A Worthy Wolf?

Chapter 8 - Raven

After what could only be classed as my dismissal from the meeting about what was essentially my future, I remained close to the packhouse in the hope that Brayden may want to see me. He had, after all, said we would have the opportunity for some time together upon this visit. He had told me how much he was looking forward to getting to know me better. So many promises. But, as time passed by, I began to realize that I may have to accept that my husband-to-be may have left the pack without even so much as a proper goodbye...

The thought was near soul-destroying when I believed he was really interested in me. Desperate to spend time with me, were his words... seemed they were not quite as accurate as they had first appeared. My potential husband-to-be clearly had other priorities. Feeling deflated, I found myself sighing, releasing a deep breath I had not realized I had been holding. Maybe I was being naive. With one last look around to check he was not on his way, I left my place in the packhouse gardens. One of my favorite places to sit and relax in the sunshine, and the place where Brayden and I had sat together during the occasions we had spent time alone.

Only today, after sitting in anticipation for as long as I had, with my mind on the mess I had left behind, I felt far from relaxed. This situation was not as it should be. I just had to hope that Brayden had fixed it. If not then I could well be forced to marry someone else. Someone I had no connection to. Someone who did not make my heart race the way that Brayden did...

My feet seemed to work automatically as I walked away from my peaceful spot within the garden, back toward the packhouse while my mind wandered. I had not heard anything about the meeting. No sight nor sound of Brayden as I had hoped; but also, not even a mindlink or a message from any of my family. I could not help but wonder if that meant they were still battling it out. Was that why Brayden had not come to find me? And would they reach a point where they all gave up? My shoulders sagged at the thought. They were all as stubborn as one another. Not willing to surrender even an inch...

"Hey Rae." Someone spoke, startling me. "What are you doing out here on your own?" The voice was a familiar one, and she used the nickname many of my friends and family called me. I smiled at the sight of her, as I headed around the pathway that led from the back of the packhouse to the front. I looked across at my Mum’s closest friend and our pack Luna, Anais where she was sitting on one of the patio chairs on the decking at the side of the packhouse, sitting enjoying the late afternoon sunshine, with a mug of coffee and a book. She responded with a smile of her own. With her waves of ashy blond hair and deep brown eyes, she was a near mirror image of her son, Roan.

I could feel her eyes watching me as she waited for an answer. “Just been getting some fresh air.” I lied.

She nodded, giving me what quite honestly looked like a knowing look as she stood up from her seat, leaving her book and mug behind. She knew what was happening today. They all did. I could not help but wonder if she had heard an update? “Well, I heard you caused quite a scene earlier.” She fell into step alongside me as I walked, and she gave me a playful wink, as she wrapped her arm around my shoulder before fluffing up my hair with her hand. “That is my girl. Never change.”

I offered her a wry smile, realizing then that she had clearly received some form of update; or, at the least, how chaotic the meeting was going. “I am not so sure your mate agreed.”

She chuckled. “Aww, well.” She gave a shrug. “Meant he maybe had to work a little harder. Won’t have killed him. Sounds like it has all been sorted though.” She gave me a suggestive smile.

I looked across at her, unable to hold back the overeager smile taking over my face at hearing that news. She said it had been sorted! An overwhelming sense of relief washed over me. Brayden had fixed it?! Luna Anais giggled at my response. “Anyone would think you were happy about it, sweetheart.” She winked again. "Aww, you are just the sweetest."

Color and heat flooded my cheeks, as I grew embarrassed at my reaction. Heading toward being 20 years old or not, I never discussed boyfriends, crushes or such like with my parents or the grown-ups in the pack. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole, while the woman I had known since I was born looked across at me with a fond smile. “I will just say, that your man was more than keen to get the deal done.” My heart fluttered dangerously within my chest. Brayden was keen? Oh, my Goddess...

"R.. Really?" I stuttered, earning another smile from Anais. I was doing well at making a fool of myself. But, I am sure at my age if she had a marriage planned to a man as handsome as Brayden, and one as sweet too, then she would be feeling exactly the same...

"Yes, really." Anais fluffed my hair up once again as she spoke. "That man was determined to make you his wife, Raven. Seems you have him hooked. I am impressed." She gave me a wink, and my heart pounded so heavily I thought it might stop. I smiled, in what I feared may have been an almost dreamy way as we reached the front doors of the packhouse. I assumed she was going to go inside, as I wanted to head straight home and message Brayden...

‘Don’t get carried away!’ Sable warned, but my mind was already wandering. He had fought for me!

I felt almost weak at the knees thinking of the man I was soon to marry fighting for the right to make me his mate. It was so romantic. ‘Hardly.’ Sable snapped. ‘You need to make a point of noticing that once he got the deal done he also f****d off. Not so hooked on you then, is he?’ Her words brought me tumbling back down to reality. Could she have a point?