Page 6 of Knocked Up By My Fated Alpha
Chapter Three
Raven
I left the room before the stranger woke up.
You won’t leave…stay…choose me…
My body ached in places I didn’t know I could ache. And as I washed his scent off me in the room I hadn’t gotten to use the night before, dark sensual memories threatened to obliterate me. They were memories I could have sworn didn’t belong to me if it weren’t for the marks I wore on my skin that he’d left on me, on my thighs, my hips, my sides, and my sore, aching nipples.
I could still hear his voice, rich, luscious, and downright decadent in my ears.
Mine… you’re all mine…
I shivered at the recollection. There was no way I’d begged and pleaded for him to touch me, and that I’d cried and sobbed in ecstasy. There was no way I had fallen apart in the arms of a complete stranger and felt more treasured than I’d felt in years. No.
There was only one reasonable explanation for my unhinged actions. I must have been drugged at the bonfire. Perhaps by Ivy or even Elias, hoping to hit before discarding me at our mating ceremony today.
Anger and a sense of loss and emptiness railed within me. Whatever had been the cause of my intoxication, it didn’t change the fact that last night happened.
I’d always wanted my first time to be with someone special—someone that mattered. I’d always wanted it to be memorable. And in a way, it had been. I wasn’t sure I could ever forget it, even if I tried. I definitely couldn’t forget him, even if he was just a stranger whose name I didn’t even know.
As if prompted by my thoughts, an image of those golden hazel eyes, his ink-black hair spilling across his forehead and down his cheekbones, and those sinful lips popped into my head. I sucked in a breath.
Carefully tucking away all distracting thoughts of the night before, I pulled on my semi-dry, freshly laundered clothes. There was no time for reminiscing. I was already late for my mating ceremony.
The uncontrollable rage I’d felt at Elias’s and Ivy’s actions the night before had cooled to a deadly determination. I might have already lost my shares in Ivory Enterprise, but no matter what it took, I would keep my position as alpha heir, the last legacy my parents had left me.
Murmursand whispers surged to life as I walked into the ancestral site where my mating ceremony was to take place. It was a picturesque outdoor area overlooking a sprawling valley that had been artfully decorated with stunning arrangements of hydrangeas and carnations. Heartwood seats occupied by pack members lined either side of the aisle, my anxious groom waiting at the altar.
Once Elias caught sight of me, he quickly crossed the distance to me, his hair slightly messy as though he’d been running his fingers through it.
“What the fuck are you wearing and where the hell were you?” Elias seethed, his usually stunning face twisted into an ugly expression.
Then just as quickly, Elias caught himself. His expression smoothed out, his gaze and voice softening with concern. “You were late for theceremony. We couldn’t find you in your room or anywhere at all. I got worried.”
“Worried that your perfect plan would fall apart?” I quipped, watching for his reaction.
Something flickered in the depths of Elias’s gaze, but his look of confusion remained.
“What are you talking ab—”
“Elias, Raven,” Ivy interrupted, sashaying towards us, her red hair pulled back into an intricate updo, her dress an exquisite forest green that was a perfect replica of the mating ceremony dress that I should have been wearing.
Her smile was sharp and unfriendly. “Surely whatever disagreement both of you have can wait until after the ceremony. The entire pack is waiting.” Rather, she was the one waiting. Waiting to humiliate me and steal my position as alpha heir.
My nails dug into the soft of my palm, and I took one step toward Ivy, only to pause at the sudden hush that fell over the clearing as Elder Dawson, my uncle, and regent of the Ivory Moon Pack, walked in, his mate at his side and the rest of the council trailing after him.
Only Elias and I remained fully upright. The other members of the pack bowed to Elder Dawson. My uncle was not an alpha wolf, but one wouldn’t know that from his sturdy build and the terrifying aura he wore like a cloak.
Elder Dawson’s gaze met mine, a quiet look of censure in his eyes. “You will explain why you kept the entire pack waiting,” he demanded, only for Aunt Tiffany to intercede.
“Don’t be too hard on Raven. New brides are usually anxious.” Aunt Tiffany placed her hand over Elder Dawson’s before shooting me a soft understanding glance.
Elder Dawsonand Aunt Tiffany might not have been the most affectionate adoptive parents while raising me after my parents’ passing, but I could tell that they cared. Elder Dawson caved with a reluctant nod.
“Fine. Let’s begin the ceremony—”
I turned to face Elias, the words that would end our engagement falling easily from my lips.
