A Worthy Wolf?

Chapter 14 - Niko

I walked away from Raven with a sense of relief. The weight resting upon my chest was gone. She knew what the man she was expected to marry was planning to do. And, I knew I had done the right thing. The knowledge was now within her hands for her to do with as she pleased. And, seeing the anger flare within her as she learned of it, it was easy to see the knowledge was not well received. Raven was hurt. Angry. Confused. And who could blame her?

As much as I had tried to tell myself that agreeing to the deal with Gamma Brayden was the right thing to do, just to ensure it was somebody Raven knew taking part in this plan so that she was protected, was simply not sitting right with me. It was not enough. No matter which way I wanted to look at it, it did not make it okay. I knew the plan alone was the issue. And now I had torn it up...

The thing was, there now came the time for Gamma Brayden to learn of what I had done. The confrontation would be catastrophic, of that I have no doubt. Raven's father would not take kindly to his daughter being treated this way, that I already knew. He would destroy the man. In the most slow and calculated way that he could. But, the worrying thing for me was, I did not know how the asshole of a Gamma, was going to respond when he discovered what I had done. He had come to me because he believed as a warrior... one of the men he considered one of his men, being a leader of warriors, that he could trust me. And, I had screwed up any sense of trust and tossed it away. With the contacts that man had, he could destroy me. Destroy my career. A career I had worked incredibly hard to gain. That was why I had to do what I did to protect myself. Take steps to cover my back.

Once we had spoken everything through, and Raven had snatched as much detail from me as she was able, she turned away from me. Her guards up. I understood her wariness, after everything. She was still unsure of me, after I had agreed to the test... but pathetically, a part of me had hoped Raven might spend a little time with me. Yet she seemed to want to get away almost as quickly as she had appeared. I could do little but let her go...

Wandering off into the dark evening, no doubt needing time to get her head around the mess she had found herself in. I did not doubt her for a moment. She was stronger than she realized. I imagined, when the time came, that she would kick the man’s ass. She was a proud Beta’s daughter after all. She just doubted herself sometimes. Diplomatic marriage agreement or not, I mean that was what they called it when they married to benefit the packs, right? What would I know? I was merely a warrior... never good enough for a girl like her... but then, neither was he.

I just knew, an arranged marriage or not, that the pack would not stand for the tricks of the Gamma. He had overstepped a boundary. One that no decent man would agree with. They had to stand by Raven’s decision to walk away from the asshole. And the marriage. In time, sadly, she would be found another suitable suitor and Brayden Sterling would be humiliated for his actions. I could not wait. I just hoped I didn't come out for the worst...

Realizing I was now staring at empty space, Raven long gone, I turned to walk towards home. I hoped when she went to speak with her parents they were every bit as understanding as she needed them to be. I was sure her father would be more than ready...

My steps felt as heavy as my heart as I was surprised to find my phone buzzing in my pocket. I glanced down to a message from Brayden himself. Seems I could not escape the fucker.

Wedding planning ongoing. Engagement party booked. This is quicker than I thought. But Raven will be my bride. So, this needs ramping up a gear. It needs to be done. I want action in the next week. She will not get away with showing me up.

I felt irritation flare through me as I read the message before me. Did he truly think Raven was capable of that? If he thought she was, the obvious question to me, was why would he want to marry her? To show her up? No. The man had some brain cells missing. He had to have. Maybe a few to many bouts in the training ring or something. I just hated that Raven was the one that was suffering because of it.

Instead of responding, I pushed my phone back to the pocket it had come from. I walked the remainder of the way home with one person on my mind. Raven. Wondering how she was faring in telling her parents she wanted the marriage canceled. I hoped she was doing okay. I stormed into my small home and slammed the door behind me.

The phone buzzed again as I placed it on the counterside as I undressed for a shower. Another message that remained unanswered. I had nothing left to say to the man. This was done with.

I look forward to hearing from you, Niko. You are a skilled warrior. I know that much from working with you in the past. Let us see now if you are skilled at providing the evidence I need. The rewards will be beneficial to a man like you. I have contacts. Ones that you will be grateful for. Word of this goes no further. I need my proof this girl is worthy of me. And you are the man to prove it. Do not let me down.

Little did he know, I already had.