Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Raven

“Raven, the seamstress will be here soon.”

Raven groaned in response. She was too comfortable to move, too warm to want to leave. Gentle fingers were stroking her hair, massaging her scalp. She opened her eyes slightly, finding herself face-to-face with a firm chest.

The source of the warmth was his other arm, holding her close. Dhol had insisted they sleep close together, especially after the events of last night.

“You didn’t mention anything about cuddling,” Raven said.

“It wouldn’t make sense if I didn’t,” Dhol replied.

“And why’s that?”

“To ensure you’re okay. You can sleep in your own room tonight if you prefer,” he said, his index finger gently tracing her cheek.

“I think I will,” she said, slowly rising from the bed.

A sudden sensation in her lower body made Raven gasp.

“Easy there. I’ll remove it. Just bend over,” he instructed.

She did as he said, placing her hands on her knees and glancing back at him. Dhol was gentle as he pulled. Raven sighed in relief, but she couldn’t ignore the feeling of emptiness.

“Get dressed and meet me in my office. You have thirty minutes,” Dhol said.

“Is this for the event General Hokji mentioned?” Raven asked.

“Yes, it’s a party for the generals. Can I trust you to behave?”

There would be someone there in charge of the air force. Raven could gather some useful information. Was he crazy? He was putting her in a room with some of the most powerful men on this planet.

~Is this some kind of trick?~

“I always behave,” she said, avoiding his gaze.

“That’s what I’m counting on.”

Raven was quick to get ready and made it downstairs with two minutes to spare. When she entered the office, she was taken aback. The figure in front of her was fit and poised, with black hair that fell to the shoulders.

The woman turned around and gave a small smile. “I have a few options for you to try on. They might need some adjustments. I used the measurements that were sent to me.”

Her eyes sparkled like silver. The woman’s scent was a mix of jasmine and sandalwood. It was a dance of fragrances. ~That’s strange.~ This was the first woman of their species Raven had met.

~Do all women have two scents and men only one?~ Raven went behind the cloth screen and tried on the first dress.

She admired herself in the mirror, her hands tracing the curves of her body in the form-fitting material.

The dress was a beautiful gold with a plunging neckline that ended mid-thigh. The symbol on it was stitched in black thread.

Memories of wild nights flooded back to her. Of course, only the ones that happened before she would black out.

Tori had made it a rule that she couldn’t drink. After she left, Raven picked it back up, not that it mattered; she was banned from all the bars within a few years.

It quickly became a rule for her on the ship. No drinking and no bars—captain’s orders.

“I like this one,” Raven said.

“Wear the other one,” Dhol said, looking up from his computer.

The other dress was similar to the ones she was already wearing, an A-line cut that was cute but not sexy. The seamstress nodded in agreement.

“No, I like this one better,” Raven said.

“That dress has my symbol on it. You would be telling everyone there that you’re mine—only mine. I don’t think that’s something you want,” Dhol said, standing from his desk. “Feel free to wear it around the house for my eyes only.”

Raven went behind the screen again and took off the dress.

He was right. She belonged to no one but herself.

“I have to leave early for a meeting. I’ll get ready there. The driver will bring you over when it’s time,” he said, grabbing his black bag.

“Can this dress be altered to look like the other one?” Raven asked, holding up the A-line dress.

“It can, but I think you should wear it as is,” the seamstress said.

“Why?”

“Your scent is not as strong. I noticed the difference when you changed.”

“What do I smell like?”

“A flower, but when you put on the gold dress…”

“Tell me,” Raven said.

“A field of flowers. Are you trying to mate?” the seamstress asked.

“No, I just want to look good.”

“As long as you understand what could happen, then I will do as you ask.”

“Can I ask you something?” Raven asked.

The woman nodded.

“Why can’t I smell Dhol?”

“Higher ranks learn to mask their scent. It’s useful in battle. Most choose to share it only with their mate,” she said, cutting and pinning the fabric of the dress.

“Why do you have two?”

“I’m mated. I can make the alterations, but you’ll be late for the party,” the seamstress said.

“That’s fine.”

As the sun began to set, Dhol called twice, asking when she would arrive.

Raven noticed that her hair had grown a lot since she arrived on the planet. It fell just above her backside after she straightened it. No pigtails tonight. The change felt strange.

The dress turned out better than she’d imagined. It was A-line, but the length she wanted, with a lowered neckline, in red.

As Raven descended the stairs, the guards looked up. This was the first time they’d acknowledged her. She paused halfway down the staircase.

“This is just a taste of what could happen. You can go back and change,” the seamstress said, passing her on the stairs.

What else could happen? Raven pushed the thought from her mind. She straightened up and continued down to the car waiting at the door.

Even the driver, as he held the door open for her, stared at her. His sharp intake of breath gave her pause, but she got in. The driver kept the divider window down and watched her.

Raven was worried they wouldn't make it in time.

A sigh of relief escaped her lips as they pulled up to a grand house. It was nestled away from the city, down a dirt road and hidden amongst dense trees, not far from Dhol’s place.

A man, dressed in a suit as black as the night, stood on the doorstep. If it weren’t for the porch lights, he would have been invisible. The driver opened the car door for her and extended his hand.

She accepted it, noticing his hand was shaking. The steps leading to the door seemed to stretch on forever.

“Name and place of origin,” the man at the door demanded.

As she lifted her gaze to meet his, her stomach dropped—his eyes. They were hollow, empty sockets. A shiver ran down her spine as she swallowed hard.

“Raven. Bella,” she managed to say.

He swung the door open and gestured for her to enter. She stepped inside.

“Raven of Bella,” he announced to the room.

The room was dimly lit, but the eyes of the men inside seemed to glow. As she walked towards the bar, the crowd parted, their eyes following her every move.

She picked up a drink, but before she could take a sip, she felt arms wrap around her waist. Her heart skipped a beat.

“You should have worn my symbol,” a voice whispered in her ear.

“Why?” Raven asked, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Without it, you’re announcing to everyone that you’re available. Your scent doesn’t help either. It’s—t’s enticing,” Dhol explained.

“So, you’re saying you can’t control yourselves,” Raven shot back.

“We can control ourselves, but we’re still creatures of instinct. Bare skin is an invitation, and a provocative scent is a call to action. You’re playing a dangerous game without knowing the rules.”

“I make my own rules,” she retorted, pulling away from his grasp.

She turned to face him, her throat suddenly dry. Her eyes took in his appearance.

He was dressed in red, just like her. His suit jacket was a deep crimson, adorned with his symbol stitched in black. Underneath, he wore a black shirt with red stitching and black dress pants.

His eyes were as bright as the others, accentuated by red eyeliner and a smokey eye. His hair was pulled up into a messy bun, with a few strands braided in a waterfall effect.

A black and red bandana was wrapped around his forehead, completing the look.

~What are they putting in the water here?~ Raven thought, suddenly regretting her decision to close the shop. She wished she could take back her words.

She remembered the previous night, how he had been ready to claim her. ~Do they have time machines here?~ She downed her drink in one gulp, her eyes never leaving him, memorizing his face and body for later when she was alone.

Dhol smirked at her. “All you have to do is ask. Say, ‘Daddy, please take me.’”