KEANA
As I helped Elena quickly shove my clothes into a suitcase, my room was scattered and almost empty. I couldn't help but wonder how we are going to live together in this condition. Raven hates me with great passion, and I was sure. He would have rejected me if it was acceptable.
But having to share the same room is sure going to be an issue, one that would affect both of us. The mate pull is repeatedly gnawing at me, making me hate my entire existence. I couldn't help but wonder if I would survive sharing the same space with him.
Rora seemed to have a mind of her own, jumping and jubilating at the thought of being in the same space with her mate.
"I want to see what my mate looks like," she remarked, referring to Raven's wolf.
I ignored her and continued chewing my finger in thought; that was exactly what Aunt Claire always does. I shook my head, jolting me out of the thought I was about to dive into; thinking about Aunt Claire would only result in remembering Uncle Ryan, and that is a chapter I wouldn't want to revisit.
"Miss, I'm done," Elena's voice startled me out of my thoughts.
"Can you please call me Keana?" I said, rising to my feet.
"But..." she tried to object, but I stopped her.
"No buts, I insist," I smiled softly at her.
"Okay, but never in the presence of the Alpha," she said. A fearful glint passed her eyes as she mentioned the Alpha.
"Speaking about the Alpha," I grabbed her hand and pulled her towards my bed and lowered her down at the edge, then I sat down beside her, holding her hands.
"When did you start working for him?" I whispered.
"Since I was fifteen," she answered, her voice calm.
"Is there anything you know about him that you would want me to know as well?" I inquired, my voice sounding nicer than usual.
"He isn't an open book, Luna; he always wears his mask of indifference, hardly smiles; heck, he never smiles, but he is very intentional about the pack; he does everything to protect everyone, and he is a great fighter," she concluded.
I took a deep breath. All the information was little, but I could begin from there. I can't ask him this question myself, so I appreciate her, but I need to ask about one more person.
"What about Matilda?" I questioned, and I noticed how her face twisted in disgust at the mere mention of her name.
"I see you don't like her." Well, I don't too, I said inwardly.
"Yes, I don't," she sighs. "She has always been the pack bully, and it grew worse when Alpha Raven started walking around with her and taking her to events."
My stomach churned at her remark; the thought of my mate parading another woman was sickening.
"Well, let's get going," I said as I tried to stand up, but she held me down, a pleading look on her face.
"Please, Keana I see the way you are being tossed to the side, but please don't give up on the Alpha; don't let Matilda win."
I nodded to her request, but I couldn't hide the pang of shame that followed after, so she noticed how my mate treats me; what if that's how everyone in the pack has noticed too?
***
Nana Shelley had finally gone to sleep after nearly talking my ears off. I'd barely managed to get through a bath and change into my nightgown, a plain satin thing that seemed to do nothing to hide how tense I felt.
It was the first night I'd be sharing a room with Raven. I'd dressed early and climbed into bed, hoping to settle down and find a way to breathe normally. But I was just lying here, my heart thrumming faster with each passing second.
I didn't see him throughout the day; he only opened his door and left me to move in. With the help of Elena, it was less stressful, but I had to endure a whole session of Dunya's lesson on how to seduce my mate; she wouldn't hear a word about me not being interested in the conversation.
"You better listen; if not, you will lose your mate to that cranky Matilda," and that was enough to put a halt to my protest.
Oh Moon goddess, why torture me with this kind of mate? Haven't I gone through a lot already?
Then I heard the footsteps steady, unhurried. I knew it was him; no one else was allowed up here. I tried to breathe, to stay calm, but all I could feel was that nervous knot tightening inside me.
He entered the room, my eyes shut close in pretense.I tried to steady my wolf, who seemed excited at his scent, a burnt wood-like scent with a hint of grape.
I heard the shower on and off, indicating he had just come out of the bedroom. Just then, from my half-opened eyes, I saw his eyes glaze over, indicating that he was mindlinked. He was already putting on a shirt; by the time I could feign a stir.
What was going on? It was almost midnight, and it was unusual for anyone to be awake by this time.
My curiosity got the best of me as I rubbed on my eyes, pretending to be woken up by the noise he was making.
"What's going on?" I asked, reducing my voice like I was just waking up.
"An attack, just go back to sleep," his deep voice rang out.
I flung the bedsheets away from me and stepped out of bed. "What can I do?"
"Go back to sleep. Now," he ordered, his voice hard and commanding.
I saw him pick up his knife and
glide past the door, not sparing me a glance or giving me a chance to speak.