Dominic’s obsession with understanding Dreamers led him to ask around. Because he didn’t like the way I explained it to him. But I don’t want him asking too many questions. Dominic could ask the wrong questions of the wrong people. The wrong people could notice. Raven was in a panic. She didn’t dare tell anyone, and Jade hadn’t contacted her in this realm. So, what did she do? How did she handle this? Did she dare to express her anger with him? Raven still wasn’t sure how he’d respond to her anger if she showed it. “Raven, are you okay?” Dominic asked. He entered the room. Dominic came to an abrupt stop. He watched her as she stared out a window as she shifted and muttered to herself. Dominic didn’t enjoy seeing that. To him, it alarmed him. What disturbed her so much? Raven must have seen something that she’d not told him about. That pushed his anger up a couple of notches, because of his concern for her. Dominic had just claimed her. He didn’t wan
He’s trying to take control of something he’s got no control of. But is he right? Could he do something she didn’t? Could she see or access something she shouldn’t? Of course he did. Having held the position for an extended period, he’s an alpha. No one noticed her before this. But would it be enough? They’d be running an enormous risk with the Pack. Did they dare to do that? Should we keep the Pack uninformed about their surroundings? What did they dare disclose to them? “I swear my head feels like it will explode from all the questions I have and the lack of answers. How do I live with myself if something happens?” “What if it doesn’t happen? But you leave here, and something happens to you? How will they feel about that?” Dominic asked her. Raven frowned at him in confusion. “Dominic, if anyone mentioned it beyond reporting it or as a random piece of gossip that ends within hours. I doubt anyone would feel must of anything
Later that night, Raven lay beside Dominic in bed. Hearing him speak and talk like he did tonight. It cleared up many of the questions she had. Dominic wasn’t flip flopping. His moods weren’t changing with the weather. His behavior wasn’t because of boredom or a desire for change.No, he had reached his limit with her lack of awareness. What others were saying and doing. Not new, lasted too long. He’s as exhausted with it as she was. How could she have known without him informing her? Now he seemed at his wit’s end over this and ready to give up on everything that made him who he was. Raven’s feelings were uncertain. If you asked her about that a week ago, she’d have cheered and encouraged him, but now? Now she wasn’t sure about that. How would the wolves survive without their Alpha? Did she may take him away? It didn’t matter that he was her fated mate. They didn’t treat her right. When was anything fair to her? She could still live with unfair conditions. It’
Raven was rummaging in the kitchens, pulling out leftovers. She didn’t hide how upset she was. Raven felt the need to walk or run to release her nervous energy. The urge to scream remained constant within her. “So, I’m only here because I’m trouble anywhere else. This Pack won’t recognize me as their Luna even though I’m mated to their Alpha and do everything a Luna is supposed to do. Right got it.” Raven knew this enforcer didn’t know about the anger she kept bottled up that he now poked at. He attempted to dislodge the cork of the champagne bottle by stomping on it with the heel of his boot. “Well, that may have come out wrong.” The enforcer watched Raven; he shifted where he stood, displaying his nervousness as she placed food on the counter with a little too much force. He’d never seen this she-wolf in anything other than a withdrawn state. The few times he’d seen Hilary or Kelsey confront her; she’d never raised her voice. He’d never seen her s
“Let’s all consider stepping back. I don’t think much of this will get resolved unless we take a less combative approach.” He pulled out a chair and offered it to Raven. “Luna please. I think this might help us all if we discuss this. It’s something we can correct others on if we understand what is going on. It’s one thing if it comes from Alpha Jones, but it’s something else if it comes from others.” Raven couldn’t avoid seeming unreasonable in this situation. “I’m not sure what you are getting at.” “Your hurt and negative feelings are now being felt by the more sensitive among us. Add in the facts the Alpha and Beta have disclosed. The events that have taken place. Luna views are changing, and questions are being asked. You aren’t dismissed and disliked on sight by everyone. I’ve had to deal with many heated discussions over past events and recent discoveries. Some punishments were contested as well until the facts were thrown in everyone’s faces.
Raven didn’t know what to think when she looked at the wolves about her. Every one of them agreed with Dominic and not her. They thought her idea of leaving foolish and not an option. If it wasn’t an option what were her options, then? How did she find her options? If she lived Raven didn’t want to live with guilt over any deaths. If she died, she didn’t want to be the cause of other peoples’ deaths. Nor did she want to be blamed for those deaths. She couldn’t get over the visceral reaction they had to the thought of her leaving. It seemed odd to her. Why were they so against it now? If this were a month ago Raven was sure they’d have shrugged and gone on their way. How did this change happen? When? What triggered it? It wasn’t loyalty to her. No one liked her any better. She knew that for sure. Dominic hadn’t allowed her much access to the Pack without him. So, she’d not had much interaction like this. Unfiltered and raw. Now, she sat h
“Of course, you dare me. No one else would dare me to do anything. Lady Fate herself wouldn’t have given me a mate any less daring than me as a match. My mate must be willing to meet me head-to-head, she must have a strong will, be just as responsible, she must have the courage to take the chances I do and be as dedicated to being the person they present to the world through her honesty.” “Dominic, do you hear yourself? What are you talking about? That’s not me. I hate gambling, games of chance, and I don’t like taking risks. We’re opposites. The reason I worked at the bar was that it was close to the Pack’s territory, and it didn’t care about Pack affiliations. Honesty? What could I lie about? I had no rank. What airs could I put on? Who could I pretend to know? There’s no influence I could pretend to have either.” Dominic didn’t respond right away. She could see him struggling with his emotions. When he did respond he didn’t change his attitude
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.