Chapter 2
CURRENT DAY
RAVEN
The sun beat down on my skin , a thin layer of sweat coating it . I jumped back as the two men attacked simultaneously . Three
... I twisted around , elbowing one of them in the neck , hearing a satisfying crunch . Two ... I flipped backwards , grabbing onto
the other one , and slammed him face forward into the ground . One ... With a final spin , I slammed my fist into the first man’s
nose .
He grunted as he staggered backwards , before falling to his knees . I smiled slightly , breathing hard , a s I stepped back . ” And
that is how you do it . ” I said , looking at the group of teens who had been watching . They didn’t say anything , just stared in
awe at the two giants who were flat on the floor .
” That’s amazing . ” One of the boys muttered . I crouched down and took off the weights I had tied around my ankles . I heard a
clap and turned to see my Aunt Angela walking over . Her long hair was in a high ponytail , and she was dressed in jeans and an
oversized top .
” ” Once again , impressively done , Raven . ” She said , passing me a water bottle . ” Thanks . I think every one is getting too
predictable . ” I said , standing up and taking it . ” Or you’re just incredible . You got an email from Elijah . ” She said quietly .
My heart skipped a beat , and my nerves began to brew in my stomach . ” Really ? ” ” Yes , he has officially asked for you to
come home and take the position as Head Warrior . ” I almost screamed in excitement ... but going home also meant facing both
of them . Just like that , the happiness I felt vanished .
Aunt Angela frowned , she knew something happened that made me come here , but I never told her because she was close to
Aunty Red and would have definitely spill the beans . I knew Liam had returned a few weeks ago . I hoped that he and Damon
were ok because I hated that I was the reason behind their destroyed relationship . ” Raven ?
” I snapped out of my thoughts as the wind blew through my deep purple and blue ombre hair . ” Sorry I spaced out . ” I gave her
a wry smile and turned to the kids . ” Lessons out for today ! ” ” Yes mam ! ” They hurried off chattering amongst themselves ,
discussing the match or certain moves , and I smiled at the two men who were picking themselves up .
Both Aunty and I fell in step as we walked towards the packhouse . Despite being an outsider , I had been welcomed here with
open arms . For the last three years , this had been my home . ” Are you going to ten your parents about the position ? ” ” No , I’ll
tell them when I return if Uncle E I hasn’t already done that . ” I said , drinking the water .
Aunt Angela nodded , I knew her strained relationship with dad only got worse with each passing year . They barely talked , and
when they did , they clashed . In the beginning , Aunt and her mate , Cassandra , had moved to The Blood Moon pack , but
when Cassandra’s mom became ill , they moved back to The Dark River Pack and decided to stay on .
I know Dad was the reason for that , but I never really asked what the final push had been , because I too had my secrets and I
didn’t want anyone prying in my life either . ” You earned this Raven , I have watched you train endlessly , push yourself further
and harder . If anyone does , you are the one who deserves this . I am proud of you . So , when you go back , I want you to keep
your chin up and face them all .
” Our eyes met and I wondered how much she knew , or assumed , but I simply gave her a faint smile .
I will do exactly that , because I wasn’t weak . Two days later I had arrived home . Dressed in a pair of black jeans , a purple
halter top , a leather jacket and boots , I stared up at the huge wall that surrounded the pack grounds . When did they build this ?
I approached the gate , driving slowly , lowering my car window as the guard looked me over .
A small smile crossed his lips , and I gave him a bright one in return . ” Raven Jacobs ! ” ” The one and only . ” I said , flicking my
hair dramatically . ” Damn girl ! I never knew you were coming ! We were only expecting the new Head Warrior ... Holy shit , it’s
you ? ” ” ” I guess so . ” ” I won’t keep you waiting then , the Alpha’s are waiting .
” Nice seeing you agam . ” I drove through , trying to keep a cap on m y emotions . I wasn’t ready for this . Goddess , I don’t think
I’d ever been ready for this but I had to do it .
I parked up outside the packhouse and to my relief , it was only Uncle El and Aunty Red . ” Raven . Welcome home . ” Aunty
Red said coming over the moment I got out of the car and hugged me tightly , I hugged her back , inhaling her familiar comforting
scent . ” Thanks , Aunty Red . ” I said , before Uncle El gave me a tight hug . I felt a wave of sadness wash over me .
He had lost the last of his closest friends two months ago and I knew it must be affecting him greatly . I looked up at him , my
heart skipping a beat as I looked into those cerulean blue eyes , eyes that reminded me of Liam’s . ” I haven’t actually told the
boys your back . ” Uncle El said , smirking . ” Think they’ll b e happy . ” ” I’m sure . ” I said faking a smile , very aware of Aunty
Red watching me keenly .
But I think I’ll see them tomorrow ; I need t o go home first . ” ” Ah yes , I did tell Haru and Kimberly you were back . ” Aunty Red
said . 11 ” Great . ” It was later that night , and I was back home .
I didn’t unpack because I wanted to ask Alpha El if I could allocate in the packhouse ... and boy I think I was making the right
decision to do so , the tension was suffocating . I stirred my food on the plate , not even wanting to eat the orgasm inducing
dishes my mom had cooked with this tension . ” So Alpha Elijah told me you applied for the Head Warrior position ?
” Dad remarked , his jaw clenched , his sharp brown eyes looking at me calculatingly . ” Yeah , I did . ” I said blandly . ” You didn’t
once consider to , I don’t know , ask my opinion ? ” ” Umm , why would I ? ” I raised my eyebrows .
Was he seriously going to still do this ? ” Raven , don’t speak to your dad like that . ” Mom said quietly . I pursed my lips , taking
a deep breath to calm myself down . ” Too much time spent around Angela , it was bound to happen . ” Dad added drinking some
of his fresh orange juice . Oh for real ? ” Dad , how can you blame Aunty for this ? Like for real , she has nothing to do with m y
decision !
” ” That attitude is a mirror of hers . ” Dad hissed . ” I’m not even arguing . ” I exclaimed trying to keep my voice calm . ” I’m just
saying you can’t blame Aunty for my decision or anything . This is all me . ” ” ” Well , it doesn’t really look good .
So , you chose a position where you are going to prance around amongst men , befitting ” ” That stung ” Dad ... It’s training , I
am not going to go put on a strip show for them , and even if I did want to become a stripper you really shouldn’t be putting me
down like that .
” ” Wow , see that , Kim ? Your daughter wants to be a hooker or stripper or whatever . ” ” Dad ! I ... ” I shook my head , I can’t
believe he was so backwards ... I stood up , placing my knife and fork down slowly , not wanting him to lash out at me for being
loud .
” I worked my ass off to become something , to be accepted to such a position ... Dad , it’s no small fete ... Head Warrior means
I am one of the strongest fighters of this pack . I worked day and night to prove that I’m good at something .
Aren’t you at least a little proud of me ? ” I asked , glancing at Mom only for her to look away . That hurt , even when my mates
abandoned me , I wished that I at least had my mom’s arms to cry in , but I didn’t ...... ” Proud ? What’s there to be proud of ?
You’re just another Angela , another disappointment .
” He stood up , slamming his fork onto the table and stormed out of the room . ” Haru ... ” Mom said , rushing from the room . I
stared at the table , swallowing hard , A disappointment ... A failure ... Unwanted ..... Useless ... I took a deep breath , smiling
faintly . It was ok , I was used to it all .