Raven leaned her head on the window, listening to music with her air pods. She watched the trees roll by in a blur until her mother’s voice entered her mind.
RAVEN!
She roughly removed one of her ear buds and looked at her mother in annoyance. “What?!”
“Your father was speaking to you. You’ve had those in the whole trip and we are almost at the Black Ice Pack (Diamond Pack). We were thinking we should talk. Are you sure you are ready now? Your father and I can delay this longer.”
“Your mother is right. You don’t have to rush into this.”
“I know I don’t. But war is coming. The packs are already making evacuation plans. Even you guys have moved the Ankh Pack to the invisible barrier. Everything is being prepared. The Black Ice Pack (Diamond Pack) needs their future Alpha to have his Luna. Tate and I talked about this. It is what we both want.” She listened to the low growl from her father.
“Seon (Sion), it’s her choice.”
“They aren’t good enough for her.”
“Who is?”
“No one.” Seon (Sion) pouted quietly. “Briar (Clover), I want her with us where I can protect her.”
“I can protect myself, Dad,” Raven huffed, looking back out the window. She watched as her mother's slender hand gently rested on her father's thigh. The way they looked at each other, with a tenderness that spoke volumes of their love and devotion, always warmed her heart. They had the kind of relationship that others envied. It was full of mutual respect, unwavering support, and never-ending affection. As she observed them in this quiet moment, she felt grateful to have such loving parents who set such a beautiful example of what true love looks like.
Her father's love for her mother knew no bounds, evident in the way he adored and pampered her. Their love had stood the test of time and still burned strong, like two teenagers smitten with each other. Even after all these years, their affection for one another remained as pure and passionate as ever. Their bond was unbreakable. Her parents were relationship goals. But when it came to her, they needed to let go of the reins. “You trust Kale to take over the Ankh Pack, and he isn’t much older than me. You already made him the Alpha. I know you don’t want to let go, but I promise I’m ready. And I am going to be just fine. You have your destinies ... and I have mine.”
Her father had a big responsibility. He was no longer the Alpha of the Ankh pack, but his real job was bigger than that. One that was a heavy weight on his shoulders and would also pass to her mother after she died. Her father was also Anubis, and her mother would become his Anput.
It was a long story, one she'd heard many times, but basically the god Reapus had saved her father’s life, and in return turned him into a lower-level god. Because of that, her parents were destined to eventually live in the spirit realm and were not permitted to interfere with the events on earth.
Her father was a new breed of creature called a lupine, also created by Reapus. She was a lupine, too. It was a creature that was bigger and stronger than a lycan. They could run on two feet or four and were unparalleled in strength. But she was also part sheya because of her mother. A sheya was a creature that had the ability to manipulate minds. They could also speak mentally to anyone. She was powerful, and it was a power the earth would need in the upcoming events.
The events on earth ... that was another thing. They were on the brink of a catastrophic war. One they couldn’t stop. For years, an invasive species had been drawing closer, and now they were due to arrive at any time. Everyone was making plans for the future. Many humans were making strongholds that wouldn’t last, while most of the supernatural were either seeking refuge in the underground kingdom, Genesis, or in the fairy kingdom, Elysia (Elysium).
There were a few who were staying to fight, not willing to give up their home. Her brother, Kale, was doing just that. Their pack was set up behind an invisible barrier in order to protect them. And the Black Ice Pack (Diamond pack) was splitting up. Some were going to Elysia (Elysium) and some were headed to Genesis.
Tate had made the decision to go to Genesis so they could still fight for the world but keep pack members safe. And she was going to be part of this with him, as his mate. She didn’t get to pick Tate. It was decided before she was born that they would be mated. However, the two of them grew up together and visited often. She knew him well, trusted him ... and loved him.
“Raven ... no matter what our destinies are, my first priority is to my family. I just want to protect you, but if this is your choice, then I understand. I know you are old enough to be on your own now, but you are still only twenty ... I’m just not ready.”
“I could be forty and you wouldn’t be ready.” Raven snorted as her mother giggled.
