Seeing him again
Raven's POV
The road becomes clearer as we get closer to Darkwaters. The gentle breeze sways my nicely straightened hair.
Milly insisted I look my best today. With a bit of makeup, just enough to make me stare for minutes in the mirror with a smile on my face, and one of the most beautiful dresses I've ever worn.
My eyes lift in surprise when I see the gigantic gate ahead of us.
The last time I'd snuck into Darkwaters, there was no fence, yet now there is. It has truly been long.
My chest tightens when a couple of Darkwaters guards look my way, their gaze suspicious.
But none of them seem to recognize me.
“Keep your head up, Ray.” Throne whispers encouragingly.
I do as told, lifting my chin, trying my best to hold eye contact without flinching.
I have no reason to be scared because this time I'm not sneaking into their pack. This time I am not a runaway hunter either. Today I am Alpha Kaelen’s heir.
That thought only sustains me for a while before the air thickens again. No one here recognizes me but the air surely does… wrapping around my throat, choking me.
I toy with the big diamond ring on my finger. The one Alpha Kaelen placed there this morning.
I can't let my past stop me. Today I have a duty to fulfill.
I swallow hard when a familiar face marches up to us. “What's in the bag?” Damian barks. The same asshole who had beaten me to shit right in front of my supposed mate.
What did I ever see in Saviour?
“You will speak to us with respect or face correction from your King.” Throne snarls, stepping forward, his eyes hard, his shoulders raised in defense.
I relax behind him, his posture giving me a sense of safety.
“Who are you?” Damian drawls, clearly trying to piss us off.
I don't blame him. ‘Cause compared to other alphas around, I and Throne came alone, no guards, no expensive jewelries– save Alpha Kaelen's signet.
“I am Alpha Kaelen's heir, his approved representative.” I state firmly, proud that my voice didn't waver.
Damian tilts his head, attempting to look behind the hair that slightly covers my face, his brow furrowing. “A female? What? Does the alpha have no real heir?”
Throne's punch is instant.
I gasp in shock as Damian falls flat on the floor, groaning as he clings to his broken jaw.
“Any other idiot wants to question an Alpha's heir?” Throne challenges but no guard steps up. He mutters something under his breath before taking my hand and striding past the widely opened gate.
My steps, I realize, grow confident as we walk further into the pack. “Damn, Throne. I didn't know you had such hard fists.” I mutter with a smile, amused.
Throne doesn't react but he leans closer beside me and I take that as his response.
“That was amazing.” A jovial voice rings out from behind us. I glance at the young man who looks like he has barely clocked twenty.
Throne spares him a glance but turns back around, taking quicker strides which I'm forced to follow.
“I see, the both of you don't seem to fancy company, do ya?” he mutters with a frown. The golden robe he's wearing looks insanely expensive with multiple costly pearls adorning the hands and chest area.
I open my mouth to speak but then I see something I wasn't expecting.
“The streets are decorated like never before. Beautiful lanterns hang around the sky, various colors of lights brighten up the streets, giving it an ethereal look.
I walk forward with a straight spine as my heart weakens.
So this is how they celebrate when they accept someone?
It's probably his doing. It could be that he insisted they decorate the streets and sky for his chosen mate. Someone who fits his standards, someone everyone accepts, someone who means a lot more than sex to him.
I hold my stomach as nausea hits me. I should have these dumbass feelings burned already. Why do I feel bad seeing children run around with flowers for him? Why does it hurt to see how much can be done and realize how little he actually gave me.
I was a fool. I gave him more than my body… and now look how far that got me.
Never again will I allow a man mess with my mind like that.
How dare you? How dare you find so much joy after leaving me in so much pain? How dare you find it easy to move on while I'm still trying to convince myself that I no longer want you?
You filthy piece of shit!
“Welcome, Alpha Kaelen's heir!” One of Darkwaters’ guards announces, gesturing us forward.
The moment we step on the ceremonial ground, we are ushered to the front where other Alphas are standing, waiting for the event to begin.
“Alpha Kaelen's heir, huh?”
I flinch at the jovial voice, nearly rolling my eyes when I see the same man from earlier.
“Yes, and you're?” I say, politely reaching out a hand.
He smiles brightly, revealing one jeweled tooth at the side of his mouth. “I'm Brian, Alpha Maxwell's nephew, the future Luna's cousin. It's nice to meet you …”
I release my clenched jaw before speaking. “Raven, Raven Nightshade.”
“Raven, I love your name.” he says, still not releasing my hand.
Throne steps forward. “The ceremony is about to begin.” he whispers.
I pull away from Brian with a polite nod and turn back to the open floor right in front.
“She’s so pretty,” someone sighs behind me. When I turn, Pina’s smiling at me. My jaw nearly drops.
Do I look that different? I didn't use that much makeup, did I?
“I wish I could be her,” another random voice says.
Wow… aren't these the same people who abused me?
“But is it just me or does she kinda look like that mutt?” Someone spits.
My lip pulls up in a smirk.
The Alpha King climbs the platform, his voice loud enough that everyone can hear. “Welcome, Alphas, heirs, leaders of our kind and most importantly… welcome Darkwaters!”
The pack shakes with the shattering roar of jubilation.
“Tonight we witness…”
Every other thing the King says, I don't hear as a sharp noise rings in my ears, my heart pounding painfully.
Saviour saunters into the open circle, a tall veiled lady beside him.