Raven Miller closed the main door after the last bar patron. The Moonshine Bar bustled with activity until now. She picked up the last chairs and stacked them on the tables.
Later, Raven said goodnight to Jake, the owner, and went to catch the bus. Jake locked the door behind her. At the bus stop, the death march played from her pocket.
The ringtone only played for one wolf. He never called with favorable news. Raven avoided seeing, Alpha Dominic Jones of the Humber Valley Pack. Three things set this alpha apart from the other alphas from Toronto. He’s a gambler, single, and he refused to search for his mate. No explanations, nor apologies.
Alpha Jones was everything Raven didn’t want in a mate, and she didn’t aspire to be the Luna. She knew they were mates, which complicated things.
Raven viewed her situation as an example of how twisted fate was.
Call her crazy for avoiding the pain and humiliation of his public rejection. Raven lived at the edge of the Pack’s territory, worked outside the Pack, and avoided all Pack functions.
Raven picked up the call. “Evening Alpha Jones. I’d say good evening, but you never call with favorable news. What’s my brother done this time? How much will it cost?”
Liam Miller Jr. was no better than the wolf his name came from. Both males were self-declared professional gamblers, and failures. Liam Sr. died during a recent attack. Liam Jr. promised he’d stop gambling. Raven knew this call meant he’d lied.
Alpha Jones’s rich baritone voice filtered through her phone. It sent shivers down her back, and she felt flushed in places. “Raven, where’s your brother?” His anger sounded cold, and it heated her own.
Raven knew she didn’t help their case when her voice grew husky. Her wolf wanted to play with Alpha Jones’. She hated how her wolf didn’t care he was a gambler. Or he ran numbers, betting, and loans to supernaturals as a business. Of course, it’s all against the law.
“I’m at work. He’s not answering my calls. So, I don’t know.” She knew he’d offended someone who’d complained to Alpha Jones.
“Your brother’s caused me a lot of trouble. Expensive trouble and not just money. This time money won’t solve this.” She shivered at his deep disapproving tones reverberated in her ear and through body.
“What do you want Alpha Jones? I don’t have much.”
“I don’t want money, Raven. He’s gone too far. As the head of your family, it’s your responsibility to make reparations for his crimes. Liam Miller went against my orders and sold you, Raven Miller, into slavery. It’s unacceptable. Liam Miller is a rogue wolf. I expect you to gather your belongings and present yourself to me in the Grand Hall before noon.” The formality of Alpha Jones’s words had her wincing as a bus passed by the stop without stopping. He recorded this conversation, and he made this official.
“Allow me to clarify, you and Liam gambled at the same table. He lost a lot of money. He couldn’t pay so he sold me, even though you told him no. How am l the criminal? I’m the victim. Aren’t you happy to be rid of me? I wouldn’t burden you.” Raven asked. She spoke the truth as she baited his temper. Raven knew her error by saying this. It hurt knowing the pack didn’t want her. She wanted him to know she was aware of how worthless she was to his Pack.
“Enough! The Grand Hall before noon. You’ll learn your fate then.”
“You’re a wolf who loves an interesting bet. I see you don’t want me. Let’s make this interesting.” She could hear his annoyed growl, but she pressed on. “I dare you, Alpha Jones. Catch me in twenty-four hours. If you don’t, I’ll volunteer to become a rogue. If you catch me, you can do as you like with me.”
“Oh, honey you don’t know what you’ve done. I’m coming for you. You’ll be my pet in every sense of the word. I’ve waited a long time for this.” Alpha Jones dropped their call. Raven looked at her phone, confused.
“What’ve I done? Did I poke a sleeping bear? Did I misinterpret something?” She didn’t want to read too much into his words. Dominic Jones called no one, honey. His wolf was in his voice. What did that mean?
Her fight-or-flight response kicked in. She couldn’t blame this on Liam. She’d screwed up. Raven avoided Alpha Jones, so he didn’t realize they were mates. Raven wanted to avoid the humiliation of a public rejection and banishment.
