Arrested

/-RAVEN-/ 

“Mate!”

The words escaped my mouth before I realized what I'd said. My wolf growled within me, excited, as the minty scent intoxicated me. 

No! No! No! 

This can't be real. There had to be a mix-up. The moon goddess couldn't possibly do this to me. It has to be a trick! 

Here I was, on top of my father's rival, hands clutched around a silver blade, raised in the air to gut him in the glory of our pack, the Bloodfang Tribe… 

But somehow he was my mate?

My hands trembled as those silver eyes fluttered open.

I had barely recovered from the shock when he flipped me over, trapping me underneath him. A dark smirk played on his lips, “Hello, little mate.” 

 My body tensed at the electrifying contact. I could easily have performed a thousand counter moves to get back on top but my brain and my body betrayed me. 

He knocked the knife off my hands, pinning my hands above my head. 

“Lady Ariella of HallowClave or perhaps you prefer Raven Ampleton, Alpha princess of the Bloodfang Tribe,” the silky tone drawled tauntingly. “It's an honour to have you attend my small birthday celebration.”

On hearing my name roll off his lips, my struggles stiffened as my lashes fluttered open and close in shock. My mouth went slightly agape and I became all too aware of the erratic beating of my heart.

 I gulped hard, struggling to reconcile the searing sensation of his body against mine with the harsh reality that I was utterly screwed. 

This was certainly not how I envisioned this moment. He was supposed to be begging for his life as I slowly slipped my blade into the space between his shoulder blades. 

When my father entrusted me with this mission, it took me two weeks to come up with a suitable strategic plan to take off his head without attracting the attention of his pack members.

The Ironclaw clan and the Bloodfang Tribe had been enemies for as long as I could remember. They would go to any length to destroy each other and seize control.

This was not my first mission. I was known far and wide for bringing Alphas to their knees. I was my father's war machine. So when he entrusted this task to me, which had been physically impossible to accomplish by his finest warriors, I took it with honour and confidence because I was sure it would be a certain victory. 

“Where the strength of mighty men fail, that is where yours begins, my beautiful Raven,” my father often said. 

Now, all the troubles I went through to get this plan to work was going to be in vain. Earlier today, after arriving at the IronClaw pack, I stood aside, carefully scrutinizing the guests to pick my prey. That was when I saw her. Dashing, beautiful and fragile. She only had one guard with her which made my work very easy. 

Her invitation was right there in her hands and the fake one I designed in mine. I bided my time, waiting for her to reach the spot where I needed her before running out of the shadows and bumping into her. 

“I'm so sorry,” I apologized as our things hit the ground. Her guard stepped in to pick it up, shooting me a glare and I seized the opportunity to take her invitation. 

As I approached the guards, I watched them search the guests thoroughly, but my blade was carefully hidden by the leather straps underneath my dress, the drugs in my bra and the extras in my boot, so there was no way I was going to get caught unless I stripped.

On getting in, my eyes scanned the room for my target. As much of a distraction as it was, my eyes took in the exquisite banquet. Although it was a private celebration, it was simply magnificent. The beast sure had taste. 

From the decorations to the food to the very people present. They were powerful names in the wolf world, people who were rarely seen in public and yet, the man had them up and running for a mere birthday.

Since this was going to be his last birthday, he might as well enjoy himself. It's a privilege to remain young forever.

I spotted him talking to some Alphas. 

I picked one of the champagne glasses passing around and skillfully took out the wrap hidden in my bra. I took a sip of the drink and emptied the wrap in.

I picked up another glass and took long sexy strides to him. 

“Alpha Declan?” I stopped in front of him with a smile. Those silver eyes squinted at me. Dammit, the bastard was even more beautiful up close. I couldn't say it was surprising, even if he had me stunned for some seconds. The devil's spawns were always the prettiest. 

Shame those gorgeous eyes won't be open for long, but just maybe, I could spare that beautiful face and slit his throat instead.

“Lady Ariella of HallowClave representing Princess Thalia,” I introduced.

His eyes lit in recognition on hearing Princess Thalia.

“Happy birthday,” I offered him the drugged glass. “I'm sorry the princess couldn't make it. Urgent business matters.”

“I see.”

“Cheers to long life and prosperity,” I raised my glass and he clanged his against mine. I watched him drink as I did mine. 

Everything was going so well and we chatted away. It was punctuated by countless women stealing his attention, shamelessly throwing themselves at him. I rolled my eyes mentally. The rude jerk didn't even bother to tell them off, instead, he ignored me and went along with their flirting. That was a common thing with gorgeous men, they could never keep their sights on one woman. Stupid womanizers!

I had to do something before one of them took him away so I openly flirted with him as the drugs took control and managed to monopolize his attention. The other women shot glares at me and stormed off. I eventually lured him away from the crowd, with the help of the aphrodisiacs, of course.

He took me to his room and hit the bed like a drunk. I got on him, as his eyes slowly closed. The aphrodisiacs were taking full effect, and I slowly took out my blade while dry-humping him to keep him distracted. I had him where I wanted and all I had to do was slit his throat.

