R18 - This chapter contains explicit content intended for mature audiences. Reader discretion is advised.AUTHOR'S POV:Tristan had always been cool headed, and not a lot of things could faze him. He was also used to keeping his sexual affairs bottled up and wasn't involved with a lot of women due to what happened in the past. He became Alpha at a young age, so there were numerous people out to get him. When their tricks failed, they decided to try other methods and sent ladies to his bed discreetly. He was used to all sorts of seduction that would make any man swoon and had gotten better at keeping a lid over his needs.But his control had slipped off two times, and both were because of Raven. The first was the first time he met her, and he was just attracted, unable to reject her. And now, he was having an even harder time ignoring her.He was thoroughly tempted. He wished to touch her, wanted to feel her small dainty hands on him. Every moment felt like torture around her, and it
AUTHOR'S POV:Raven shivered uncontrollably the moment the water landed on her bare skin. She immediately tried to flee, but Tristan was standing right beside her, keeping her from doing so. He held her down by the shoulders, and she could only stand there, letting the water bounce off her hair to her whole body. It was very chilly and felt like her whole body was being corroded. She felt heated inside but cold outside. As though she had a very bad fever.She sucked in a breath, her teeth gnashing due to the cold and her toes curled on the floor. Her face had quickly become pale, and her lips dry. She was shivering, and her arms were wrapped around her.Seeing her in such a pitiful state, Tristan moved closer to her, ignoring that he had just taken a bath and hugged her from behind, letting her feel bodily heat. She froze in his arms but soon relaxed, leaning against him as the water poured on them in torrents, leaving both of them cold.It was only after more than forty-five minutes
TRISTAN’S POV:I stood by the side and watched as Doctor Foster ran Raven's vitals again after flushing out the drug in her system. He packed up his kit, pulling at his gloves before turning to look at me."Alpha," he began, his expression rather conflicting, and I couldn't tell if it was going to be bad or good news. "The surgery was successful, and the drug is no longer in her system, but it had done enough damage. From what I found out yesterday, it seems it is not only an aphrodisiac but a corrosive drug that is meant to destroy a wolf's internal organs. Thankfully, she bypassed the crucial stage already."His gaze flicked back to Raven before he commented thoughtfully, "To be honest, Alpha, I didn't really have much hope that cold water would relieve the effects. After all, it is such a potent drug."My gaze moved toward her as he spoke, and I observed her face, which had regained a bit of color, unlike yesterday. It turned very hectic yesterday after I went to bed. At first, she
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:"Congratulations, Miss Raven. You're three months pregnant," Dr. Foster announced with a warm smile, his eyes reflecting genuine joy. The test results were on top of his desk as he closed the papers.Raven blinked, disbelief etched across her face. "Pregnant? But... how?" she stammered, her mind still catching up. It felt like the walls were suddenly closing in on her.The doctor chuckled. "Well, it seems you fainted earlier because of more than just fatigue. You're going to be a mother." He handed her the test result, and Raven's trembling hands took hold of it.She sat there for a couple of seconds, trying to process the situation. She had fainted at the office earlier that day, so she came to the hospital, but surely, she was not expecting to be told she was pregnant."Thank you, Doctor," she managed to utter, her thoughts racing. As she exited the office, the weight of the news sank in, leaving her stunned.As she walked along the hospital hallway, she ran into Larson
TRISTAN’S POV:I stared at the screen, my eyes glued to the footage Ethan had managed to salvage from the hotel's security system. Frustration simmered within me as I realized there was a critical gap – the moment Seraphine supposedly plunged into the water was missing. Deleted. Gone."Can't you retrieve that part?" I asked Ethan, my voice tight with worry.Ethan sighed, shoulders slumping. "I went to Jasper's place, watched him try, but even he couldn't get it back. It's like it vanished."Disturbed, I knew that missing piece was vital to proving Raven's innocence. No matter how fiercely I could protect her, I couldn't let a stain tarnish her reputation. I pondered the options – interrogate Seraphine, force a confession, but the risks loomed large. Accusations of me using my power to bully could tarnish my position without solid proof. Not to mention, it would affect Raven - they'd accuse her of messing with my head."We need that footage, Ethan. Find a way," I urged, worry coursing
RAVEN'S POV:An uneasy vibe buzzed in me as Tristan and I shuffled down the hospital hallway. Seraphine supposedly woke up, but it still felt surreal. What happened still feels like a dream to me, and I was unable to come to terms that she had almost died.When we reached the door of the VIP ward she was staying in, a crowd awaited – her family. I didn't realize she had so many relatives, and even Tristan's mom, Luna BlackClaw, was there.The moment we appeared, all gazes fell on us, especially me. Their glares screamed judgment, but I held my cool, knowing I didn't do what they accused.Probably sensing my unease, Tristan held my palm and rubbed it, an attempt to reassure me, so I shot him a forced smile, not wanting him to worry.Luna BlackClaw jumped on me first, fuming, "How dare you show your face here?"She looked very furious, and if one didn't know, they'd think Seraphine was her daughter. I would have been intimidated, but the conviction that I did nothing wrong made me meet
