Obsidian: Raven (Book 3) (The Reaver Chronicles Spin off Series)

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I woke up to my mother singing happy birthday with a handful of balloons, barging into my room. I groaned. I always told her not to celebrate my birthday. It was just another day, and I didn’t need a reminder of it every year. But she was insatiable, that woman. Always making sure I had the best that she could offer.

After leaving me with the balloons and throwing confetti, literally, all over my entire room, she finally left, letting me know that breakfast was ready and to come down as soon as I could. I struggled to get the covers off, being reminded of my near death experience from last night.

I still felt like I was cold from it. I swear I lost a toe, or two. I wiggled them under the blankets to find that they were all intact, but I was still cold. I finally threw the covers off, grabbed a towel, and headed to the shower. I needed to get warm, this was ridiculous.

I turned the water on as hot as I could stand, and just let it seep into my achy muscles. I couldn’t believe how sore I was from almost drowning. I stayed in the shower a lot longer than I planned to, but it was worth it.

Once I was done, I towel dried my hair, threw some coconut leave-in-conditioner in my hair, and threw on some clothes. Today, I picked a mixture of white and icy blue hues to match my eyes and hair.

I headed downstairs to find the elaborate breakfast my mother had made me. I would be lying if I didn’t say it all smelled and looked amazing. As much as I didn’t want to celebrate my birthday, I was happy to dive into the food, because I was starving. Nearly drowning really takes it out of you.

I got a little of everything and started shoving my face full. That's when I noticed the small box wrapped in a light blue paper with a silver ribbon, sitting by my plate. I looked at the box for a moment, knowing that my mother didn’t usually do gifts. We just did food and spent the day together, normally. This was strange. She looked at me.

“Well, are you going to open it?” She asked me. I set my fork down and picked up the small box carefully, as if it would break had I not been careful. I pulled the ribbon, and my mom watched me intently while I did. I carefully peeled the paper open and revealed a little jewelry box. I was known to wear jewelry on occasion, but I didn’t have much that I really loved enough to wear everyday.

I smiled at my mom and opened the box slowly, revealing a sterling silver necklace with a single wing hanging from the end that looked like a fairy wing. It was actually beautiful, with a light icy blue tint to the wing. It was dainty, and just long enough to be hidden under my shirt, if I wanted it to be.

I don’t know why, but something about it just felt right… Like it was more important than I even knew. I took the necklace and had my mom help me put it on.

I moved my hair so she could clasp it. It fell perfectly just below my collarbone, glistening in the lack of light, which I thought made it even prettier. I looked up at my mom with a huge grin. “I love it! Thank you!” I said to her, barreling around the table to wrap her in a huge hug.

“I love you, Raven. I’m so proud of the Wolf you’ve become. Happy Birthday, and who knows, maybe you’ll find your mate today?” She said, with a little glint in her eye. Oh right, that. I had almost forgotten I was 21 now, and I was eligible to find a mate.

I didn’t know if I was ready for that type of commitment yet, but I guess it was now or never. I sat down finishing my food and then threw my hair up in a little half ponytail, letting the loose waves fall down my back. I also pulled two pieces from the ponytail and let them fall down the side of my face, framing my porcelain skin.

I then did one last mirror check, and noted the fairy wing hanging from my chest, which seemed to match my eyes perfectly. I nodded to myself. “Happy Birthday, Raven!” Aya said to me, as we headed out of my bedroom door. I grabbed my bag and gave my mom a hug again. “Thank you. I love you, mom.” I said and headed out the door towards school.

My last day here. I would never have to set foot in these halls again. The joy I was feeling over that fact had me reeling. I was ecstatic being able to say goodbye to this place, forever. After today I will be free.

I got to the gate of the school, and noticed a light snowfall starting. I just watched the snow falling softly in front of the gate and reminisced for a moment. The only thing I could think of was Talus, and how I would never have to deal with his insufferable face, ever again. The thought made me happier than it should have.