“You know how your father is.” Briar (Clover) turned around in her seat to look at her daughter. She had beautiful blue eyes with caramel-colored hair. It felt like only yesterday when she had met Seon (Sion) and fell in love. Well, things weren’t so simple, but it had all worked out. “I know he isn’t your fated, but Tate is a good one.”
“I know he is.” Raven smiled with a small blush on her cheeks.
The truth is that Briar (Clover) knew more than anyone that Tate was a good one. She and Seon (Sion) were the only ones who knew the real truth. Years ago, she'd lost two men who were her best friends ... more than that, they were family: Danny (Denny) and Judd (Jude). Both men were reincarnated in the Black Ice Pack (Diamond Pack). Danny reincarnated as Tate and Judd (Jude) as his brother Gavin. They had no memories of their previous lives, but she recognized their souls immediately. She felt connected to the two young men. Because of that, she had no hesitation with her daughter moving there. She knew Raven would be well-looked after and loved. They had died protecting her ... and she knew they would protect her daughter with their lives if they ever had to.
“Your mom and I will be going with Aedan to escort a portion of the pack to Elysia. When we get back in a few days, that’s when we’ll have the mating ceremony. You will be the Luna of the Black Ice Pack ... and I know you’ll be a wonderful leader.” Seon glanced up in the rearview mirror, seeing the young woman she has become. Though a part of him would always see his little girl. The one who fought with him over the last chocolate chip pancake.
“We are here,” Briar chirped as they pulled down the long winding road that led deep into the forest.
The car hummed along before finally coming to a stop near a beautiful mansion. A place Raven knew very well and was like a second home. The moment Raven got out of the car, strong arms wrapped around her, picking her up and twirling her around.
“My crow has come to stay!” A tenor voice laughed as he gripped her tighter.
“Gavin, you stink, put me down.” Raven laughed as she elbowed him in the gut. He always called her crow, since her name was Raven.
“But it’s been two whole weeks and I miiiiiisssssssed you.” He sat her down and ruffled her hair.
“Hi Gavin!” Briar smiled at their interaction. He was just like Judd ... the one she knew.
“Hey Dandelion! Mom and dad are waiting for you two at the house.” Gavin watched as they walked away and then he gripped Raven’s shoulders, squeezing her tight. “Are you excited?”
“Excited to be your luna ... maybe.” She beamed at him and then glanced around.
“He is at his spot.” Gavin rolled his eyes. “He should have been waiting here with me. I’ve been standing here for two hours waiting for you to arrive.”
“Gav, he is taking over the Black Ice Pack (Diamond Pack) in a few days … well, what’s left of the pack, since over half are traveling to Elysia (Elysium). But still … he decided to stay in order to protect those who wouldn’t move to Elysia. It’s a lot for him to have on his shoulders. I’m sure it was a tough decision, but he also made it for me since my brother and parents will be here.”
“I’m staying, too.”
“Gavin!” She looked at him, wide-eyed.
“What, you don’t want me to?” He chuckled as she shook her head.
“It isn’t that ... it's just—”
“I’ve made up my mind. I want to stay and fight. I’m staying with my brother so I can support him.”
“But your parents and family—”
“A lot of us are getting separated … it sucks, but it is what it is. Besides, I don’t want to be separated from my brother or from you. Not to mention we will be kicking it in the wicked cool underground kingdom, Genesis. It’s a city that is underground! You’ve seen it ... it has everything. Solar panels for energy, a garden, a marketplace … there is a freaking farm down there. Old MacDonald farm, you know? With a moo moo here and a ...” He chuckled and shrugged. “Who wants to miss that?” He winked at her and softly placed his hand on her head.
“Your parents won’t be happy hearing this.”
“It isn’t their decision … it’s mine.” His green eyes stared into hers before he looked away. “Just like Tate made his decision. And ... you made yours.” Gavin let his hand drop and she immediately took it, giving him a gentle squeeze.
“I’m happy you’re staying, too. If I am allowed to be selfish and say that.”
“You’re never selfish, so yeah … you can say that.” He flashed her a bright smile before he turned and took a step away from her, looking in the distance. “Where is Tate? He really needs to treat you better.”
