Raven's POV Pacing around Asher's room, thinking of everything that was said downstairs.I rub at my temple, feeling a headache forming.What they are asking of me is too much and difficult too. How do I do that? Explain to my best friend that I turn into a wolf sometimes, that I'm not entirely human and there's a world out there that contains shifters and a lot more.That's insane, but at the same time they have a point too. I've seen the way Maya looks at Derek, the way her eyes light up when he's around her and she hears his name.This is the first time I've seen her look truly happy with someone.I don't want to ruin that, I want my best friend to be happy too.And if what Asher thinks is right, that they might just be mate then it's highly expected for her to know who he is and the kind of person she's getting herself involved with.But how she's going to take it, is what I can't tell. I don't want to lose my best friend because of this.But I know keeping this from her will n
Raven’s POVFinally home after a long day at the bookshop. I just want to lie down somewhere, stretch my legs and relax.I'm suddenly craving ice cream now. The sound of my phone ringing somewhere in my bag brings me back to reality. Maya's calling now, she's probably back from her work trip.“Hello”“Ravennnnnnn” she screeched out loud, making me move the phone away from my ears.“My goodness Maya, do you want to burst my ears”“Sorry, sorry, sorry. Raven, guess who has been promoted?” “Oh my God! You don't mean it, Maya, have you been promoted?”“Yes Raven, I'm now the new manager of my firm” she said happily.I couldn't help it. I screamed along with her. Maya has been working hard for the position, she deserved it.Maya was the only one who welcomed me five years ago, gave me shelter,.fold.and clothes. She supported me throughout , I wouldn't be alive today if not for her.“I'm so proud of you girl, you did it”“No Raven, we did it. I couldn't have done it without you”“So when a
Asher’s POVThe sound of knocking on my office door brought me out of my thoughts, the smell of pine wood immediately notified me of the presence of my beta Derek.“Come on in Derek” I said while trying to sort out the paper works on my desk.“Alpha” he said, bowing his head slightly as a sign of respect.Derek Shale, one of my betas, a brother of mine, my loyal right hand man. Cold and calculating in nature, but not someone to be underestimated. Dale Shale, my other beta, also a brother of mine, is my left hand man. Fiery and hot-tempered in nature, a flirt and the pack's playboy, also Derek’s twin. Strong and loyal at heart too. Derek and Dale have been close to me since we were children, they are my childhood friends. We may not be brothers by blood, but we are brothers bound by our pain, suffering and loyalty to each other.“It’s time for us to leave now” he said from where he stood by the door.“Yeah, I almost forgot about that. All these paper works and petitions took most of m
Raven's POVEnergy hums the air, causing the hairs along my arms to stand on end. Power radiates all around. Silence all around, whispers here and there. I knew immediately the Cruel Alpha had arrived.Don’t breathe Raven and don’t look up, I tell myself. Maybe if he sees how useless and weak I am he will let me go free and decide he has no use for me. I mean I could hope for that right.The wolves enter the clearing on both sides. The midnight pack which is my pack and the Shadow pack. Even after centuries of rivalry and talks on peace treaty, both packs still don’t see eye to eye, tension permeates the air.Today, to prevent a war from breaking out and to keep the end of the bargain my father, Alpha of the Midnight pack made Asher, the Alpha of the Shadow pack, known as the Cruel Alpha by everyone. I’m being used as the bargaining chip or should i say i’ve been sold to the Cruel Alpha.The presence of so many Alphas causes my wolf to be restless but I don't shift or rather I can't sh
Asher's POV The pack enforcers and some other members of his pack are all gathered at the clearing, all to witness the exchange and serve as a witness to our deal. I could hear the murmuring and whispering of the pack members, no doubt in fear of what might happen if things don’t go smoothly. After all, I'm known as the Cruel Alpha and my reputation precedes me.Moving forward, I catch a scent so sweet and pure, a scent of bliss. My wolf purred within, urging me to trace where the scent is from and from who.Standing right at the center of the crowd was a petite female, looking so meek and gentle. Slowly, cautiously, I allowed my gaze to drift to her. Studying her blond hair, highlighted with silver strands, cascading around her shoulders in loose waves.Her dark eyebrows arch over her midnight dark eyes that ensnare me. She wears a simple pair of blue jeans that hug her curves and show the swell of her ass and a pink sweater that accentuates the swell of her breasts.This woman’s sw
Raven’s POVFrom the expression and look on Asher’s face, I could feel him trying to make sense of the situation, the wheels turning in his head.His eyes seem to grow distant for a while like he’s communicating something to his betas through the mind link.Suddenly, his expression changes from longing and want to that of fury.Anger radiating from him, even the pack could feel it too, from the way they seem to scurry back away from him. Scared of him.My father seemed tense and shocked. Sweat trickled down my back.Have I done something wrong? What could suddenly be wrong? I thought, from my side eye I could see my mother glaring at me as if this was all my fault.“What’s the meaning of this”. Asher asks in a booming voice “How dare you tie her up like a slave! Let her go”. He directs his words to my father, who seem to flinch at his anger .My father looked so scared right now, if not for the situation we are in i’d be laughing right now at the look on his face.I didn’t think Asher
