2

Raven’s pov

Breeze was just as anxious as I was about meeting my adoptive brother for the first time.

He'd been away even before I awakened my wolf for a quarterly yearly meeting of heirs and heiresses of everyone from high-ranking families to Alpha status.

“How are you even here? You're supposed to be gone for another 2 days!” I whispered heatedly.

He chuckled, “I heard my little piggy was going to have her awakening party, now how heartless would I be if I missed it?”

“I think the best gift you could have given me is if you did miss it,”

He came closer; “little piggy, I wouldn't miss it for the world now shouldn't we be talking about something else?” He said waving his phone screen and my face with my picture brandished over it.

My cheeks flushed again, transforming into two cherries.

“What caption do you think I should use? I think everyone should know how hard you're trying to quite literally fit in,”

Rather than having this conversation I wish that the Earth would open up and swallow me.

“Dante, please just stop…I'll be gone soon, okay? In two years, I'll be off to college, and you'll hardly ever have to see my face again. Can't you at least allow me to enjoy my last years at high school?’

His face suddenly grew stern.

“What do you mean you'll be off to college?”

I'm guessing that was a surprise for him, I never told him anything about myself because I knew he would only take it as ammo to make one of me.

Also, most people in Valkhor didn't head off to college; they usually just went into the family business or settled down.

College was for people who were trying too hard.

But I needed some way to escape this place.

“Yeah, college, don't bother making fun of me. I've already made up my mind and–”

His fingers encircled my wrist, “Maybe you're high right now, but do you still plan on leeching off my parents even after you turn 18?”

“No!” I said, trying to pull away. But his grip was as hard as steel. He was one of the few guys in the pack who could hold me down so effortlessly. “I'm going to get a scholarship and–”

“Ha!” He snorted, “Maybe on the day this little piggy flies because there's no way any school worth its salt will admit you,”

His words stung, even though I knew they were not true; I always managed to rank among the top three students in our class.

But Dante wouldn't be Dante if he didn't make me feel like cr*p.

“That's none of your business just delete the picture and get out of here,”

“And if I don't?” He said daring me, his hold not breaking.

I clenched my teeth.

“Fine, go ahead, post it! Let everyone laugh at me! It wouldn't be the first time, anyway. What have I got to lose?”

His face got serious again and he slowly released me, then he pocketed his phone.

“Yeez, can't you ever take a joke?” He said, falling back to painting me as the crazy, “Why would I even want to post something so gross on my socials? Keep dreaming!”

I took a deep breath, my chest rising up, exchanging words with him like this was pointless.

“Just leave,” I said, turning back to the mirror, but instead he came closer.

“What are you doing?!” I panicked as he held both sides of the dress that had been partially unzipped.

“Helping out,”

With force, he tore the dress, only stopping when my pants showed.

I heard him inhale deeply, probably preparing to roast me again.

I clung to the fabric that was falling off my body.

“Get out!” I screamed, and surprisingly, this time he listened.

Luella came in a few minutes later, apologizing profusely and explaining that it was probably the twins who told him where I was.

“Maybe next time don't invite them when we go out,” I said and she just nodded, saying nothing.

Eventually, I settled for a safe option and a flared black dress with a simple neckline.

I looked like a granny compared to the other girls who wore skinny ties to dresses and tops; nevertheless, I tried to enjoy the party.

As expected everyone gravitated towards my best friend Luella, no surprise there.

She had a smile that sparkled like moonlight, and this appealing energy that drew everyone in.

I already knew this would happen, but I had hoped that one or two people would have the courtesy to at least congratulate me. As it was in every party I found myself in the corner of the room holding a plastic cup and counting down the minutes before this party would hopefully end.

Breeze was fuming inside, she felt we had been used and I was trying to calm her down when I heard someone say to me;

“Congratulations on your awakening,”

Suddenly, all the humiliation I had been enduring since the afternoon washed right off my back when Freddy showed up with a small gift.

A chessboard.

“That’s actually so thoughtful of him,” Breeze admitted

“I actually don't know how to play chess,” I admitted hoping that it wouldn't make me lose points with him.

“Don't worry I can teach you, it's actually much easier than most people think,”

We had soon blended into a natural conversation and I was about to gather the courage to ask for his number when the unthinkable happened.

Overall, it had been a smooth conversation, even Breeze seemed to be warming up to Freddy a little bit.

That was when he showed up.

Like a storm cloud on a sunny day.

“Hey dork, I didn't think you showed up at parties!”

He said, swinging his hand over Freddy's shoulder with so much force it almost knocked him over.

He grinned at me just as Freddy was trying to regain his balance, and I knew then and there that tonight was going to end as a disaster.