Chapter 24 TWENTY-FOUR
Brienne closed the door of the car and did not wait for Raven to open the door for her. She's that excited to see the lake.
The lake lay still and glassy, reflecting the dense trees and rugged mountains that framed its edge. Soft sunlight filtered through, casting a warm glow over the tranquil water, while a gentle breeze stirred the surface just enough to break its perfect reflection.
"Wow," Brienne gasped. "This is beautiful," she added and looked at Raven.
"It is," Raven said and walked towards her. "You're breathtakingly beautiful," he whispered in her ear, making Brienne blush.
"The lake! Not me," she said, embarrassed.
"Not just the lake, darling," Raven said, smirking. Brienne rolled her eyes and walked away from him. Raven laughed and followed her, bringing the picnic basket and blanket with him.
"It’s so quiet here," she whispered, breaking the stillness.
He smiled, squeezing her hand. "Feels like it’s just us and the world." Raven laid the blanket and put the basket down.
"Do you want to dip your toes in? Or, you know, maybe more than just your toes?" he asked. His smile was playful but a bit uncertain.
"Are you suggesting I swim?" she asked, her eyes twinkling. Raven chuckled.
"Yes, darling. It'll be fun," Raven said.
"But, what about you?" Brienne asked, her forehead creased.
"I will join you, of course," Raven said. "Let's go," he said and removed his shirt and pants, leaving his boxer on. Brienne's eyes widened, and she immediately looked away.
"Darling, you have already seen this; what are you looking away for?" he teasingly asked. Brienne looked at him and glared and started undressing. Raven swallowed hard as he saw Brienne in only her underwear. He cursed silently as he could feel himself getting aroused. Raven shakes his head and dipped into the cold waters of the lake.
"Wooh! Fck, it's so cold!" he yelled. "Come on, darling!" he exclaimed. Brienne smiled and entered the lake.
"Oh gosh!" Brienne exclaimed.
"Come here," Raven said and pulled her towards him, embracing her. Brienne immediately put her arms around Raven's neck.
"It's so cold," she whispered, her lips shivering.
"Let me take that away," Raven said, taking Brienne by surprise when he captured his lips. His persistency was successful when Brienne kissed him back, wrapping her legs in his waist.
"Is this your plan?" Brienne whispered, making Raven chuckle.
"Of course not, darling. It's just that I cannot resist your charm," Raven said and kissed Brienne's neck. Brienne moaned when he nibbled it.
"Raven..."
Raven froze and growled, protectively hiding Brienne in his arms.
"Raven? Are you okay?" Brienne asked.
"Darling, I want you to get out of the lake and go inside the car. Lock it and wait for me," he whispered as he slowly dragged Brienne on the land.
"What? What's happening?" Brienne asked, her heart starting to beat faster in her chest.
"Please, darling. Just follow me for now; promise I will tell you later," he whispered. Brienne nodded her head. When she's finally on land, she runs to the car as fast as she can. Brienne entered and locked the doors. She then saw Raven enter the forest.
When Raven was sure Brienne wouldn't see him. His body started to change—bones shifting, skin stretching as dark fur grew. His hands became paws with sharp claws, and his senses grew sharp. In moments, Raven was no longer a man but a strong, wild wolf.
"Goddamn rogues!" he exclaimed. "Carter! Where are you?!" Raven asked through the link.
"En route, Alpha. I cannot get in touch with Samuel after he reported about the rogues," Carter said.
"Fck! I fcking left Brienne in the car. Have Eduardo go to her!" he said. Raven was anxious when Carter reported to him the sighting of rogues near the lake.
"If... If something ever happens to Brienne. I will fcking kill them all," he venomously said and ran in Samuel's direction.
When he arrived, Carter's group also arrived.
"Find Samuel," he ordered. Carter nodded and was about to run in the opposite direction when, not far from them, Samuel stood with two people, both teenagers fresh from transforming.
"Alpha, these are the rogues I found," Samuel said. The rogues were shivering from fear.
"Rogues," Raven began, which made them flinched. "What are you thinking, crossing my territory?!" he added.
"W-We apologize...we don't know. We're just passing through until to the next town," the woman with jet black hair answered while she stutters. "Please, let us go," she added.
"Please... don't kill us," the one with the auburn hair whispered. Raven looked at them and saw the bruises all over their body and concluded something. They weren't rogues but runaways.
"Put them in a holding cell until we clear that they weren't spies," Raven ordered. "Give them clean clothes and food," he added. Carter nodded his head and signaled the rest of the group.
"I'll go back to Brienne," he said.
"Alright, leave this to me," Carter replied. Raven ran back towards the river's direction and transformed into his human form. He put on his boxers, which he was relieved not to rip, and left the forest.
Raven observed Eduardo conversing with Brienne, accompanied by Carmilla, Eduardo's mate and a warrior from Raven's pack.
"Alpha," Eduardo and Carmilla greeted.
"Are you alright? What happened in there?" Brienne asked, covered with a towel. "They said they are family friends," she added.
"Yes, they are," Raven responded, drawing her nearer to him. "Thanks, Eduardo, Carmilla. I owe you a lot," he added.
"It's our pleasure, Alpha," Carmilla said. "We're going home; we just dropped by when we saw your car," she added to avoid any suspicions.
"Thank you for accompanying me," Brienne said, and the couple left.
"You didn't answer me. What happened?" Brienne asked.
"I thought I saw a bear," he said.
"A bear? A BEAR?!" Brienne yelled and let go. "What are you thinking? Why did you have to follow it?" she added and glared at Raven.
"Calm down, darling, please," he said. "I also saw Carter inside; they were out hunting, so I'm not alone in there," he added. Brienne heaved a sigh and hit him in the shoulder.
"Don't do that again! What if it's the wolves that came out?" she added. Raven pulled her into his embrace and kissed the top of her head.
"I'm sorry, let's just go home," he said. "I promise I will bring you back in here," he added. Brienne nodded her head, and they began to pack up their things. They went inside the car and Raven drove away. It seems that he still has a long way to go to convince Brienne about the wolves.