CHAPTER 9
(Raven's P.O.V.}
As we drive back to the pack,Layra fell asleep on my shoulders and I watched her sleep while stroking her hair.
Layra had been hurt severely so I understood why she could not easily trust,I was just glad that she was opening up to me gradually.
Tomorrow was our last day at Crimson wolf packhouse and the day I would end the contract with Kade,Our pack could officially be rivals.
Although that meant we could go to war at any time, it also gave me an opening to kill him if he or his pack ever laid a hand on Layra ever again.
The moon goddess was definitely working in my favor and I knew it.
She had given Layra a second chance, and it was with me, I refused to blow it.
I would do anything and everything for Layra . All she had to do was ask, I had loved her the moment I saw her and it seems she didn't know it or remember it , but last night was not the first time I had met her.
---Flashback---
"Dad,why are we going to the Silver howl Pack?",I asked from the backseat of the car. I had just turned 18, and my dad wanted me to work out a business relationship with Alpha Matthew Crest.
"You will be taking over in a few months, and I need you to build a solid relationship with Matthew.Besides, he's always been like an Uncle to you".
"Well, yeah, I get that, but..."
"No buts, Ryan. This will be good for both of our packs".
"Ugh, fine",I waved an imaginary white flag in defeat.
A few minutes later, we arrived at Silver Howl.
When the Alpha came out to greet us,I had expected the usual handshakes but instead they had grabbed each other and were hugging.
"Matthew!".
"Raul!" they smiled at each other.
"Matthew! You remember my son, and the Alpha of Gray wolf, Raven?"
"How could I forget?"
"Welcome back to Silver howl, Raven."
"Thanks, Uncle , it's good to see you again too. How are Aunt Charlie and Layra doing?"
"They're good, they're both excited to see you", he said with a big smile .
"Come on inside , lunch is just about ready,"
We all walked in and as soon as we did, I heard a little girl giggling and screaming her head off, normally such a sound would bother the crap out of me , but this was one cute, and almost lovely.
"Ah, there's my sweet little Larya",my dad said as she came running over to us .
" I don't like the name ,Larya!", she pouted as my dad picked her up . She was small and cute.
"Oh, then what do you want to be called ? Princess? Dove ?m"
"Mommy calls me Amy".
"But it's almost the same",I tell her and pinch her cheek .
"Wow, who are you? You look like prince charming," I couldn't help but smilel.
Kids, so innocent.
"Layra, this is my son, you probably don't remember him, but his name is Raven,"
"Can I keep him?",she asked.
My dad laughed and I just smiled at her . I hated kids ,but this girl was cute and I felt drawn to her.
"Layra honey , leave Uncle Raul and Raven alone and come help" mommy and Nana with the table , "
"Yes, mommy," she squealed and jumped out of my dad's arms "Why isn't she annoying like Margot?",I asked my dad.
"Because Margot is your baby sister and is already a teenager", my dad said.
"How old is Amy?"
"She just turned 10".
"Dad,something doesn't feel right when I look at her".
"What do you mean son?"
"Dad,I'm attracted to her.I know that sounds really bad given that I'm already 18, and she's just a baby, but I can't help it , what's wrong with me ?'
"Son, it's different because we are werewolves , and especially since you are an Alpha.
"Care to elaborate?"
"Raven, I was hoping this would happen , and I'm glad that it did . That's another reason why I brought you here".
I just looked at my dad, his words were surreal.He wanted me to become a pedophile?
"Son, Matthew and I both believe that you and Larya are destined mates,"
"What?!"I whispered in a shout.
"When Amy was born, and you were only around eight years old, we came to visit them while they were in the hospital. You were immediately drawn to her as an infant. You played with her non-stop, and you were upset when we had to leave after a few days. You mother believed that you felt the mate bond".
"Is that possible?"
"For an Alpha it is.
"So, you're saying I find her cute and adorable because she's eventually going to be my mate?"
"That's exactly what I am saying,"
"Great,I have to wait eight years for her to love me back
"In the way you want her to yes , but if you didn't notice , Amy is attracted to you as well. Even though she is just a child , Amy is also an Alpha by blood because of Matthew and Maggie".
"Aunt Maggie is an Alpha?"
"She is, which makes Amy twice as powerful,"I looked back towards the kitchen where my tiny future mate was probably playing and helping set up the table.
"Amy is too young to know it just yet, but her calling you prince charming is because her Alpha aura has picked up on yours , and her little dormant wolf is already feeling the bond as well".
"Dad, this is too much, You're telling me being in love with a ten-year-old is okay".
"In our kind, it is, as long you respect the fact that she is a ten-year-old," he laughed and put his arm around my shoulder.
I just shook my head.
LATER...
"RAVEN!!!",my father came running into my office.
"What is it, dad?"
"Quick, turn on the news!"
I grabbed the remote on the corner of my desk and turned on the T.V. in my office.
