The next few hours dragged on as Matthew continued to talk about himself, his accomplishments and interests, his family, their friends...but Ravenna boredly went through the motions. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Her parents, Daniella and Ethan, exchanged concerned glances every now and then, and Ravenna could feel their worried gazes on her. She tried to smile, to laugh at his jokes, to reassure him that she was listening, but it all felt forced and hollow.She couldn't understand how he could be her mate; there was no spark, no attraction, nothing. It was as if she were looking at a stranger, someone who meant nothing to her. She forced herself to concentrate on his words, but her thoughts kept drifting, and she found herself lost in a haze of confusion and disbelief."...and that's when we found out we were mates," Matthew finished, a note of triumph in his voice."Uh-huh," Ravenna murmured, glancing at the clock. She yawned, pretending to look interested.
The door opened and there stood Mara, Ravenna's mother, her expression gentle. "Ravenna, Matthew is leaving now," she said softly.Ravenna nodded. "Alright," she replied, her tone indifferent as she turned her attention back to Daniella.Her mother, smiled before closing the door again. Daniella, who had been watching the exchange with interest, turned back to Ravenna. "You feel uncomfortable around Matthew, right?"Ravenna hesitated before nodding. "A little," she admitted. "It's just...it's hard to explain."Daniella sighed, her expression sympathetic. "It's understandable."Then, her face lit up with excitement. "Let's forget about Matthew for now and find you some amazing shoes to match this dress!"Ravenna managed a small smile. She didn’t know why she wasn’t comfortable with Matthew. Shaking her head, she tried to get rid of the unsettling thoughts as she turned her attention back to Daniella. "Alright, let's do it."The next day, Ravenna was asleep in her room when she heard he
"Ravenna!" Daniella exclaimed, rushing back to her side. "I'm so sorry, I was only gone for a moment. Are you alright? Did you see what happened? Do you feel safe?" She spoke quickly, her hands trembling as she tried to calm her own racing heart.Ravenna shook her head, still trying to process what had just happened. "I-I think so," she managed to stammer. "I saw...that man. He looked...he looked hurt." She pointed in the direction the man had been led away, her voice shaking. "He shouldn't be out there by himself. He needs help."Daniella took Ravenna's hand in hers, squeezing it reassuringly. "I'm sure the security guards will take care of him. They'll make sure he gets the help he needs. Come on, let's go to the spa. I think a relaxing massage is just what we both need right now." She led Ravenna down the mall, their footsteps echoing on the shiny floors. People went about their business, seemingly oblivious to the events that had happened moments ago.They made their way through t
Ravenna stepped out of the car and looked at the beautiful mansion before her. The lights illuminated the entire building, casting a warm glow across the lawn. The scent of expensive cigars and exotic flowers filled the air. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. Tonight she would meet him...Then Ravenna felt someone beside her. It was her mother. Her mother smiled at her before squeezing her hand reassuringly. "You look beautiful," she said softly."Thank you," Ravenna replied, trying to maintain her composure."We're here with you, darling. And everyone is excited to see you." Ravenna's father took her other hand and squeezed it gently. She forced a smile, thanking them silently for their support. Her father offered his arm and she linked hers through it, feeling a sense of safety in their presence.As they walked through the grand entrance, Ravenna could feel a million eyes on her. The sound of hushed whispers filled the air. She knew they were talking about her."I t
Ravenna's eyes widened as she realized it was the same man from the mall, the one who had been covered in blood and caused a scene. Now that he wasn't drenched in blood and looked relatively normal, she noticed he was quite handsome. He was 6'3" with long black hair, brown eyes, and a muscular, tattooed body. She couldn't help but feel a bit flustered as she tried to regain her composure. His hair was slicked down, and he wore what looked like an expensive suit. Ravenna also noticed watch, it looked like it was worth a small fortune.Snapping back to reality, Ravenna saw the man glaring at her, clearly annoyed by the wine she had accidentally spilled on him. She felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. "I-I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going. Here, let me get a cloth to clean you off," she stammered, reaching for a nearby napkin. Ravenna panicked as she grabbed some tissues and started to wipe the man's suit."Don't bother," the man said, his voice low and dangerous. He t
