Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven

37. Chapter 37

Chapter thirty-seven

Raven

L ocke stands to his full height. Completely naked. I gulp, my eyes trailing down his throat, across his sculpted chest, down his defined abs, then down to his very…. erect cock.

The one I remember vividly. I can still practically taste it.

A throat clears next to me, and I rip my eyes away. Locke smirks, reaching down to pick up his discarded jeans before he slips them on.

“If my services are no longer needed, I have prior engagements.” Declan shoots Locke a salute as he leaves the back patio.

“Walk with me?” Locke asks.

I nod, taking a few steps to follow him farther into the garden.

“I know you have questions.”

I have a lot of freaking questions.

“When did this happen?” I ask. “The first time.”

“Most shifters will have their first shift at sixteen. Some later than others. Depends. I was sixteen,” he answers as we round the corner to see a beautiful array of red roses.

“So, your family?” I question.

I’m assuming he has a whole family of them. The one’s he doesn’t speak to.

A haunted look passes over his face. “That’s complicated.”

I slow my steps, causing him to turn to face me. “Our entire relationship has been built on complicated. I’m sure I can handle it.”

He shoves his hands into his pockets. “I was exiled from my pack after my father, the alpha, was killed. His beta, and best friend, married my mother afterwards and took the alpha position.”

“But…if your dad was alpha, wouldn’t that mean you would be next in line?”

His lips quirks. “I see you’ve been reading your textbook.”

“It required.” I roll my eyes.

“You’re right. I should have been next to lead the pack.” He motions to a bench over to the side.

I follow him, sinking down and placing my hands between my knees. “So, what happened?”

He braces his elbows on his knees. “Malikiah happened. He killed my father and had me exiled when I accused him. I was young, and he held enough power to persuade that I was unfit and even raised question of me being responsible for his death. The pack thought I wasn’t ready to lead. I was too young and unstable.”

I felt an undeniable anger radiate through my chest. “And your mother allowed it?”

“The dynamic is different with wolves, Rae. He was the beta. Then the alpha. His word is law.”

“So, they just made you leave?” I press, anger quickly rising to the surface.

He dips his chin. “I was exiled from pack territory and…” he trails off, torment clearly written across his face. “I was cursed," he admits.

“Cursed? Like by a witch?” I blanche. “How?”

“It was Malikiah’s way of punishing me.” He stands, brushing his hand through his hair. “But it’s…. I don’t understand it.”

I push to my feet, and they bring me closer on their own accord. I’m not scared of him. I feel for him.

“What was the curse?” I ask.

He stills, his eyes meeting mine with anguish.

“Locke.” I shake my head. “No secrets.”

“If you’ve done, your reading, then you know the term mate. ”

My heartbeat steadily begins to pick up its pace. I’ve read wolves mate for life.

“Yes.”

“Fated mates are sacred to wolf shifters.”

“Like a spouse?” I’ve read a little about this particular bond and what it means for the dynamic.

“More than that.” His voice grows hoarse. “It’s this inevitable bond. When a wolf finds its mate, that’s it. He’s devoted. Committed. To her and her alone, forever. It’s a soul connection. The mating bond is forever and only once. You don’t control it. You don’t pick. Fate does. And when you find her.” His hand brushes against mine. “Nothing or no one will stand in your way.”

The way his eyes begin to change to a beautiful golden glow has me mesmerized.

“The curse?” I ask.

I need him to be specific.

“I was cursed to never find my fated mate," he finally confesses.

A wave of emotion hits me when he cups my cheek. His rough hand caresses my skin. “I’ve lived with this curse for over fifty years.”

My eyes widen and he must see the questions on my face. “We don’t age like normal wolves.”

"How old are you?" I ask.

"Like ballpark?"

"Locke," I deadpan.

"One hundred and twenty-six."

I mean, I knew I liked older men…. but…

He takes a step towards me. “This curse. This damnation is a wolf’s worst nightmare. Never finding his mate. The one to carry his children.”

His other hand reaches up to cup my other cheek. “But I’ve began to question whether the curse is real.”

“Why?” I frown.

“Because for fifty years I’ve walked this earth and never found her.”

I open my mouth to speak when he leans his forehead down to mine. “I accepted my fate. But everything changed.” His thumb casually strokes across the front of my throat. “Everything changed the second I kissed you.” He brushes his nose against mine, the touch resembling the lightness of a feather. “I fucking knew.”

“You knew what?” I whisper.

He brings his gaze to mine. “Somehow…. I’d found her.”