Asher's POVThe little woman in my arms looks so tense. I could understand, giving the situation of things and with the kind of reputation I had. I mean, I clearly just threatened her father with death not quite long. I really wonder why her wolf seems so quiet and doesn’t want to show herself. I could clearly see she was strong. Perhaps there's more to it and I'm going to have to figure it out.I had mind linked to Derek to inform the staff at home on our arrival and get everything set and coordinated when we arrive.The drive back to the pack didn’t take more than 30 minutes. Stepping out of the car, I could see her in awe of her surroundings. My pack is no small pack, no doubt bigger than the Shadow pack.We have worked hard to build all that we have now from scratch. My mansion is the biggest building in the pack, standing out amongst the others.“Come in, this is your home from now on”. I said ushering her inside the house. She shivered a little as I placed my hand on the base
Raven's POV Asher led me to a room, the room was so dark, you could sense the lack of a feminine touch here.“Well, this is our room Raven,” he said, switching on the light.“But it’s just one bed here. Are we sleeping on the same bed” i asked him“Yes Raven, i can’t allow my mate stay far from me” he says “But in my pack, my mother never stays in the same room with my father ever” I say looking up at him.“Well, maybe that’s your pack’s way of doing things. But, we don’t do that here in Shadow pack.I want you close to me, it helps calm my wolf and me”. He says with a hint of want and desire in her eyes.“Okay, I understand. I also feel the same way. What I mean is that my wolf totally agrees with you on that”. I said and I could see him trying to hide his smile.“Well then, let me leave you to change so you can come down for dinner”. He says, kissing my forehead before striding out of the room, closing the door behind.It all felt so surreal, with Asher out of the room I could fina
Raven's POV Pacing around Asher's room, thinking of everything that was said downstairs.I rub at my temple, feeling a headache forming.What they are asking of me is too much and difficult too. How do I do that? Explain to my best friend that I turn into a wolf sometimes, that I'm not entirely human and there's a world out there that contains shifters and a lot more.That's insane, but at the same time they have a point too. I've seen the way Maya looks at Derek, the way her eyes light up when he's around her and she hears his name.This is the first time I've seen her look truly happy with someone.I don't want to ruin that, I want my best friend to be happy too.And if what Asher thinks is right, that they might just be mate then it's highly expected for her to know who he is and the kind of person she's getting herself involved with.But how she's going to take it, is what I can't tell. I don't want to lose my best friend because of this.But I know keeping this from her will n
Raven's POV “Raven, Asher's here for you.” Maya called out to me from the door.I was washing the dishes we used to eat just now. “I'm coming.” I called right back.“She's coming, come in and have your seat.” I hear Maya say to him. I quickly finish up on the dishes and head straight to the sitting room.“I'll leave you guys alone now.” Maya pats me on my shoulders, winking at me before leaving for her room.“Hey,” I say, in greeting.“Hey.” He smiles up at me, patting the spot beside him for me to sit.I sit down beside him and he pulls me closer to him. “I've missed you.” He whispered into my ear.I shiver at the contact. “What? You saw me just a few hours ago, why miss me now?” I asked, a smile curving on my lips.“Raven, if I don't see you for just a second, I'll miss you. I need to have you with me constantly. Do you understand?” He regards me with golden eyes. I suck in my lips, nodding my head.“Good. Now don't suck your lips like that, it makes me want to do dirty that's to
Asher's POV “So, how did it go with Maya?” I asked Derek as soon as we settled down at home. Dale wasn't in sight, saying something about how he needed to sleep off the betrayal.So it's just me and Derek in the sitting room. “What are you talking about?’ he asked, feigning ignorance. I raise my brows at him.“Oh really! Don't start with me now, Derek. You know exactly what I'm talking about.”He takes a deep breath. “Actually, I really can't explain how it all happened, because I'm still shocked over the whole thing.We were together at the club and after I got your message not to come back home I decided we should all hang out at their house.That's how we got to their house. Dale, of course added wolf weed to our drink again, saying it will be best for us to be free and have enough fun.Then things got pretty heated after that. Dale was so out of it, he didn't realize we had started making out right beside him.We took things up to the room and that's all that happened. I don't
