Chapter 11

RAVEN Shit , I was running late ! Last night I hadn’t been able to sleep properly and I was paying for it now ! I ran down the stairs three at a time , jumping down the final six and was about to rush t o the door when Dad stepped out of the living room .

” This is a house and I would appreciate you treating it like one . ” He said curtly . ” I’m getting late , sorry ! ” I said hurrying t o the kitchen and going to the fridge to grab a water bottle .

I was about to reach for one when Dad snapped the fridge shut , missing my fingers by inches . I moved back , my heart skipping a beat as I looked at Dad , who was staring at me with a cold glare on his face .

I glanced at Mom who turned her back on me and busied herself with making breakfast . ” This is my house and as long as you are living under my roof , you will obey my rules and that includes letting boys into your room . ” ” Ok . “

I didn’t have time for this , I needed to ask Liam or Uncle El when I could move out … I needed out . ”

Raven ! ” ” What ? ” ” Are you showing me attitude ? ” Dad said , frowning coldly . ” I said ok , that I agree , no boys in my room .

” I shook my head , leaving the kitchen empty – handed . ” Useless . ” Dad muttered , and 1 glanced back over my shoulder . How was I useless ? I left the house , just glad to be out of there . ” Hey , Raven !

” I looked up to see Taylor strolling over to me from the house next door , I smiled brightly . ” Hey .

” We fell into step , it was clear he was ready for training . As the elite group , I would train them , but there were other top warriors who headed the other training sessions .

From what I could see , Taylor was one of those who did teach some of the other lower groups . ” You know , it’s impressive to see you in this position . ” He said . ” Thanks , I guess ? Was it so hard to imagine , I’ve always been a tough one ! ” I said , showing him my biceps . He whistled , ” Damn , now those are some perfect muscles , I’m envious . ” He said , tapping m y arm as he grinned . ” Of course . ” I said , glancing at his muscular arms .

” You hold nothing in comparison . ” Oh , absolutely not . ” We both started laughing , just as someone I called out to me .

Raven ! ” We stopped , turning to see Zack the Delta come jogging over . He was shirtless . His earring glinted in his left ear and his black hair tumbled over his forehead . ” Hey , guys … ” He said , trailing off when h e glanced at Taylor .

Taylor’s heart was racing and I could sense the tension between them . ” Hi … ” I said , wondering what that was about . ” I’ll see you two around . ” Taylor said suddenly , running off towards the training grounds . Weird . ” What is it ?

” I asked Zack , who was frowning slightly . ” Ah yeah , sorry , we’re throwing a welcoming home bash for Liam .

I mean , w e didn’t really get to with everything that had happened . ” Zack said , running his hands through his black hair . ” Oh , ok and ? ” I asked . ” Well … Can you get him there ? I mean , it’s supposed to be a surprise .

” He flashed me a small smirk and I really wanted to refuse … ” I don’t really know , I mean I might be busy- ” ” Raven , you have got to come too . Come o n , it’s tonight at nine , down by the river on the east side . ” The east side …

Opposite to where the killing had happened , I didn’t really blame them for choosing that . I sighed . ” I don’t know Zack , I have- ” ” Come on , please ? Damon said he couldn’t and I don’t know who else to ask . You two are his best friends .

” Correction ; were his best friends . ” Fine . ” I said in defeat . ” Thanks . ” He flashed me a grin before running off . Great . Liam better not get any ideas . Shaking my head I ran towards the training grounds .

I couldn’t be late , I was the one that needed to set an example . Training was over and I was trying to figure out if I should go find him or if I could just mind link him … Actually , that would be easier . ‘ Liam ? ‘

Raven … Hey . ‘ I was wondering if you know anything about what’s happening with my place ….

requested to see if there was a room in the packhouse … ‘ Yeah about that , there’s room 3 on the third floor , you can take it .

Just pop down later to my office and you can grab the key . > ‘ Oh ok , great . ‘ ‘ Anything else ? ” ‘ No. ‘

I didn’t know how to continue , so I left it .. Maybe later , when it was time , I could just call him . Yeah , that sounded better .

I had spent the day packing the last of my stuff , I was so ready to get out of here . I only had a few items left when I quickly decided to get dressed for the evening . I took out a black strapless bodysuit , black shorts , lace net tights and some leather slouch heeled boots that reached just below my knees .

I sat down and applied my makeup . Finishing off with a dusting of highlighter . I looked in the mirror .

My smoky black eyes and dark purple matte lipstick complimented my full look . Satisfied , I put on some black lace earrings and a choker necklace then finally painted my nails purple . Ok all done . I’m here to show everyone I a m living my life to the best , I am not going to mope around .

I exited my bedroom , making sure to lock my bedroom behind me before Dad and Mom saw the packed bags . Slowly , I crept down the steps . Only when I reached the front door did I call out .

