Chapter 7: Claim Her For Good

Raven POV

The second our lips meet, the strangest thing happens. Pulsing waves of heat unfurl inside me, starting at my mouth and then rippling down my body, tingling in the tips of my breasts before traveling even lower.

He tastes like the whiskey he’s been drinking all night and the vanilla and toasted oak flavor, followed by a sharp kick of alcohol heat suffuses my taste buds.

My lips part of their own volition, and Jace takes full advantage by sliding his tongue inside. Drawing me closer. When my tongue tangles with his, he makes a low, growling noise in the back of his throat, and the erotic sound vibrates through my body.

Oh moon goddess. What the hell is the matter with me? I can't possibly be attracted to him. I hate jocks. But still I can't seem to stop kissing him. I can't stop myself from wanting h... Nope that's not possible.

He inches me closer again. This time, too close, I can feel his hard chest pressing my breast. And immediately, I’m hit with a jolt of panic that spurs me to break the kiss as I see the wall clock.

Shit. It's already 1:05 a.m. I must have been too busy kissing Jace that I lost track of time. I suck in a shaky breath. “I need to go meet Lyra and Damian before they leave.”

“Who?” Jace voices out, but I'm already pacing down the stairs. The club is less crowded now. Which I admit to be because many people had gone home. I trail my sight to where we sat hours ago. But no one's there.

I can't sight neither Lyra and Damian nor Jett and Sharon. Fuck. What have I done. My legs pushes me and I pace outside the club. The cold air slapping my face and my heart hammering with frustration as I stare at the empty spot Damian’s car had parked.

They must have gone home drunk and forgot about me. The club's door pushes open behind me as I fixate on my phone.

“Hey,” Jace calls out. Making his way to where I was. “I thought you've left. What're you doing here, need a ride?”

“Nope,” I hiss. “I don't need a ride... I'm calling a cab.”

“That's what cabs do you know, give you rides.” Jace snorts. “And moreover it's 1 a.m, you're going to have to wait hours before any close cab can get to you.”

My chest tightens as I give a heavy sigh. He's right. And this is why I hate going to night clubs. Something stupid always happens.

“Thank you but I'll pass,” I try to sound unaffected by what just happened inside, but the slight wobble in my voice betrays me.

“Nerds and stupid egos.” Jace hisses.

“What?”

“You'd rather stay out here freezing for hours and end up being locked out your dorm room for the night before any cab gets here instead of accepting a free ride with me.”

His sarcastic remark is right on target. Because yes, I most certainly trust a campus-employed cabbie to drive me home more than I trust Jace Grimviel to do it.

“And correct me if I'm wrong,” he unbuckles the chin strap of the helmet in his hands. “Don't dorm rooms get locked by 2am?”

“Yeah you're right.” I nod.

“You know what. Fuck the cab. You only came here because of me. And I'm making sure you don't get stranded for the night. You're sleeping over at my place.”

“I'm absolutely not doing that. I've only known you for four days now, and I've seen you naked, kissed you, and now you want me sleeping in your place. Who knows if this is just a sexy plan to rape me or kidnap me.”

I yelp when he snatches the phone out of my hand.

“Hey!”

To my amazement, he turns the camera toward his face and snaps a picture.

“What are you doing?”

“There,” he says, handing the phone back. “Feel free to text that sexy face to your entire contact list and inform them you're riding home with me. That way if you show up dead tomorrow everyone will know who did it. And if you want, you can keep your finger on the emergency call button the whole time in case you need to call the cops.”

Before I can say a word, he lifts me off the ground. Striding to what looks like a power bike. With one swift move. He places me on the bike, fixing the oversized helmet onto my head. Before jumping onto the bike.

*****

Jace POV

The ride home is fast and smooth. The cold biting deep into my face but the heat from Raven’s tight hug on my back warms me.

Getting to my driveway, I quickly park. And before Raven could blink, I lift her off the bike and into my hands. I'd be damned lying if I say I'm not enjoying this. Because I am. Every bit of it. But I don't show it in my expression.

We enter the living room. And I place Raven on her feet. I take a quick glance at her and from her slightly tense cheeks and eyes darting away I know she's definitely starstruck.

“I guess your next plan is to lure me into your room.” Raven finally speaks. And as funny and predictable as what she just said seemed to be. She was totally wrong.

“Try guessing harder next time. You're going to be sleeping in the other room.” I walk her to the room at the left corner of the sitting room.

“Look, about what happened tonight, I only did that to get payback on Jett and nothing more.” Raven walks into the room. “So please don't get your hopes up or overthink it.” she continues. “But I'm grateful for the crash.” she finally closes the door.

I know. I should be pissed. Raven just admitted using me to piss off my twin brother. But I'm not pissed. In fact my wolf's growling with excitement.

The truth is I didn't transfer from Blue-Ridge University because of a stupid northern ice championship. Don't get me wrong, I love hockey. My veins pump hockey through them. It's the only thing I do that makes me feel alive. But that was not entirely the reason I transferred.

It was because of Raven. The same Raven Hayes inside my house. The first time I saw her was when I was fifteen. Through a car window and I know she didn't see me. That was the day mum died. The same day i left Frostfang pack to go upstate.

Ever since then, we've never met physically, because I never came back. Which was because after Mum's death, I couldn't stand Jett's annoying and unintelligent obsession to be the best son and next Alpha. So I left.

But that didn't sway my growing obsession for Raven. I'd stalk her social media every single day for seven years. Watched her grow. Watched her become this beautiful. Watched her little ass grow into the most attractive bubble heart-shaped ass I'd ever seen.

I knew she had feelings for Jett over the years. But that didn't stop me from sending the anonymous gifts I send on her birthday each year. That didn't stop me from obsessing over how her skin would feel under my arm, cuddled up in my bed.

And when she posted last year she'd win a a stupid-ass journalism competition. I knew it was time. Time to claim her for good. And i don't care how Jett's going to feel. Or what anyone is going to say.