Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven

32. Chapter 32

Chapter thirty-two

Locke

L eaning over Raven, I lift her limb body in my arms. This wasn’t how I planned this to go. How I planned to reveal my secret, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to let anyone hurt her. I would die protecting her. As gently as I can, I cradle her in my arms, removing the stray pieces of hair from her face and place a kiss on her forehead. I hold my lips to her skin a beat longer than I should, before starting back to the house. I knew when she woke up, I had a lot of explaining to do.

When I walk in the front door, Declan jumps to his feet. Before I’ve even laid her down on the couch, he’s back in the room with a pair of pants for me.

As I step into them, a serious expression passes over his face as he looks at her.

“Sorry.” I lean down, wrapping a blanket around her bloody arm.

“I’m fine. You know my tolerance is high.” He walks a few feet away.

Hendrix stands in the kitchen, but because he’s not near as old as Declan or has the same level of restraint, he excuses himself to the basement.

“Where’s Nyko?” I ask.

“He had to step out. Security breach at The Brew House.” Declan runs a hand over his mouth. “You need him?”

I shake my head. “Nah, it’s fine. We can talk when he gets back.”

My hand brushes a strand of dark hair from Raven’s face. “I shouldn’t have left.”

“Locke, it’s not your fault. Let’s be honest. Your girl is shit at following directions," Declan deadpans.

My wolf growls.

“Down boy,” he mocks. “I’m not saying it’s all her fault.”

My hands are still on Raven. One on her forearm, the other on the side of her neck. It physically pains me at the thought of letting go. Of things changing now.

“You going to tell me what all this is about?” Declan plants himself on the leather chair across from me.

“I spoke to my mother.” I meet his eyes.

Dark. Flaring with anger. One thing Declan is, is loyal. To a fault.

“And what did Angeline have to say?”

“She knew about Raven.”

“How?”

I look back down to Raven’s face. “I don’t know. But she warned me to get her out of there. Told me she’s special. ” I close my eyes. “She knew she was my mate and he she knew about her mark.”

“That doesn’t make sense.” He crosses one ankle over his knee. “Raven just moved here.”

“I know.” I stroke her cheek, her eyes still closed, her breathing soft. “After Nyko handles Frankie’s bar, I need Autumn here.”

Declan nods.

“And call Callum too. We need to have a conversation.” Then another thought hits me. “Presley. Raven’s roommate. Raven would want her here. If someone is trying to harm her, her place would be first on the list.”

He fishes his phone from his pocket, standing to his feet.

“The blonde chick?” He asks. “The asthmatic?”

“The what?” I question.

“I found her having an asthma attack in the bathroom tonight. I went in to help her and she kneed me in the balls.” He cups himself. “Come to think of it. They still fucking hurt.”

“Yes her.”

He nods again, mentally jotting down all of my demands.

“She saw me shift," I admit. “Tonight, he was going to kill her, and I couldn’t.” I clear my throat. “She can’t die, Dec. I need her.”

His eyes lock onto mine. I haven’t said the words. But he knows. He knows she’s important. He knows she’s mine.

“Does Nyko need to do a cleanup?” He asks, thumbing on his phone.

“No, I didn’t kill the attacker.” I watch Declan stall his movements.

“Why not? Who was it?”

I grab a bottle of whiskey that someone had left on the coffee table, taking a long pull before swiping my hand over my mouth. My priority was Raven’s safety tonight, but my next one, is much more complex.

“Locke,” he presses.

I let our gazes collide again before I say the words. “My brother.”