Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven

27. Chapter 27

Chapter twenty-seven

Locke

M y gaze lands on the tattoo behind Raven’s ear as she smooths down her dress. I’ve already tucked myself back in, and righted my suit. Not being able to control myself, I wrap an arm around her waist from behind her, and press a kiss against the tiny black bird.

“Did I hurt you?” I ask.

“No. I’m not a porcelain doll.” She twists her neck to look back at me, and I place another quick kiss on the spot.

She chuckles, shoving me off. “Knock it off. I need to walk out of here looking normal and unsatisfied.”

I run my hand along the back of her neck before squeezing her nape. “Fine.”

She flips her hair back over her shoulder, and leans towards the mirror to check her face.

“Ready?” I ask.

She nods, so I push the red button to release the elevator. As it raises us back up to the second floor, I lean over to whisper in her ear. “When I’m back in there. I’m not here with her. I’m here to network. It’s just a cover.”

She tilts her chin, her eyes sincere. “I know. I trust you.”

Relief floods me and my wolf, who’s been howling and jumping the last thirty minutes finally settles and leaves me be. It took everything I had in me not to mark her. Not to sink my teeth in the creamy flesh below her tattoo. I wanted to. My wolf wanted to, but I needed answers first before I could reveal myself.

When the elevator opens, reality hits as she steps out and sways up the hallway. I give her a few seconds head start before I make my way back to the ballroom.

Raven resumes taking pictures, while I take a seat back at the table.

Declan’s eyes dance with amusement. “Feel better?”

“Nice play.” I lean my forearms on the table. “You just had to put your hands on her.”

He shrugs. “Just doing my duty as your best friend.”

“I thought I was your best friend?” Nyko scoffs.

“Hardly.” The sarcasm that’s painted on Dec’s face evaporates as he looks over my shoulder.

“Who is it?” I ask, already knowing the answer by the shift in the air.

I could feel them the second they walked in.

“Malikiah and Kingston.” He pauses. “And your mother.”

My fist clench into tight balls as I survey the room. There’s a handful of people in here that I know are shifters. From the pack. Maybe a vampire or two. We blend easily. We’ve learned to co-exist among the human world. It’s natural for us to be hyper aware. Which is why when Raven glides to the dance floor to get a few close up pictures of the dancers and her scent reaches the guests, heads turn towards me. The ones who can smell my scent on her. I had multiple reasons to get Raven in that elevator. The first one was pure need. The second, I wanted to make a statement when she walked back into this room. For those that could sense it, they knew right then she was mine. And the last, what better way to snuff out the ones who are here for a different purpose than scholarships. Several heads turn in my direction, and I grin. Callum, Nyko, and Dec join in, knowing not only did I just do something absolutely reckless, but I simultaneously hit the gold mine.

A simmering rage is idling just below the surface of my skin as I watch Malikiah greet Elias like old pals. Both disgust me, and If I had any solid proof they were behind the missing people and tragic accidents in this town I would have their heads. Sensing my agitation, Nyko nods his head in the direction of the balcony.

“Fresh air,” he offers.

Taking his advice I step away, giving him a look that tells him to watch Raven. She’s till behind her camera, doing her thing, while ever so often throwing glances my way.

The subtle dip of his chin tells me that he understands, and my chest lightens a fraction.

Walking out onto the balcony, I stand off to the side in a darkened corner. With my elbows resting on the railing, I feel a presence join me from my left.

“Son.”

I flinch. She lost the right to call me that years ago. “Malikiah will kill you if he catches you.”

She knows the consequences of defying the alpha.

Her small frame is still the same. The same golden hair in a bun at the nape of her neck. “This is important.”

I let out a light scoff. “There’s nothing left to say, Angeline.”

When I push away from the railing, her words stop me. “Raven.”

I freeze.

“That’s a pretty name.”

I whirl around, my teeth bared. “You don’t speak her name.”

She doesn’t shy away from my anger. She has the audacity to look awestruck.

“I wasn’t sure it would happen.” She shakes her head. “She’s your mate.”

“But you tried to make sure that would never happen, right?”

Her eyes soften and she reaches for me but I step away. “I don’t have a lot of time, Sullivan.”

I look into the eyes that should hold love and can’t believe this woman raised me. That she was the one who betrayed me.

“I came to warn you. “

My hackles rise.

“I don’t have time to tell the long story, but you need to get her out of here,” she whispers.

“Why?” I question.

She glances around me. “She’s special, Sullivan.”

“I know she is.” I jerk back from her hold. “What are you playing at, Angeline?”

“It’s her twenty first birthday right?” She asks.

How would she know that?

I glare at her. “Yes.”

She tightens the poncho around her shoulders when the breeze picks up. “The protective hold will lift at midnight. You need to have her out of here before then.”

I haven’t spoken to my mother in years and she shows up with this? Some bullshit about a protective hold?

“Is someone threatening her?” I take a step towards her.

She stands taller. “No, but they will be.” She closes her eyes. “There’s a lot you don’t know, son. A lot she doesn’t either. But I knew she would find you. I knew she would be the one.”

Voices filter behind us and she quickly steps away.

“I don’t understand.” I move to her again.

How does she know about my Raven?

“Tonight, her true nature will manifest.” She leans in close to my ear. “You can’t let him get to her.”

“Who?” I ask in confusion.

Here eyes widen as she brushes past me, but I catch her elbow, saying words I never thought I would say.

“Please.”

“The spot behind her ear.” She meets my eyes. “It’s a small bird?”

I frown. “How did you know about her tattoo?”

“It’s not a tattoo. It’s a birthmark.” She pulls from my grip, leaving me with a million more questions than answers.