The Letter

/-ALPHA DECLAN-/

I woke up feeling like a king, or rather, an alpha. The memories of the previous night's encounter with Raven flooded my mind, and I couldn't help but grin. That woman was something. I'd had my fair share of crazy but Raven was different. Thought of her occupied my mind. 

After a refreshing shower, I made my way to Raven's cell, curious about her morning mood. She was ready to gut me last night. Who knows maybe she'll be willing to have tea this morning. As I approached, her angry voice echoed through the corridor.

"Let me out of here, you beast! I'll never submit to you!"

That's a no to the tea then, I thought grinning.

I chuckled, anticipating the sparks that would fly between us. The attraction we shared was the realest thing I've felt in a long time. "Good morning, sweetheart," I said, leaning against the cell door.

Raven's eyes blazed with fury. "Don't call me that!"

"Ah, but it suits you perfectly," I teased, admiring her tangled hair and sleep-creased face. The bags on her eyes suggested she had given up sleep to plot her escape all night.

“You look like shit." I crinkled my nose. “Don't get me wrong, you're the most gorgeous creature the moon goddess ever created, but sheesh, you need sleep, woman.”

“Forgive me for not finding youfive-starar accommodation comforting enough." She said, her words laced with lethal doses of anger and sarcasm.

I couldn't help but laugh. She was incredibly cute when angry and it made me wonder what she was like when happy.

She paced the cell, her movements fluid and deadly. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Immensely," I admitted, my eyes locked on hers. "I'm having the time of my life, Raven Ampleton.”

Raven stopped pacing and glared. "You're a monster."

"Alpha, actually," I corrected, flashing a smile. "A monster would be what you tell kids to make them behave.”

Her face reddened. "You're holding me prisoner. That's not exactly Alpha behaviour."

"Ah, but you're not just any prisoner," I said, pushing off the door. "You're my mate."

Raven's expression twisted in disgust. "Don't remind me."

I chuckled. "Oh, I think I will, frequently."

She beamed angrily and I didn't need to be a mind reader to know the murderous thoughts passing through her mind at that moment.

“I wonder what the moon goddess was thinking, pairing us together. I mean—”

"Stop that!” She covered her ears. "It has to be a mistake.”

"There's no mistake, princess. A mistake would be thinking your drugs and knives were enough to take me out.”

"I've killed stronger men with less.” She said through gritted teeth, her eyes burning.

I smirked at her, "I'm Declan Thorne.”

Raven's eyes narrowed. "I want to send a letter to my fiancé."

My amusement faltered. Fiancé? Was she trying to be funny or something? 

"Who's the lucky man?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

Raven's jaw clenched. "None of your business."

"Actually, it is," I said, crossing my arms. "You're my prisoner, and I need to know who might come knocking on my door." I straightened and added, "Especially since he's going to die by my sword the moment he comes charging in.”

"You won't do that!”

I met her fiery gaze until she looked away and moved deeper into the cell. 

Raven's eyes flashed. "You'll never let me go, will you?"

I shrugged. "Not until you realize you belong with me."

Raven's face contorted in rage, but then her expression changed. She took a deep breath and spoke in a measured tone.

"Please, Declan. Let me send the letter. It's the least you can do."

Something in her voice tugged at me. Maybe it was the vulnerability beneath her tough exterior.

"Fine," I said, retrieving paper and pen from my pocket. "Write your letter."

Raven's eyes widened. "Really? Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet," I warned. "I'll be reading it."

Raven's face fell, but she took the pen and began writing.

As she wrote, I leaned against the wall, observing her. Her brow furrowed in concentration, her tongue peeking out between her lips. She was the perfection of creation. 

I couldn't help but wonder what she was writing. Declarations of love? Escape plans?

When she finished, I took the letter, scanning the contents.

My eyes widened.

"Raven, Raven, Raven," I said, shaking my head. "You're not very subtle, are you?"

Raven's face turned beet red. "What are you talking about?"

"This," I said, holding up the letter. " 'My dearest Eric, come and rescue me from this monster. Bring guns and knives. Yours, Raven.'"

Raven's face flamed red as anger flashed in those gorgeous emerald eyes. Her fists clenched so hard that her knuckles went wide. Had the chains been long enough, she would have likely thrown them around my neck and choked the life out of me. 

"You weren't supposed to read it!" She growled.

I chuckled. "You shouldn't have written it, then."

Raven's face twisted in frustration. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Every moment of it," I admitted, folding the letter.

Raven's eyes narrowed. "This isn't over."

I grinned. "I'm counting on it."

I turned to leave but Raven called out to me. "Promise me you'll deliver the letter."

I smirked at her. She really was something. 

And with that, I left Raven's cell, feeling more entertained than I had in months.

I handed the letter to one of my guards. "See that this gets delivered to Eric, whoever he is."

The guard nodded and hurried off.

I returned to my room, expecting silence and solitude. Instead, I found Lisa lounging on my bed, wearing a sleek smile. Fucking hell, I groaned. 

"Declan, darling," she purred, stretching out her lithe body. She had the type of body that would make any man hard in seconds, and I wasn't excluded, but at the moment, she was an annoyance. 

I raised an eyebrow. "Lisa, what are you doing here?"

She batted her eyelashes moving in a way that exposed her heavy cleavage. "I missed you."

I sighed, uninterested. "Lisa, we've been over this. I'm not in the mood."

Lisa's smile faltered, and she slid off the bed. "You're still thinking about that prisoner, aren't you?"

I sighed as my patience wore thin. "What are you talking about?"

"Raven," Lisa spat. "It's all everyone is talking about. You're besotted."

My temper flared. "You know nothing about it."

Lisa's voice turned venomous. "She's just a tool for you to use and discard. You'll tire of her soon enough."

My composure snapped. "Don't speak about Raven like that," I growled, my eyes blazing.

Lisa took a step back, her face pale. "You're defending her? Over me?"

"I'm warning you, Lisa," I said, my voice low and menacing. "Don't insult Raven again. You won't like the consequences."

Lisa's eyes flashed with anger, but she kept quiet. She still had a fully functional brain in her head after all. 

"Get out," I ordered, pointing to the door.

Lisa stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

I was left standing, seething with anger. I needed to let off steam. Lisa had managed to get me riled up with her tongue. 

I made my way to the arena, seeking the physical release of combat training.

As I entered the arena, I spotted my trainer, Viktor, waiting with a stern expression.

"Alpha, you're late," he said, handing me a sword.

I took a deep breath, focusing on the familiar weight of the sword.

"Let's begin," I growled, charging forward.

Viktor met me blow for blow, our swords clashing in a flurry of steel and sweat.

I lost myself in the rhythm of combat, my anger slowly died down until exhaustion started setting in.

Just as I thought I'd found my calm, a commotion erupted outside the arena.

"Alpha, we have a problem!" a guard shouted, rushing in.

I turned, my heart sinking.

"What is it?"

“It's Lisa Graham." The guard said as he looked away.

Fuck! What has she done this time?!!