Page 4 of Raven Blackwood
“So,” I said, trying to lighten the mood, “is this what you imagined when you signed up for the Mating Project? A rundown farm and a stubborn ranch girl?”
He smiled a slow, lopsided grin that made my stomach flutter. “Honestly? It is what I expected. Things are not that much different here than where I was stationed in Gretchen, Montana. But I wouldn’t complain anyway. I came here for you, my genetic mate.”
“You get straight to the point,” I teased, feeling a warmth rise to my cheeks.
He chuckled, the sound rumbling and rich. “I am happy to be here, and I’m going to help you. I’ve faced worse odds than this,Hannah. And I’ve never backed down from a challenge.”
“Good,” I said, meeting his gaze. “Because if you’re sticking around, you’ll have your work cut out for you.”
“Of course, I’m sticking around. You are my genetic mate, my only chance for love and a family. Isn’t that why you submitted your DNA to the project?”
“Yes,” I admitted, a ripple of desire shimmering through me at the thought of making a family with this gorgeous cyborg.
We stopped at the edge of the property, overlooking the rolling hills and distant tree line. The sun was starting to dip toward the horizon, casting a warm, golden light over the land.
“It’s beautiful here,” Raven said, his voice quieter now.
“It is,” I agreed, my chest tightening as I looked out at the place I’d fought so hard to keep. “But it’s not just the land. It’s my home. My family. And I’ll do whatever it takes to protect it.”
He turned to me, his expression serious. “You won’t have to do it alone anymore, Hannah. I promise.”
Something about the way he said it made me believe we could do it despite the odds stacked against us.
For the first time in months, I felt a flickering of hope.
Chapter Three
Raven
I walked the land with Hannah and watched her face as she talked animatedly about her family's heritage on this ranch. Although it consisted of over two thousand acres, they currently used less than one hundred acres. Most of that was used to support pasture and feed for their small cattle herd, chickens, and themselves.
She clearly loved this land and wanted to continue her life here. I savored every moment in her presence, observing every nuance of her mannerisms and speech patterns.
Hannah seemed a little unnerved and shy in my presence, but I hadn’t missed the appreciation in her eyes as she looked me over. I wished her situation were less volatile so I could concentrate on putting her at ease and getting to know her. I was fully aware that finding my genetic mate and developing our relationship was a life-changing event.
Add that to harassment from thugs, a missing brother, and his heavily pregnant wife; I needn’t wonder if she was a little shaken byit. My innate protective instinct urged me to fix it for her so we could concentrate on building our life together. I intended to do precisely that.
After our tour, I walked back to where I’d left the sky cycle, still hidden behind the stand of conifers. As I approached, the sleek black machine came to life with a soft hum, recognizing my presence. The cycle wasn’t just transportation; it was a significant advantage. In a world as unpredictable as this, having the ability to cover miles in moments or evade pursuit was invaluable.
After a quick scan of the area to ensure no one had tampered with it, I hopped on and guided the cycle back to the farm. The hover engines barely made a sound, and I kept the altitude low, skimming just above the ground to avoid drawing attention.
Once I reached the barn, I powered it down and concealed it inside under a tarp that blended well with the dusty surroundings. Stealth had always been my advantage, and I wasn’t about to lose it by leaving my ride in plain sight.
I disengaged the nanite armor, letting it retract and dissolve back into its storage node embedded in my chest. The cool mountain air felt good against my skin as I changed into somethingless intimidating—a pair of khaki green pants and a black tee that clung to me like a second skin. Functional, comfortable, and neutral—just the way I liked it.
As I approached the farmhouse, the smell of something hearty and home-cooked wafted out to greet me. I wasn’t hungry until that moment, but my highly efficient, enhanced metabolism allowed me to go without food for long periods. The delicious aroma coming from the house put me in the mood for a meal.
Hannah met me at the door, her gaze dropping briefly to my chest before flicking away. “Dinner’s ready,” she said, her tone casual, but I caught the faint edge of nervousness. “We’ve got stew if you’re hungry.”
“The smell of it is making me hungry,” I replied with a slight grin, stepping inside. The warmth of the house was a stark contrast to the evening chill outside, and the sight of the small table set for three gave the place an air of hominess I’d only seen in my virtual life before my awakening.
Grace was already seated, her round belly brushing against the table’s edge. She gave me a welcoming smile as Hannah set a pot of steaming stew in the center. “Sit,” Grace said. “You’ve earned it after what you did today.”
I took the empty chair, glancing at the twowomen as they filled their bowls. It wasn’t lost on me how thin they both were and how carefully they divided the food.
“So, what’s the story about your brother?” I asked, cutting through the silence as I spooned a mouthful of stew.
Grace’s expression darkened, her hand instinctively moving to her belly. “Zach’s been gone for over a month now,” she said softly. “He had a run-in with Mayor Jenkins about two weeks before that. Zach called him out in public for taking more than his share of our grain stores. Next thing we knew, Zach left to take a delivery to town and never came back.”