Ravenna excused herself from Matthew and began walking away, studying Soren's business card. Lost in thought, she collided with someone."Oh, for heaven's sake," Ravenna muttered, frustrated with her clumsiness. She looked up and froze, coming face to face with Rylan.Rage bubbled up inside her, but she quickly masked it with an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention."Rylan smiled back. "It's alright, no harm done.""Are you sure? I feel terrible," Ravenna persisted, playing up her contrition."Really, it's fine," Rylan insisted, chuckling. "Please, don't worry about it."Ravenna relaxed her shoulders, feigning relief. "If you're certain. Thank you for being so understanding.""Of course," Rylan replied. "So, how are you doing? Getting back into the swing of things?""I'm doing well, thank you," Ravenna said. "Still adjusting, but I'm getting there."Rylan nodded towards the dance floor, where Matthew was showing off some questionable moves. "Is that your...?""Fr
Ravenna collapsed onto her bed, exhausted from the night's events. She reached into her clutch and pulled out the two business cards she'd acquired. "Soren Blackthorn, Alpha of the Blackclaw pack," she read aloud, then turned to the other. "Rylan Moonstone, Alpha of the Shadowmoon pack."She sighed heavily, tossing the cards onto her bedside table before forcing herself up to get ready for bed. As she changed into her pajamas, her mind raced with thoughts of revenge and the complicated web she was weaving.The next morning, Ravenna woke to sunlight streaming through her curtains. She stretched, her eyes landing on Rylan's business card. She scoffed, shaking her head as she made her way to the bathroom.As she applied her makeup, Ravenna considered her next move. "I can't call Rylan," she mused aloud. "That would seem too eager. I need to find a way to bump into him 'coincidentally'." She paused, brush in hand. "And Soren... well, he's not a priority right now."Satisfied with her appe
Ravenna stared at Daniella, her heart racing. "What do you mean, 'no'? Why shouldn't I get involved with Rylan?"Daniella took a deep breath, her eyes filled with concern. "Ravenna, you have to understand... Rylan Moonstone is bad news. Like, seriously bad news.""But why?" Ravenna pressed, feigning ignorance. She knew exactly why Rylan was dangerous – he had killed her in her past life. But she needed to know what others thought of him.Daniella hesitated, then began to explain. "Well, for starters, he was mated to a woman named Naida."Ravenna's face went pale at the mention of her past life's name. She gripped the edge of her chair, trying to keep her composure."According to rumors," Daniella continued, oblivious to Ravenna's reaction, "he treated her like absolute trash. It was so bad that... well, they say she committed suicide."Ravenna's eyes widened in shock. "Committed suicide?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. In her mind, she screamed, 'I never did that! He
Ravenna and Soren made their way back inside, the tension between them palpable. As they entered the living room, Astrid's eyes lit up."Ravenna! Come sit by me," Astrid called, patting the spot next to her on the sofa. "I want to hear all about your business ventures."Grateful for the distraction, Ravenna settled next to Astrid. "Well, what would you like to know?"As the two women chatted, their conversation flowed easily from business to fashion to travel. Ravenna found herself genuinely enjoying Astrid's company, her wit and intelligence a refreshing change from the usual socialite crowd."You know," Astrid said, lowering her voice conspiratorially, "I haven't seen Soren this engaged with someone in years. You must be pretty special."Ravenna felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Oh, I don't know about that. We're just business partners."Astrid raised an eyebrow. "Mhmm. Sure you are."Across the room, Mara and Lyra were deep in conversation, their eyes occasionally darting to Ra
Ravenna pushed open the front door of her family home, the familiar scent of her mother's cooking enveloping her immediately. She followed the aroma to the kitchen, where she found her mother, Mara, bustling about in a frenzy of culinary activity."Mom?" Ravenna called out, eyeing the array of dishes spread across the countertops. "What's going on? Are we feeding an army?"Mara turned, her face flushed from the heat of the kitchen. "Oh, Ravenna! Perfect timing. We're having guests for dinner tonight."Ravenna raised an eyebrow. "Guests? Who?""The Blackthorn family," her mother replied, turning back to stir a simmering pot. "Soren Blackthorn and his parents and sister."Ravenna felt as if the ground had suddenly shifted beneath her feet. "Soren Blackthorn? As in... my business associate, Soren Blackthorn?""The very same," her father's voice came from behind her. Ravenna turned to see him entering the kitchen, a warm smile on his face. "I recently played golf with his father, Cedric.
