he mused softly. "I plan on holding you in my arms all night, Ruby."

"And kiss me some more?" I asked, feeling the air lighten between us.

"All night," he confirmed with a nod and a wry grin. "I'll hold you close all night. Hold you like I've yearned to for so long."