Chapter 17

DAMON

The tension that had built vanished the moment Azura spoke, replaced by shock.

Everyone had frozen, Aunty Red’s cheeks burned, a rare sight actually, but Uncle El simply smirked.

A small giggle from Raven made me glance at her. Although her cheeks were flushed, she was finding this amusing.

“Yeah, it doesn’t work like that.” Uncle El said pointedly to a very confused Azura.

“And you two need to be careful, there’s a kid in the damn house.” Liam muttered.

“I’ll remind you of that when your time comes.” Aunty Red shot back.

That made Liam tense and Raven’s heart skip a beat.

‘I mean it, I want you both to sort your shit out. This pack needs their leadership united.’ His voice came through the

link.

I knew we both could hear him.

‘Understood.’ I said, making sure Liam could hear too.

I wanted to sort this shit out, I really fucking did. I glanced at

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Raven. She looked hot. There was something about her. Although she was twenty-one, she was a tiny thing. I won’t lie, there were definitely things that I wanted to do to her, but I knew I had no fucking right to even think that right now.

“When I grow up, I’m going to be were-koala!” Azura stated.

“You can be anything you want, baby girl.” Aunty Red said, smiling down at her.

“Oo I want to be a were-panda!” Raven added excitedly.

Azura’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Really?” She said with awe.

“Yeah, you just need to gain about 150 pounds or so…” Liam remarked, smirking slightly as he looked at Raven.

I felt envious at that, wishing that we could have that old bond again with Raven. Every time I felt like speaking to her, the fear that Liam was going to lash out only grew.

But we did need to get our shit together, if not for each other, then for the pack at least.

Dinner finished and Raven offered to clean up, Aunty Scarlett agreed and took Mom to the living room with Azura, I had offered to help and even Liam stayed behind.

The tension that settled the moment the adults left was fucking palpable. Raven quickly began gathering the dishes, leaning over to reach the plates from across the table, leaning

on one leg with her other one raised, only making her perky ass a little too tempting.

‘If you are done fucking perving at her.’ Liam’s cold voice came in my head.

‘She’s my mate too.’

‘Funny you remember her now.’ He shot back. •

I didn’t reply, not wanting to cause even more fucking drama.

We headed back to the kitchen, and Raven began emptying the dishes into the bin.

“Who’s washing?” She asked.

“Didn’t you offer?” Liam asked, cocking a brow.

She frowned,

“Yeah, and so did you two. So, Liam you wash, Damon, you dry, and then when we’re done… let’s talk.” She said.

Damn.

The dreaded words: Let’s talk, that shit ain’t good.

“Not that there’s much to talk about.” Liam muttered.

Raven shot him a glare and I hid my smirk.

She was a tough one, like Grandma Amy used to say – she was a ‘tough cookie’. She really was, small and sweet, but a tough one.

“You heard the woman, get washing.” I said lightly, smiling ever so slightly.

“Shut it or I’ll fucking shove your face in the sink.”

“Want to try it?” I shot back, He was seriously being a dick now. “Can you two not do this?” Raven said suddenly, we both looked at her and the hurt was clear in her eyes as she held the dishcloth and spray to clean the table. “You keep acting this way, but it just makes me feel like shit, knowing I’m the reason for you to being at each other’s throats. Fix up boys because I swear, I’m so close to being done.” She shook her head, turning and stormed out of the room, leaving us both feeling fucking guilty. “She isn’t wrong. We do need to sort this out. Now that we’re all back, we need to come to an agreement.” “So what? Tell me, how will we decide what’s going to happen. I want her, for myself, I don’t share.” He said coldly, his eyes flashing with anger. “I know but what about what she wants…” I said quietly. It fucking hurt knowing I was the inferior one… “She can choose. The bond will hurt for a short while, but she’ll get over it.” He said quietly. My stomach twisted and I looked at him as he began washing u “So you are ok with her experiencing pain? Liam… Do you fucking hate me that much?”

He paused, clenching his jaw, before continuing to scrub the dishes.

“No. I don’t hate you; I hate this fucking situation. She is the one girl I always fucking wanted Damon.

You got your shit on with Kia, then Robyn and Goddess knows who the fuck else, but I want just her. I am an Alpha. Sharing isn’t in my fucking nature. It’s almost as if Selene’s fucking making a mockery out of me. Yeah, share your fucking Luna with your Beta, that’s some messed up shit. The mate bond is meant to be between two souls, there’s no space for a third.” His voice was cold, and if I already felt like the third wheel, then I felt even worse now.

Yes, there had been a connection between Raven and I, but what Liam felt for her had probably been fucking more. However now that the bond was there… :

I couldn’t even reply. I felt like shit, I suddenly didn’t even feel worthy of anything. I kept my gaze down, drying the dishes silently, thinking of all the crap that was going on.

I heard footsteps, Raven was back, glaring at us both. She went to the fridge and took the milk bottle out.

“Do either of you want a drink?” She asked coldly, or what was her best version of a cold tone.

“I’ll have a latte.” Liam replied.

“No thanks,” I added quietly.

“Can you even make hot drinks?” Liam asked.

She shot him a frosty glare.

“Yes, I can.”

“Ok…good luck.” Liam definitely did not sound reassured.

She got about to making the drinks. The kitchen had just been cleaned and I wondered if we were actually going to talk. She was about to carry the tray of hot drinks to the lounge when the doorbell rang.

“Who could that be?” Raven asked.

“I’ll go check.” Liam muttered, leaving the room.

Raven placed the tray down, walking over to the door, I followed. Her scent and the way her bare back looked…

I turned away, feeling that hole inside only grow.

The front door opened to reveal none other than Alejandro carrying two car seats, behind him was Kiara holding Dante’s hand.

The king smirked coldly as he looked at us.

“Well, well, well, looks like we have a fucking house full.”

“Surprise!” Kiara said, her eyes on Raven who had gasped.

Just when I thought we were going to actually get to talk.

Damn.