Chapter 193 Walking into the lions den

Chapter 193 Walking into the lions den
Chapter 193

RAVENNA

I swallowed hard, my hands still trembling from the adrenaline. "I'm sorry. I didn't know it was you. I thought it was someone else."

Darius stepped back further, his eyes searching my face like he was looking at a stranger. "You didn't scent me? You didn't even feel the bond when I got near you?"

Fuck.

I had been so deep in thought about the vision that I hadn't noticed anything. Not his scent. Not the pull of the mate bond. Nothing.

"I'm sorry," I repeated, my voice breaking slightly. "I wouldn't kill you. I would never—"

"You're behaving strange," he interrupted, his voice tight with frustration and fear. "And I'm getting really sick and scared of it. It's as if you changed after you got your wolf. I don't know what Torren is doing to you, but I'm going to report this to your father."

My chest tightened. "My father won't believe you."

"He will," Darius replied firmly. "Because I've been talking to him and he’s been complaining about your strange behavior."

I flinched.

That was true. I had been behaving strangely toward my father too. Avoiding him, keeping secrets and worse, pushing everyone away.

I swallowed and looked away, my eyes drifting upward.

The moon was full tonight. It’s bright, beautiful and pulling at something deep inside me. Today was supposed to be the day I either shifted successfully or died.

But the moonlight felt like a cool presence washing over me, calming me, soothing the panic clawing at my chest.

I thought everything would be fine.

"Are you coming?" Darius's voice cut through my thoughts. "Or are you going to stand there staring at the moon like it's the first time you've seen it?"

I turned to see he had walked a few steps forward, his expression unreadable.

I hurried to catch up. "What are you doing back here at the academy anyway?"

"I came to pick you up," he replied simply.

I frowned. "I was going to follow Dorian and Sam."

He nodded but didn't say anything.

He led me to another car—not his bike this time—and opened the door for me before walking around to the driver's side.

We drove out of the academy in silence, another car following behind us.

After a few minutes, Darius spoke quietly. "Are you going to tell me what's wrong?"

I looked at him, then looked away.

He let out a bitter laugh. "Right. Still not going to talk to me."

I turned and touched his thigh gently, my fingers trembling. "If you ever find me missing at the festival, come look for me. Please."

He glanced at me sharply, confusion flickering across his face. "What?"

"Just listen to me," I pleaded. "Promise me you'll come look for me."

He frowned, his jaw tightening, but after a long moment, he nodded. "I promise."

We arrived at his pack.

From afar, I could already hear the noise—laughter, music, voices blending together in a chaotic symphony. The lights decorating the house were bright and colorful, making the entire place glow.

Darius drove into the compound and parked. I got out slowly, my stomach twisting into knots.

This felt like walking into a den full of lions that didn't want me there.

Darius took my hand gently, his grip warm and steady, and we walked toward the house together.

A woman with Darius's brown hair stepped down from the front entrance and immediately rushed toward me, pulling me into a tight hug.

"You're so beautiful!" she exclaimed, her voice warm and genuine. "Even more beautiful than you appear on screen and in Darius's photos."

I blinked, caught off guard. "Are you Darius's mother?"

She smiled widely and nodded. "I am.”

Before I could respond, she looped her arm through mine and pulled me away from Darius toward the house.

I turned back to look at him, but he was just smiling widely, clearly amused.

I rolled my eyes.

We entered the house, and I stopped, my breath catching.

It was beautiful.

Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting soft, warm light across the room. The air smelled sweet, like flowers and wine and something else I couldn't quite place. People were everywhere, dressed beautifully, drinking, dancing, laughing.

Darius’s mother steered me toward another section of the room, her hand warm on my arm.

"Don't be scared," she said softly, leaning closer. "No one will hurt you as long as I'm here. I'm fully in support of you and Darius."

She kissed my hair gently, and my chest tightened with emotion.

"I can't wait to have little beautiful Darius and Ravenna’s running around the house," she added with a grin.

My eyes widened. "What?"

She waved her hand dismissively. "When you're both out of the academy, you'll get mated to Darius officially and give me beautiful and handsome grandkids."

I liked her instantly.

She was so warm. Like my mother had been. She had this comfort that pulled me in, made me want to trust her.

She led me toward a tall man with broad shoulders and kind eyes.

"This is the legendary Ravenna," she said proudly.

He shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "I always knew Darius had eyes for good things."

He extended his hand. "I'm Marcus. Richard's Beta."

I shook his hand and couldn't help but grin. "How do you cope being Richard's Beta?"

Marcus laughed loudly and leaned in conspiratorially. "Don't let Richard hear that, or he's going to burn us both alive."

We all laughed, and I liked him immediately.

Darius appeared at our side, hugging Marcus warmly. "Are you telling her about your little secret?"

I turned to Marcus, my eyes lighting up. "Now that Darius mentioned it, I do want to know about this secret."

Marcus grinned. "You're too beautiful and kind for me to refuse. Get me a bottle of champagne, and I'll spill everything."

I grinned widely. "I'll put that at the back of my mind."

Darius groaned.

Darius mother steered me away again, introducing me to some of her friends.

"This is my son's mate," she said proudly.

They giggled and said I was beautiful, and Martina beamed. "I'm so lucky."

I felt at ease for a moment but I kept looking around, constantly aware, watching for anyone suspicious.

A waiter approached us and offered me a drink. I didn't want to take it, but he practically forced it into my hand, insisting I have a taste.

I took it reluctantly and walked a few steps with Martina. Then I stylishly dropped it on a nearby table and turned back.

The waiter was still standing there and watching me.

My blood ran cold.

That was my cue.

The people who wanted me dead were here at this festival.

Shivers ran down my spine.

Moonlight surged forward, sensing my distress. “Turn on your wolf abilities silly girl and be careful.”

I saw Richard before he saw me.

I stilled immediately, my chest tightening.

Darius mother turned and looked at me. "What's wrong?"

She followed my gaze and saw Richard, who had now noticed me and was staring at me like I was prey.

He glared at me.

I smiled back.

I turned to Martina. "I just realized I don't know your name."

She smiled warmly. "It's Martina."

"You have a lovely name," I said softly.

She squeezed my hand. "Would you like to greet my husband?"

I nodded.

She led me toward him, and my heart pounded with every step.

I stopped in front of Richard and bowed, not too low, just enough to be polite.

"Hello, Father-in-law."

Richard chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with something dangerous.

He flashed me a wicked grin.

"Hello, little wolf."