CHAPTER FIVE

RAVEN'S POV

When we stepped out of Alpha Owen’s office, I walked behind Alpha Kia slowly and as we got closer to his bunker he stopped and turned to look at me.

"Why are you are still following me?" he asked calmly. "Aren’t you supposed to be packing? We leave immediately after the mating ceremony".

I crossed my arms over my chest as I gave him a cold stare."Did you just buy me?" I asked. " i told you to help me leave,not to purchase me".

"You said you wanted to leave and you didn't give me a reason as to why ,so that was the smoothest way I could have made it happen, I have honoured my promise to you ,so why are you angry?". His brows barely moved as he spoke.

"You made me look like a commodity,one thousand wolf marks? Is that all I am worth?",i huff in in annoyance.

" I didn’t set your price, your Alpha did" he replied with an amused look on his face.

"You should have paid higher" I blurted out.

A faint smirk appeared on his lips. "Why,who doesn't like saving money?".

For a second, I just stared at him, was he really serious.

"I am not a commodity to be bought"I said slowly, each word sharp. "if you paid for me ,that means I belong to you and i don't belong to anyone"

His expression changed at that "If you are going to be a member of Winter Hill" he said his voice dropping slightly, "then you are my pack member and all my pack members belong to me".

The aura in his tone made my wolf shrink in fear

"I saved your life" I reminded him.

"And now I have paid you back".

We stood there, staring at each other in silence,his green eyes didn't blink and neither did mine.

I broke eye contact first,"why does every Alpha I meet have to be insane?" I muttered under my breath as I turned away and started heading home.

He didn't respond to that but I could feel his gaze on my back as I kept walking.

At least I was leaving , although it wasn't how I planned it. I didn't expect my freedom to be bargained on like that of a chicken but at least i would finally be free of this place and that had to count for something.

I started packing the moment I entered my room. I took my cothes, books,the few things that were still mine.

Suddenly I felt presence in the room,I could tell it was my parents but I didn't turn around.

"Raven" my mother said gently. "We heard you were leaving".

Of course they did, Damien would have told Rhea and Rhea told my parents.

I slowly faced them,since the incident with Rhea ,since everything,they hadn't looked at me the same way. I used to be their precious baby girl, but now I was nothing to them.

They now circled around Rhea like she was a fragile glass waiting to break any time.

"Please don't" I said quietly.

My father frowned. "Don’t what?"

"Don't t act like you care about me leaving, I was gone for two years and you forgot about me, you sat still and watch Rhea take what rightfully belonged to me,so don't act like you care" I said to them .

I could see tears gather my mother's eyes but I didn't care anymore.

"That's not true" my father said, but it lacked conviction and faith.

I ignored them and continued packing, there was not much to pack ,so I was done quickly.

They were still standing there looking at me as I lay down on the bed ready to sleep.

"I am tired,kindly close the door as you leave" I said as I turned my back on them.

They stood there for a few seconds longer before quietly leaving,the door clicked shut behind them and for the first time in a long while, I let myself cry.

________________

The day of the mating ceremony came and the pack grounds was decorated in white and green flowers

Attendance was mandatory and since I was now officially transferring to Winter Hill, I stood near Alpha Kai and his warriors as their pack member.I could feel his gaze on me occasionally but I refused to look at him.

Damien stood on the ceremonial podium in dark suit, looking every inch of the Alpha that he was and Rhea stood beside him in a sliver ball gown.

I focused on regulating my breathing, I inhaled and exhaled as I could feel my wolf moving restlessly inside me.

An elder lifted his staff and began the blessings for the mating ceremony.

Damien started his vows, my heart pounded so loudly with every word that he spoke.

After Rhea said hers ,the elder lifted his voice and said " Now you will mark your Luna before the entire pack and let the blessings of the moon goddess be with you".

Damien pulled Rhea closer and then he put his mouth on her neck and bite her.

immediately my wolf exploded and my knees gave out but a strong hand caught me before I hit the ground.

"What’s wrong?" Alpha Kia he asked with a concerned look as he held me.

But I couldn’t answer him ,my throat was dry and I was fighting for oxygen. My wolf's voice echoed in my head."our pup,save our pup".

My hand moved quickly to my stomach and then I felt it,the presence of another being inside me.

And then I remembered the night in the library, the one night stand, "Oh goodness"I whispered.

Another sharp pain ripped through my abdomen and I looked down and I saw blood flowing down my thighs,it was spreading across the silver fabric of my gown.

I could hear people gasp around me

Kia stiffened as he held me. "Raven,are you alright?"

"Please" I muttered. "Save me, please save my child "

His face hardened immediately."you are pregnant " he asked but before I could reply Damien pushed through the crowd, panic written across his face.

"Raven!" he shouted, reaching out his hands for me but Kia slapped his hands away.

"Move,"Damien yelled at him

"Don't you dare touch her" Kia growled at him.

The pain intensified and tears flowed down my face, I can't believe I was about to lose my child,just like that."Kia ,my child" I sobbed.

Without wasting another second, Kia lifted me into his arms and headed out of the packs ground.

"Call the doctor" he shouted out to his Beta.

He moved fast, cutting through the confused crowd.

I held his shirt desperately.

"Please ,help me save my baby"

"We will save your child,I promise you"he said firmly as he stared at me with pity.

He got to the doctors office and kicked it open with his leg.

Immediately the Doctor pulled me away from him and laid me on a bed but I held onto him Kia's hand " please don't leave me alone" I said and blacked out.