Dom sat at his seat looking out through the Grand Hall. All the seats were full now. Raven, he had sat on a stool beside his foot before him. Paul sat to his right, while Dom’s left sat vacant. His Luna would one day sit there, but he hadn’t decided if he’d announce that he knew who his fated mate was. He also needed to know she’d have the knowledge, skills, and manners to be his Luna. Dom couldn’t have her questioning him before everyone or insulting him. Nor could she countermand his decrees. Her brother was a problem of epic proportions he’d deal with right now. Dom wanted to curse out Paul for making him second guess his decision to make Raven his pet. He didn’t want her disappearing on him. Nor did he want someone like Alpha Klyne to get their claws into her. Skinny as she was, Raven was still a beautiful she-wolf in every aspect. She’d be a weakness if he didn’t keep her protected now. Liam’s mistake would be Dom’s benefit. He wouldn’t drag he
Dom, with his wolf-like hearing, heard the whispers in this crowded room. The consensus was that they’re not surprised it hadn’t happened earlier. They couldn’t comprehend why Raven didn’t proceed with the sale to eliminate the final Miller wolf. That last part irked Dom and his annoyance rose. He kept his anger in check, but he was sure that everyone in the room could sense it radiating off him. If they couldn’t scent it. He stroked Raven’s hair again as he composed himself again before he continued to speak. Dom’s hand found its way under her chin and raised it so he could study her serious face. “Now it’s your turn to learn your fated for the near future.” “It’s as the Alpha wills. As you say. You bought me, and now you own me. I dared you to catch me and you did. It was my mistake to tell you that you could do as you wished with me. Now I will live with my mistakes.” Raven sounded and looked resigned about this. Hilary obeyed Dom’s every command
Raven listened to Alpha Jones speak. This was not everyone in the Pack. Despite this, enough attendees made it official, and by day’s end, everyone else got Alpha Jones’ message. She couldn’t avoid it. He’d made her sit beside him before everyone. Raven didn’t dare raise her head; she was too embarrassed to do that. Sitting there like this was humiliating. Only the collar and leash were missing. That wasn’t all true. He allowed her to dress, even if she wasn’t used to dressing in clothing like this. Alpha Jones also ordered her to not put makeup on. So, every adult she-wolf but her wore make up here. She lacked the worth and effort of others. She’d remember this upon departure, and he’d grow weary of whatever this meant to him. The restrictions were so personal to him. Someone making her do their bidding without his permission would insult him. No one would do what he’d Dome and buy someone. That Raven could agree with. He didn’t allow her to speak with her only living rela
The Alpha guided her into his study. It’s been over a year since she was here. Not since he’d called her up on the carpet about Liam’s actions. Raven didn’t understand how she, as an unranked wolf, led her family. When her brother had ranked as an Omega. “Sit on the sofa near the window.” Alpha Jones said in her ear as the Beta closed the door behind them. “Will we do this in front of her Alpha?” Paul asked, observing Raven’s meek posture contrasting with her annoyed glare. “Is there a reason for your desire to hide what you say from her?” He asked. His tone demanded an answer from his Beta. Raven didn’t understand what would make this matter to anyone, including herself. She was no longer considered worthy of consideration. She didn’t matter. “Alpha, you declared her your pet. She doesn’t have any business hearing what we have to say.” Raven was unsure of the Beta’s feelings towards her. He went from hating her to protecting her, but the
“Alpha what are you doing?” Raven tried to lean away from Alpha Jones. She’d struggled with his scent, so close to her and distracting her from her struggles with her wolf and her temper. He tightened his hold on her. “I’m enjoying my pet. What do you think I’m doing?” He found her resistance did nothing for his annoyance. “I thought you were supposed to like your Beta.” Raven said. She tried to move out of his arms, but he held her to his side a little tighter. “Why would you think I don’t like my Beta?” Her words made him stop and look at her a little closer. A frown returned to his face. “Because you’ve been horrible to him. What does it matter if he likes me or not? You’ve told everyone I’m a pet and nothing more.” Dom didn’t enjoy hearing her said that even though he’d said this himself. It hit with a different type of impact when she said it. “It doesn’t matter. The problem is he’s questioning my wishes and demands.” He
Raven advised him to get rid of her. Paul advised him to do the same. But she was his mate. His fated mate, a mate who wasn’t ready to take her place at his side without him losing everything he had. His happiness or the happiness of his Pack. Dom hesitated to select either option. Her presence should benefit the Pack. He’d hoped to have her behave in a manner that others would accept and ease the idea that the Pack’s disbelief in her was incorrect. Raise her up and change her reputation before installing her as the Luna of his Pack. All while forming a bond between them. But he couldn’t do that if she wasn’t beside him. If he sent her away, they’d never form the bond. He should have formed this bond sooner. But he’d given her the space to deal with her brother and the problems he made for everyone. What did her brother do? He used her to pay off his debts. Liam knew she couldn’t pay off his debts with money. He used her body to pay them off. The glass flew from
Of course, her big mouth got her locked up. Why did she try to convince Alpha Jones to let her go? She knew as soon as she opened her mouth, she’d made a grave mistake. Nothing she said fixed anything. No, it made things worse and now she sat in a basement cell. Alone in her cell, Raven didn’t know when it would end. She was cold and hungry now. She knew hours had passed. The enforcers would not come near her cell and hadn’t given her a meal when they’d given the other prisoner theirs. Alpha Jones didn’t say when he’d return for her or if he would. Raven suspected Alpha Jones didn’t want her, but he didn’t want any other male to have her either. He desired her eternal unhappiness. Either way, she felt discouraged about her future. If she left, could she leave him behind? Raven didn’t know if she could. Raven agreed three days ago. It would have hurt a little, but she could have broken the Pack bond. Even an unranked wolf had a special bond. However,
[HOURS BEFORE PAUL SEES RAVEN IN THE CELL] Paul and Dom led the enforcer group to the central-west club. Down near the old Canadian National Expedition western gates. Streets, small, reminiscent of horse-drawn carts, not cars. Street cars ran east to west on the streets and buses north and south. These were not streets where wolves could wander free in their fur, let alone tear one another apart. But since the city grew past the tiny villages and hamlets into each other and became towns, then cities, and now the Greater Toronto Area, GTA. Wolf shifters and others lurked on every street with businesses alongside those belonging to humans. The social club was one of those businesses. It claimed to be a member only social club. What they meant was they were a social club for supernatural creatures. Here, long before it became legal, alcohol, and gambling ran. People here gamble with more than money. Alpha Jones could buy many things and his buyers often