Chapter Three
Rayven’s POV,
Boy did I ever.
Almost six o’clock that evening I came barreling down the driveway to the house I shared with my parents. Glancing at the watch on my wrist I muttered underneath my breath at the realization of the time. Oh man, I was so late. I was supposed to return to the house no later than four–thirty this afternoon, to give me plenty enough time to get ready for tonight. My mother had even made a point of reminding me of the plans when I
headed out the door.
Of course, things hadn’t happened that way. Layla had a whole adventure mapped out for us today and wasn’t one to be denied what she wanted. Though I had tried on several different accounts, not wanting to gain the anger of my parents. Anytime the mention of leaving came up into the conversaton she’d immediately distracted my attention. Yammering on whatever was on her mind and in time I completely forgot what we’d talked about. At least until I happened to notice the time ago and the mother waiting anxiously for me at home.
I burst through the door.
“Rayven Stanhope Carlisle!,” my mother’s voice scolded me before I even saw her, less than pleased with her daughter this evening. Mom came to stand in the middle of the living room, arms crossed and tapping a foot impatiently. “You are in so much trouble little girl. Just because today is your
sixteenth it doesn’t mean you can be so disobedient.”
“I’m sorry mama,” I rushed to defend my case against her, even though nothing I said would deter her anger. “I told Layla several times I needed to
leave, but the stubborn woman refused to listen to me.”
Though it looked as if Mom wanted to say more about my late arrival to the house, she clamped her lips shut. Slowly bobbing her head as she listened to what I had to say to her, she took a deep breath. “Go get dressed. And please don’t take too long, we’re gonna be late already.”
Silently thanking my mother for her understanding of the night’s events I turned and raced up the stairs. In my bedroom I tossed down the bags I’d come home carrying, from the shopping excursion with Layla. She’d elected to spend most of the day shopping at the mall in an effort to find the perfect outfit for tonight. Even though I already had a dress for the party she hadn’t listened, wanting everything to be perfect.
Stripping out of the clothes I’d worn today and kicking my heels off to the side, I raced into the bathroom. Hopping into the shower I didn’t even give the water time to warm up as I stepped beneath it. In such a rush to get ready, I failed to notice the lack of chill seeping in, despite the water being freezing. Less than fifteen minutes later I was walking back out into my bedroom, draped in one of the Egyptian cotton towels.
Reaching for one of the bags I’d placed down on the floor it was taken to my bed and contents were dumped out. A smile lifted up the corners of my mouth as I spied the dress among the pile of items. When Layla saw the garment hanging up in the window she’d known it’d be perfect for the evening. Of course, I had fought against it. Not only was it way too expensive for me to afford, but wasn’t something I’d ever wear. She hadn’t listened. In the end Layla used the credit card Alpha Kadden had given her, claiming it was a birthday present when I protested. Yeah, she’d gotten
me a lot of those.
Shaking my thoughts when I heard the movement from downstairs, a constant reminder of the time constraints. Flying into action I speedily dressed into the outfit Layla had purchased for the evening. Getting a good look at her reflection in the mirror she had to admit she was right, it was absolutely perfect.
Nearly an hour later all the residents of Shadow Creek were gathered around the ballroom in Alpha Kadden’s home. The pack members come together for the evening in the celebration of the sixteenth of one of their own. Rayven Carlisle. Though most of them had spent the majority of their lives distanced from her, none of them dared miss the event. Rayven was the daughter of the Beta, the only child the couple had been honored by the goddess. No one dared to insult the girl or her parents by failing to be in attendance at the birthday party. Nor would Alpha Kadden allow it.
Silence immediately descended upon the group when the servants opened the doors, signifying a new arrival. As all of them turned heads bowed ever so slowly at the couple that sat inside, Betas of Shadow Creek. It was a sign of respect. Beta Alex had done so much for their people since his rise to power, having kept them safe by sheer force and brutality. It was an honor to call him family. Only when the couple stepped to the side of the room, all were allowed to bear witness to the one in their presence.
None could dispel their shock as they were given their first glance at the one in their presence tonight. Though she wasn’t as tall as the other younglings at the party, it didn’t seem to matter in that dress. Tonight she was wearing a gown of glowing red sequins that shimmered beneath the light, fitting her body like a glove. Strange platinum hair haloed around her in waves that almost wanted to curl, which was a contrast to her bright eyes. While she wasn’t the most beautiful girl in the crowd, she was most definitely dazzling to look at.
“Rayven!,” several gasped.
“See? I told you,” Layla loudly proclaimed as she rushed forward, grabbing an arm she made a point of spinning me around. “You’re a freaking fox.”
I blushed at the compliments she’d heaped on me, having never been comfortable with platitudes. Maybe because they were so rare, save for her. I combed my hair out of my face. “Thank you, Lay. Not that I believe it’ll change anything, but it means the world to me.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“My mate,” I choked out.
An arm wrapped around my shoulders conspiratorially, guiding me further into the ballroom. Layla lowered her voice. “Don’t worry Lovey. Your mate, if he’s here tonight, will be insane to reject you. You are worth knowing.”
“I don’t think he’ll think so, I told her. Despite my best intentions, I found my gaze wavering off to the sidelines, where a cluster of girls could be found Unsurprisingly Larken stood among the masses of giggling girls, Lapping up the attention of the female occupants.
