4. A DEAL.

CHAPTER 4

CASPIAN

“We meet again, Raven.”

A slow smile curved my lips. Her doe eyes were wide, staring at me like I was a ghost. Her body was flushed against mine, warm and soft enough to make my wolf roar for a claim I’d been suppressing for years.

She looked ten times hotter than I remembered.  Whoever put her in this red silk was a genius, or a masochist. Just staring at her was torture enough.

“For someone who actively informs the world that she hates me,” I rumbled, “You certainly seem to be enjoying the view from my arms.”

I loved teasing her. The way her temper flared… that murderous look she gave me, it was more addictive than any drug. Most people trembled when I walked into a room; Celeste just wanted to bite me.

She pushed me away with a huff, her face flickering with a dozen emotions before a frown settled on her face. I couldn’t help the soft chuckle that escaped my lips.

“What? Are you going to pretend you didn’t trip just so I’d catch you? I knew you missed me, Raven, but this is a bit dramatic.”

“Get the hell out of my face, Caspian,” she snapped, her teeth clenching.

She tried to shove past me, but I caught the shimmer in her eyes. Tears. My amusement vanished instantly, replaced by a cold edge in my gut.

“Who was it?” My voice dropped, losing its playful edge. I reached out, my thumb catching a tear before she could wipe it off. Her body froze from my touch, and it took me a moment to realise what had just happened.

We were supposed to be enemies. At least, that was the story I made her believe. It was easier for her to hate me than to realise I’d spent the last year abroad because I couldn’t stand to watch her marry a coward like Declan.

“I want to know who made you cry, Raven,” I said, jaw ticking. “Because I’d hate for someone to steal my job of making you miserable.”

“Don’t pretend as if you are not enjoying this, Caspian. Leave me the fuck alone!”

“You are going to regret choosing that bastard, and when you do, I’d be there to laugh at your face and remind you that I told you so.” 

Those were my last words to her one year ago. I had said it out of spite when I heard she was really going to marry Declan. I knew she was too good for him, but she was too blind to see it.

She brushed past me, her shoulder hitting mine as she fled.

I watched her go, my eyes narrowing. I turned to my beta, Jason, who stepped out just in time. “I want a full report. Who touched her, who spoke to her, and exactly where that pathetic excuse for a husband is.”

The ballroom went silent the moment I stepped in. Every head turned to look at me, but the only thing on my mind was Celeste. This wasn’t my scene. Attending parties, staying in the same gathering with this bunch of leeches that’d do anything to gain your favour. Even the youngest person in this room tonight was a snake, so I treated them like one.

“Alpha Caspian!” Two girls chirped, rushing to my side with practised flirtatious smiles.

“We didn’t know you were back in town,” one of them cooed.

I didn’t even look at them. I let a shiver of my Alpha aura leak out, just enough to suffocate anyone, and their face paled. “Because it is none of your business. Move.” 

“Alpha,” Jason called, as he stood behind my ear to whisper. “Miss Celeste got rejected by her husband recently and some girls tried to bully her tonight.”

My hands curled tightly beside me from the news.

“Did you know why?” I asked, barely containing my rage.

“He cheated on her with…” Jason trailed off. My eyes followed him, and I couldn’t help the disgust that crawled in the pit of my stomach. “Her.”

My jaw ticked as I glared at Declan who had just stepped in with his side piece. She looked too eager, clinging onto him like he was the air she breathed, fighting to feel seen. I had always known Declan was a selfish bastard who acted all righteous to get the world to love him, but this? 

He’ll pay for it.

His gaze shifted to meet mine, and for a moment we had what he might have considered a staring competition. He lost a real gem while pursuing that… thing? He made one hell of a mistake and it’s about time I showed him how foolish he was.

I found her at the back of the room, looking broken. It made my blood boil. I didn’t want a broken Raven; I wanted the woman whose fire could burn the ground to ashes.

“I didn’t take you to be a coward,” I said, leaning against the pillar beside her.

She turned, her gaze teary and accusing. “And I didn’t think you’d be so nosy.”

“Listen to me,” I said, shifting my tone slightly. “You can stay here and hide while Declan plays the hero with his little side piece. By sunrise, your name is going to be on every mouth in this city. Do you want them to call you a victim? Or a Queen?”

“And why would you care?” she spat.

“I don’t,” I lied. My face was a mask of bored indifference. “But I hate seeing a good dress go to waste on a pity party.”

“Games. That is what everything is to you,” she said, shaking her head. She grabbed her heels on the granite floor, rising to her feet. “I don’t care about Declan anymore. You are wasting your time with the wrong person.”

Her shoulder fell as she walked away, and I could tell that the bastard had broken her spirit. That wasn’t the woman I loved. That sure didn't look like the woman whose mouth alone was more entertaining than someone’s entire personality.

“Raven!’ I called, quickening my steps. “Let’s make a deal.”

She stopped, looking at me like I’d lost my mind.

“You are here for the investors, right? To prove you’re a Harrington?” I stepped closer, and my wolf moaned from her heavenly scent. Her eyes flickered as if she had completely forgotten about it. Of course, that was why she was here. 

“They won’t work with you. Not like this. To them, you’re just a defect who lost her mate. They smell blood, not the CEO.”

She flinched. “Go on then. Tell me how worthless I am.”

“You’re not worthless,” I whispered, leaning down until my breath stirred the hair in her ear. “You just don’t have the right… support.”

“And might that be?” She shot me a look.

“Be my woman, Raven. Let me claim you in front of that bastard, and I’ll make sure the same people who laughed at you tonight are begging for your favour by morning.”

She gasped, her chest heaving against mine. “You’re crazy. Why would you do that?”

“Because I’m tired of watching you waste your fire,” I whispered, leaning in until my lips brushed her ear. 

“Make the deal. Be my Luna for one year, and I’ll give you the world on a silver platter. What do you say?”