The Raven’s Alpha (Nature’s Embrace #1)

Chapter One

Present Day

Darcy Mortlake

As I soar through the clouds, the wind whipping through my feathers, I feel alive. The rush of freedom is exhilarating, and I'm grateful for this moment of solitude. Everlong Valley is my haven, where I can be myself without judgement or expectation. I've grown to love the way the sun sets over the rolling hills, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape. The scent of blooming wildflowers fills the air and the sound of birdsong echoes through the valleys.

This is what life is all about, doing what I want, when I want. With nobody telling me what I can and can’t do. I mean, if you just ignore my lack of a loving family and a partner, then I’m as happy as can be.

I land on a maple tree, watching the villagers make their way home after a long day. The Harrots, a lovely cat-shifter/human couple, are chatting as they walk down the cobblestone street. Mrs. Harrot's hair is a beautiful shade of golden brown, and her eyes sparkle with kindness. Mr. Harrot and his gentle demeanour puts everyone at ease.

I lean my head through the foliage and spot Miss Cathy, a feisty wolf shifter, flip the sign to ‘closed’ for the grocery store, a few seconds later the clerks come pouring through the door. The crew waving their goodbyes as they shout a quick, “See-ya tomorrow.”

As I observe the quiet evening routine, my thoughts wander to Grizzlies, the bakery that's always open late. The owner, a burly bear of a man, is a sight to behold – his bushy beard and strong physique make him almost intimidating. It's not just his physical appearance that draws me in; it's his kind heart and gentle nature. I've seen him help customers with their groceries, laughing and chatting with them as if they were old friends. His eyes are a deep brown, and his smile is warm and inviting.

Anyway, my favourite thing about him is when he gets home after a long day of work, whisking away and baking cakes in the kitchen, he walks out of the back door of his cabin and strolls naked through the forest.

Oh yeah, and he shifts into a big-ass grizzly bear. His thick, luxurious fur shimmers in the moonlight. He’s the definition of power and grace.

As the sun dips below the horizon, I watch as the grizzly closes up shop and heads towards his rusty truck. It's an old vehicle, but it's reliable and gets him where he needs to go. I think he deserves better than that, but maybe he's just not interested in upgrading. Maybe he's one of those people whose content with what they have, no matter how rough around the edges it may be.

I've been following him for weeks, learning his routine and studying his behaviour. I've come to realise that he's not just a handsome bear; he's a complex individual with his own joys and struggles. He works hard every day, pouring his heart and soul into his bakery.

As I follow him home, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement building inside me. Over time I've grown accustomed to his gentle strolls through the woods. He's always alone, never with anyone else, and I find myself wondering what his story is. What drives him to work so hard? What keeps him up at night?

I land on the roof of his cabin, my eyes scanning the surrounding area for any sign of movement. The stars are starting to shine brightly overhead and the night air is cool and crisp. I take a deep breath, feeling the tension in my body ease as I find the tree I’ve claimed as my own and settle in for the night.

As I wait for the grizzly bear to come out, I start to think about all the things I've learned about him. He's a hard worker, always putting in long hours. He's kind and gentle, always willing to lend a helping hand. But there's something about him that seems... lost. Like he's searching for something he can't quite find.

After what feels like an eternity, I start to get antsy.

‘Where is he? Is everything okay?’ My raven can be so dramatic sometimes, but there's something about this that doesn't feel right. I carefully climb down the branch and make my way over to the window, my eyes scanning the room for any sign of movement.

That's when I see him, sitting on the sofa, his eyes red and puffy from crying. His wide shoulders shake as he heaves breaths through the sobs. My heart thuds and I feel a pang of concern.

‘What's going on? Is he okay?’

I don't know what to do. Part of me wants to fly down from the windowsill and comfort him, to tell him everything is going to be okay. Another part of me is worried about getting too close.

I take a deep breath, trying to make sense of it all. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day for him, and maybe our paths will cross soon. Maybe we'll have a chance to talk about what's going on in his life? Maybe we'll have a chance to get closer?

As I perch there in silence, watching over the grizzly bear, I realise that maybe this is just the beginning of our story.

‘We should leave him a gift,’ my raven suggests.