I pushed open the gate and walked inside, grinning from ear to ear. This was going to be a fantastic day. I walked inside the school and headed towards my first period. I was about halfway there when I could smell Talus’ scent.

But this time, it was about 40 times stronger than it had been before, and it was more like a coat of fresh ice after a rainstorm that wasn’t quite cold enough to turn to snow yet. There was still a pine scent to it, but a very light one. It was probably the most intoxicating thing I had ever smelled in my entire life. I looked up and there was Talus, standing in the middle of the hall.

He looked like Poseidon, god of the sea, standing there with his icy blue eyes burning straight into me. I couldn’t help but notice that his outfit matched mine perfectly in color, with the shades of whites and icy blues. It was as if we matched on purpose.

His muscles were cascading down his arms, which were folded in front of him in a power stance, making him appear even more radiant. I had never realized this, but his hair had a glint of blue in it, at this angle.

It was lying a bit messy on his head, but for some reason it made him even that much more appealing. I stopped dead in my tracks when we locked eyes and Aya whispered, “mate.” Into my ear.

“No, no, no.” I said back to her. This couldn’t be happening. Talus could not be my mate. No! What kind of sick joke could the gods be playing on me with this one. “Very f*****g funny.” I said to Aya. “It’s not a joke, Raven! He’s our mate!” She swooned.

I felt like I was going to be sick. Out of everyone in the whole entire world, the gods decided to pair me with him? With Talus? WHY? No f*****g way was I was going to do this. No f*****g way.

No wonder he had been acting so strange. He knew, he f*****g knew because he turned 21 a week ago. It all made sense to me now… why he had been following me, not teasing me as bad, why he was there in the forest when I fell into the river. All of it just snapped into place at once.

God, this mate bond was strong, they weren’t lying. I had never experienced it, but now I was about to experience it first hand. It was like time was standing still, Talus right in the middle of it all. Everyone in the halls knew exactly what was happening, and they had formed a circle around us.

I couldn’t escape now if I wanted to. And I definitely wanted to. I wanted to run, and never look back. I wanted to leave, scream, cry, anything but stand there.

I had to make a move, before he did something stupid. I gathered my guts. Aya was begging me not to do it, crying in my mind. I pushed her away, I knew what I had to do, and I wasn’t going to let this stupid mate bond stop me.

I didn’t care what was going to happen next, I could never be mated to Talus, never. I took a step forward, and before I knew it the words, although shaky, formed in my throat and spewed from my mouth. “I, Raven, from The Obsidian pack, reject you, Talus, as my mate.”

I swear I could hear ice shattering all around us. It wasn’t ice, but gasps from our classmates. Aya’s howls of sorrow and anger made their way through my body, but I remained calm and still. Regardless of the agonizing pain I felt in my chest at my own words, I knew this was the right thing to do.

Talus’ face remained void of emotion, but I could see a glint of pain in his eyes. Something he was doing his best to hide. I waited for his acceptance of my rejection, but it never came. He never moved or said a word. I could see the muscle in his jaw tensing as he stood there.

I was unsure of what to do next. I had rejected him, why wasn’t he accepting my rejection? It seemed like time was standing still. The crowd around us sounded like they weren’t even breathing.

“Accept it.” I snarled through gritted teeth.

Tears were forming in my eyes at this point. I was trying my hardest not to cry, but the adrenaline was wearing off, and the pain of what I had done was starting to settle in.

“Accept my rejection, Talus!” I yelled, causing the tears that had built up to stream down my face. But he never did, he didn’t accept it. He didn’t say a damn word. He just looked at me as if he was fighting with himself. Frustrated at the whole entire situation.

I waited a few more agonizing seconds. Our eyes were locked and I was pleading with him to just accept my rejection in my gaze. He still didn’t, and when I couldn’t take it any longer I turned from his piercing gaze and proceeded to walk away.

The crowd split, allowing me passage through, and still, no one made a f*****g sound. I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I stormed out of the school, angrily wiping my tears.