Raven's POV After eating the pancakes, Asher drove me back home. The door was opened when we got there.“Strange, did Maya forget to lock the door?” I wondered, looking back at Asher.“Hold on, let me.” He said, leading the way. He opened the door, shielding me behind his back.Asher suddenly stopped moving, making me smack my head on his back. “Ouch, why did you stop?” I ask, peering over his back to see what made him stop.Dale was spread out wide on the couch, snoring gently with a bottle of whiskey still in his hands and popcorn littered on the floor.My brows knitted together, “What's going on here?” I asked no one in particular. “And where's Maya?” Just as I was about to head upstairs and check for her, Derek emerged from the stairs in only pants and socks.He was shirtless and his hair messed up, his glasses nowhere to be found.He hasn't noticed us yet, still rubbing the sleep away from his eyes while yawning.“Well, good morning.” I say, startling him. My hands folded just
Asher's POV “Wake up for me,” I whispered gently on the back of her shoulder.“No, I don't want to.” She grumbled sleepily into the pillow.“Come on, Raven. Wake up.” I said gently again.“I just need a minute or an hour more perhaps.” She mumbled sleepily into the pillow.I kissed and licked her shoulder. “It's almost noon.”“What!” She sits up at once, eyes wide open In shock.“What's the time now?” She asked, facing me.“It's 11:30 am, almost noon. You haven't had anything to eat yet.” I told her.“What! How— I mean, how did I sleep for so long? I'm usually up by 7 or 8 latest.” She shakes her head, musing over how late she woke up.I kiss her on the cheek, “I must have worn you out then, because you slept so soundly, I didn't want to disturb you.And I loved hearing those cute sounds you make with your nose.” I say, scrunching up my nose.“I do not.” She says, giving me a pointed look.“Oh yes, you do. You need to hear yourself.” I snickered.“Asher, do not mock me this morning.
Raven's POV Seeing Asher standing in the club brought all kinds of emotions and feelings to me.At first, I was shocked and happy to see him, glad that he wasn't harmed or in any form of danger, that he was safe.Then those feelings changed to anger and disappointment. Disappointed because he just left without a word or anything.Anger, because he felt like he could leave and show up anytime he likes and demand things from me.I was livid with the statement he made while I was dancing with my handsome stranger. I was just starting to enjoy myself, letting go of all my worries, just for him to show up and ruin everything.I wasn't going to pay any attention to him before, until I saw how hard his wolf was riding him to give up control.I saw his bloodshot eyes and his fingernails elongated, I could hear the growl over the noise and knew things would turn pretty bad if I don't step in and handle it.That's why I asked the stranger with me to leave because his presence wasn't helping.
Asher's POV “Take your hands off her now.” The menace that slithered into my voice made Raven freeze and the man with her watched me warily.I'd spoken so softly, so steadily. But, the danger was there, sending a trickle of trepidation to anyone who heard me. “Do you know him?” The guy had the audacity to ask Raven. Raven stared at me dumbfounded, the look on her face morphs from that of shock to anger.She turns to the guy beside her, places her hands on his shoulder and smiles sweetly at him.“I have no idea who he is or what he wants.” She says to him and then turns to me.“If you want to dance with me, get in line. As you can see, I'm already with someone right now.” She scowls at me, annoyance all over her face.I know she's mad at me and she has every right to be but right now, I'm on the edge, my wolf is on the edge too.Ever since I found out she was here tonight, I've been riding on the edge of destruction.I came straight here form the pack, only to see some random guy ha
Raven's POV “Any news about them?” I ask Maya once I got into the car.Maya arrived at the bookshop not too long ago to pick me up from work.“Yes, I got an address to their house.” She answered, reversing the car out of the parking lot.“How were you able to get the address so quickly?” I asked.“Well, I asked around if anyone moved in recently and someone was kind enough and showed me the apartment where a group of guys just moved into.That's how I got it.” She says, winking at me. I shake my head at her. “Oh Maya, you're the best.” I say, smiling at her.“Should we go there now before going home?” She asked.“Alright, let's do that.” Maya drove over to the address. “This is it.” Maya points at the house before us.The house is huge, it's two times bigger than ours. Well, I'm not surprised. Asher never does things in moderation.“Let's go find out what's wrong.” She says, taking the lead.Maya knocked on the door repeatedly but no one answered.“I don't think anyone's at home.”
Raven's POV Today's appointment with the doctor was by 10:00 am and by 9:30 am I'm still waiting for Asher to show up.Yesterday, he asked where they could shift and go for a run because his wolf is getting antsy and I gave directions to where they could go, away from prying eyes.I've not heard from him since then. He promised to be here by 9:00 am but it's 9:30 am and he's still not here.“Asher still hasn't arrived?” Maya asked, coming down the stairs.“Not yet.” I say, staring at the window for any trace of his car.“Don't worry, he'll be here soon, he's probably just running late, maybe he slept in.” She says, pouring herself a cup of coffee.She chuckles when she sees me stretching my neck at the window. “You really are so eager to see him, uhn?” She says, sipping her coffee.I turn to face her. “What do you mean? Asher has never been late before. He's usually a little too early or right on time, never late. That's why I'm a little worried.” I explained to her.“Okay, but you