A Worthy Wolf?

Chapter 3 - Raven

I followed my mother along the hallway toward the office, where raised voices could be heard. All excitement from within me faded, and I looked toward her with uncertainty, while she smiled politely. This did not sound good...

Just as I was about to ask if everything was okay, a voice from inside snapped angrily. “If these terms are not sorted, we can easily find another bride for Brayden. Your daughter is easily replaced you know.”

My heart fell at their words, a shiver of disappointment rippled through my body. Was that how the man I had held all my hopes upon thought of me? Sable snarled angrily. My wolf was not liking me being spoken about so disgustingly. No. I was not about to get married to a man who did not want me. With a deep breath, and a flare of anger, I stepped forward, moving toward the office without warning, my mother flailing desperately to snatch my arm to pull me back but failing.

I flung the door open, and the eyes of the men sitting around the large desk turned to look in my direction, all clearly confused and shocked to see me. Alpha Alexis, of my pack, Brayden’s Alpha, Alpha Leon, and Beta, Joel. And my father and grandfather. I shook my head in disgust at them all. How dare they all discuss me like I was a piece of meat. I would not be allowing myself to be married off. They could go to hell...

Brayden stood from his seat, his eyes watching me with concern, and there was a polite smile lingering over his handsome features. I gave him a cold stare. Did he think he could win me over with that smile now? “Do not bother.” I said bluntly.

“Raven, mind your manners please.” My grandfather muttered under his breath, giving my father a frustrated expression, likely due to my behavior.

I looked toward him, my brow raised, anger still rippling through me, and the fury of my wolf only adding to it. Manners may well have gone out of the window. But my grandfather had a nerve. He was family. As was my father. Should they not be defending me? Instead, they were telling me to mind my manners? Yes, I was more than aware these were men of serious rank within our pack hierarchy, but right now I needed to speak up. This was for my future happiness. If I did not fight for it, who else was going to? The men I should usually be able to turn to clearly were not...

“Manners?” I questioned, earning startled expressions from the visiting men, while my father dropped his head to his hands and my grandfather shook his head in despair. “Is that what they were showing me when they spoke of me so lowly?” I questioned, and Brayden looked to his Alpha in panic. He clearly did not realize I had heard everything.

“Erm...” he stuttered. “It wasn't like it sounded, I can assure you, Raven, please...” He moved toward me, offering me his hand. But the moment he was close to touching me, I moved myself further away, ensuring he had no way of reaching me. There was no way I was giving this man any hope. Just like my father and grandfather, he had not come to my defense, and he wanted to become my husband? If a husband and mate was not willing to defend his mate and wife, what sort of mate was he? Sable snarled at the idea. One I would not be accepting that was for sure, and it seemed my wolf agreed...

“It was not like it sounded? I am unsure how else it could have sounded. But what I will say is this, if I am so easily replaced and just a position to be filled, then go ahead. Do your best. I do not want to be somebody that is irrelevant. I made that clear when we first spoke. I do not think I want to marry you anymore, Gamma.” I said his title with serious venom to my tone, not caring for a moment for any disrespect that may be shown.

“Raven!” My Alpha snarled. “That is not your decision.

Not my decision? I would like to see them try to force me to marry a man I am not willing to marry. One that would show me such disrespect. I would run before that occurred...

But Brayden edged a little closer toward me, clearly having not received the message that I did not want him close to me. “Raven, please? Look, I remember all that you have said. Our conversations are very dear to me. What you heard today was not meant for your ears. And I truly wish for the opportunity to make it up to you. These are the words of angry men, battling out a deal for the benefit of their own packs. You know how they can be, surely? Your father is a Beta after all...” His eyes looked at me pleadingly.

I could barely tear my eyes away from his as his eyes studied me, a smile breaking onto his face as he realized I could not look away. My heart fluttered when he gave me that most adoring of smiles. I may be inexperienced with members of the opposite s*x, but the way he was looking at me meant something, didn’t it? The way he was smiling at me... “I hate the thought of it not being you.” He added with a suggestive wink and my heart felt like it skipped a beat...