Chapter 143 Dangerous plans

Chapter 143 Dangerous plans
Chapter 143

DARIUS

I stared at Ravenna in silence, trying to understand what she was really asking. She wanted me to give her permission to attend the moon ceremony? My mind raced through all the reasons why that was a terrible idea.

I would love to have her there. Of course I would. But I could not risk my father seeing her. Could not risk what Richard might do if he found her at such a sacred event.

"Humans are not always allowed anywhere near the ritual area," I started carefully. "It would be safer for you if you stayed back at your room."

Raven's expression shifted. Her jaw tightened. "You just do not want me there."

"It is not like that—"

"Then what is it like?"

I leaned forward, trying to make her understand. "The moon is going to be in full control of our mindset. Of our wolves. During that time, we become different beings entirely. Any human seen around that area is vulnerable. You could get seriously hurt."

She did not look convinced. Her eyes were cold, guarded. Like she was building walls between us again.

I reached out and grabbed her hands before I could stop myself. "I do not want anything to happen to you. That is why I will not invite you to something that dangerous. Do you understand?"

Raven pulled her hands away sharply. "Stop pretending you care about me. For all I know, you still hate me. You still want me out of this academy."

Her words hit me like a physical blow. I felt something tear inside my chest. She still thought that way about me. After everything and all my attempts to show her how I truly felt.

She still saw me as ruthless, wicked, an absolute asshole and jerk. The pain of that realization made it hard to breathe for a moment.

"Before we start working on the assignment," I managed to say, "I have something for you."

Raven narrowed her gaze at me suspiciously. "What?"

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small wrapped package.

"What is that?" she asked.

"Open it and find out."

She took the package hesitantly and unwrapped it slowly. Her eyes widened when she saw what was inside. It was a chocolate bar. Her favorite kind.

"You went through the trouble of getting this for me?" Her voice was softer now. Surprised even .

I smiled. "You are worth the stress."

A blush crept up her cheeks. I watched it spread across her face with satisfaction. But she tried to hide it by frowning up at me.

She opened the chocolate and broke off a small piece. Then she held it up to my mouth. "Open up."

I blinked. "Why?"

"I do not trust you to mean well. You need to taste it first to prove it is not poisoned or something."

A wide grin spread across my face. I took her hand gently and put the chocolate in my mouth. Then, whilst maintaining eye contact, I licked the chocolate residue off her finger.

Raven yanked her hand away forcefully and glared at me. "What is wrong with you?"

I winked at her. "You should smear some chocolate on your lips. Then I could taste it properly."

She flipped me the middle finger angrily.

I chuckled. "You look super cute when you are blushing like that."

"I am not blushing!"

"You absolutely are."

"Stop being an egotistical jerk."

"I am just telling the truth," I replied, my voice dropping lower. "You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. And you look very pretty when your cheeks go red like that."

Raven paused. She just stared at me for a long moment, like she was trying to figure out if I was serious. I held her gaze, letting her see that I meant every word.

She cleared her throat and looked away. "We should work on the assignment."

"Yes," I agreed. "We should."

But my mind was completely distracted.

Every time Raven spoke or suggested an idea, my eyes went straight to her lips. Those red lips that I desperately wanted to kiss.

Every time she moved her hand to write something down, I found myself staring at the way her body shifted.

Atlas surged forward in my mind, practically purring with contentment.

“Finally, you are at peace with her instead of fighting like a madman.”

"Shut up," I muttered internally.

“You know I am right. This is how it should always be.”

Raven snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Stop eye-fucking me and pay attention to the assignment."

The words came out before I could stop them. "If you think my eyes are intense, you should see what the rest of me could do."

Raven's mouth dropped open. Her eyes went wide.

Then she smiled before pointing firmly at the ceiling. "Leave. Now."

I smirked and leaned in close to whisper in her ear. "If you cannot handle my flirty words, how are you going to handle me?"

Her eyes widened even more.

I pulled back, laughing at her reaction.

"Dorian!" Raven called out sharply. "Take your friend and leave. Right now."

Dorian looked up from where he was working with Samantha. "What did Darius do?"

"Nothing," I replied, still laughing. "Absolutely nothing."

But Raven was pointing insistently at the ceiling, her face completely red now.

"I think we should go," Dorian stood up, grinning. "Before Raven actually shoots us."

We climbed back up through the ceiling the same way we had come in. I could hear Raven and Samantha talking below as we sealed the opening.

Back in our room, Dorian turned to me with a knowing smile. "I noticed you and Raven actually talked this time."

"Yeah."

"Are you happy?"

I stayed silent for a moment, really thinking about the question.

Was I happy?

No. Not completely. I would not be truly happy until Ravenna was mine. Officially. Without any doubts or walls between us. But this was progress. Real progress.

"Thank you for the idea about the gift," I told Dorian. "It worked."

"I told you it would." Dorian sat down on his bed. "You should keep giving her things she likes. Small gestures that show you are paying attention."

"I will need your help with that. I do not always know what she likes."

"I will ask Samantha," Dorian promised. "She will tell me everything Raven loves."

"Thank you. Seriously. I appreciate your help with all of this."

"That is what best friends are for."

A knock sounded on our door. I frowned and went to open it.

Marcus stood in the hallway. My father's beta. He never came to the academy unless something was very wrong.

Surprise flooded through me. "Marcus? What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you," Marcus's voice was serious. Urgent. "May I come in?"

"Of course." I stepped aside to let him enter.

Marcus walked in and nodded at Dorian in greeting before settling into the chair at my desk.

I sat on my bed facing him. "I know this must be really important for you to come all the way to the academy instead of just calling me."

"It is," Marcus confirmed. "But I was not sure you would take me seriously over the phone. This needed to be done in person. Plus, your father is keeping this information secret. He does not know I am here."

I exchanged a quick glance with Dorian. "Go on."

Marcus took a deep breath. "Gamma patrols from the pack noticed unusual footprints at our borders about a week ago. After careful investigation, they found nothing definitive and labelled them as animal tracks."

"But you do not think they were animal tracks," I guessed.

"No. Then a few days ago, our pack spies reported hearing about gatherings of rogues in the surrounding territories. Which means there could be a rogue attack coming soon."

My blood went cold. "What did my father say about this?"

"He dismissed it," Marcus replied, frustration clear in his voice. "Richard said the rogues would not be stupid enough to attack whilst there is already a war going on between two major packs. He thinks they will wait for one pack to destroy the other, then deal with the winner later."

"That actually makes sense strategically," Dorian pointed out.

"It does," Marcus agreed. "But your mother was skeptical. She told us to investigate properly anyway."

I felt a surge of gratitude towards my mother. At least someone in my family was taking potential threats seriously.

"What did you find?" I asked.

"Last night, my men reported scenting rogues around the academy grounds."

I shot to my feet. "What? Here? At the academy?"

"Yes. I have not informed your father yet. I wanted to tell you first."

My mind raced. "The first rogue attack on the academy was months ago. It was completely dealt with. But I always found it strange that the attacks just suddenly stopped. I never understood why they started in the first place."

"Neither did we," Marcus admitted. "That is what worries me. There was no clear motive. No demands. They just attacked and then disappeared."

"And now they are back."

"Maybe. This is just based on scent so far. I am going to do a proper investigation. But I wanted to warn you first." Marcus stood up. "Be careful about moving around at night. Avoid closed corridors when you are alone. Stay vigilant."

"We are on lockdown anyway," I replied. "But I will be extra careful. Thank you for telling me."

Marcus moved towards the door but paused with his hand on the handle. He turned back to face me.

"There is one more thing I need to tell you,” His voice was even more serious now. "I did not want to mention this, but you need to know."

"What is it?"

"There is a high probability that humans will be invited to this year's moon ceremony."

I stared at him in shock. "What? That has never happened before. Why would my father allow that?"

"I do not know what your father is planning," Marcus replied quietly. "But I believe it is dangerous. And I believe it is centered around a specific human."

My stomach dropped as he mentioned the word I dread. "Ravenna."