Chapter 50 FIFTY
Raven sat silently, feeling like a third wheel as Brienne and Ravena chatted and laughed without pause. Letting out a quiet sigh, he pulled out his phone to check his messages, trying to distract himself.
"Hey, is it true that Carter’s a father now?" Ravena suddenly asked, pulling him back into the conversation. Brienne’s eyes lit up with curiosity as she turned to him.
"Really? Carter has a child?" she asked, her tone filled with surprise.Raven nodded, setting his phone aside.
"Yeah, it’s true. He and Natasha have a daughter," he replied. Brienne's eyes widened in surprise, and Raven chuckled at her reaction. He reached for a piece of cake Ravena had ordered for Brienne earlier.
"She's trying to win Natasha back," he said before taking a bite. Brienne blushed, remembering how she couldn’t eat the cake earlier without feeling nauseous.
"Sorry about the cake. I really thought I’d be able to eat it," she murmured. Ravena waved her hand dismissively, grinning.
"Don’t worry about it, hun. I’ll eat it if he doesn’t finish it," she teased, pointing at her brother. "So, when are you coming back to the packhouse?" Ravena asked. Brienne glanced at Raven, and they exchanged a quick look.
"We’ll stay here for now," Raven replied. "I already told Dad, and he’s fine with taking over my duties and helping out for a while," he added.
"That’s great," Ravena said, flashing a warm smile at Brienne. "I’ll pitch in too," she added. Raven frowned, his brows knitting together.
"What about your job?" he asked. Ravena leaned back confidently, a sly grin on her face.
"I’m on a two-month paid vacation," she said with a shrug. "You’re stuck with me for two months, little brother," she added. Raven groaned, rubbing his temples.
"Two months with you? That’s going to be pure torture," he muttered. Ravena laughed, clearly enjoying his frustration.
"Relax, I’ll be on my best behavior—for Brienne and the baby’s sake," she teased.
Brienne chuckled softly at their banter, finding their sibling dynamic amusing. Despite Raven’s groans, she could tell he appreciated Ravena’s help, even if he wouldn’t admit it.
"Anyway, I need to head out. I’m meeting some friends," Ravena said, standing up. She turned to Brienne with a warm smile. "Thank you for today, Brienne. I had such a great time, and I really like you. Are you absolutely sure you want my brother, though?" she teased, holding Brienne's hand.
"Ravena!" Raven exclaimed, his voice filled with exasperation. Ravena chuckled.
"Relax, I’m just kidding. But seriously, thank you, Brienne. I’ll see you again soon," she said, leaning in to kiss Brienne’s cheek.
"I’ll see you too, sis," Brienne replied, her smile soft and genuine.
"Don’t forget to use the things I got for you, okay?" Ravena added, grabbing her bag. She then looked at Raven. "Little brother, where are my car keys?" she asked.
Raven handed over the keys with a sigh, watching as Ravena waved and left their room.
"I’m sorry about my sister. Are you feeling tired?" Raven asked as he sat beside Brienne, gently pulling her closer to him.
"A little," Brienne admitted, stifling a yawn.
"Get some rest, darling," Raven said softly. Brienne nodded and closed her eyes, quickly drifting off to sleep in his arms.
Derrick sat in his swivel chair, pinching the bridge of his nose as a headache began to build.
"Jao, tell me—what is my son up to?" Derrick asked, his hands clasping tightly together. "You were with him, weren’t you?" he added. Jao shifted nervously under Derrick’s gaze.
"Alpha, I don’t know everything, but he managed to strike a deal with Devon for warriors," he said cautiously. The thought of answering to Derrick—a former rogue who became Alpha by slaughtering anyone in his way—sent a chill down his spine.
"That reckless fool," Derrick muttered, shaking his head in frustration. "I knew he was plotting something behind my back," he added.
"What should we do, Alpha?" Jao asked, unsure of what Derrick’s next move might be.
"Follow him," Derrick ordered, his tone cold and sharp. "Report every single detail to me. If he keeps acting on his own, he’ll destroy everything I’ve worked for," he added.
"Understood, Alpha," Jao said, nodding quickly.
"What about the rogues? Are we ready to attack the Crescent Stone Pack? And what’s the status of the drug operation?" Derrick pressed.
"The rogues are ready and awaiting your command," Jao replied. "I’ve been distributing the drugs as instructed, and production is on schedule," he added.
"Excellent," Derrick said with a sinister grin. "Keep those rogues hooked on the drugs. The more dependent they are, the easier they are to control. We attack in two days. Ensure they get their doses—if we kill some of Crescent Stone’s warriors, victory will be ours."
"I’ll take care of everything, Alpha," Jao assured him.
"Good," Derrick said, his voice dripping with malice. "By the time they realize what’s happening, it will already be too late," he added.
Derrick heard the rumble of a car engine outside. Peering through the window, his expression soured as he spotted his son stepping out of the vehicle.
"He’s here," Derrick muttered. "You may leave now, Jao. Don’t forget what I told you," he added firmly.
Jao nodded silently, bowing before leaving the office. As he made his way out, he crossed paths with Jasper, a younger version of Derrick in both looks and demeanor.
"Sir," Jao greeted respectfully.
"Jao," Jasper acknowledged with a curt nod. "Where’s Father?" he added.
"In his office, sir," Jao replied. Jasper nodded again and continued walking, leaving Jao behind.
Once outside the packhouse, Jao exhaled deeply, relieved to be away from Derrick. He climbed into his car and headed home.
When he arrived, his wife, Celine, was standing at the door with their one-year-old son in her arms.
"Jao," she said softly.
"Celine," he replied, kissing her forehead before gently kissing their son. "What’s wrong?" he asked.
"We need to talk," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Jao closed the door behind him and took their son from her arms. Sitting on the couch with the child, he looked at her, concern etched on his face.
"What is it, babe?" he asked gently.
"I can’t do this anymore, Jao," Celine said, her voice quivering. "I don’t feel safe here. Rogues roam the pack day and night. I can’t let our son grow up in this environment. I don’t want him to turn out like them," she added, referring to Derrick’s corrupted warriors.
Jao’s heart sank. He understood her fears but felt trapped under Derrick’s control.
"Celine…" he whispered, his voice heavy with guilt.
"Please, Jao," she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "I’m leaving next month—with our son. I can’t stay here any longer," she added.
"Where would you go?" Jao asked, his voice filled with worry. "If Derrick finds out, he’ll kill us all," he added.
"And what then?" Celine snapped. "Would you rather trade our son’s future—and ours—for that monster’s orders? Derrick is a devil, Jao!" She wiped her tears and continued. "Please, for our son," she added. Jao clenched his hand into a fist.
"Where would you go?" he asked again, his resolve beginning to shift.
"To my aunt," Celine answered. "I’ve been in contact with her secretly. Derrick doesn’t know. Let’s leave together, Jao," she added.
"I can’t," Jao said after a moment, his voice filled with pain. "I’ve done too many horrible things under Derrick’s orders. I’m tainted. But I’ll do everything in my power to protect you and our son. Leave next month, babe. I’ll take care of everything," he promised, pulling her into a tight embrace. Whatever happens to him, he will make sure that his family, his most precious treasure, escapes the hellhole of this pack.