“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.
“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