Raven's POV Whoever said life was easy, lied. It's hard as fuck and sucks too, and the crazy thing is, nobody has the mind or gut to admit to it.Everyone, I mean everyone likes to live in their little delusion. Everyone has a secret to keep and a story that needs to be told.Hurt is everywhere, for both humans and shifters, we both practically drown in its essence.Yet we all pretend like it doesn't exist or matter and we are fine, when deep down we decide ourselves.But everything within us screams in agony and outrage. Our soul pleads that we should be honest and true to ourselves at least once in our lives.It begs for us to tell one person and the very second that we do that, everything becomes better.But the moment that one person we became vulnerable to shatters everything we struggle to admit.Then the world becomes nothing but emptiness and darkness.For a moment, life isn't as hard as it seems, we only make It so.“Jesus Raven!” Maya calls from the doorway, making me star
Asher's POV It's a week now since Raven left home. I've not been myself, I've been flying into a fit of rage and fuet every now and then.Threatening my enforcers and even attacking my best friends, my betas too.I don't know what to do anymore, my wolf is losing control and I'm finding it very difficult to keep control of it.I'm on the verge of insanity right now. I need Raven, I need my mate back into my arms.I need to smell her sweet scent of vanilla and roses to help calm me down.I huff out a breath, sifting my hands through my hair, I look at my reflection in the glass of my office.I look like a mad man. My hair is way overgrown, my beards look so tacky, they need to be shaved off.My eyes are close to bloodshot now. I close my eyes briefly, breathing in slowly.I need to control myself, my pack is falling apart, everything isn't going the way they should.Fear permeates my pack members, they're all scared and afraid of me now, and who can blame them? With the way I look, I'
Asher's POV I take a seat opposite Alpha Jackson and Edward. Derek leans against the wall with his arms folded.Dale stands by my side, Liam and Connor are seated close to Alpha Jackson and Edward, staying by their sides.“Welcome to my pack.” I sat, once seated. “How may I be of help to you?” I ask, crossing my legs.“Alpha Asher, the one people call the Cruel Alpha. Hmm, nice to finally place a face to the name.” Edward says, smirking.I snort, “Seems you've heard a lot about me then.” I say, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees.“But you see, I don't know you nor have I heard anything about you.So why don't you do us the honors and introduce yourself.” I say with a forced smile.“Oh yes, I'm sorry. I should have led with an introduction.” He said, placing a hand over his chest.“My bad. My name is Edward Pierce, I'm what people will call a pirate. I come from the sea, but I'm also a merchant.”“A merchant?” Derek asks, raising a brow at him. Edward faces him, a smile on his
Raven's POV “Raven, let's go!” Maya calls out to me from the stairs. Today, we are going to check out my former workplace and see if they can still take me back “Coming,” I yell back. I still needed to pack some things before going downstairs.She's always in a hurry, I don't know what's chasing her.“You're slower than a tortoise.” She shouts. I roll my eyes, muttering to myself, “Drama queen.”“Alright, alright, I'm here now, no need to bring down the house with your voice.” I say as I reach the base of the stairs.“Oh please, I don't have a loud voice.” She flicks her hair.“Yeah, yeah, you don't.” I guess out, shaking my head at her.“Did you grab the keys?” I asked, as she made her way to the car.“Oh shit! I forgot again.” She swears, turning back to the house.“I got it already. Look at you, always forgetting things, are you an old woman?” I tease her and she flips me off.“Keep talking Raven, I'm not listening.” She singsongs, swaying her hips to the car “You're driving, n
Raven's POV“So tell me, what's the story behind Aaron?” I ask as soon as we step into her office.Maya flops into her seat and I take the seat opposite her, staring at her.“Oh no, don't look at me like that now, Raven.” She says, scrunching her eyebrows at me."Like how? How am I looking at you?” I ask, smiling.“You know Raven. You have this puppy look and your eyes are shining mischievously. I know that look.” She wags her fingers at me.“Oh come on Maya, just answer the question that's all.”“Uhuh, huh.” She says, shaking her head.“What can I get you? Coffee or tea?” She asks, changing the subject, but I won't let go so easily.“You can't change the subject Maya, you're going to give me an answer. Coffee, please.”“Alright, coffee it is then.” She says, picking up the phone.“Please can I have two cups of coffee sent to my office now? One should be black coffee and the other—” she looks in my direction.“Not black, with a little sugar.” I whisper to her.“The other one should be
Asher's POV It's been days since I've slept. My nights are always so restless. Different thoughts running through my head. At some point, I begin to hear voices in my head.Nightmares plague my dreams. I look at myself in the mirror and shake my head.I'm not getting any better, my eyes are still bloodshot, either from lack of sleep and tiredness or from the struggle to keep my wolf from losing control.I'm on the verge of turning rogue, I need my mate , I need Raven.I wonder how she's doing, doesn't she even miss me a little bit? She doesn't pick my calls or replies to any of my messages.I just want to hear her voice, listen to her speak. I sigh heavily, rubbing the stubble at my chin.I'm in need of a proper shave, my beards are way overgrown. I growl in frustration.First, I need to take a shower, then visit Alpha Jackson and Edward. It's tie forhem to pay for all their atrocities.I quickly take a shower and put on my leather pants with a navy blue shirt. A knock sounds on the
