CHAPTER 5: DECISION

RAVIEL'S POV

The moment I scented my brothers, I couldn't help cursing under my breath. 

"Fuck."

I glanced down at the girl in my arms, her body trembling, clothes torn like some beast had attacked her.

I didn't know why I couldn't control myself with her. It just felt so right, like that was where I belonged.

Her breathing was shallow, her eyes wide with confusion and fear, and all I could think about was how exposed she looked. My wolf growled quietly in my chest, possessive and restless. It didn’t want anyone else to see her like this.

When footsteps sounded closer, I moved without thinking, shrugging off my cloak and wrapping it around her. She flinched a little, still dazed, but didn’t pull away.

“Raviel.” Severin’s voice cut through the night like a sharp blade. Deep, commanding, and impossible to ignore. Jared's presence beside him was heavier. Their combined presence thickened the air, making the guards hesitate to breathe. 

The guards came running after them, stopping short when they caught sight of the torn clothes on the ground, the unconscious trainer, and…her.

“Leave,” I said flatly, not even turning to look at them. Power rolled off me with the word. An instinctive command that made every wolf in hearing range drop its head. They scattered without another sound. 

“Raviel,” Severin’s growl was edged with authority, testing mine. 

The air crackled between us before I forced it still. 

“What is this?” 

I ignored him, crouching slightly to make sure Selena was breathing properly. She was shivering, clutching the cloak tightly around herself, eyes darting between the three of us like she wanted to vanish into the ground.

“She’s freezing,” I muttered, mostly to myself.

Jared tilted his head, brows furrowed. “That’s the girl from the punishment yard, isn’t it?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“The same one our wolves reacted to,” Severin murmured, and the word made my spine tense. My wolf pressed against my skin, restless, ears sharpened, as if waiting for a confirmation he already knew. 

Severin’s voice dropped lower, thoughtful. “You know what that means.”

I did. I’d known the second her scent hit me. Every instinct in me screamed, Mate, but it didn’t make sense. It couldn’t. She was just a slave. A broken, fragile one made to only warm our beds. Nothing about her said Alpha’s mate.

Still…my wolf didn’t care about logic.

“She can’t be,” I said quietly. “It’s... impossible.”

Severin’s expression tightened, but he didn’t argue. Jared stayed silent, his gaze flicking between me and the girl, reading the tension that crackled between us.

I straightened slowly. “She needs to change. Give her a minute.”

Selena looked up, startled. “Don't worry. I...I can just go,” she said quickly, voice small, trembling. 

My wolf didn’t like that, neither did I. But I forced myself to step back, even though every muscle screamed to keep her close. “Go,” I said. “Don’t run into anyone. You’ll draw attention.”

She nodded before running off, limping slightly.

Maybe I'd been too rough with her. 

I watched her until she disappeared into the shadows, and only then did I turn to my brothers.

Severin crossed his arms. “You’re acting strange.”

“I’m fine,” I replied.

He arched a brow. “You just covered a slave with your cloak, who, for some reason, was naked in the first place. That doesn’t exactly scream ‘fine.’”

I sighed, dragging a hand through my hair. “It's none of your business. Why are you even here?" 

"Are you really asking me that? Have you forgotten the reason we came here in the first place?" 

That's right. The summit next month.

Jared leaned against a tree, arms folded loosely. “We came to choose a maid for the Alpha event, yet here you are running off to play knight in shining armor."

“Right.” I nodded.

Severin’s gaze sharpened. “You want her.”

The words weren’t a question.

I didn’t bother denying it. “She’ll do,” I said, keeping my tone as neutral as possible. “She’s quiet, hardworking, and obedient. The other girls are too chatty or too bold. She’ll blend in.”

Severin’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You sure that’s the reason?”

I met his gaze. “Does it really matter?”

They didn't reply.

I glanced at Jared, "You are the king. But do you have a better choice?" 

Truth was, I didn’t have strong feelings for her yet, not like the bond wanted me to. But I couldn’t ignore the urge to keep her close. My wolf wouldn’t allow it.

“She stays close,” I decided. “At least until the event is over.”

Severin’s mouth twitched. “You’re serious.”

“Yes.”

“Fine, but if she slows us down or causes trouble, she’s gone.”

“Fair enough.”

The decision was made. The three of us walked toward her quarters.

When we found her, she was sitting at the edge of a thin mattress, coat still wrapped around her. She jumped to her feet the moment we entered, eyes darting between us. Surprised. Curious. 

“We’ve decided,” Severin said bluntly. “You’ll come with us. From today, you serve as our personal maid.”

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, I thought she’d collapse with gratitude, thanking us for saving her, but instead…she shook her head.

“I can’t,” she said, her voice trembling. “Not without Selene.”

I felt Severin stiffen beside me. Jared’s eyes also narrowed. “You dare question an Alpha's order?”

She flinched at his tone but didn’t back down. Her fists clenched tight at her sides, her voice small but firm. “She’s my sister. I won’t leave her behind. If you want me, she comes too.”

The room went tense. 

Severin let out a sharp breath, his irritation plain. Jared’s also stirred, unhappy.

I should’ve been angry, too. An Alpha’s order was law. No slave, no maid, no girl should look us in the eyes and demand anything. But instead, I found myself…impressed.

“Fine." The word came out low with finality. "She comes too.”  My brothers turned to me, disbelief flashing in their eyes.

“Raviel—” Severin started.

“I said it’s fine,” I cut in, voice firm.

He huffed, muttering something under his breath, but didn’t push it. Jared only shook his head, clearly amused.

Selena looked up, eyes wide in surprise. “Thank you, Alpha.”

“Don’t thank me,” I said, already turning away. “Be ready by dawn.”

As I walked off, I could still feel her gaze on me. My wolf purred quietly, satisfied, but I shut it out. This wasn’t the bond. It wasn’t fate. It was a strategy... That was what I told myself, even when the lie burned in my throat.