A Worthy Wolf?

Chapter 4 - Raven

How could I resist the man who was smiling at me in such a way? And do not get me started on the way in which his eyes lingered upon mine. It made me weak at the knees. Dammit. The man was charming... I hated to admit it, but when Brayden had his eyes on me like that, it made me feel like I was the only other person in the room. I offered him a tentative smile while my heart played a whole percussion sound effect for me like a drum...

Maybe I had stormed into the room rather too quickly? Maybe Brayden would have defended me... maybe he could defend me now, and whisk me away to a wonderful life together. My mind began to wonder as the handsome Gamma before me raised his eyebrow just a little, in suggestion, his smile seeming even more teasing. I released a heavy sigh. A breath I did not even realize I had been holding, causing Sable to snarl rather angrily, disturbing my crush-filled moment of daydreaming; while my Alpha cleared his throat and his chair scraped noisily upon the wooden floor of the office as he stood.

“Now hold up right there, asshole.” He snapped, bringing me back down to earth with a mighty bump.

Brayden looked towards my Alpha with a hint of smirk upon his confident face. “Yes?”

“Before you go, making promises you can’t keep, we have terms to agree to. And, so far, you have not been close to meeting our expectations. So, let me make this clear, you ain’t having her until we come to an agreement. Raven here is worth far more than you are offering.”

I felt Brayden tense in front of me. His body language had altered instantly at the words of my pack Alpha. My eyes narrowed. I did not like being discussed like I was for sale. In older times, women often came with a dowry when married, and this was not too different. A business arrangement to benefit both packs. Financial arrangement for the agreement that I would marry the man in front of me. The crazy thing was, and one that would seriously anger both my father and my Alpha, and no doubt each and every man within this room, and all our pack elders too, was when the man I was set to marry looked at me that way, I would walk away from them all, and marry Brayden for free...

Alpha Leon stood from his seat angrily. Both Alphas were now facing off angrily. My shoulders sagged rather despondently. It appeared my marriage might not go ahead if neither man was willing to compromise, and compromise was rarely a word associated with an alpha. There had been so many talks previously of potential matches for me, and all had left me with a rather hollow feeling within my chest.

As much as I tried to convince myself I had accepted the idea of what my future would hold as a Beta daughter and the duty that role came with, the idea of marrying a man I did not know or did not like terrified me. So, meeting Brayden, and instantly feeling some form of connection, and at least a little potential there, gave me hope. I did not want to let that go. But now, I felt any hope was being snatched from my grasp...

I felt a hand rest upon mine. I turned my head to find Brayden smiling at me. A warm, reassuring smile, like he could read my thoughts. His handsome features did not share the same panicked expression my face no doubt did. He seemed calm. Unaffected by his or my Alpha, and his focus was solely upon me.

“Rest assured, sweetheart, all will be done to confirm the marriage. I am not letting you go.” He gave me another of his winks, and my heart flip-flopped excitedly within my chest. Being the daughter of the pack Beta, I was well-protected. My father did not like me to date. So, other than my time in high school, my time around boys, or men as this one by my side was, was few and far between, or at least in this way. And I think I liked the attention. Brayden made me feel good. I think, given the chance, he could be a good husband, only it seemed they may not let him.

My eyes darted nervously toward the arguing men, currently standing either side of the desk, my father and grandfather having now joined in the ruckus. Panic was beginning to take over as I turned back to Brayden, not quite sure what to say to him. He seemed to be being far too optimistic.

Brayden must have sensed my worry, as he stroked his hand over mine as he spoke. “Run along and I will sort it.” He said, motioning to the door. I gave one last look back to the fighting men as Brayden went to join them, a little disappointed that I would not get to spend the time with him that I expected. But I knew I had to leave this in his capable hands, and could only hope that he would fix our wedding just as he promised...