Page 48 of Knocked Up By My Fated Alpha
Slightly surprised, I turned to look at her.
“You’ve been here before?”
Officially, Raven and I were at the Silverstone Pack, one of the Shadow Thorn Pack allies, to attend the mating ceremony of its alpha heir, Kane Everfrost.
Unofficially, I was scouting other alphas in attendance, hoping to forge alliances that would prove vital for the increasingly probable war against the humans, with the serial killer’s whereabouts and identity still unknown.
“Small packs like the Ivory Moon Pack have allies too, you know?” Raven rolled her eyes, her tone light and teasing. “I used to visit all the time as a child.”
Raven and I had a ceasefire of sorts these past six weeks, where shewas yet to forgive me for cuffing her to my bed that first day, but reluctantly accepted my imposed break, taking the pack doctor’s recommendation on the necessity of a stable pack environment for a successful shifter second and third trimester as well as birth.
“Really?” Curiosity sparked within me at her words. Raven’s recollection of her childhood always seemed dark and bleak. I felt relieved that she also had some good memories. “You never mentioned it. Alpha Mark and Luna Christy must be so excited to have you over today.”
Raven stumbled, a shadow settling over her features.
“I wouldn’t be sure about that,” she said stiltedly. “The last time we spoke, I asked them for help with getting back home, and they refused to stand with me against my uncle unless I mated with their son, Kane, and handed my pack over to them.”
Raven’s airy tone sounded a touch forced as she laughed softly.
“Glad to see he finally got a bride, though.”
My wolf rose to the surface, outrage warring with a primal urge suddenly rising within me at the thought of Raven being manipulated into getting mated to someone else. She was mine. Who would dare try to take her from me?
“Damien?”
Raven’s voice was soft and uncertain, the feeling of her hand on mine a warm brand that bespelled me. I took a step towards her, my mind a dark haze as I backed her up against a column in the desolate hallway.
“Damien?”
Raven’s full red lips parted, confusion apparent in her darkening emerald green eyes, her pulse racing beneath the pads of my fingers as I stroked over her nape and the patch of skin that would bear my mark. Once I marked and claimed her as mine, no one would dare steal her from me.
I felt Raven shiver, her breath hitching as her gaze found mine, and when I inhaled, the intoxicating scent of her arousal hit me hard. A harsh breath left me. I reached for her.
“Alpha Damien?”
At the abrupt sound of Luna Christy’s voice, my mind steadied, clarity slowly trickling back into me. What on earth just happened? Did my wolf just try to mark Raven?
Chilled, I took a step back from her, my body trembling from the effort as I let go of her to face our hosts. Alpha Mark and Luna Christy were uncharacteristically stiff, wearing identically appalled expressions as their gazes settled on Raven behind me.
Distantly, I recalled Raven’s words that had set me off. Apart from their failed attempt to take over Raven’s inheritance through a betrothal, the Everfrosts seemed to be unaware of the change in Raven’s situation, including our new relationship.
Raven broke the silence first, a diplomatic mask I’d never seen before settling across her face.
“Alpha Mark, Luna Christy,” Raven smiled formally. “The place looks stunning. Congratulations on your son, Kane’s mating ceremony.”
“Alpha Damien,” Luna Christy’s voice trembled with uncertainty, her quizzical gaze still on Raven. “I wasn’t aware you were…associated with Raven.”
My wolf’s territoriality made a resurgence with a burning intensity.
“She is my fiancée,” My words came out as a low growl, a soft gasp escaping Raven as my arm slipped around her waist. “The mother of my heir.”
Alpha Mark and Luna Christy exchanged a nervous glance, paler than they had been mere seconds ago.
“We heard…we had no idea Raven was…”
Luna Christy stuttered before Alpha Mark placed his hand in hers, silencing her, and they both bowed deeply, reeking of fear and unable to meet our gaze.
“We apologise for the oversight, Alpha Damien, and offer our heartfelt congratulations on your union.”