Raven’s POV:I held a glass of wine as I looked around the hall. I was attending Madison's engagement ceremony, and there weren't a lot of people in attendance, as the marriage was not aristocratic, and there were a lot of gossip about them in the pack. Not to mention, it was no news that her father wanted her to marry a richer and well-known man, not her mate. They were all everybody was talking about and giving their two cents of advice on like they knew it all.But as I stared at Madison's figure walking around the entire hall arm in arm with her mate, Christian, I could tell she was happy with the man she ended up with. And I was happy for her because it meant that not all mates were assholes, and they complemented one another well.However, as I saw Madison approaching me with Christian, I placed the wine glass in my hand on the table some distance from me. I didn't want to toast her and have to drink the wine.Firstly, because I had promised Tristan that even though he wasn't th
TRISTAN’S POV:I smiled, seeing the sheer fear and shame that ran through their spines upon seeing me. "Isn't it rude to start a meeting without me, the main topic of the so-called abdication?"As I spoke, I strolled to my seat and settled down. Lucas frowned, but he was soon back to being haughty. That made me frown at his closed-mindedness - how could he be foolish enough to rely only on one piece of evidence that wasn't conclusive enough?"Which rule of the council talks about members not holding a meeting behind the Alpha King?" I questioned as I tapped on the table, intending to drag it out and give them chills."Ru...rule 15," one of them managed to speak while the rest of them frowned, but they all seemed to have regained their composure.I was about to respond when Lucas coldly snorted, "That doesn't include an abdication gathering in the case of a bad Alpha King."That made me perk up, and my gaze found his. "Oh really? How bad of a King am I that you all respectable Alphas w
Lucas paced back and forth in his dimly lit study, a sense of urgency in his voice as he spoke into his phone. "Make sure the meeting room is ready, and no one should tip off Tristan. We can't afford any slip-ups," he ordered.The door swung open abruptly, and Nadia stood there, a hand on her now heavily pregnant stomach. Anger flashed in Lucas's eyes, but he held back his initial impulse to shout at her for barging in. Instead, he ended the call, turning his attention to Nadia. "What are you doing here?" he inquired, attempting to keep his tone steady.Nadia, however, was not in the mood for pleasantries. She stormed toward Lucas, pushing him in the chest. "What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, frustration evident in her voice.Perplexed, Lucas responded, "What do you mean?"Without wasting a moment, Nadia thrust photos into his face. "Someone saw you with another woman last night. They're spreading rumors about us," she accused, her eyes ablaze.Lucas glanced at the picture
AUTHOR'S POV;Tristan diligently sorted through the crates in the pack house, the rhythmic hum of activity disrupted as Ethan approached. "Someone's looking for you, Tristan," Ethan said, a frown creasing his brow.Tristan raised an eyebrow, setting down a box. "You know pack members aren't supposed to disturb me at work. Who is it?"Ethan hesitated, then leaned in, voice low. "Alpha Odette."Tristan's surprise flashed across his face. "Alpha Odette? What does she want?"Ethan shrugged, a wary expression in his eyes. "I don't know, but be careful. She's always scheming."A wry smile played on Tristan's lips. "You've never liked her, have you?" Not that he was fond of her either, but he happened to help her three months back to deal with a rogue issue when his investigations led him to her pack, and he realized she was just always scheming and plotting, but her personality wasn't all that bad.Ethan scowled. "And you shouldn't either. Just be cautious."Tristan chuckled, waving Ethan o
RAVEN’S POV:I lay in his arms as he tousled my hair playfully. He didn't go back to the pack office to work, and we just lay together in silence in his room."She just came in like that, and I thought she was a pack member at first," he explained, looking at me, and I couldn't help but smile at how he seemed to forget she was also a pack member."She is a pack member," I corrected, and he only muttered, "Oh.""You're too cold," I couldn't help telling him. He always avoided her, and even before what happened tonight, his stepmother had been trying all sorts of means to push them together, causing further ruin to their relationship.But he was unbothered, unlike me, as he shrugged. "I've always been this way. No need to pay attention to irrelevant people."I chuckled at this, half worried I was ruining his relationship with other people but also pleased that he was avoiding having anything to do with his ex.Just then, he sat up and leaned to get something out of his bedside drawer. I
Tristan's fingers danced across the keyboard in the dimly lit pack house office, the hum soft in the background. Suddenly, the tranquil air shattered as the thunderous noise of running feet echoed from the nearby field. He sighed, his attention disrupted by the unwelcome commotion, reaffirming his disdain for working in the pack house office.Just then, a soft chime emanated from his phone, a welcome distraction. Raven's message illuminated the screen, and a grin replaced Tristan's earlier frown. "How's your headache?" she inquired, a simple yet thoughtful question that melted away his lingering discomfort.His thumbs swiftly responded, typing out his improved condition. As he hit send, an unexpected knock echoed through the room."Come in," he muttered, granting entry to the interrupter, anticipating a curious pack member who had heard he was around and wanted to bother him with something basic.However, when the door swung open, revealing Seraphine in a provocative black dress, Tris