Chapter 2

CURRENT DAY

RAVEN

The sun beat down on my skin , a thin layer of sweat coating it . I jumped back as the two men attacked simultaneously . Three … I twisted around , elbowing one of them in the neck , hearing a satisfying crunch . Two … I flipped backwards , grabbing onto the other one , and slammed him face forward into the ground . One … With a final spin , I slammed my fist into the first man’s nose .

He grunted as he staggered backwards , before falling to his knees . I smiled slightly , breathing hard , a s I stepped back . ” And that is how you do it . ” I said , looking at the group of teens who had been watching . They didn’t say anything , just stared in awe at the two giants who were flat on the floor .

” That’s amazing . ” One of the boys muttered . I crouched down and took off the weights I had tied around my ankles . I heard a clap and turned to see my Aunt Angela walking over . Her long hair was in a high ponytail , and she was dressed in jeans and an oversized top .

” ” Once again , impressively done , Raven . ” She said , passing me a water bottle . ” Thanks . I think every one is getting too predictable . ” I said , standing up and taking it . ” Or you’re just incredible . You got an email from Elijah . ” She said quietly .

My heart skipped a beat , and my nerves began to brew in my stomach . ” Really ? ” ” Yes , he has officially asked for you to come home and take the position as Head Warrior . ” I almost screamed in excitement … but going home also meant facing both of them . Just like that , the happiness I felt vanished .

Aunt Angela frowned , she knew something happened that made me come here , but I never told her because she was close to Aunty Red and would have definitely spill the beans . I knew Liam had returned a few weeks ago . I hoped that he and Damon were ok because I hated that I was the reason behind their destroyed relationship . ” Raven ?

” I snapped out of my thoughts as the wind blew through my deep purple and blue ombre hair . ” Sorry I spaced out . ” I gave her a wry smile and turned to the kids . ” Lessons out for today ! ” ” Yes mam ! ”

They hurried off chattering amongst themselves , discussing the match or certain moves , and I smiled at the two men who were picking themselves up .

Both Aunty and I fell in step as we walked towards the packhouse . Despite being an outsider , I had been welcomed here with open arms . For the last three years , this had been my home . ” Are you going to ten your parents about the position ? ” ” No , I’ll tell them when I return if Uncle E I hasn’t already done that . ” I said , drinking the water .

Aunt Angela nodded , I knew her strained relationship with dad only got worse with each passing year .

They barely talked , and when they did , they clashed . In the beginning , Aunt and her mate , Cassandra , had moved to The Blood Moon pack , but when Cassandra’s mom became ill , they moved back to The Dark River Pack and decided to stay on .

I know Dad was the reason for that , but I never really asked what the final push had been , because I too had my secrets and I didn’t want anyone prying in my life either . ” You earned this Raven , I have watched you train endlessly , push yourself further and harder . If anyone does , you are the one who deserves this . I am proud of you . So , when you go back , I want you to keep your chin up and face them all .

” Our eyes met and I wondered how much she knew , or assumed , but I simply gave her a faint smile .

I will do exactly that , because I wasn’t weak . Two days later I had arrived home . Dressed in a pair of black jeans , a purple halter top , a leather jacket and boots , I stared up at the huge wall that surrounded the pack grounds . When did they build this ? I approached the gate , driving slowly , lowering my car window as the guard looked me over .

A small smile crossed his lips , and I gave him a bright one in return . ” Raven Jacobs ! ” ” The one and only . ” I said , flicking my hair dramatically . ” Damn girl ! I never knew you were coming ! We were only expecting the new Head Warrior … Holy shit , it’s you ? ” ” ” I guess so . ” ” I won’t keep you waiting then , the Alpha’s are waiting .

” Nice seeing you agam . ” I drove through , trying to keep a cap on m y emotions . I wasn’t ready for this . Goddess , I don’t think I’d ever been ready for this but I had to do it .

I parked up outside the packhouse and to my relief , it was only Uncle El and Aunty Red . ” Raven .

Welcome home . ” Aunty Red said coming over the moment I got out of the car and hugged me tightly , I hugged her back , inhaling her familiar comforting scent . ” Thanks , Aunty Red . ” I said , before Uncle El gave me a tight hug . I felt a wave of sadness wash over me .

He had lost the last of his closest friends two months ago and I knew it must be affecting him greatly . I looked up at him , my heart skipping a beat as I looked into those cerulean blue eyes , eyes that reminded me of Liam’s . ” I haven’t actually told the boys your back . ” Uncle El said , smirking . ” Think they’ll b e happy . ” ” I’m sure . ” I said faking a smile , very aware of Aunty Red watching me keenly .

But I think I’ll see them tomorrow ; I need t o go home first . ” ” Ah yes , I did tell Haru and Kimberly you were back . ” Aunty Red said . 11 ” Great . ” It was later that night , and I was back home .

I didn’t unpack because I wanted to ask Alpha El if I could allocate in the packhouse … and boy I think I was making the right decision to do so , the tension was suffocating . I stirred my food on the plate , not even wanting to eat the orgasm inducing dishes my mom had cooked with this tension . ” So Alpha Elijah told me you applied for the Head Warrior position ?

” Dad remarked , his jaw clenched , his sharp brown eyes looking at me calculatingly . ” Yeah , I did . ” I said blandly . ” You didn’t once consider to , I don’t know , ask my opinion ? ” ” Umm , why would I ? ” I raised my eyebrows .

Was he seriously going to still do this ? ” Raven , don’t speak to your dad like that . ” Mom said quietly .

I pursed my lips , taking a deep breath to calm myself down . ” Too much time spent around Angela , it was bound to happen . ” Dad added drinking some of his fresh orange juice . Oh for real ? ” Dad , how can you blame Aunty for this ? Like for real , she has nothing to do with m y decision !

” ” That attitude is a mirror of hers . ” Dad hissed . ” I’m not even arguing . ” I exclaimed trying to keep my voice calm . ” I’m just saying you can’t blame Aunty for my decision or anything . This is all me . ” ” ”

Well , it doesn’t really look good .

So , you chose a position where you are going to prance around amongst men , befitting ” ” That stung ” Dad … It’s training , I am not going to go put on a strip show for them , and even if I did want to become a stripper you really shouldn’t be putting me down like that .

” ” Wow , see that , Kim ? Your daughter wants to be a hooker or stripper or whatever . ” ” Dad ! I … ” I shook my head , I can’t believe he was so backwards … I stood up , placing my knife and fork down slowly , not wanting him to lash out at me for being loud .

” I worked my ass off to become something , to be accepted to such a position … Dad , it’s no small fete … Head Warrior means I am one of the strongest fighters of this pack . I worked day and night to prove that I’m good at something .

Aren’t you at least a little proud of me ? ” I asked , glancing at Mom only for her to look away . That hurt , even when my mates abandoned me , I wished that I at least had my mom’s arms to cry in , but I didn’t …… ” Proud ? What’s there to be proud of ? You’re just another Angela , another disappointment .

” He stood up , slamming his fork onto the table and stormed out of the room . ” Haru … ” Mom said , rushing from the room . I stared at the table , swallowing hard , A disappointment … A failure …

Unwanted ….. Useless … I took a deep breath , smiling faintly . It was ok , I was used to it all .