Chapter 2

The stranger led Raven into a hotel room next to the bar. He shut the door behind them and gestured toward the bed.

"Sit."

Raven hesitated before lowering herself onto the mattress, her muscles still tense.

He crouched in front of her, reaching for the hem of her shirt. She flinched.

His sharp gaze met hers. "If I wanted to hurt you, I would've done it already."

Her throat tightened, but she forced herself to stay still.

Slowly, he lifted the fabric again. His fingers brushed against her skin, sending an unexpected shiver through her. The warmth of the cloth against her wound was oddly soothing, but his touch was what made her breath catch.

"Tell me about this escape plan of yours," he said.

She swallowed. "When the summer solstice comes, I'm rejecting my Alpha."

His brow lifted. "Then what? Joining a new pack?"

"No. Most packs don't take in outsiders. And there's no guarantee a new Alpha would be any better."

He leaned back, tossing the cloth aside. "Could also be better."

Raven let out a short laugh. "That's a gamble I'm not willing to take."

He shifted, sitting beside her on the bed, his presence solid but not suffocating. "What's your name?"

She hesitated. "Tell me yours first."

He smirked. "Damien."

"Raven."

His eyes stayed locked on hers. "You think I was looking for a spy tonight?"

She nodded. "Isn't that why you were at the bar?"

For a moment, he just stared at her, like he was trying to figure her out. Then he finally said, "There were a few reasons I was there. Some unusual activity in my territory. My instincts told me to check it out. Then you walked in looking like hell, and I thought maybe it was an act."

She frowned. "But you believe me now?"

His gaze dropped to the cut on her neck. "Most wolves heal fast. That wound should be gone by now."

Her jaw clenched. "I'm not weak."

Damien studied her, then nodded. "Your spirit isn't. But your wolf... she's barely there."

Raven exhaled. "That'll change soon."

Something flickered in his eyes. He reached up, fingers lightly tracing the bruise on her cheek. She froze. His touch was warm, careful, like he wasn't used to being gentle.

"The bruise doesn't change the fact that you're beautiful," he murmured.

Her chest tightened. No one had ever called her that before.

Before she could stop herself, she leaned into his touch.

His fingers slid into her hair, tilting her head slightly as he pulled her closer. He moved slowly, like he was waiting for her to pull away.

She didn't.

I don't have a mate. This might be my only chance.

She wet her lips, and that was all the invitation he needed.

With a low growl, Damien closed the distance, his lips crashing against hers. His grip tightened, pulling her flush against him. His tongue slid past her lips, exploring, tasting, taking.

Her heart pounded. Her whole body tingled.

She had never been kissed before.

But if this was what kissing felt like, she never wanted it to stop.

Raven's eyes drifted to the man sleeping beside her, his bare chest rising and falling steadily. There was no denying what had happened between them.

Wolves are supposed to save their virginities for their mates.

But since she didn't have a mate anymore, did it matter? She convinced herself.

She took one last look at Damien before slipping out the door.

Moving quickly, she retraced her steps to the underground tunnel, emerging back in the packhouse just as the sun began to rise. No one seemed to notice she was gone.

As she entered the dining hall, Boris's cold voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Raven."

Her stomach tightened.

"We have important guests tonight. Make sure dinner is perfect, or it'll be your head."

She bowed her head. "Yes, Alpha."

By evening, she was back in the dining room, carefully balancing a large pot of stew. She stepped forward, then suddenly, a foot shot out from under the table.

Her breath caught as she tripped, the pot slipping from her hands.

Hot stew splashed all over Nema.

A horrified silence filled the room.

Nema let out a furious snarl, leaping to her feet. "You little... I'll rip your throat out for this!"

Raven scrambled back, her heart hammering.

But Nema wasn't done. A smirk curled on her lips. "Actually, the Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack will be here any second to discuss a treaty. He killed his own mate, you know. I bet I could convince him to kill you too."

"I... I was tripped," Raven stammered.

"Don't talk back to me!" Nema raised her hand, claws bared, ready to strike.

But before she could land the hit, a strong hand grabbed her wrist.

A low, deadly growl rumbled through the room.

"If you touch her, I'll kill you."

Raven's breath caught.

She knew that voice was Damien's instantly.

In one swift move, he hurled Nema over his shoulder. She crashed into the wall with a pained grunt.

Silence fell.

Damien turned to Raven, his expression unreadable. He stepped closer, his voice low enough for only her to hear.

"Raven... What the hell are you doing here? I've been looking everywhere for you."

Panic surged through her.

She couldn't say anything. If Boris found out, she would be dead.

Before he could react, she delivered a sharp, discreet kick to his shin. His brow quirked, but he stayed silent.

"What the hell is going on here?!"

Boris stormed into the room, his gaze snapping to Nema sprawled on the floor.

Damien didn't back down. He met Boris's glare head-on. "One of your pack members was getting out of line. She tried to strike this serving girl. I taught her some respect."

Boris hesitated. Then, shockingly, his head bowed slightly.

"My apologies, Alpha Damien," Boris said, voice tight. "I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

Raven's stomach dropped. Alpha Damien?

Her pulse raced as her eyes flicked back to him. She had slept with the Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack?