The so called Gala in my name was for four days from when the letter had been delivered. Loki had already taken some of the pack to investigate the location. Getting blueprints and organising the best escape route should this turn out to be a trap which in his, Zeld's and everyone else's opinion was definitely shaping up to be.
I on the other hand refused to give up hope, sure there was definitely some ulterior motive for Damiens invitation but it could just as easily be to our benefit. Either way we were well prepared there's only so much they can do in a public place in the middle of a city surrounded by humans. As much as they may want us all dead keeping the secret of what we were was just as important to them as it was to us.
Don't get me wrong I'm extremely sure that they could easily bribe government officials, police and whoever they want I doubt they would attack us under the guise of a party and while the others were apprehensive of this Gala I was secretly looking forward to it.
With everything that was going on it was the perfect opportunity for the pack to let off some steam and while I had every faith that they wouldn't let their guard down it didn't mean they couldn't have a bit of fun while they were there. Plus if the red paw pack ended up becoming allies this would be a good way for both packs to get to know each other.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Zeld asked me for the thousandth time. We were on the roof top. I liked it up here the wind that blew by the trees of central pack down below the water that could be seen in the distance. I felt closer to the energy that called to my very being. Zeld had found me after yet another meeting planning for the Gala ahead.
I turned leaning my back against the railing as I stared at him. Now that we were back in New York he had stripped himself of the furs of Greenland in place of navy jeans and a black button down shirt. Which if I was honest made him look all the more irresistible.
"Extremely sure."
He stepped closer taking me in his arms the feel of him against me sending that all too familiar warmth into my very being. His eyes delved into my own as his hands found the hem of my shirt to my skin underneath sending tingles through my body.
"Well I know there's no talking you out of it so I'm not even going to try."
His hands make there way up my side as they pulled aside my bra cupping the breast beneath. His head dipping to my neck as his breath warms my skin.
"All I ask is that you promise one last time."
Pulling back he looks into my eyes his hand slowly finding its way to the front of my pants. slipping down the inside of the thin fabric of my knickers.
"No more risks."
My heart pounded in my chest as his fingers slipped in. My moan silenced by his lips as his fingers delved deeper. Kissing from my cheeks as he continued to kiss down to my neck.
"Promise me."
Panting my answer comes out more like an exhale of breath then words.
"I promise."
His lips return to mine as his fingers work inside me so close to sending me over the edge til he stops just shy of that all consuming end.
"Come on there's still plenty to do for this gala of yours."
I scowl making him laugh.
"I love it when you pout."
I growled as I allowed him to pull me back to the elevator while I tried to slow my racing heart.
Going downstairs we made our way towards the room we had set aside for pack meetings. Loki, talieus and Keyon were already there the blueprints for the Gotham hotel located in mid town Manhattan spread before them.
"Well we can post lookouts here, here and here."
"That won't be necessary."
All three of them snap their heads towards me.
"Rave you said I was in charge of plan b just in case it was a trap."
I nodded as I stepped closer studying the blueprints.
"I believe I said you would be in charge of an escape plan should we need one. Leaving our members outside alone is not what I'd call safe. No I want every member of the pack where I can see them. I will not have us separate for any reason we are a true pack and do not need look outs or tricks to be a pack. All we need is a way out if their intentions are not in our favour. We must give a little trust to gain trust."
All four of them looked at me with shocked disbelief in their expressions. Silence filled the room til Zeld spoke up.
"Rav's right we are wild wolves and its time we showed them what that means."
Loki shook his head as he threw his hands up in frustration Turning to Talieus hopeing for some support in changing my mind. Talieus just chuckled.
"She's your daughter."
Loki growled then sighed in defeat.
"Fine we'll do it your way but just remember if anything happens-"
"It's my fault. I'm well aware."
I smiled as I looked over the blueprints.
"Ok fine In that case this is the plan?"
We spent the next five hours working on a plan of escape. It wasn't til well after midnight that we were finally finished.
Zeld and I were back in our room exhausted from the meeting and a day full of keeping the wolves inside the pack from tearing each other apart. I was glad when we finally lay down my head resting on his chest as he stroked my hair. The black tendrils fanning out as he did.
It was nice these moments. Since being mated it wasn't often we got a chance to just be. His bare chest beneath me felt good as I traced the outline of his muscles abs.
"What's on your mind?"
My fingers stopped in their tracks as stared up at him. The concern in his eyes reflecting in the moonlight making his eyes glow even though I knew he wasn't wolfing out as they say.