And I almost did, had the moon goddess not played such an expensive prank. 

My heart pounded heavily against my chest as his eyes scrutinized me carefully.

“This is the part where I get my birthday gift, isn't it, feisty?” He slurred, his jet-black curly hair falling over his face. 

I had never gotten a proper look at him before. It has always been from a distance. Now, I knew that distance was safe.

Here, underneath him, was dangerous. It was evoking feelings I never thought I would experience. The intense heat building up within me was almost diabolical. I could barely take two breaths without feeling the intense flame build in within my body. 

“W-What g-gift?” I stuttered, expelling an alarming amount of breath. 

Another sign that I was seriously fucked. Raven Ampleton never stuttered. My words were just as strong as my presence. But now here I was, uncertain, and caught underneath a man. A quick blade would be mercy.

“You, sweetheart, what do you think?” He drawled, inching closer to my face. 

He was still drugged, coupled with the mate bond, I was screwed. I tried to break free but he pinned me down. His fingers cursed my skin as he ran his hands along my side searching for a hidden weapon.

I groaned softly as he moved lower. My cheeks flushed as I realized it sounded more like a moan. He smirked at me, “Someone is getting too excited."

There was a knife hidden behind my left boot. I needed a distraction to stop him from discovering it so I slapped him. “I don't like being touched like that."

He smirked. “I'd argue you like it, Princess. Your mouth says one thing and your body says another. 

“Get off me." I sneered angrily as I struggled to shake him off. I reached for my boot but there was nothing. 

His lips curled into a small smile, “Tell me, little princess, are you looking for this knife?”

My eyes widened in disbelief. How did he get that?

He held me down and pressed the knife against my neck. His eyes struggled to focus on mine as he tried to shake off the effect of the drugs. “You're one of the most dangerous women alive. I'm sure if I let you know, you won't hesitate to take my head off my neck, and frankly, I like my head where it is."

The spot where he rested the knife began to burn as if his body heat had seeped through the hilt to my neck. I needed him off me and fast before I lost whatever was left of my sanity.

“Awwwn… Don't tell me you're scared of a little girl." I said, trying to play on his pride. Men usually make mistakes when their pride is on the line.

He eyed me, the intensity of his gaze making my stomach twist into a tight knot. I didn't like how I was feeling and the worst part was I couldn't shut it off. It was messing up everything for me.

Declan's eyes sparkled with amusement as he gazed at me. "You're quite the firecracker, aren't you?" He teased, his voice low and husky. His voice made me feel intense heat. 

My face burned with anger. "Get off me, you arrogant pig."

Declan chuckled, his breath whispering against my ear. "Not yet, sweetheart. Guards!"

The door burst open, and two burly men dragged me away and dumped me in a damp, dark cell. The door clanged shut as they left. I couldn't believe what was happening. One minute, I was close to killing my target, securing my cred as an elite assassin, and the next, I was locked up like a common criminal. What have you done, Raven?! 

My eyes adjusted to the darkness, and I smiled grimly. It was going to take more than that to get Raven Ampleton. Time to get to work.

I retrieved the brooch hidden in my boot and began to work on the cell door's lock. The mechanism clicked open, and I slipped out into the empty corridor.

As I turned a corner, my body stiffened as I saw Declan leaning against the wall, arms crossed, waiting.

"Escape artist, huh?" He said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I expected as much. You really are a feisty one."

Without thinking, I snarled and charged at him. Declan laughed, but his movements were slow, still affected by the drug.

We fought intensely but I had the upper hand. I successfully landed several blows, sending Declan stumbling back. I wanted to make him pay for humiliating me and breaking his nose felt like the way to go about it. 

Just as I thought I had the advantage, Declan's lips crashed into mine. The sudden kiss stunned me like a taser to my tits, and Declan seized the opportunity to disarm me. I should have known he would fight dirty, but how could I have guessed he was crazy enough to kiss me without warning? 

He pinned me against the wall, his body pressing mine. I could feel the pressure in his pants and I cursed because I liked it. "You're quite the opponent, Raven," he whispered, his breath hot against my ear.

I tried to knee him, but he was prepared. I pulled out my second hidden blade with lightning speed but he was prepared. He disarmed me, his fingers wrapping around my wrist like a vice.

I struggled, but Declan's grip was unyielding. He dragged me back to the cell, tossing me inside. I'd never felt so humiliated in my life. I remembered everything my adopted father, Timultin Ampleton, taught me, but my body refused to be useful.

As the door slammed shut, I screamed, "Let me out, you brute! You can't keep me here!"

Declan's voice echoed from outside, "Oh, but I can, sweetheart. And I will." There was a brief pause. “Make sure you get yourself some beauty sleep. We don't want you having wrinkles now, do we?"

The sound of his laughter faded, leaving me seething with rage and frustration. 

I seethed as Declan's guards dragged me away, throwing me into a damp, dark cell. The door clanged shut behind me, and I heard the satisfying click of the lock.

This wasn't over.