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

Chapter Sixteen

Darcy Mortlake

The tension between Eddy and his sister has finally dissipated, and I'm over the moon to see them on better terms. As we snuggle up together in bed, Eddy pours out his heart to me, sharing the weight of his guilt over leaving his family, especially during Millie's vulnerable early years. We hatch a plan to rekindle their bond by introducing more quality time with his loved ones.

A nagging doubt creeps into my thoughts - what if we have to travel through the border again in the future? I share my concerns with Eddy, and he effortlessly reassures me, pointing out that by then, our bond would be official, and we'd face no trouble crossing the border together.

Eddy's words of reassurance are like a breath of fresh air - "Plus, my family can always visit us in Everlong," he says, his tone calm and reassuring. It’s a prospect that suddenly made the idea of travelling back to the other side seem much more manageable.

Our seven-day stay in Grizzly-Fields is drawing to a close, I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions. While I’ve grown fond of Eddy's family and have enjoyed getting to know them, I’m ready to return home and indulge in some much-needed alone time with my mate. The thought of slipping into Eddy's cosy cabin, surrounded by the familiar comforts of our little sanctuary, is a tantalising prospect that beckons me like a warm hug on a cold winter's night.

Over the last couple of days, our connection has only grown stronger. The invisible thread between us tightening, and I find myself craving more of his presence. It's as if our bond is approaching its maximum capacity, and I'm left wanting more.

Unsurprisingly, the closeness is beginning to trigger my heat and I fear we won’t make it home in time before I shamelessly beg my alpha to knot me and flood my guts.

I yearn for that intensity, but I'm not willing to surrender to my desires in my alpha's family cabin. I crave the freedom to ride out this moment alongside Eddy, without the scrutiny of his family's watchful eyes.

We’re sitting alone with his parents in the kitchen, we linger over our farewells to Millie and Henry, the silence between us thickening like the air. I sense his parents' knowing glances, their unspoken understanding of the tension building between us. I'm torn between polite niceties and my own simmering frustration, which threatens to boil over if we don't escape this stifling atmosphere soon

I reach out to my alpha and dig my fingernails in his upper thigh, he hisses and it causes Lucy to stand up and start the goodbye process. “Alright, you kids get out of here. Be safe on your journey home and please send us a message when you arrive back in one piece... if you can,” she ends with a giggle.

I'm too wired to muster even a hint of embarrassment, and instead, I find myself giggling uncontrollably along with her.

Norman's voice is strained as he tries to hide his discomfort, "Ah, yes, be careful on your way home."

My alpha awkwardly chimes in with a weak cough. The tension between them is palpable as they both studiously avoid eye contact with each other. "Give me a call if you need anything," his father tells us, but when Lucy lets out another giggle, Norman's embarrassment boils over. "I mean, at the border crossing, not with... well you know what I mean," he adds hastily.

The room falls silent as Eddy's words hang in the air. "We're leaving," he says, his voice low and even .

He walks over to his mother and scoops her into his arms. Their bodies swaying together, their faces inches apart, as he lifts her off the ground and holds her against his chest. A faint whispered, "I love you," escapes his lips, and she responds with a soft, "I love you too.”

My alpha's is face set in a determined expression when he hugs his father, his grip tight with a mix of sadness and gratitude. He whispers something in his ear, but the words are lost in the quiet room.

Lucy wraps her arms around me, her warmth and scent envelop me in a comforting embrace. The softness of her hair against my cheek is almost palpable, and I feel a sense of belonging wash over me. She pulls back, her eyes shining with kindness, and I'm struck by the genuine warmth behind them, “Welcome to the family, Darcy.”

Norman's hesitation is plain on his face as he considers what to do with me. He looks like a man who's never been in this situation before, unsure how to react. His smile is strained, but he manages to muster up an air high-five, and I can't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.

When we settle into Eddy's truck, I find myself squirming in my seat, trying to escape my suffocating heat. The air conditioning struggles to keep up, and I can feel my clothes clinging to my skin like a damp shroud. Eddy reaches into his bag and pulls out a couple of his dirty t-shirts, wrapping them around my body with a gentle touch. The scent of stale air and old fabric envelops me, a familiar comfort that's both soothing and warm.

"It shouldn't take too long to get back home, considering the late hour. Maybe try sleeping and hopefully when you wake up, we'll be almost there.” As I cling to my alphas words of comfort, my eyes begin to droop and I force myself to relax. But even as I let go and let sleep take over, a nagging sense of unease remains, making me wonder what lies ahead.