"Just enjoying this."
His head tilted to the side remaining silent as I continued.
"You know this."
I indicted us.
"This moment with you as my mate just feels right."
I shrugged embarrassed by my own words as I looked away my cheeks going red. He held me closer chuckling.
"I get it believe me I do."
He lifted my chin up to face him as his hand rested on my cheek.
"You are and always will be my whole world Rav and I hope we have more times like this to just be as you say."
I snuggle closer burying my head in his chest happy at his words, however my happiness was short lived as a feeling of foreboding overcome me. Zeld felt the change in me and immediately questioned it.
"Rav what's wrong?"
I sat up not being able to find the words to describe the feeling that had just came over me.
"Rav talk to me."
Zeld's hand went to my shoulder pulling my hair back as he did so that he could see my face. I shook my head not wanting to worry him as I shrugged it off.
"Nothing just thought I heard something."
He looks towards the door then back to me.
"Do you want me to check?"
I shake my head again, I felt silly maybe it was just my insecurities. My fear of loosing him and shouldn't take any notice so I forced myself to smile.
"No it's fine probably just one of the pack getting anxious again they can deal with it on their own."
Even though I knew Zeld didn't believe a word I was saying he didn't question further merely opening his arms as I returned to my spot on his chest.
"Go to sleep Rav your probably just tired."
I nodded closing my eyes the sound of his breathing pulling me to sleep as his hands continued their slow movement through my hair.
——————
"Raven!"
A voice calls me from the darkness. Spinning round I try to see where it's coming from but a dense fog shrouds my vision.
"don't leave me!"
As the voice gets louder I realise who it belongs to.
"Zeld!"
I run through the fog towards the voice.
"Please stay with me!"
The voice is suddenly coming from the other direction.
"Where are you?!"
I yell out but the voice is gone the fog begins to thin revealing a dense forest. An eagle flys through the trees towards me and instantly I know this eagle is me well my shifted form of me. It lands on my out stretched arm as I stroke its chest and Even though I know this eagle I still ask.
"Who are you?"
The eagle merely shrieks lifting off again its talons digging into my skin I cover my wrist blood forming. I watch the eagle fly away as I gaze down at my wound. My eyes widen, a symbol starts to form on my skin. Three spirals etch their way into my skin forming a circle.
I have no idea what it means but I am suddenly brought to my knees as a searing pain threatens slice open my skull. Just when I don't think I can take any more Im ripped from my sleep and forced into strong arms.
It takes me a second to realise where I am once I hear Zeld's voice.
"It's alright I'm here your fine."
I'm covered in sweat and panting as I hold onto Zeld like my life depended on it. He holds me to his chest and soothes me until he's sure I've calmed down. Once my heart had slowed to a normal rate he pulls me back and stares into my eyes.
"What happened? Did you see something?"
I open my mouth to tell him what I saw when my eyes notice the inside of my wrist. He starts to follow my eyes but I quickly hide what I see and smile.
"Nothing don't worry it was just a bad dream."
He narrows his eyes as he stares at me and how I'm still obviously shaken.
"Are you sure that's all it was?"
I nodded forcing myself to shrug it off I didn't want him to worry until I could figure out what it all meant.
"Honestly I dreamt I was being chased by vampires."
I laugh knowing how ridiculous it sounded since the vampires were long since disappeared from this earth. To my surprise he buys my story chuckling.
"You and your obsession with vampires maybe it's a sign you should stop reading all those vampire books."
I laugh as I pretend to pout.
"But their so good."
He starts to lay back down pulling me down with him.
"Fine but don't blame me if you get another nightmare."
I poke my tongue out as he closes his eyes and within seconds is back asleep. Me however am left with so many questions that I am left staring at the now very real spirals etched into the inside of my wrist wondering just what they mean. It seems like just when I think things are starting to make sense in my life the universe decides to throw another curve ball.
if I was to decipher my dream I needed to figure out what this symbol meant. I sighed as I wondered if and when things would get easier. Surely there would be a time when we could just live our lives. Surely it wasn't to much to ask just to be us without all this destiny and fighting.
I snuggled into Zeld as even in his sleep he responded wrapping his arms around me. in a cocoon of safety where I could as least get some sleep before it all started again tomorrow. I only hoped it would all be worth it to finally reach a point where we could just concentrate on each other instead of the rest of the world. Closing my eyes I made a silent wish for that one day to come as I drifted off to sleep.