Raven's POV Pregnant, pregnant!. The test kit in my hands showing two lines reveals I'm pregnant, I'm carrying Asher's child.My hands immediately go to my stomach, rubbing it gently. Shock and tears of joy well up in my eyes.I can't believe I'm going to be a mother soon.“Raven, Raven, are you good? You've been in there for a while now.” Maya called out to me, breaking me from my thoughts.“I'm coming “ I called back, rinsing myself and tidying up quickly before coming out of the bathroom.“Okay, sow what is it? Positive or negative?” Maya asks, bouncing on her feet in anticipation.I move to the bed and seat on the edge. Maya follows suit, sitting right beside me.Come on Raven, tell me. Don't put me in suspense.” I breathe out heavily and turn to face her.“It's positive Maya, I'm pregnant!” I screech, hugging her tightly.For a.moment, Maya seems shocked but recovers quickly, hugging me back tightly.“Oh my Raven, congratulations!” She says as soon as we break apart.“I can't be
Asher's POVJust rounding up breakfast when Raven's call came through. Shocked at first seeing her call but immediately picked it up.The sound of her breathing on the line and the gentle whisper of her voice when she said my name, brought some kind of relief to me.I knew Raven calling me meant something's up, she must have something she wants to tell me.But, when I asked, she didn't say anything. The voice of her friend, a woman, broke off our discussion and our call ended.I tried calling back but it didn't go through. This had me worried about what it is she wanted to tell me.Is she okay? She didn't sound like she was in trouble or hurt. She sounded like—“Who was it? Was that Raven?” Derek asks.“Yes, it was.”“What happened? Is she coming back home?” Dale asks, his eyes filled with hope. I shake my head.“Oh!” He says, disappointed.“Why did she call then?” Derek asked again.“I don't know, she didn't tell me and when I asked, she got distracted and dropped the call.” I explai
Raven's POV Two years later “Bryon, don't do that, come here. You need to take your bath now.” I chuckled as Matilda chased Bryon round the house.At two, he was a force to reckon with, always full of mischief and trouble.He was really a handful, thanks to his godfathers and godmother who kept spoiling him and teaching him all the mischievous things he does, most especially Dale.Asher walked in with Dale behind him.“Da.” Bryon screamed, running towards him. Asher bent down and scooped him up.“Hey my little Alpha. How are you doing?” He asked and Bryon blew bubbles on his face and giggled.“Your boy is really a handful.” Matilda said to Asher, putting her hands on her waist.“Is that true? Have you been giving Matilda a tough time now, hmm?” He asked Bryon who just pouted back.Bryon turns to Derek. “Der.” He says, pointing at Matilda. He's reporting her to him. Derek just laughed, stroking his hair.“Play, play, play.” He chants, trying to wiggle down from Asher's arms.“Okay, o
Raven's POV “Bryon, you named him Bryon?” Maya asked, her eyes wide open in shock.“Yes, we did. It was actually Asher who brought it up.He said we should name him Bryon and I agreed.”“Wow! That's so thoughtful of him. I mean, Bryon was your little brother who Isla killed and he was the only member of your family that truly loved and cared about you.Asher did a good thing naming your son after him.” Maya said with a smile on her face.“Yeah, I wasn't expecting him to name our son after my brother but he did it for me and I'm so happy.For every time I look into my son's eyes, I'll always remember my little brother.” I said with a sad smile.Maya turned to my sleeping son in the cradle. “Hello little Bryon. You're so cute.” She says, rubbing his chubby cheeks.I smiled at them. “Dale's going to blow a fuse when he learns of the baby's name.” Maya said, happy with the decision made.I burst out laughing. “He will get over it, after all I'm already making him and Derek his godfathers
Asher's POV Another contraction came and Raven dug her fingers into my arm.“Okay, Raven, time to push again.” Arianna declared.Raven pushed. “You're doing a great job, Raven.” Maya said, from the side, encouraging her.Derek and Dale were just outside the room. It was just me, Maya, Matilda, Arianna and king here with Raven.Maya is bent on her other side, wiping away the sweat from entering her eyes and encouraging her.Raven kept pushing. Drained, she sagged against my chest. “I don't think I can do this anymore, I just can't.Nothing's happening, I'm tired.” She complained, breathing heavily.I kissed her temple. “Come on, baby. Don't give up now, you're doing it, darling and I'm so proud of you.” I said, smoothing her hair away from her face.“I know you're tired, but you're doing a great job. I'm here, draw strength from me.” I said, before turning to face Arianna.I scowled at her. “Why is it taking so long? She's in so much pain. What's going on?” Arianna gave me a look of
