Page 37 of Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven
He shrugs. “Just doing my duty as your best friend.”
“I thought I was your best friend?” Nyko scoffs.
“Hardly.” The sarcasm that’s painted on Dec’s face evaporates as he looks over my shoulder.
“Who is it?” I ask, already knowing the answer by the shift in the air.
I could feel them the second they walked in.
“Malikiah and Kingston.” He pauses. “And your mother.”
My fist clench into tight balls as I survey the room. There’s a handful of people in here that I know are shifters. From the pack. Maybe a vampire or two. We blend easily. We’ve learned to co-exist among the human world. It’s natural for us to be hyper aware. Which is why when Raven glides to the dance floor to get a few close up pictures of the dancers and her scent reaches the guests, heads turn towards me. The ones who can smell my scent on her. I had multiple reasons to get Raven in that elevator.The first one was pure need. The second, I wanted to make a statement when she walked back into this room. For those that could sense it, they knew right then she wasmine.And the last, what better way to snuff out the ones who are here for a different purpose than scholarships. Several heads turn in my direction, and I grin. Callum, Nyko, and Dec join in, knowing not only did I just do something absolutely reckless, but I simultaneously hit the gold mine.
A simmering rage is idling just below the surface of my skin as I watch Malikiah greet Elias like old pals. Both disgust me, and If I had any solid proof they were behind the missing people and tragic accidents in this town I would have their heads. Sensing my agitation, Nyko nods his head in the direction of the balcony.
“Fresh air,” he offers.
Taking his advice I step away, giving him a look that tells him to watch Raven. She’s till behind her camera, doing her thing, while ever so often throwing glances my way.
The subtle dip of his chin tells me that he understands, and my chest lightens a fraction.
Walking out onto the balcony, I stand off to the side in a darkened corner. With my elbows resting on the railing, I feel a presence join me from my left.
“Son.”
I flinch. She lost the right to call me that years ago. “Malikiah will kill you if he catches you.”
She knows the consequences of defying the alpha.
Her small frame is still the same. The same golden hair in a bun at the nape of her neck. “This is important.”
I let out a light scoff. “There’s nothing left to say, Angeline.”
When I push away from the railing, her words stop me. “Raven.”
I freeze.
“That’s a pretty name.”
I whirl around, my teeth bared. “You don’t speak her name.”
She doesn’t shy away from my anger. She has the audacity to look awestruck.
“I wasn’t sure it would happen.” She shakes her head. “She’s your mate.”
“But you tried to make sure that would never happen, right?”
Her eyes soften and she reaches for me but I step away. “I don’t have a lot of time, Sullivan.”
I look into the eyes that should hold love and can’t believe this woman raised me. That she was the one who betrayed me.
“I came to warn you. “
My hackles rise.
“I don’t have time to tell the long story, but you need to get her out of here,” she whispers.
“Why?” I question.