"Reports are still coming in as word is spreading like wildfire. The fall of the Silver howl pack..."
I stood up from my desk and walked closer to the T.V.
"Rumors are saying that the Crimson Wolf pack is responsible for the slaughter, after challenging Alpha Matthew Crest, and winning, Alpha Sylvester Stone executed the entire pack. There are no survivors..."
"Layra", I whispered.
I fell to my knees ,My future mate and her family were gone .
---End Flashback---
I wanted so badly to challenge Alpha Sylvester back then, but because of the contract father had entered into with Alpha Sylvester at the time, I couldn't.
All this time, for the past eight years, I had that thought Layra was dead.
I always wondered why the moon goddess had not given me a mate all this time. It was because my first mate was still alive, just being held captive. I couldn't wait to tell my family, they were going to be so thrilled
"Hey, we're back," Jacob said as he pulled up to the Crimson Wolf packhouse.
"Are you going to wake her?"
"No,she's probably in a food coma and she's still healing from the damage done to her body the last twenty-four hours.
"Damn, has it really only been a f*****g day?" he asked, and I nod my head.
This had to had been the longest twenty-four hours of my life.
I got out of the car and went around to the other side. I opened the door and picked up La in my arms .
She was out cold. I stopped midtrack when she whimpered a little and snuggled her face into my chest and grasped my shirt.
I smiled,and then kept walking. When we walked into the packhouse,it smelled like something had died.
"What the f**k is that smell?", Jacob asked. Just then, we heard a loud bang come from the kitchen. It sounded like something had exploded, Layra stirred a bit in my arms , but she stayed asleep..
"Jacob, take her to my room and stay with her," I passed her over to him and he went upstairs. I ran to the kitchen to see a fire on the stove and inside the microwave. Everyone was backed away not knowing what to do. I grabbed the fire extinguisher and put out the flames. Once that was said and done , I looked back at Jennifer, Darla and some omega.
"What the f**k?" was all I could say.
I opened the microwave and found remnants of aluminum foil.Layra was right, this house was in shambles.
I couldn't even say anything, I just put the fire extinguisher down and walked away. As I was leaving the kitchen, Sylvester was headed towards it, running.
"What was the loud bang?",Sylvester asked.
"Your wife and daughter put aluminum foil in the microwave," I tell him.His face was filled with anger and embarrassment.
"Where is Layra?!" he asked
"Asleep in OUR room," I enunciated the word 'our'.
"Why isn't she making dinner for the pack!?"
"Perhaps you weren't here earlier when I announced her as my Luna,and that she is no longer required to do anything for you," I tell him as my eyes turn black.
"After tomorrow's meeting, Larya is coming with me",I said and got into his face.
'Once we return home , I will officially make her my Luna, and I will find a way to make you pay for your crimes Sylvester. You will not get away with treating her the way you did all these years, mark my words".
I pushed past him as he growls behind me,I make my way up the stairs and down the hall to my room . I found Jacob standing watch at the door. He was a great Beta. Poor guy hadn't gotten laid once since we've been here.
It's probably the longest he's gone without having chicks helping him get off.
"I'm surprised your testosterone build-up hasn't made you collapse yet," I say as I walk up to him.
"I'm dying here man, I need to get laid or at least go jerk off somewhere",I just shake my head.
"Don't be so judgmental , not all of us are incorruptible boys like you".
"Incorruptible boy?",That sounds so serious
"You know I've had my fair share of women," I continue.
"Yeah, only when you actually dated someone, and even then, that never lasted long".
"I dated because I was lonely, and you know that. But I also had the occasional one-night-stand. I'm sure you get how frustrating it can be to not have a mate at 26",
"Not yet, because I'm only 24, but still, you're right, it does suck".
"Stop sleeping around Isaac, you're going to end up getting the wrong she-wolf pregnant, or end up with an STD if you sleep with the wrong human".
"I always wrap it , man , I'm not that dumb".
"But, you are quite dumb" I answer him smartly, noticing the unconscious lapse in his words. You and I both know that condoms aren't 100%, look at your brother".
"My brother was an i***t who got a girl pregnant because she lied about being on the pill, and now he's stuck with her,don't compare me to him.
"What's going to happen when Korlson finds his mate?"
"My dad said that he will have to reject her , and be stuck with Tirra".
"How is he holding up?"
"He's miserable man, he doesn't love her , and he wishes he could turn back the clock , " i just rubbed my neck.
"I can't even imagine, being 19 and being tied to a woman that's not your mate".
"Well, if your ass doesn't start being more careful, you're going to know what it's like really soon".
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," he said and walked off . I shook my head and went into my room. Layraa was still fast asleep and hugging one of the pillows I could only imagine how comfortable she must feel being on a real bed after eight years on a damn cot .
I went into the bathroom to take a shower and When I was done , I put on some sweats and went to sleep next to Amaya. I snuggled close to her and spooned her from behind . I kissed her cheeks lightly and went to sleep.
Just like heaven.