Awakening The Silver Wolf

RAVENNA POV 

My heart wouldn't stop beating like crazy. It's pounding so furiously in my chest, I think it might break through my rids.

What the hell had happened back there? 

I lifted my hand to my cheek where his finger had brushed. I still felt the warmth of that little touch. 

The fluttering in my stomach was a betrayal. It shouldn't be there, a silly, childish reaction to a simple memory. But the way his eyes had darkened, the way his gaze had lingered on me as if he were drinking in the scent of my hair... It was intoxicating. 

I'm not supposed to feel those things. 

He's the enemy. The enemy I'm planning to kill. The enemy that killed Lilith. 

That was the reminder I needed to get back on track. 

My heart finally started beating normally as I felt my resolve build back up and this time five times stronger.

I entered my room to find Mia lying on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. She jumped off the bed as soon as she heard me come in. 

"What happened?" she asked as I approached her. "Why did he want to see you?" 

"It's nothing," I said as I sat at the edge of the bed. I needed to shower. I was still sweaty and covered in dirt. 

"No, don't give me that 'it's nothing' bullshit," Mia said as she sat beside me. "The alpha doesn't just see anyone except it was some important shit or… the person was in trouble." She paused. "And seeing that you're a…" Her words trailed off. 

"A prisoner," I completed it for her. Mia cringed and looked away from me. 

I sighed and lay back down on the bed. I'd have to change the sheets later. Mia settled beside me. 

"I've never really told you how I was captured or why I'm even here," I said, eyes fixed on the ceiling.

"No, you haven't. I was waiting for you to tell me on your own time." 

"I fought Darius when he attacked my pack," I started. 

Mia sat up, her eyes blown wide. "And you're still alive?" 

"Let me finish," I said to her. 

"Sorry," she said as she lay back down. 

"I fought him and I broke through his defense and injured him. Deeply." 

Mia sat back up again. I have never seen anyone's eyes grow so wild. And in those eyes were curiosity. Awe too. 

"You're joking," Mia whispered. 

I scoffed. "I'm not." 

"In all the years I've known Alpha Darius. In all the battles I have fought beside him, I have never seen a single man or woman even give him a tiny scratch. The man's untouchable."

I rolled my eyes. "Well, he's not as untouchable as you're all thinking." 

Mia blew out a breath and lay down again. I'm sure she was going to sit back up again before this conversation ended. 

"So he took you prisoner, but you're still alive," Mia said. "So that means he wants something from you." 

I nodded. "A game," I said. "We're going fight for a month. Once every week. At the last fight, if I win—win asin injure him deeply—he'll grant me my freedom. But if he wins, he'll kill me." 

Silence. None of us spoke and just lay down in silence. 

"Wow," Mia finally said. "That is… intense." 

"Tell me about it."

"So I'm particularly training you so you can defeat my alpha. That is literally treason." Despite her words, there was still humor in her voice.

"You can stop if you want to," I said. "I wouldn't hold it against you." 

Mia sighed but said nothing else. "When is the first fight?" 

I shrugged. "I have no idea. Your alpha is a prick." 

Mia snorted a laugh. "You're going to train your ass off if you're going to stand a chance at winning against Alpha Darius. He wouldn't go easy on you this time." 

It would be foolish of him to underestimate me twice. "I know."

***

"That is a lot of food," Mia said as she eyed my tray. 

My tray was filled with herb-seasoned baked chicken served alongside steamed broccoli and fluffy rice pilaf.

I was a foodie. 

In my old pack, food was often withheld. If I was given anything, it was barely enough to feed a child. Now, in a place where I could eat without fear of punishment, I took every opportunity to fill my stomach until it was full of bursting. 

"Leave me be," I told Mia as we walked to our usual table. 

The hall was filled as people sat for dinner. Chatters, laughs, and the sound of clinking silverware filled the hall. 

People still stared and whispered as we passed. But I didn't care. All I cared about right now was digging into my food. 

Mia and I ate as we talked. It has been a long fucking day. Mia had gone hard on me during training. I ached all over and exhaustion weighed heavily on me. 

Suddenly, those three girls swaggered over, their eyes glinting with malice. I felt anger turn my insides at the sight of them. 

Ever since they warned me to stay away from Mia, they've been breathing down my neck. 

They made eating in the hall a nightmare. Sometimes even training. 

"Look who it is! The traitor's best friend," the leader—Lisa—said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "How's it feel to be so popular?" 

Mia's cheeks flushed, but she kept her gaze down. 

I clenched my fists. "What do you want?" I snapped.

"Just came to see the pack's favorite loser duo," one of the girls—Jade—said, leaning in closer. "What's it like to know no one wants you here?" 

Lisa laughed, her voice loud enough for nearby tables to hear. "Maybe you should have thought twice about who you hang out with, Ravenna. Mia's got the charm of a wet sock!" 

How she had known my name, I didn't know. 

The third girl—Nora—chimed in, smirking. "Yeah, and you really think your loyalty is impressive? Newsflash: it's pathetic!" 

Mia's grip tightened around her fork. "You don't know anything about us," she shot back, her voice shaky but defiant.

The girls exchanged gleeful glances, reveling in their taunts. "Oh, we know enough," Lisa taunted. "Your father's a joke, and so are you. Maybe you should just leave while you still can." 

"Or better yet," another voice chimed in. A voice that sends a chill down my spine, "perhaps you should remember that mocking others can have consequences. I'd hate for you to find out just how quickly the tide can turn." 

Horror replaced the mocking in the girls' faces. And nothing has looked more satisfying. 

"A-alpha," they stuttered, as they faced the big male behind them, trembling where they stood. 

He still wore his suit, but they had taken off the jacket and the sleeves were rolled up to the elbows, hair tied up in a messy bun, mismatched eyes fixed on me. 

His eyes were still on me as he said, "Leave." 

They ran off, terrified, with their faces pale. I would have laughed had it not been for this male still looking intensely at me. 

The hall was quiet. People were staring at us but tried not to make it obvious. They failed. 

Mia stood up, her arms clasped in front of her, and nodded. "Alpha." I remained sitting. 

"Good to see you're well, Mia," Darius said, still not taking his eyes off me. Then he smiled. Not those little grins but a full smile. "Hello, Silver Wisp." 

"Good evening," I greeted. He still called me that stupid nickname even after knowing my name. 

"Well someone has manners today," he said, still smiling. Then he closed the distance between us, hands still in his pocket, and leaned down. His face was only just inches away from mine. I caught a scent of musk and leather on him.

"Our first fight," he said, his voice low. I felt his breath on my cheeks, "Starts." A pause. "Now." 

I felt my heart stop. "You're joking." 

His smile widened. "Oh no, love, I'm not."