Chapter 34 THIRTY-FOUR
Brienne woke up feeling a deep emptiness, realizing that Raven was no longer beside her. She slowly got up and rubbed her bleary eyes. Brienne saw a paper on the bedside table with her name on it, and she grabbed it.
Darling,
I had to step out earlier due to an urgent issue at my company. I’ll address it quickly and return as soon as possible.
Raven
Brienne folded the paper and put it inside the drawer. She went inside the bathroom feeling a little queasy and threw up. Brienne sat on the cold tiled floor while caressing her belly.
"Baby, are you upset with me?" she asked. "Don't worry, I will tell your father everything today," she added.
After taking a shower, Brienne exited the bathroom. She changed into a simple pink floral dress with puff sleeves and went out of the room. She was greeted by Lily, who served her meal; Brienne ate, thanking Lily for cooking.
"Miss Brie," Lily began. "Alpha—that is, Sir Raven mentioned that his mother would be coming to visit you," Lily said. Brienne looked at her and smiled.
"He did? Thanks," she answered. "Lily," she called. Lily looked at her.
"Thank you for cooking good food," Brienne said. Lily smiled, showing her pearly white teeth.
"You're welcome, Miss Brie! I'm glad you like it," Lily responded. Brienne went back to eating happily when she heard the door open.
"Good morning, my beautiful daughter," Cecil greeted and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Good morning, m-mom," she stuttered but then returned the kiss. "Have you eaten, Mom?" she added shyly.
"I did. What are you planning to do today?" Cecil asked. "If you're not going to do something important, come unpack with me at our house. Your father left with Raven earlier," she added, shaking her head.
"I can come with you, m-mom," Brienne answered. She planned on reading books the whole day, but being with Raven's mother was enjoyable too. She enjoyed her company, and she felt welcomed.
After Brienne finished her meal, the two left Raven's house. Cecil drove two blocks away from the packhouse and arrived at their house. She parked the car and smiled at her daughter-in-law.
"Let's go," she said. Brienne nodded and opened the door. She was in awe seeing the house in front of her. It wasn't as big as Raven's house, but it was still beautiful and elegant.
When they went inside, the living room was filled with numerous boxes.
"Make yourself at home, my daughter," Cecil said and went to her kitchen. Brienne sat on the couch, and when Cecil went out, she was carrying two glasses of juice.
"Here," she said.
"Thanks, Mom," Brienne said.
"Let's open the boxes, shall we?" Cecil said. They spent hours opening and laughing at the items Cecil bought. As promised, she gave some to Brienne as her gift.
"Mom, this is too much," Brienne whispered.
"It's just right, my daughter," Cecil said, grinning. "By the way, where are your parents, Brienne? Do they know that you and my son are living together? she added, and sheer curiosity.
"My parents are already dead, Mom," she sadly said. Cecil gasped and immediately sat next to Brienne.
"I'm sorry! I didn't know," Cecil said.
"It's alright, Mom. I have sisters, but we weren't on good terms. It's just me," Brienne said and forced a smile. After her sister sold the house, Brienne never heard from them again.
"It's okay; we are here," Cecil said and embraced the young woman. Brienne gulped, forcing herself not to cry as she embraced Raven's mother back.
On the other hand, Raven was in a bad mood with a guest they had. A guest at the hotel had complained that a staff member stole his money and made a scene. However, upon reviewing the CCTV footage, it was clear the complaint was unfounded. The bag the guest described as containing the money was nowhere near the hotel when he entered the premises. Raven had to address the situation with his employees.
Raven entered his office and saw his father comfortably sitting on the couch.
"Son," he called when Raven sat on his swivel chair.
"Yes, Dad?" he answered.
"The Elders wanted to meet the both of us," Arthur said. "Today," he continued, displaying the screen of his phone, which prompted Raven to raise an eyebrow.
"Dad, I really wanted to go home and be with my woman," Raven said. "I don’t want to let my mood get any worse," he added.
"I also wanted to go back to your mom, so we're going to face them," Arthur said. Raven let out a sigh and squeezed the bridge of his nose.
"Fck," he whispered. "Fine, I'm going," he added.
"Good," Arthur said. After resolving everything, Raven and Arthur drove back to the pack, but instead of going home, they went to the Elders council room. Joaquin, the head elder, greeted Arthur and also acknowledged Raven's presence.
"Why are we here, Elder Joaquin?" Arthur asked and sat on the chair, crossing his arms.
"It's about your son, Arthur," Joaquin said and looked at Raven, who did not even bother greeting him.
"He's right beside me, Elder Joaquin," Arthur said. The Head Elder was seething in anger.
"The human is still here, Arthur! This could potentially put the pack at risk," Joaquin said, slamming his hands on the table. Arthur looked at him and snorted.
"Head Elder, she poses no threat to the pack. What do you think that woman would do? Murder us all?" Arthur said and glanced at his son, who was holding himself back from getting angry.
"I have met Brienne, and I assure everyone here that she's no threat to the pack," Arthur said as he stood up. "Give the woman a chance. She's a sweet girl," he added.
"Joaquin," Koa said, another Elder. "There are more pressing matters to attend to. Let's stop here," he added.
"Koa!" Joaquin exclaimed.
"Joaquin, the rogues have attacked us multiple times even before Raven's woman came here. That's the matter that needs addressing!" Koa yelled, making the Head Elder clench his teeth.
"Let's stop this discussion about Brienne then," Raven said. Joaquin sat down and glared at Koa.
"Raven, have you found out about who was ordering these savages to attack us?" Harold, one of the elders, asked.
"Not yet, Elder Harold," Raven said. "But I have asked our allied packs for help," he added.
"Maybe it's Derrick?" Koa said that made Arthur look at him. Derrick is a rogue wolf and an old enemy of Arthur. When Raven was approximately ten years old, a group of rogues attacked them, abducting Cecil. Derrick fell in love with Luna Cecil and fought Arthur, but he was defeated, and they never saw him again.
"I will also look into it, Elder Koa," Raven replied. As the conversation continued, a warrior barged into the council room, gasping.
"We are under attack!"