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CHAPTER 5 - Ticket Out
Two men exited Dina's hotel and entered the sleek black limousine waiting at the entrance.
"Drive."
Following the deep velvety voice, the driver started the car and drove off.
Seated at the back of the limo, Storm propped his elbow on the door's armrest and his palm loosely supported his chin, his gaze drifting off.
"A mate — you didn't think to inform me?" The second man, a silver-haired with green highlights at the tip raised his brow at Storm.
"Firstly, no time. Secondly, it was a blur," Storm said with a light shrug and focused outside rhe window.
"Are we going to pretend what happened in there didn't happen?"
"I do not understand your question, Draven."
"Come on, Storm, don't play dumb," Draven grumbled, his frustration rising. "You know exactly what I'm talking about, your mate was there and she had quite the outburst."
Storm tried not to roll his eyes at his beta's words.
"And then you reject her. I…" Storm silenced him by raising his palm and Draven swallowed.
"I do not wish to be disturbed by this."
"Huh, yes you will. The…" Draven paused and glanced at the driver.
He pressed a button in the limousine and the coverage lifted, granting them privacy.
"Look, Storm. You cannot have a mate and then completely ignore her like that." Storm remained silent.
Draven shifted in his seat and scooted closer to his friend. "Is this about your other…"
"Enough! There's nothing to consider. Nothing to talk about concerning that so-called scandalous mate of mine."
Draven's eyes softened. "You may tell that to someone who doesn't know you but not me, Storm. You care."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Draven's eyes narrowed. "Don't lie to me, Storm. I saw the way you looked at her at first, the way you tensed up when she touched you. You can't deny the mate bond, no matter how much you want to."
Storm's jaw clenched and his eyes flashed with a hint of anger. "I said I don't know what you're talking about, Draven. Drop it. I already rejected her for fuck's sake."
Storm averted his eyes from him, his gaze remained fixed on some point outside the window, but Draven continued.
"Anyways, I already got a lead on all her information. I have sent them to your personal email and…"
Storm's eyes darkened, the deep blue sinking one in once they stared too hard. "I said, enough."
Draven sighed, shaking his head. "Fine, but know that this isn't over, Storm. You can't keep running from your mate forever."
Storm's gaze snapped back to Draven, his eyes cold and hard. "I'm not running from anything. I just need to focus on more pressing matters as you should. Like who drugged me, for instance."
Draven's expression turned serious. The next words he spoke was through the mind link.
"I've been looking into it, and it seems to be a rare concoction, laced with wolfsbane. Whoever did this wanted to make sure you were out of commission for a while."
Storm's brows furrowed slightly. "Find out who did it. I want answers."
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Raven knocked on the front door of her friend's condo unit. After being tossed outside the hotel, she spent a few hours outside in the cold trying to gather her thoughts before she went visiting.
The door opened, revealing an exquisitely dressed lady standing by her doorway. Her waist-length black hair was nearly styled at the side, adding to her overall beauty.
"R-Raven."
"Crystal." Crystal looked mortified by her friend's appearance. "Come on in." She stepped aside allowing Raven in. "Let me get you some coffee for the cold."
"No, please. I need you."
Crystal did not give her words any more thought and immediately enveloped her friend in a tight hug.
Moments later, she led Raven to her couch and both ladies sat to talk. "When I saw the news, I didn't think it was this bad. Did you…?"
"How could you ask that, Crys? You know me. I'd never—" Raven's voice trailed off when she noticed her friend's gaze somewhere else — the mark on her neck.
"How did you get this then? When we met a few days ago you were spotless clean," Crystal pointed out. "You found your mate amidst this mess?"
Raven inhaled deeply. "I didn't do anything. It was a set-up."
Crystal squinted, pursing her lips to the side. "By who?"
"I am not so sure but I believe by those eager to discredit me without giving me a chance."
Both ladies spoke for a few minutes concerning what she faced and after that, Crystal sighed as she held Raven's hands together.
"Also, I heard about what happened at the Alphas' conference ball. What were you thinking going there and making a scene with Alpha…"
For a moment, Raven almost forgot who her friend was—the daughter of one of the alphas under the Eastern Alpha King's rule.
If any news was to get out, she'd be among the first to here.
She didn't let her friend finish before brushing off the topic. "Anything to remind me of that horrid mistake and nightmare, please don't. It is why I usually keep my wolf bottled in. I hate the werewolf community."
Crystal tsked at her friend and rose to her feet. "Fine. Thank goodness your assets from our joined business aren't linked to your main account and name, Rave."
"Yeah."
About four years ago, Raven and her best friend, ventured into a restaurant business in the capital city. Back then she let all her income be saved in one of Crystal's accounts and let her manage the business as the main head.
She had wanted to see how things would fare without her family's name as a backing and it did tremendously well.
The soft click of Crystal's stiletto heels broke Raven from her thought as she lifted her head. "Here."
Staring her in the face was a black card with golden inscriptions. "It's an unlimited card. All your earnings are linked including that of the car service business we launched last year."
Raven collected it and thanked her friend. Just as she got up about to take her leave, Crystal asked, "What's your next move? Where are you going to stay for now? You know you can stay in my place till you get back on your feet and…"
Raven raised her palm, shaking her head as she cut in, "Thanks but time to move away, lie low and plot my revenge. They'll pay for ruining my name and life."