Her heart raced as she ran from the bus stop. She had to leave Toronto. She wasn’t safe. Unlike most cities, the Toronto Alphas weren’t enemies. Alpha Jones could reclaim her by asking any Alpha who harbored her. She had to leave.
Dominic ended the call. Annoyed and angry before the call, he could add, bemused, and confused by the end. What made Raven loyal to Liam? He’s a fool. Dom didn’t understand how Raven protected Liam from his mistakes. Dom feared losing his mate if he did as he wished by removing Liam from his Pack or killed him. That ended now. Dom saw his mistake. He’d fix it today. He’d banish Liam Miller, which was Dom’s right after the disrespect and disobedience Liam showed in front of Alpha Klyne of the Red River Pack. An Alpha who Dom had issues with. It involved the Pack’s investment properties outside the city.
What upset him were Raven’s words. Her words surprised him when she told he wanted her to leave. She’d leave if he didn’t find her in twenty-four hours. She’d bet him and become the object of a hunt. It had his blood singing and his fur tickling at his skin.
“Paul, I need you.” Dom called his Beta. Paul sat in the lounge, engrossed in a televised sporting event. “Alpha?” Paul Grouse said. He entered the study. “You need something?” “I need several Enforcers organized for a hunt. We’ve a wolf on the run, Raven Miller. She’s not to leave my territory. I want her brought to me unharmed.” Dom pulled up the file he had on the Millers. “She’s the sister of that idiot Miller, right?” “That’s right. He was at the poker game. Liam took losses, and then he offered his sister for forgiveness of his debt to Klyne. He didn’t ask if he could. She’s mine! He showed no respect. When I reminded him, she belonged to me, and I said I wouldn’t give her away. He scoffed. I thought he dropped it. Instead, he waited until I stepped out.” “You’re kidding. I’ll get the Enforcers.” Paul went into action, but Dom stopped him. “I’m not finished. When I returned, he’d signed the contract agreeing t
“Raven? Come out, you’re not in trouble. We’ve directions to not hurt you. All we’re to do is secure you. Come have a coffee.” Raven’s jaw hung open at this. The voice belonged to the Pack’s Beta. WTF? Her world turned upside down with this. She was sure Paul Grouse didn’t know her. Why would he? She’s an unranked wolf. “I’m not crazy. So, I’m sorry, I won’t leave this room. Tell Alpha Jones you couldn’t find me.” “No can do. He’s coming here. We’ll guard the door while we have coffee. If you reconsider you can join us.” Raven closed her eyes and shook her head. Had she fallen into an alternate universe? The Pack didn’t treat her like this. He must think she’s stupid. She heard his heavy footsteps walk away. Defeated, Raven slid to the floor, unsure how to escape this fate. Her life was messy, and her future was uncertain. “Liam, what have you gotten me into?” ~ ~ ~ The ca
Raven stayed in the back of the vehicle until they reached the Pack’s compound. Alpha Jones ignored her the entire trip. She wasn’t anyone special, which is why she questioned his actions. He’d always ignored her. Alpha Jones never mentioned mates, and she’d never mentioned it. Yet he dragged her back to the compound. Why? The dare? That made no sense. She had a feeling it had to do with her threat to leave. Did he want to keep her near, but not as his mate? He’d have said something. She had no value to him. The vehicle parked before the Pack house. Raven hadn’t visited the Pack house in years. It hadn’t changed. The enforcers exited the vehicle, leaving her locked in the back. She expected nothing less. The enforcer who drove went to release her several minutes later, as he’d received orders to store the vehicle. That’s when chaos reined, Alpha Jones yelled at the enforcer. His eyes glowed in the predawn light with anger. He stormed to the vehicle, causi
