Tristan's POV:"What's going on?" I asked, stepping out of the cell with Ethan following close behind. His face was tense, and it was clear something serious had happened.Ethan's expression remained grave as he filled me in, "Don's crew ambushed our guys sent to retrieve cargo from Sierra Leone."My brows furrowed instantly. "Don?""Yes." He nodded. "The casualties are a bit much and we lost the cargo. But one of the small gangs in the area that we offer protection to attacked them last night so they are still within our territory."My gaze narrowed thoughtfully. Sure, Don was always extreme but even he wouldn't risk doing this in my territory. "Get someone to investigate Don's encampment and find some news for us. In the meantime, we'll pass through Arkley Valley and ambush them the moment he tries to get out. Also, send a notice to the surveillance team that they will close in on them from the back.""Right away." He wasted no time and rushed out of the dungeon. Once he was gone,
TRISTAN’S POV:I turned the compass in my hand silently as my gaze moved to Ethan, who was fast asleep beside me. It seemed everyone had also gone to bed except me. We had decided to camp out while we waited for Don's men to emerge to avoid alerting them, and I was meant to sleep to build enough strength for what comes the next morning. However, I couldn't sleep a wink even if I tried to.The situation was no surprise, though; I was used to it. I usually wouldn't be able to sleep more than three hours for weeks, and I still managed to pull through. But it had lessened in the past two months since I met Raven.That was the initial reason why I wanted her around. But I didn't even need to chain her to me to get some quality sleep, and I was able to sleep well.However, maybe it was because I was far from home, I was unable to sleep, and my head ached. It also seemed to be because I was actually worried about her. And scared of calling Bethany only for her to tell me Raven was still aslee
AUTHOR'S POV:"Let's get straight to the point, Don," Tristan muttered, walking toward the group. "Why have you called?"Don chuckled over the receiver. "Why do you think? I heard you ambushed my men.""Oh, they were your 'men'? I simply attacked the people that stole my cargo," he fired back, sarcasm dripping in his voice."Let them go," Don's voice had taken a steely edge, and that made Tristan also serious.He coldly replied, "I won't."There was only silence afterward, and the two seemed to be waiting for the other to give in first.Eventually, Don spoke first, his voice now lower than it was earlier. "How about you let them go freely, in exchange for my cargo you took the other time? I'll call it even."Tristan was silent, and he seemed to be contemplating. When he did respond, Don added, "obvious disagreement in his voice," I can only go as far as that. You let them go freely, and I'll call it even."A cold smile spread onto Tristan's features, and his voice was eerie as he ques
RAVEN’S POV:Bethany rushed forward, grabbing my hand. She still seemed panicked as she asked, "Are you okay?"I was slightly unused to how worried she was and could only nod gently in response. The doctor had also entered and closed the door behind him."What a relief!" He exclaimed as he settled his kit on the bedside table before gesturing to the bed. "You should sit and settle down. You've been out for two days, so you must still feel weak.""Yes, yes. Come sit." Bethany bobbed her head frantically, pulling me to sit. Once I was settled, the doctor pried open his kit, bringing out a torch and turned it on. Then, he checked my eyes before checking my vitals.After he was done with the confusing routine, he stood straight and commented with a fascinated look on his face, "You have such remarkable genes.""Huh?" I couldn't help blurting out. Even Bethany looked at him, unable to understand what he meant.He, however, scratched his head sheepishly and laughed awkwardly as he spoke, "A
RAVEN'S POV:I was still reeling at the realization that he had a mate. Bethany had not known that he didn't tell me, so she said she couldn't tell me more, and it was best he told me about her himself. However, after hours of pretending to be suddenly interested in the project I was tasked with before the Alexander incident, I had reached a resolution in my mind.Whatever was about his mate is not my business. I didn't need to know about it nor pine for a man way out of my league. It was best to avoid falling into the same situation with Lucas.I would just work hard, get richer, and pave a good road for myself so people would think twice before stamping the omega tag on me.But when that certain grey-eyed, tall man with a face that made me swoon internally each time I saw him appeared at the doorway of my room, every resolution, thought I had reached in the past hour flew through the window.Tristan's gaze settled on me, observing me from head to toe like he could see through every
AUTHOR'S POV:Ethan cast a glance at his wristwatch while parking his car in the hotel lot. The anticipation of attending the pack banquet, standing in for Tristan due to his pressing two-day absence, weighed on him. The last thing Ethan wanted was to mingle with the council's elder members, a group of individuals he often found himself trying to avoid.The banquet, an annual affair meant to foster connections between the Alpha and the council, aimed to minimize the likelihood of secretive plotting against the pack's leader. A seemingly sound strategy, but dealing with the avaricious old men comprising the council, made Ethan question its effectiveness.As he stepped into the banquet room, the sight of the usually stern council members in suits, enjoying themselves with wine and games, struck him as a stark contrast to their usual uptight demeanor in the council hall.Shaking his head at the relaxed atmosphere, Ethan decided to grab a drink from a passing waiter before approaching the
RAVEN’S POV:I lay on the bed, twirling my phone in hand as I arranged my tasks for tomorrow in my head. I was too stressed; I didn't even want to get up and pick up a jotter. Since Tristan traveled two days ago, the workload only increased, not decreasing. If he were available, he would have dealt with most of them already, so in his absence, they only continued to pile up, requiring us to step up and deal with the ones that didn't explicitly require his approval.As I rested, images of him flooded my mind, and a sigh escaped my lips. After I woke up that afternoon and found him sitting up on my bed, waiting for me, I hadn't seen him since then. He seemed to have wanted to talk, most likely about that kiss. But, he was called even before we could speak for an emergency at the border, so he had to go, telling me he'd be back.That only placed me on edge, and all my mind kept revolving around in the past two days was what he was going to say to me. Would he say it was only a mistake an
RAVEN'S POV:When he told me I was going with him to the dinner, I didn't think I'd be whisked away into the biggest fashion house I'd ever seen, all in the name of choosing the perfect dress for me.I crossed my fingers as I looked around, admiring the delicate interior colours as we entered the hall. Almost immediately, a middle-aged man and woman approached us. They bowed to Tristan immediately."We are honoured to attend to you today, Alpha," the man proclaimed with a pleased smile.Tristan acknowledged them with a nod and asked, "Will there be enough time before the dinner?""Yes, Alpha," the woman spoke this time before her gaze landed on me. She ran a once-over at my face before she broke into a smile as she approached me. "Hello, Miss. You can call me Mrs. Weiss. My husband and I own this place."I immediately gave a polite nod. "Hello, Miss Weiss."Then, her gaze moved to Tristan, and she said to him, "Alpha, will you be waiting while we...""Yes," he responded, his gaze find