*************
CHAPTER 6
At night, Storm tossed and turned on his bed, trying to get any sleep but found it hard to do. Memories of that night at the hotel — his rejection of Raven still crossed his mind as well as the ploy for drugging him.
"Did they wish to get me laid and get something out of it or blackmail me?" Storm thought out loud.
He sat up on the bed and got up, moving to his table.
The test results were sent the previous morning. But till now nothing on his blood samples. He needed proof.
Storm opened his laptop, scanned his face and began navigating his way to his email.
"Nothing," he gritted and clenched his fists. "Argh!" He slammed his fist on the desk in his room, not bothering about waking his beta up in the adjacent room.
"I need proof to ensure everything works well to find the culprit." Just then something caught his attention in the email. His mood morphed into something indifferent as he clicked on the mail.
"Tsk, Draven wasn't joking when he said he'd send her profile. That nosy brat."
Storm attempted to shut his laptop but his elbow rested on the page-down button on his laptop and it scrolled down, showing Raven's photo.
Storm winced when Silver forced his aura into his subconsciousness. "Mate," his wolf purred.
"No, Silver. No. We do not need her."
Refusing to dwell on the matter with his supposed mate, Storm picked up his phone and placed a call to Draven.
As soon as the call connected, Storm dished out his orders. "Head out to the lab first thing tomorrow morning and get me proofs."
****************
~Six Months Later~
Raven emerged from the luxurious white Mercedes, her sleek and polished appearance commanding attention.
Clad in tailored black slacks and an ivory silk shirt, her auburn hair was styled in a chic ponytail, with a few loose strands framing her face. Two silver hoops adorned her ears and a subtle smile played on her lips.
She lifted her head, her eyes landing on the company's name at the top of the building. 'Nova Apex Tech.'
Raven sighed and walked into the building. Glancing around, she made her way to the reception desk, stating her business. Once she was clarified for entry, she got into the elevator, pressed the last floor and waited.
'Snagging this deal would help me rise in the business world. Just to see the President and," she chuckled, '...what could possibly go wrong?'
Raven tapped her finger on her bag, waiting for the sound of the elevator. Suddenly she felt a chill run through her spine. Following that, her wolf Tori stirred within her.
"Tori?"
A low grumble snagged her subconscious, making Raven's eyes dim from her wolf's reaction.
Ding!
As soon as it opened, Raven tossed the feeling to the back of her mind and made her way straight to the secretary's desk. "Hello."
"Good day, ma'am. How may I help you?" the secretary asked as soon as she locked eyes with Raven.
Raven felt her wolf stir once more and her senses heightened. For a moment she was distracted, trying to quiet her wolf's disturbance.
"Miss?"
She shook her head, maintaining a calm smile. "Apologies. I'm looking for..."
"Ms. Gold!" a feminine voice exclaimed from behind them, snagging Raven's attention to her. Her eyes raked over the elegantly dressed red-haired beaming at her. "It's Stella West, Special Events Coordinator of Nova Apex Tech.," she introduced.
A knowing smile lit up Raven's face, thanked the receptionist and turned to face the lady.
Closing the gap between them, Stella extended her hand for a shake. "Nice to finally meet you."
Raven accepted her handshake, flashing her trademark smile. "Likewise, Ms. West."
"Oh please, no formalities needed," she brushed off with a wave. "Call me Stella."
"Okay then, call me Asteria."
Six months had passed since she left Crescent Pax Nova and her old life behind. Changing her name, she moved to the next biggest city after CPN, Vox Ville.
"Welcome." Stella nodded at the secretary and pivoted on her heels. "Please, come. President Ace has been waiting for you."
"Lead the way, Stella."
The moment they came close to the big doors of the CEO's office, Raven felt the same disturbance from her wolf again; only stronger than before.
"We're here," Stella announced and opened one side of the door after a gentle rasp on it before entering. Raven followed behind Stella.
The second Stella stopped, she did too, staring ahead to see the President seated with his head lowered, focusing on his laptop.
"Sir, she's here."
Tori growled and paced restlessly within Raven, like a caged animal sensing freedom. The unsettling sensation made Raven's heart race and her senses tingle.
She tried to calm Tori down, but her wolf's agitation only grew stronger, distracting her.
At the same time, President Ace stopped typing and lifted his head. Having bothered with Tori, Raven lowered her gaze. Once she successfully blocked out her wolf, she lifted her eyes, taking note of his royal blue suit before settling her gaze on his face.
Raven's eyes met his, and she felt a jolt of electricity run through her body. His piercing gaze held hers, and for a moment, they stared at each other.
"Mate," Tori growled in Raven's mind.
Stella, oblivious to the undercurrents, smiled brightly, gesturing towards Raven. "President Ace meet Ms. —"
Before she got to finish her introduction, President Ace interjected, sending a shiver down Raven's spine, "Raven Ryker."
His eyes remained fixed on Raven, his expression unreadable making Stella gulp.
Raven's mind raced as she tried to process what was happening. She did not realise why Tori was restless until now—when she met him.
'Alpha Storm.'
Flashes of memory from that day came rushing in—how he had rejected her, made her feel worthless and like a whore… She felt like she had walked into a trap, but her legs seemed rooted to the spot.
Regardless, she shook away any lingering anger swirling inside her. "President Ace," Raven replied, her voice steady, trying to hide her growing unease.
Storm immediately stood up, his blue eyes darting over her. "Mate," Silver chanted inwardly, reminding him of his past mistake. "Claim her."
"Raven, it is you."
A smirk spread across her lips as she stepped forward. "I am afraid, Stella but it seems your president is mistaking me for someone else."