Chapter 3

My Mates RAVEN The following day , I went for a run before showering and getting ready in black flared pants , a black high – neck top , and applying my signature dramatic eyeliner with some mauve lipstick . Opening my window , I climbed out , not wanting another run – in with my parents .

Making my way to the packhouse with the memory drive of some training regime and ideas I had , I headed towards the Alpha’s office . I slowed down when a familiar scent hit my nose . Roasted walnuts and honey . A scent that enveloped my entire body and made every nerve stand on edge . Goddess , please don’t be around . With each step closer to the office my heart was fluttering with nerves .

The last memory I had of Liam tugged painfully at my chest , and it was pretty difficult to breathe .

Raising my hand , I knocked on the door lightly before I opened it and stepped inside , stopping dead in my tracks when my gaze fell on the man in the leather chair . His legs crossed at the ankles as they stretched out in front of him , his elbow resting on the armrest . He was flicking through a file , when his eyes snapped upwards , piercing into mine .

He was so much more handsome than I remembered him … He was dressed in a fitted black tee , that did nothing to hide his bulging arms . Goddess he was even bigger than before . A tattoo covered his upper left arm , peeking out from his sleeve .

His hair was styled in a quiff , with a short back and sides , and a scar went down his right eye . How did he get hurt ? But the thing that was most different about him was the coldness in those cerulean eyes . Gone was the warmth that one would have associated with Liam years ago . He cast one glance over me , sending another gutting stab of pain through me . Unwanted , but I didn’t care . I would live for me , mates or not . a When it was clear he wasn’t going to speak , I stepped up to the desk .

” I’m sorry , I thought Alpha El would be here , I have some training regimes I put together . ” I said as his eyes were back on his file . ” Why were you looking for him ? As your Alpha , shouldn’t you be running it past m e ? ” He asked coldly . My Alpha ? ” I … ” He cocked a brow , leaning back . ” Don’t tell me you took this position without even knowing who the Alpha is …. Nice .

” His sarcasm irked me , but I said nothing . No one had told me . Surely Kia and Aunt Angela knew .. ”

Sorry , I guess I’m a bit behind on the latest news . Congratulations on becoming Alpha , I will pray that you can be half the Alpha your dad was . ” I said , trying to hide the sarcasm in my voice , displaying a fake smile . His eyes flashed a deep magnetic blue , and I felt his anger rising .

You will remember who you’re talking to . He said icily . ” Besides , I don’t have time for some stupid training plans . Discuss them with the Beta . ” My heart skipped a beat at the resentment in his voice when he said ‘ Beta . ‘ ” Ok … Sorry for wasting your precious time , Alpha Liam .

” I didn’t care that my voice sounded bitter . I didn’t wait for a reply , turning and leaving the office before he could even reply , slamming the door shut behind me .

I stormed down the hall , feeling my irritation growing , great now I had to face Damon … Although he hadn’t been as bad as Liam , h e didn’t really make an effort with me either . On my birthday and on Christmas h e would send a message , and when I got injured pretty bad last year , he had sent a small message , but that was it … That night , not only had I lost my mates before I even got them , I lost two of my best friends . I wish I didn’t go to the ball , i f I didn’t nothing would have changed between us .

I was so lost in thought that I didn’t realise where I was going when the sound of a woman’s breathless giggle made me stop in my tracks . I looked ahead to see a gorgeous woman .

I vaguely recognised her . She was leaning against the wall , her hand on a man’s chest as he leaned over her slightly , speaking quietly . A man whose scent of spiced cinnamon and fresh rain hit me like a storm , and with it , the gutting feeling of pain twisted i n my stomach . His head snapped towards me , and I stared into the deep powdery blue eyes of Damon . He quickly moved away from the woman , and that stung .

Why would you d o that unless your intentions weren’t innocent ? ” Raven … I didn’t know you were back … ” H e said quietly , his voice sending a rush of tingles through me . ” Yeah , I came last night . I uh , Liam told m e to discuss the training regime with you . Umm , take a look at them when you have time and see what you think . ” I said , walking over to him , I held out the memory stick .

He looked down at me , and I saw the concern in his eyes . His heart was racing a little as he took it , I let go quickly , not wanting to touch him . Despite it all , I felt a sliver of guilt go through me for what happened two years ago . I looked away , giving the woman a small smile . She really was gorgeous ….. ” Hey . ” She said , ” Robyn . ” She said , holding her hand out . ” Raven . ” I took her hand , and she gave Damon a smile . ” Nice to meet you girl . ” ” You too .

” I turned and walked off , not wanting to spend another minute here . With each step I took , my smile faded away . Crap , I was meant to talk to Liam about the packhouse … I didn’t want to ask him again .

Maybe I’ll g o visit Azura and ask Aunty Red …. That sounded like a better plan !

I quickly left the packhouse , feeling a lot better as I hurried through the woods towards the house that stood a little away from the rest of the pack . A home where I spent most of my childhood memories .

An escape from the tension and gloom of m y own house . My heart skipped a beat as I looked around , remembering how I would sit with Klara under that tree near the river … remembering Liam smacking my ass and calling me bitesize … Damon’s smile when he got everyone some fresh donuts or something . Don’t think about them . The saddest thing was , with time , my wolf became disconnected from me too . I rang the doorbell , and I heard the sound of laughing . ” Mama ! Someone door ! ” I smiled , hearing Azura’s voice .

\Damn I shouldn’t have come empty – handed ! even got her a gift from up north Goddess my memory was ridiculous ! ” Raven , come on in ” Aunty Red said the moment she opened the door . ” Don’t mind if I do . ” I replied stepping inside and closing the door behind me . Azura ! ” H She moved away , looking at me wearily . ” I’m Raven .

” ” Waven ? ” She said . I smiled and nodded . ” Want me to give you a piggyback ride ? Or I can be a horsy ? ” ” Ooo piggyback ! ” I smiled , atta girl . I picked her up , spinning her around , making her giggle . She looked a lot like Indigo , and I wondered how Aunty Red coped with that . I kissed her forehead gently before I placed her down on the worktop . Aunty Red seemed to have been busy cooking . ” Did you end up seeing the boys ? ” She asked . My heart skipped a beat , and I swear she knew something .

” Yes , I did . ” I said smoothly . Pulling faces at Azura , who burst out laughing . ” That’s great . You’ll stay for lunch , I’m making Sheppard’s pie ? ” ” I don’t mind , ” I hadn’t eaten and I couldn’t cook … ”

Umm , I came because I wanted to ask for something .

” I said , perching on one of the bar stools . ” Sure , what is it ? ” ” I wanted to ask if I could put in a request for a room at the packhouse . ” I said , hiding the nervousness I felt inside . She frowned , looking at me concerned . ” Angela told me you would probably ask for that . Is everything ok ? ” ” Yeah , I just think I’m old enough to have my own place . ” I said , shrugging lightly .

” Sure , I’ll get someone to set up a room for you there . Liam stays there too , since he’s come back …

” She frowned , and I tried not to react to the mention of Liam . He’s changed a lot , hasn’t he ? ” ” ”

Yeah …. ” ” Surely there must be a reason behind that . ” Aunty Red said lightly , popping the tray into the oven before she turned to m e , her sharp eyes fixed on me . ” Would you have any idea what that reason might be ?