Chapter 6

Raven POV

A sudden shriek fills the air. The table falls silent, pack members turning their heads to see the source of the commotion. Dread rises inside of me. I already know instinctively that Marissa is the source of it. A young omega stands beside her, her mouth open in shock as Marissa abruptly stands, looking angrily at her dress, which is now stained, I presume, from the wine glass that has tipped over on the table in front of her.

“I’m so sorry,” the young woman begins to apologize profusely, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Shrug it off, Marissa, I think to myself, almost silently begging her. Shrug it off and pretend it’s nothing. I’m trying desperately to telepath my thoughts to her, unable to mind-link as I was an anomaly, as they called it, a shifter who possessed no wolf.

It was unsuccessful. Marissa’s expression turned vindictive, and before anybody could comprehend what she was about to do, Hades included, she swung back her arm and slapped the omega with the full strength of her power. The young girl let out a scream, clutching at her cheek and staring at Marissa with shock on her face. Jackson began to stand while pack members pointed and whispered. Hades stood up and faced her, his expression thunderous. Marissa had well and truly done it this time. For fuck sake why was it so hard for her to act like a decent human being?

“What do you think you are doing?” Hades voice is dangerous, “laying a hand on one of my pack members?"

“I was disciplining her,” Marissa was unrepentant, “and teaching her what happens when you make a mistake.”

Fuck. Even I knew that this was an overstep of her authority. Back home, she had free rein to treat the omegas as she saw fit, but this was not her pack, and she was not Luna yet. She had no right to hit that poor girl. I see Jackson shaking his head in disgust and other pack members staring at her with condemnation. I rise to my feet, grabbed my serviette and dipped it in my glass of water, which I had not touched. I wrung it out and moved, heading directly for the girl who seemed paralysed, unable to believe what had just happened to her. No doubt it had been a shock. I felt nothing but sympathy for the young girl, who seemed incapable of moving.

“Here,” I whispered as Hades and Marissa stared at each other, Marissa in defiance and Hades in a rage, pressing the serviette against her cheek gently. “This should help with the swelling. Why don’t you go and take a break,” I suggested very quietly, “and let somebody else take over for now.”

She nods gratefully and scurries from the room, her face wreathed in tears.

“Why are you acting so offended?” Marissa sounds genuinely perplexed, “Omegas are nothing more than servants. A simple strike shouldn’t be so surprising.”

Damnit Marissa. How blind and stupid can you be? Hades looks on the verge of erupting. I swiftly get between them.

“Forgive her, Alpha Hades. The customs and rules back at our River Moon Pack are vastly different to your own. Marissa doesn’t realize she’s overstepped. She’s sincerely sorry for what she did, aren’t you, Marissa?” I turn to her, narrowing my eyes.

She finally grasps the gravity of the situation, her eyes widening as she begins to nod emphatically. Thank god. She wasn't entirely without a brain then.

“Yes,” she said with a hint of desperation, trying immediately to gain forgiveness, “I’m afraid that my temper got the better of me. I didn’t understand that your pack has different rules from mine. I’m used to more traditional rules I think, and yours are confusing and overwhelming to me. I’ll try harder to learn your ways and it won’t happen again," she promised, her voice dripping sweetly.

Like hell it wouldn’t. Then again, she still had her punching bag, which was me. Maybe if she vented out all her anger on me, she would leave the innocent omegas alone. Jackson looks at me, his expression one I can’t quite put my finger on. Hades clenches his jaw, indicating that he’s still furious with Marissa.

“See that it doesn’t,” he growled, “I can only make excuses for you so many times. Jackson will get you up to speed on how our pack runs, but let this be a lesson for you. Overstep too many times, and I won’t hesitate to break off the engagement. My pack is my first priority and my contract to you comes second. Do you understand me?”

His voice is so chilling it sends shivers down my spine. Here is the ruthless man that was often spoken about, the one who wouldn’t easily allow offense. Marissa was playing with fire, and she didn’t even know it.

“Raven,” he finally looks me in the eyes and it takes all my restraint to keep my feet anchored to the floor instead of jumping in fright. “As much as I appreciate you apologizing for your mistress, next time, Marissa should apologize herself. It was a nice thing you did for that omega,” he added lowly, surprising me and then deliberately looking over his shoulder at a red faced Marissa, “your mistress should learn from you,” he finished in a deadly tone.

Shit. I was going to pay for that compliment later. I could already see the anger in Marissa's eyes.

The pack members began to whisper to themselves, pointing disapprovingly at Marissa. Hades sat back down, viciously cutting into his steak. Meekly, Marissa seated herself. I walked back around the table, Jackson letting out a wolf whistle as I sat down.

“Who knew Hades would be so polite to you?” he said as I stared at him dazed, “trust me, he doesn’t compliment just anyone. You impressed him with your kindness.”

“I wasn’t trying to,” I said dismayed. “I just wanted to help her.”

I knew more than anyone how hard Marissa could hit when she was pissed.

“That’s why he thanked you. It’s a shame your mistress,” he said, eyeing Marissa with dislike, “doesn’t exhibit the same behaviour. I hope she’s learned her lesson because Hades doesn’t tolerate fools.”

“I’m sure she will be more tolerant in the future,” I lied, avoiding his eyes.

He grunted, not believing me in the slightest. Maybe I was bad at lying, I mused, or maybe Jackson was one of the few people who could see beyond Marissa’s beauty and see the truth behind her personality.

I had more than an inkling that Marissa was none too happy with the attention that Hades had showered on me and by the time I made it back to the room, I became vehemently aware of her displeasure as she took the opportunity to show me exactly how she was feeling.