” I’m off to Liam’s homecoming party ! ” I called before slamming the door shut behind me . I was not going to deal with them right now . I walked down towards the river and took a deep breath . ‘ Liam ? ‘ ‘

Raven . I was expecting you to come to get the key . ‘

‘ Yeah , I’m still packing . Maybe tomorrow or the day after ? Look , there’s something I need to show you down by the west side o of the river . Could you come here ? ‘ ‘ Is everything ok ? ‘ His voice was cold , yet I could hear the touch of worry in it .

‘ Yeah , please come quick . ‘ ‘ On my way . ‘ There , my job was done . I continued walking along , soon the smell of pizza filled my nose and I smiled . Oo they got pizza ! Now that was more like it .

I walked through the clearing just as Zack appeared . ” Liam with you ? ” ” He’s on his way . What pizza you got ? ” I asked . He smirked . ” No pizza until you bring the Alpha . ” He said , with a wink . I pouted .

” Meanie , don’t bribe me . ” I said unhappily . ‘ Raven , where are you ? ‘ ” Shit , he’s here . ” I whispered . ‘ Go get him and give me a heads up . ‘ Zack whispered . I sighed and nodded , turning back the way I had come .

‘ Where about are you ? ‘ ‘ Near the largest oak tree ? What is this about ? ‘ Liam’s voice came . ‘ I’m coming . ‘ I said , walking towards him . Soon his scent filled my nose and I followed it until I saw him .

” There you are , what is … ” . Liam trailed off , his eyes flashing a magnetic blue as his gaze raked over me . Shit , don’t get the wrong idea . His heart was racing , but when he stepped closer to me , I stepped back . ” Come with me . ” I said curtly .

I didn’t want to be here alone with him . Turning quickly , I led the way , power walking towards the location Zack had told me , but sadly my short legs had nothing on his . ‘ On our way . ‘ I mind linked him . ” Raven .

” Liam said , grabbing my arm . Sparks shot up my arm at his touch , my stomach fluttering and my heart pounding as he spun me around to face him , grabbing my other arm too . ” What are you doing ?

” His cerulean eyes were fixed on me , his sexy jaw clenched as he looked down at m e . Goddess , did she have to make these men so handsome ? Stupid oafs … I frowned when I saw his gaze dip to my cleavage , I pulled free . ” Just follow me , Liam . ” Luckily , this time he followed silently . Soon the scent of pizza filled my nose again and I knew Liam could smell it too , I glanced at him and he was frowning , his hands shoved into the pockets of his leather jacket .

I thought I heard him mutter . ‘ Great . ‘ He didn’t sound impressed . Suddenly , the lights came on and everyone jumped out . ” SURPRISE ! ” Liam cocked a brow , unphased . ” You do know I could sense most of your heartbeats …

” He said , frowning as he looked around at the crowd . ” Well , we masked ourselves the best we could . ” Zack said , grinning . ” Come on , this is a small welcoming home party for our Alpha . ” ” Yeah , well I told you not to do this shit .

” Liam said coldly , as someone put some music on . I frowned . ‘ Don’t be so bitter . This is your pack .

Treat it with love and respect . ‘ I said through the link . ‘ We just lost a pack member . ‘ His reply came .

He turned sharply towards me , our eyes met and I glared back at him . ‘ I know , but sometimes when something like that happens , people need more of a distraction . ‘ He frowned and broke our eye lock .

I didn’t miss his eyes roaming over me once again , but I ignored him , turning and scanning the area .

It looked good . There were a few tables set up with a huge pile of pizzas . Damn , I wonder how many guys went to get those .

There were a few tanks of beer , plenty of cans and some cocktail drinks ready to pour . A table of shop brought cakes , donuts along with a variety of chocolates and dessert shots sat to one side .

Lights were set up around the entire area . Most of the girls were dressed sexily and the majority of the unmated ones had their eyes fixed on Liam . I glanced at him . He was standing there frowning moodily as Zack said something to him .

I looked around seeing Damon was sitting in the corner already holding a bottle of beer .

Our eyes met and I looked away , I didn’t need to see his guilt . The music was blaring loudly , everyone was beginning to talk or help themselves t o the food , Well , this was the perfect timet o help myself to pizza .

Oo look , they had my favourite chicken one ! I had just about grabbed myself a large slice when someone tapped my shoulder . I spun around like a thief caught stealing and stared at the taller woman , one who I wasn’t expecting to see .

A sharp stabbing pain rushed through me , and I won’t lie , i t really hurt . ” Hey … ” Robyn said . She looked gorgeous in a fitted black dress that hugged her curves perfectly .

” Hi . ” I replied , my heart aching when I remembered Damon’s words from last night . ” Can I have a word ? ” She asked softly , and I wondered why she was keeping her voice low .

” Sure . ” I said , wondering what this was going to be about . I closed the pizza box , biting into my pizza slice as we both walked away from the crowd . ” What is it ? ” I asked , once we were out of hearing range .

She brushed her hair back , licking her nude – coloured lips . ” Umm … I’m sorry . ” She said quietly .

My heart thudded as I stared at her .

What did she mean … She looked down , as if ashamed , before she looked up at me , guilt in her eyes . ” I’m really sorry . If I knew he had a mate , I would never have gotten involved . I’m really fucking sorry .