Raven left Alpha Jones’s living quarters as fast as she could. Her feet hurt, and she felt tired after having worked all evening. The run home didn’t help her aching feet. Sensible shoes didn’t matter. Raven descended three flights of stairs. After that, she’d the impossible mission of finding something he wouldn’t throw back at her. The place was still abuzz when Raven arrived on the main floor. She tried to move toward the kitchen when someone blocked her way. “What is going on? Who are you?” A she-wolf got in Raven’s face and demanded of her. “I’m no one special and when you figure out what’s going on, please tell me. Because I’m confused, now if you’ll excuse me but the Alpha wants me to deliver him his breakfast.” “Oh no, that’s not something you’ll do. It’ll be my pleasure to do it. It’s not right that some no name bitch does it.” “If you want to go against his specific orders. That’s your decision I won’t stop you.” That stopped the she
Raven went up the stairs and approached the argument everyone listened to. When she reached the third floor, she found Hilary cowering in the corridor outside of Alpha Jones’ living quarters. “You find her and make her get her ass up here. She’s the one who should bring me my breakfast, not you. I don’t want to see you, Hilary. Can’t you understand that? You failed the first time out. I won’t waste my time with you again.” Raven stopped, surprised at hearing him berate another she-wolf like this. She thought he’d singled her out. “Alpha Jones, is there a problem?” “Yes. Where’ve you been? Why’d you send Hilary here with this slop? “Alpha, I didn’t. Your chosen mate insisted on bringing up something your refined tastes would enjoy.” Raven used her truth to put the wolf in its place. Her instincts told her the few words Alpha Jones said that Hilary manipulated the events to blame Raven for her gaff. She wouldn’t stand for that.
“What would being angry get me? Alpha, I’m tired. I haven’t slept yet. Nor have I eaten. My feet are killing me and I’m dragging. Sorry if I cannot summon the energy to curse you and those in higher power. You can assure yourself, in my head I am.” Dominic watched Raven’s back as she set down the tray and glanced out the window. The window framed the sunrise to perfection, and it framed her dark hair and slim curves. He had to swallow to ensure he didn’t drool. “What are you talking about? Why would your feet hurt? Why would you drag yourself?” Dom didn’t remember what she did for a living. He knew she refused to work for him. “When you called, I’d left work after working a twelve-hour shift at a bar waitressing. I’ve been ferrying drinks from the bar to half-drunk shifters before hauling empty glasses to the kitchen. Between patrons yelling orders at me or trying to get handsy with my butt, I tried to contact Liam because I suspected something wasn
Dominic ensured Raven’s participation despite her dislike of his dominance game. He fed every bite to her and wouldn’t allow her to leave his lap. Dom found his nose veering to her throat to catch her scent better. He needed her to change, as the beer and smoke smell diverted attention from her sweet scent. It also had to be in her hair. That thick black hair. Knowing he crossed the lines of civility, Dom still felt entitled to his pet. “Before we nap you will get rid of these clothes and shower. I can smell the bar and patrons on you. I don’t like it.” Raven nodded but did nothing about it. “Oh, no, I meant you would do something about it now, Raven. Strip now and take a shower.” “Here. In front of you?” “Yes, here and now.” He released her from his hold. Now he wanted to know why she felt such reluctance to remove her clothes. Shifting made nudity acceptable, unlike for humans. She stood up and moved to
Raven didn’t want to strip. If they had sex, he’d know they were mates. Luckily, Alpha Jones hadn’t wanted to find her until now. She lucked out again when he had shown no interest in knowing her. Her name only padded his pack roster when a census happened, and it helped him keep his seat on the Toronto Council of Alphas. Here he was now, crowding her into the enormous shower, commanding her to stand exposed before him. Alpha Jones didn’t trust her. Nor did she trust him. He’d stripped her of more than her clothes and in a few hours, he’d make it known to everyone that he’d stripped her of her personhood, too. Then, she’d be no different from a dog or cat. The pack would have no use for. He’d controlled her every move, and she couldn’t say no to him. Or anyone he gave control of her to. So far, he’d insisted only he could touch her. But she’d heard stories of pets turned into sexual party favors by other Alphas. Used by the guests to pleasure themse