(Six months ago)
Clad in a floral nightgown, Raven sauntered into the corridor leading to the alpha's quarters. She rubbed her sleepy eyes, and knocked. The door creaks open. No response. No one in sight.
" Where has he gone so early?" She fussed, pouting. Something crashes in the direction of the bathroom. Her head snaps in the direction. Steps away, Kyle flounced out, and jammed the door behind him before she could catch a glimpse.
His hands are wet. A sticky whitish substance trailed his fingers. Like a failed attempt to wash it off completely. Raven ignores it and hugged him. " Good morning, Kyle."
Her eyes wanders to his back. She meets his pants down.
Her forehead furrowed. His shoulder tensed. She folded her hand." I know it's the alpha's quarters but you shouldn't feel shy if you were pressed and needed a place to do your potty business."
He exhaled and relaxed. He forced a smile, " if you would give me some privacy..."
" Of course. I promise. It's between you and I. " She crossed her heart. The second Raven exited the room, Kyle lumbered to the door and turned the keys.
" She's gone." He said. Roman steps out of the bathroom with a towel draped around his waist. Kyles eyes wandered below his waist to the prominent bulge throbbing against the woolen fabric. He gulped, eyes saturated with longing.
Like a long stretch of silence, dawn progressed into dusk. Raven knelt before the alter, incense completely diffused in the air, melding with her senses. By her side, Celeste fiddled with the hem of her dress. " Does it even occur to you that I hate being dragged to this temple every evening?"
" Those who are well have no need for doctors," Raven replied, distant and detached.
" Is this about having children for the alpha?" She probed.
Raven chortled a laugh. " Not close." She said, feigning light-hearted. But her heart ached. Just like it has been for the past five years of her marriage. Raven nursed a fear that Roman might find out about her pitiful nature and abandon her.
" What is a pack member without a wolf?" She thought, eyes tilted to the sculpture of a maiden crowned by the moon. It occupied the center of the alter, with incense burning on its two sides.
Raven's lips moved. " Show me mercy. I feel lost in my home. "
She returned to the mansion, beaming bright like a sun ray. Hope reignited in her heart. " Maybe the next full moon will bring some goodluck." She thought, turning into the long hallway. Celeste had retired to bed, and she was on the lookout for Kyle.
" He took a walk in the garden. He might still be there." One of the Omega's explained.
Raven stepped out. The ground was moist. A gentle breeze whipped her hair, and she tucked it behind her ears. Taking in a breath of fresh air, her attention drifted to a distant grunt playing in her ears.
She shimmied through rows of tulips and stopped abruptly. " There...yes..."
It was Celeste's voice.
Raven's cheeks flushed red. It has been long the alpha made out out with her. The clapping sound rising with Celeste's moans teased her mind with wild imagination. She shrugged it off. Spinned and got back inside. Meeting some patrol guards, she pointed to the door. " Stand there and don't let anyone wander that way." She ordered.
" Couldn't they get a room or go somewhere private," she exhaled, dabbing her cheeks in a futile attempt to douse the heat spreading through her veins like fire.
At the other end of the rows of tulips, Kyle clenched his fist, nostrils flared. He dashed over the rows towards the apple tree at the center of the garden.
Celeste stooped with her hands on the tree's bark. Waist arched, her hips pushed out while the alpha towered over her.
" Roman," Kyle snarled like a possessive she wolf. Startled, Roman withdrew and zipped his fly. Taking the millisecond between, Celeste scurried into the mansion. Her next stop was Raven's quarters, heart dreaming in her ears.
" Have you seen Roman?"
" No...why?" Celeste stuttered.
" A letter arrived from the high council. The Lord of the realm had passed on. All pack heirs are expected at Founders Rock tomorrow...oh here you are." Raven turned at the entrance of Kyle. Her lips tilted in a brief smile before alpha Roman joined them.
" Well, isn't this serendipitous?" Raven pinched Celeste.
Roman exhaled. " You look awfully happy," he said.
Raven softened. " Just glad you're here." She said, eyes searching his. He looks away. " You wanted to see me."
" Yes." She said and recapped the summary of the letter from the council.
" It's dangerous, " Kyle interrupted. " You should let Alpha Roman go."
Roman assented with a firm nod. " They're rogues everywhere now. The road to Founders Rock is too long for a woman of your kind to travel."
Raven bit her lower lip. " Does he know?" She thought.
" I won't take chances with the safety of the Luna of this pack." He added. It dispelled her fears, but Kyle rolled his eyes scornfully.
" I really appreciate you all. It's just that it would be a disrespect to the council if I sent a representative instead. I need to go and represent our pack as its leader."
Roman scoffed inwardly. He nodded, but a trace of displeasure hung on both his eyes like a portrait on the wall. He forced a smile, over his burning feeling like oil on canvas. Meeting the dimness in his eyes, Kyle softened.
The next morning, Raven was ready to set out. Roman was nowhere and Kyle had disappeared from the mansion.
" Do you think the alpha misunderstood me?" Raven asked Celeste.
With a subtle hint of discomfort, she shook her head. " I think you're taking this heir title a bit too serious. You use it to put him down at every opportunity you get. I wouldn't be surprised if he's offended."
" You know I don't mean it that way..."
" Then go talk to him..." She snapped.
Raven took Celeste's unintended advise. Hands suspended over the door, she heard the Alpha arguing with someone.
" She will be gone for a year. This is our chance and you want to ruin it?!" Roman berated.
" If anyone should be worried about the plan, it's me. Unlike you, I have the alpha's blood in my veins."
Raven froze. Her eyes twitched. " Isn't that Kyle?"
" Could he be the one?... No, it can't be."