Chapter 12 TWELVE
Raven walked out of the packhouse and saw Carter’s pickup truck parked in front.
"Come on, man," Carter called, honking at him. Raven shook his head and got into the passenger seat.
"The usual?" As he closed the door, Raven posed the question. Carter nodded and grinned as he started the car. He drove into the forest and stopped by the large tree where the fireflies gathered. Carter parked the car and grabbed the beers. Raven got out and jumped into the truck's back. Carter did the same and handed him a beer. They sat quietly, watching the fireflies.
"Something bothering you?" Raven asked, drinking his beer straight from the bottle.
"Natasha’s coming home next year," Carter said, taking a drink.
"My cousin Natasha? I thought you were over her," Raven said. Natasha’s mother was Raven’s aunt, and Natasha was Carter’s ex-girlfriend. Natasha’s family was in the pack, but she chose to live in another country after things fell apart between her and Carter.
"I thought so too," Carter said with a laugh. "But damn, I miss her."
"Make up your mind, then," Raven said. "Woo her, but don’t hurt her again. She’s my family, Carter. I’ll disown you if you hurt her again."
"It wasn’t my intention, Rave; you know that. I thought it was the best decision for both of us," Carter said.
"Clearly, it wasn’t," Raven replied.
"I’m going to pursue her again," Carter said. "What about you? Does she know about our kind?" he added. Raven got another beer and opened it with his teeth.
"No," he replied, shaking his head and drinking the beer. "She doesn't know yet. I don't know how to tell her the truth," he added.
"I'm afraid that she'll hate me," Raven said.
"Are you in love with her?" Carter asked. Raven watched as the firefly landed on his hand and slowly blew it away.
"She's special," Raven replied. "I don't know if this is love, as it was my first time. You know me, I had flings, but they never compare to Brienne," he added.
"Brienne's going to be the Luna," Carter said and grinned.
"If she's going to accept me," Raven said. "Which I hope so," he added and heaved a sigh. Suddenly, there is some rustling on the bushes. Raven and Carter put their beers down and waited. They chuckled when a hare came out, but enemies lay in wait and jumped at the two.
"Fck!" Carter exclaimed as the rogue wolf tried to gnaw his face. Raven quickly transformed into his wolf and pushed the rogue wolf away from Carter, resulting in both of them rolling to the ground. Carter also transformed into his wolf and faced the approaching rogue.
Growls and snarls filled the forest as Raven and Carter engaged in a fierce battle against ten rogues who were attacking them. Raven howled and faced off against the biggest wolf among the rogues. They started circling each other; both had bloodied fur from fighting. Raven taunted the rogue wolf, and he was successful because the rogue attacked him. Raven slashed the rogue's face with his sharp nails, and the rogue wolf whimpered. Backup arrived, but the remaining rogues, including the one Raven was fighting, ran away, tails tucked in between their tails.
"Do not let them leave!" he ordered. His warriors followed and pursued the rogues. Panting, Carter sat on the ground, completely drenched in blood and sweat as he transformed back into his human form.
"Fcking rogues," Carter said, seeing the wounds he got from them. Raven transformed back and sat down next to Carter.
"These rogues are getting bolder and bolder," Raven said.
"We got attacked twice. It's unusual unless there's something they were interested in," Carter said, thinking.
"Alpha, we have caught the escaping rogues." Raven nodded as his warrior contacted him through the mind link.
"Very well. Send them to our prison cell; I will personally end them myself," he replied and turned his head towards Carter.
"Investigate it, Carter. Have the warriors gather tomorrow; I will have a brief meeting with them," Raven said.
"Alright, let's get to the hospital first," he added. Raven nodded his head and went inside the car.
Morning arrived, and Brienne woke up feeling a little bit nauseous. Regardless, she still got ready for her day, preparing for the work ahead. She still couldn't get used to her new space, but it's manageable. At least she wouldn't have to deal with her sisters anymore for their blatant hostility towards her.
Brienne went out of her unit and saw the man they noticed yesterday. The man bowed his head, which confused Brienne, but she reciprocated by walking as quickly as she could. She went out of the building and heaved a sigh of relief.
When she arrived at the office, the department was filled with murmurs and whispers, all of which were directed at her. She unconsciously bit her bottom lips and went to Janice's table.
"What's happening?" Brienne asked.
"Follow me outside," Janice whispered and stood up. She went out, and Brienne put her bag on the table before following her.
"What is it?" she immediately asked, seeing nobody around but the two of them. "Why are they looking at me? Is there anything on my face?" Brienne added.
"It's not about that, Bree," Janice said. "Someone found out about you going out with Raven," she whispered. Brienne felt her heart skip a beat.
"What?" Brienne asked. "How?" she added.
"Well, someone saw you eating with Raven, and they immediately concluded that you were together, plus the stunt he pulled on the first day he came here," Janice responded. Brienne slowly hit her head in disbelief. She was careless.
"What are they saying about me?" she asked.
"That you hooked up with an investor and slept with him to keep your job and to land a higher position in this company," Janice said.
"That's absurd! I'm not like that; you know that. Nice," she said. Janice tapped her shoulder gently.
"I know you, Bree, and I have shut down those rumors, threatening them that I will report it to HR," she said. "But you know, I can't stop them from gossiping about you and Raven. What is his plan?" she added.
"I haven't told you this, but I'm giving him a chance," Brienne said. "We're getting to know each other," she added. Janice squealed and hugged Brienne.
"I'm happy for you, Bree," she whispered.
"Thank you, Nice. He's really kind and patient with me," she whispered.
"I'm really happy, Bree. Maybe Raven is the man for you," she said. Brienne hoped too and hugged her friend. She still couldn't tell Janice about her pregnancy, and she was still finding the right time to confess to her. For now, she has to deal with the rumors first.