The Alpha’s Contract (Contract by Alpha’s #3)

Chapter 0145

Neah

Raven bursts through the bedroom door so forcefully that it nearly flies off the hinges. I’ve never seen her this flustered before. Her eyes are wide, her breath coming in ragged gasps like she just sprinted a mile.

She flails her hands in an attempt to steady herself, but it’s clear she’s rattled.

"I take it you’re not, okay?" I murmur.

"He’s here."

There’s only one person she could mean. "You saw Damien?"

"Yes—wait, you already knew?" She stops mid-breath, staring at me.

"One of the guards interrupted to tell Dane. What’s he like?"

"I didn’t talk to him."

"Okay…"

"But he looked straight at me."

I sit up slightly. "Do you think he knows?"

"Of course, he knows, Neah! I panicked. I literally dropped everything and ran straight here." She shakes her head, still pacing.

"With Salem, it was different. The moment I scented him, we gravitated toward each other naturally. He was doing the same, drawn to me just as much as I was to him. But Damien? He just stood there—staring at me, talking to Dane, like he couldn’t even smell me! Or worse—maybe he did, and he was disgusted. He didn’t look happy, that’s for sure."

"Maybe he was just shocked. You’ve known about him being your mate for a while now, but this was the first moment he realized it. That’s a lot to take in."

"You’re not helping," she grumbles.

I can’t stop the small laugh that escapes me.

Raven jabs a finger at me. "Don’t! This isn’t funny, Neah. Do you think it’s because I’m a Wolf?"

"I don’t know," I admit.

"It is, isn’t it? He’s probably repulsed."

"Where is he now?"

"I have no idea! I told you—I ran straight here. You’re the only one who’d understand this."

I tilt my head, trying to calm her down. "What does he look like?"

She finally stops pacing and meets my gaze. "Like a god."

Then, just like that, all the tension drains from her as she collapses onto the bed next to me, giggling. "Do you think he’ll like me?"

"I’m sure he will." Honestly, I can’t imagine anyone not liking Raven.

She rolls onto her side, her expression darkening. "But he’s Mallory’s best friend."

"You spoke to her, didn’t you?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

She hesitates before nodding. "I was curious about Damien, but… yeah."

"Do you believe she’s sorry?" I whisper, staring at the ceiling.

Raven exhales slowly. "I want to say no, Neah. But when she talked about what she did, there was so much regret in her voice."

"You think I should hear her out?"

"Maybe. Listen to what she has to say and then decide for yourself," she shrugs. "If you still think she’s lying, do what you need to do."

Raven stays with me for a few hours, the TV playing in the background, though our conversation keeps circling back to Damien.

"Raven," I sigh. "Just go talk to him."

"I can’t. I’ve been sitting here for hours, and he hasn’t even come looking for me."

"You’re in my bedroom. In the packhouse. Do you really think he’s just going to waltz in here to find you?"

Her eyes widen. "You’re right!"

She leaps off the bed and rushes to the mirror, fixing her hair. "I can do this. I can seek him out. Women are just as powerful as men." She turns back to me, nerves flickering across her face. "But… what if he rejects me?"

"Then do what Jess did."

"Refuse?"

"Why not? It worked for her, didn’t it?"

Raven nods, determination settling in her features before she hurries out the door.

‘You should have told her,’ Nyx murmurs in my mind.

‘I’m fine,’ I reply.

‘Ignoring the pain doesn’t mean you’re fine.’

‘I’m carrying twins. It’s just uncomfortable, that’s all.’

‘Raven’s a doctor!’ Nyx presses.

‘I know. But she’s got enough on her plate with this mate bond situation. I’ll be fine. I just need to eat something.’