Ravenna stifled a yawn as she left the office, the weight of the day's meetings and strategic planning settling heavily on her shoulders. The sun was already setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. As she walked to her car, she remembered her nearly empty fridge and decided to make a quick stop at the supermarket.The fluorescent lights of the store were a stark contrast to the fading daylight outside. Ravenna grabbed a basket and began wandering the aisles, her mind still partially occupied with thoughts of Rylan, Soren, and the intricate web she was weaving.As she turned into the produce section, her attention elsewhere, she collided with someone. Apples tumbled to the floor, rolling in every direction."Watch where you're going!" a sharp voice snapped.Ravenna looked up, an apology on her lips, but it died as she recognized the young woman before her. With striking red hair and piercing green eyes, there was no mistaking Quinn, one of Lilith's twin sisters.Quickly c
Ravenna's heels clicked against the pavement as she hurried to meet Soren at their usual spot, a discreet café tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. Her mind raced with the events of the past few days – the confrontation with Lilith, her calculated confession to Rylan. Everything was falling into place, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking a razor's edge.As she entered the café, she spotted Soren immediately, his tall frame unmistakable even in the dimly lit space. He looked up as she approached, his face an unreadable mask."Ravenna," he greeted her, gesturing to the seat across from him. "Right on time, as always."She slid into the chair, eyeing him warily. "Well, when you say you have important information, I tend to take it seriously."Soren nodded, pushing a steaming cup of coffee towards her – black, no sugar, just how she liked it. The gesture, small as it was, reminded Ravenna of how well he'd come to know her over these past months."So," she said, t
Ravenna's heels clicked against the polished marble floor as she strode through the lobby of Rylan's office building. Her heart raced, but she kept her expression calm and confident. As she approached the security desk, she plastered on her most charming smile."Good afternoon," she greeted the guard. "I'm Ravenna Thorn, here to see Rylan Matthews."The guard checked his list and nodded. "Of course, Ms. Thorn. Mr. Matthews is expecting you. Please take the elevator to the 30th floor."As the elevator ascended, Ravenna took deep breaths, steadying her nerves. The doors opened, revealing a sleek, modern reception area. Rylan's assistant, a petite blonde woman, looked up with a bright smile."Ms. Thorn, welcome. Mr. Matthews is just finishing up a call. Please, go right in."Ravenna nodded her thanks and pushed open the heavy oak door to Rylan's office. The room was impressive – floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city, while tasteful artwork adorned the walls. Rylan
The morning sun cast long shadows as Ravenna crouched behind a parked car, her eyes fixed on Rylan's office building. She'd been there for hours, hoping to catch a glimpse of something—anything—that might give her an edge. But so far, all she'd seen was the usual parade of suited executives and harried assistants.Just as she was about to call it quits, a flicker of movement caught her eye. A man dressed in black, his face obscured by dark sunglasses, slipped out of an alley across the street. There was something off about him—the way he moved, the constant scanning of his surroundings. Ravenna's instincts screamed danger.Heart racing, she ducked out from behind the car and began walking briskly in the opposite direction. She could feel the man's eyes on her back, hear his footsteps echoing her own. Panic threatened to overwhelm her, but she forced it down. She wasn't some helpless victim—not anymore.Spotting a busy coffee shop ahead, Ravenna ducked inside and wove through the crowd
Ravenna groaned as she heard noise filtering up from downstairs. Groggily, she dragged herself out of bed and stumbled down the stairs, her hair a tangled mess and her pajamas rumpled. As she entered the kitchen, she froze in shock.There, sitting at her family's breakfast table, was Soren Blackthorn, casually sipping coffee with her parents."Ah, good morning, sleeping beauty," Soren smirked, his eyes trailing over her disheveled appearance.Ravenna's parents turned to greet her. "Good morning, sweetheart," her father said cheerfully. "Mr. Blackthorn dropped by to discuss the interior project."Ravenna stared at Soren, then down at her outfit, mortified. Soren's smirk widened. "Interesting pajama choice, Ms. Thorn. I particularly enjoy the mismatched socks."Ravenna's eyes narrowed. Without a word, she strode over to Soren, grabbed his arm, and started dragging him towards the garden. "Excuse us for a moment," she called over her shoulder to her bewildered parents.Once outside, Rav
Ravenna rushed into the boutique, her heart racing with anticipation. She had less than two hours before her date with Rylan, and everything needed to be perfect."Welcome back, Ms. Thorn," the stylist greeted her warmly. "Are you ready for your transformation?"Ravenna nodded, a determined glint in her eye. "Absolutely. Let's make this unforgettable."For the next hour and a half, Ravenna was pampered and primped to perfection. Her hair was styled into loose, elegant waves that cascaded down her back. The makeup artist worked her magic, accentuating Ravenna's natural beauty with smoky eyes and a deep red lip that matched her dress perfectly.As Ravenna slipped into the burgundy dress, she couldn't help but admire her reflection. The fabric hugged her curves in all the right places, the plunging neckline and high slit adding just the right amount of allure."You look stunning, Ms. Thorn," the stylist breathed, adjusting a final curl.Ravenna smirked, her eyes glinting with satisfactio
Ravenna stepped into her walk-in closet, eyes scanning the rows of carefully curated outfits. Tomorrow night's date with Rylan needed to be perfect - every detail had to be just right. Her fingers trailed over silky fabrics and sleek designs before stopping on a deep burgundy dress."This is it," she murmured, pulling it out.The dress was a masterpiece of seduction - form-fitting with a plunging neckline and a slit that climbed dangerously high up her thigh. She held it up to herself, admiring the way the rich color complemented her skin tone.Ravenna smirked, imagining Rylan's reaction. "He won't know what hit him."She laid the dress out carefully, then selected a pair of strappy black heels and delicate gold jewelry to complete the look. Satisfied with her choices, Ravenna went to bed, her mind buzzing with anticipation for the following day.The next morning, Ravenna arrived at the office early, determined to get ahead on her work before her date. She was deep in concentration, p