Setting
14.39
Chapter Three
Layla gagged as if she was going to be sick as she too noticed the direction my gaze had gone tonight. Then steered us away. “Listen to me Ray, I know he’s my brother and all, but pray the goddess isn’t so cruel. My brother isn’t the type of mate you need, he’s young, dumb and full of himself. You need someone who will appreciate how special you are.”
“Like who?” I challenged her.
“Gamma Thom,” she giggled.
My eyes widened to the size of saucers at the suggestion she’d made to me, unable to believe she said that. Thorn Blakely was the third in charge of our pack, but he also happened to be the most fearsome. Older than us in his thirties I think he stood an impressive size, entire body outlined in muscles. He was nearly as large and intimidating as Alpha Kadden.
“He’s my father’s age.” I protested.
“But oh so handsome,” she gushed. I wasn’t surprised by the thoughts Layla had where the man was concerned, as I’d known about her secret crush. When she was sixteen my friend had hoped Thorn turned out to be her mate, but was proven wrong. As it turned out Thorn had known the pleasure of a mate once, though briefly in his youth. I wondered if the woman had died somehow, but none of the adults were willing to spill the beans. Whatever the case she wasn’t around. It didn’t keep Layla from hoping one day he’d suddenly notice her and be willing to take a chance.
He never did.
“Why don’t you tell him?” I asked.
Layla dragged her gaze away from the man she’d been ogling at that moment, a sad smile stretched her lips. “Daddy will never hear of it. My parents are determined that I will find my mate, something about it’ll hurt my wolf to reject the bond. Either way, he’s one of my dad’s best friends.”
“I know the feeling,” I mumbled, stubbornly refusing to glance in the direction of the one man I might have considered. It was too embarrassing for anyone to know the truth of my feelings, most especially when it came to Layla.
Later that evening I was standing near the table loaded down with presents, accepting the well wishes of my guests. Despite being aware most of them didn’t want to be there, I stubbornly kept the smile on my face. I’d never do anything to embarrass my family in front of our people, let alone when it came to Alpha Kadden and Luna Sara–Beth. The Alpha couple had done so much for me, it was them who’d arranged my birthday tonight.
“Rayven!” a woman spoke.
A genuine smile surfaced to my face when I saw the woman that approached me, the one who’d occupied my time. Luna Sara–Beth was a classical beauty time could never hide, with her auburn curls and caramel skin. Was it any wonder Layla was so beautiful? She took after her mother.
Electing not to stand on pretenses when it came to them I eagerly hugged the woman as she approached me. Sara–Beth Black was the best Luna our people could’ve ever had, so warm and kind–hearted, never a mean word. It was astonishing how she’d ever managed to marry the sour–faced, menacing Alpha Kadden. They were polar opposites. Like I always said, you can never guess who’d be your mate until the time came.
Of course, as I’d learned that wasn’t the case with them. As it turned out Alpha Kadden wasn’t her true fated mate, simply the one she’d chosen to be with. The couple were one of the few who’d chosen to be mates, rather than bound by a bond handed to them by the goddess. I’d never understood it. Whatever the case neither felt compelled to wait for their own mates, deciding to chose one and seemed to be happy. Their happiness was magnified tenfold when Sara–Beth gave birth to the twins, a testament to their commitment.
“Luna Sarah–Beth,” I greeted her.
“Stop that Luna crap,” Sara–Beth chided the child, as she’d been doing since the girl was thirteen years old. It never set well with her she’d felt the need to be so formal with her, when they were like family.
Then came his turn. Alpha Kadden. Staring up at the enormous giant that’d come before me, I tried to hide my observation from him. Despite his dark expression and cold demeanor, he was undoubtedly the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen. With a hulking body massive in its build, the tattoos only seemed to accentuate the beauty of him. And his eyes, the most piercing blue I’d ever seen, dragged me to him like a bee to honey.
Never giving myself the chance to wonder about my behaviors, I launched myself into his arms. Melting into the embrace of the man I hugged him for all I was worth, expressing things I couldn’t say. After a moment of hesitation, those strong arms of his wrapped around me, pressing against me ever so slightly. His voice was a husky whisper. “Happy Birthday, Ven.”
I backed away. “Thank you, Alpha Kadden.” Although leaving those arms was the last thing I wanted to do, neither did I want to cause a spectacle. It definitely wouldn’t look good if the Beta’s daughter was seen hugging the Alpha, my best friend’s daddy.
He extended out a box. “I wanted to give you this.”
“Thank you,” I repeated.
Feeling a little lightheaded by that hug I again thanked them for their kindness and stepped outside. Allowing the cool winter breeze to clear my head I walked across the yard, but it did little to ease the discomfort. My head grew light–headed and foggy, my body was enflamed in a way I’d never experienced before. Gripping onto a tree as I reached the edge of the woods, I used it as support as I felt sure I’d collapse.
Whoa! What was going on?
Finally losing the little strength my body was capable of I collapsed to my knees, leaves cushioning the fall. My nails dug into the bark of the tree, trying to center myself, trying to clear my clouded mind. It was then I caught his scent.
Setting