Raven giggled and bumped her shoulder into Gavin’s side as she stepped next to him. “He is good to me, Gav.” Normally, even if he was busy, he would have met her by now. She wondered if stepping up as the alpha was weighing on him, now that it was so close. “He must be working on something. I’ll go meet him.”
“Want me to link him?”
“I could do that myself ... where’s the fun in that? I’ll just diminish my aura and scent and surprise him.”
“That’s some real Yoda-like s**t right there.” Gavin smiled at her, impressed with her skill. She was able to diminish her aura so flawlessly, something he had to work hard on to do.
“You can do it, too?” She laughed.
“Not that fast ... watch.”
Raven watched as Gavin scrunched his face, closing his eyes. She began to giggle and reached out to rest her hands on his cheeks. “Easy, Gav, you’re fighting it. That’s the problem. Don’t fight with your beast. You are your beast. Gav, you are a lycan, not a human. Remember that. Listen to your heart beating. That is your sound, Gav. Now, conceal it. Visualize it getting quieter.” She smiled as she felt his aura dissipate.
“Hey, that was much easier.” Gavin's eyes snapped open, a mischievous glint dancing in their deep green depths. A wide grin spread across his face, revealing perfect white teeth. "I don't think I'm going to let Tate have you," he declared playfully. "No, I'm keeping you for myself. The agreement still stands with me."
“It will get easier and easier for you. You don’t need my help anymore.” She shook her head with a smile, glancing up the path. “But he does ... he will need both of us to help him. He puts so much pressure on himself. He wants to be a great leader so badly that he forgets to think about himself. We have to protect him.”
Gavin looked down at her with a small frown. “You put a lot on yourself, too.”
“If I could ease his burden, I would take it all ... but he wouldn’t allow it.” She shrugged as they walked up the path. “He put new scout buildings up since I was here last?” Her eyes wandered over the sky-scraping tall buildings.
“Yes, he wanted views from all areas. The one at the highest point is the newest. It has an incredible view, which is what he was going for. You can see far in the horizon. He has people assigned to each building to take shifts watching for any sign of a disturbance.”
“They are incredible.” She smiled, marveling at them. They were all Tate’s idea. When she was here a couple weeks ago, there were only two up. How did they manage to get them all done so quickly?
She walked up the steps to one of the first lookouts made, and Gavin followed behind her. Tate spent a lot of time at this one. It was like his office now. She opened the door in excitement and froze. Her mind struggled to figure out what she was looking at for a moment. She felt nauseous as she saw a slender body writhing on top of a strong muscular one. Their loud moans and groans now echoed out of the soundproof room. She swiftly closed the door before they noticed her.
She closed her eyes, shaking her head as she quietly turned and ran. Her face was flustered and heated in embarrassment.
“What is it?” Gavin asked as she whirled past him.
She wasn’t looking where she was going and collided into a strong chest, whose massive arms encircled her. She glanced up, only to meet with storm-colored eyes looking at her with concern.
“Are you alright?” Tate asked, tilting her chin up. She buried her head in his chest and inhaled his scent. Tate glanced up at Gavin who shrugged, looking back at the lookout door.
“Who’s in your lookout?” Gavin asked.
“It isn’t mine anymore, I gave it to Sully. I took the new one.” He smoothed his hand over her hair, then tilted her chin up to look at him. “Raven,” he stared into her beautiful blue eyes for a moment, not seeing any panic in her gaze anymore. Satisfied that she was alright, he slowly lowered his head to hers.
His hot breath tickled her lips before he pressed his mouth against hers. His lips, soft and warm, caressed hers, sweeping over them with gentle, intimate pressure. The touch of his mouth sent shivers down her spine, and she couldn't help but close her eyes and savor the sensation. Every nerve in her body seemed to be alive with electricity as their lips danced together, igniting a fire within her that she had never felt before. Finally, he parted just enough that they were still touching. As he gazed into her eyes, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and he spoke in a gentle voice, "Welcome home, my love. I've missed you."
Aksara