Raven's POV “Hmm, hmm, you're glowing. I'm guessing you enjoyed your wedding night?” Maya asked, making her way to the sitting room where I laid down reading a book.I blushed at her words, closing the book in my hands.“What are you talking about, Maya?” I asked, feigning ignorance.“Uh-huh, don't be coy with me iw. You know exactly what I'm talking about.Everyone saw you two leave the party early yesterday. What was it for, hmm?” She asked, sitting on the floor with her legs folded under her butt.“I was just tired last night and asked Asher to take me back to the house, that's all.” I said. It was the truth but not entirely the truth.Maya narrowed her eyes on me. I chuckled.“Fine. When we got back to the house, I got something to eat because I didn't realize I was starving at the party.Then, Asher told me he had a surprise for me later on.”“And what was the surprise?” She asked with a smirk playing on her lips.“He prepared a romantic night for us. He gave me a baby girl's tr
Asher's POV After dinner, we sat dn in the sitting room, relaxing and watching a movie.Raven had her legs in my lap as I helped massaged her feet gently.“Hmmm, that feels so good. You are so good at this, Asher.” She said, closing her eyes to enjoy the feeling.“Of course, I'm good at anything I set my eyes and hands to do. That's why I'm the best.” I said with a smug look.“Yeah, yeah, you're the best, we know it. No need to sound so smug about it.” She said, rolling her eyes at me.I gestured to her orange juice by her side, she still hadn't finished it yet.“Finish your juice, at least for now.” I said.“But I'm stuffed already, I don't want to.” She whined.I cocked my brow at her and inclined my head, an expression that screamed you have to.With a huff, she picked up the glass and downed the entire juice like it was a shot of tequila.“There. I'm done. Happy now?” She asked.“I was happy already, but now I'm contented.” I said, kissing her, taking my time to gorge myself on h
Asher’s POVI stopped dead in my tracks taking in the sight of Raven.She stood there in the white sleeved dress, flowing down to her ankle.She stood there looking like a Greek goddess, with those little gold trimmings accentuating the design of the dress.Her white creamy skin tanned to match with her blond hair and gave her skin a healthy glow.She had her hair bunched up in some kind of elegant updo that looked tousled with a few strands falling down the sides.She was breathtakingly beautiful and even my wolf growled in appreciation.She stared at me with that heated look in her eyes that made me want to claim her right here.If not for the audience we have, I would have had her bent over and fucked her thoroughly.I crossed to her with a smile on my face, sliding my arm around her.“You are sensationally beautiful, your beauty shines in the dark and radiates all around us. Sorry, I'm a bit late.” I whispered into her ear.She looked up at me with a smile on her face. “Thank you.
Raven's POV “It’s your big day tomorrow, how do you feel?” Maya asked. We were both sitting in the garden, admiring the view.The house has been buzzing with activities, with different people coming and going in preparation for tomorrow. I've got to face a lot of people tomorrow.I sighed heavily. “I can’t wait for it to come and go. A part of me is dreading tomorrow. I've got to face a lot of people tomorrow.”“Of course you will. You are now the Luna, you will always have to face people, you need to start getting used to that, okay? And I know tomorrow will be fun and epic. With all the preparations I've seen in place, Asher really went all out to make tomorrow a special day for you.It shows how much he loves you.” Maya says, smiling at me.“I know that. I’ll just have to suck it up and deal with it like a big girl.” I said with a smile.“That’s the spirit, you can do this, I believe in you.” she said, admiring the beautiful flowers all around us.“So, have you seen your dress ye
Asher's POV “How's all the preparation going? Hope everything is coming out good? Don't forget if you need my help, don't hesitate to ask me.” Alpha Giovanni said over the phone.“Thanks so much Alpha Giovanni. I'm all good, everything is going well and if I need your help with anything I won't hesitate to ask you, I promise.” I said to him.“That's good then. And Luna? How is she faring? Hope the stress isn't too much for her given her condition?” He asked.“She's fine, she's doing okay. Yes, she's a bit stressed with all the preparations but she's strong, she can handle it.”“That's wonderful. My regards to her.”“I will surely send your regards to her.”“Alright, Alpha. Have a nice day..I just called to check up on you, that's all.”“Thank you so much, Alpha Giovanni, I really appreciate it. My regards to your family too. Bye.” I said, cutting the call.Dale pokes his head inside my office just as I ended the call.I cocked a brow at him in question. “Why are you peeping like a p
Raven's POV Today is the day Maya's coming here. Derek and Dale had gone to pick her up from the airport.I'm so excited and glad that my best friend will be here soon. “I can practically feel your excitement, Raven.” Asher spoke to me through our mind link.“Of course I'm excited, I can't help it, sorry.” “It's okay, baby. I understand, no need to apologize.” He assured me in a soothing tone.“How's my baby boy doing today? I didn't get to talk to him this morning before I left.” He asked and I smiled.“He's doing fine, at least he has made his presence known to me today so many times with the force of his kicks. I wonder where he gets so much strength from. I mean he's just a little kid, and it hurts a lot.” I said, wincing again as he kicked me.“Sorry, baby. It proves that our boy will be very strong and capable just like his mother.”“Me? Nope. I'm not that strong. He takes after you in strength. You're the one who's strong.” “Fine then. It's my fault there. Don't worry I'll