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

Chapter Twenty-one

Eddy Elwood

I slip into the abandoned warehouse, trying to keep my emotions in check, my heart pounding with excitement and my senses on high alert. But then I hear it – the omega-cry that shatters the silence like a razor-sharp blade. My mate's desperate call echoes off the walls, and something inside me snaps. My rage boils over, a maelstrom of fury that threatens to consume me whole. My bear transforms into a raging beast, its fur standing on end as it lets out a primal roar that shakes the very foundations of the building. The sound is like nothing I've ever heard before – a raw, savage cry that sends shivers down my spine and leaves me trembling with fury.

As I storm into the room, I catch a glimpse of Darcy's terrified face – his eyes wide with fear, his face pale and sweaty – as that alpha's hands cling to his back. I rip the alpha off my mate with a fierce snarl, and as soon as I break Darcy from his restraints, I push him towards the other omega.

I allow the primal fury to consume me. I let the alpha's corpse writhe beneath my claws, the sound of his gurgling screams is music to my ears as I rip it apart, flesh tearing from bone in wet, sloppy chunks. The thrill of victory is short-lived, though, as another shifter slams into me, teeth snapping wildly as it attempts to tear out my throat. Its claws digging deep into my neck, the pain searing like a branding iron, before I manage to get the upper hand and chuck him off of me .

When the dust settles, I'm left sitting in the back of the car that originally brought us here, my arms wrapped around Darcy's shaking form as he trembles in my lap. Darcy's tears mingle with my own sweat-soaked skin. His eyes are glassy, his pupils dilated, as he clings to me like a lifeline, his ragged breathing echoing through my ears.

Those sadistic bastards had captured my mate and stripped him bare, leaving him hog-tied and naked on the cold, hard floor. The stench of sweat and fear hangs heavy in the air as I hold my mate closer. His skin is like ice against my own heated skin, and I can feel my own anger simmering like a pot about to boil over.

I don’t even bother trying to ask my mate any questions just yet, I just let him sob against my shoulder as I continue to use my wrists to scent all the parts of him I can reach.

Without a word, my father knows we need to head straight back to Everlong, away from the chaos of this place. I crave the solace of our quiet, familiar streets and the cosy cabin I call home. I'm too spent to muster the energy to reach out to my mother and reassure her we're okay – or as okay as we can be given the situation.

I shut my eyes and concentrate on the gentle rise and fall of Darcy’s chest and the softness of his breath against my skin. The slowly warming temperature of his body seeps into mine, a comforting reminder that he's alive and safe in my arms. I breathe in deeply, savouring his scent mingling with my own, a familiar blend that calms my racing thoughts

My father's firm grip on my arm jolts me awake, and I sit up straight, rubbing my eyes. "Take him inside and look after him," he orders quietly, his voice low and serious. "Don't worry about anyone else – you’re mother and I have already spoken."

I ease myself out of the car, careful not to jostle Darcy in my arms, the cool evening air envelops us, carrying the scent of damp earth and leaves. I take a deep breath, savouring the peacefulness of the forest, and begin the walk towards my cabin. As I move away from the car, I whisper a soft goodbye to my father, who nods in understanding before turning back to his own thoughts.

I never would have been able to predict what had have happened on our journey to visit my family, but I say a quick thank you to the Goddess that my mate is still here with me.

I push open the creaky door and step into the dimly lit cabin, I'm relieved to finally be home. I hold my mate tighter in my arms and hurry to the bedroom, planning to tuck him under my bed sheets and let him catch up on some much-needed sleep. But just as I'm about to settle in, Darcy suddenly sits up with a cry, his tiny fists clenching my skin as he struggles against my hold.

"Hey, hey. We're back home, back in our cabin," I continue, trying to reassure him with a gentle tone. As I speak, I gently stroke his hair, hoping to calm him further. It takes a moment for his gaze to focus, his eyes squinting as he takes in our surroundings. His grip on me tightens, and I can feel his heart racing beneath his skin.

Darcy's face contorts in a mix of fear and confusion, his eyes wide with tears as he buries his face against my chest. His small body shakes with sobs, his tiny fists clenched in my shirt. I wrap my arms tighter around him, trying to comfort him with a gentle rocking motion. I hold him close, feeling a pang of compassion mixed with a deep sadness wash over me.

When his tears begin to subside, he gazes at me with a mix of fear and desperation, his eyes pleading for reassurance. He slowly pulls back, his face wet with tears, and searches mine for answers. I can see the weight of his emotions bearing down on him as he takes a deep breath before rushing out to say, "I-I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again. I didn’t even know if you were still alive." He pauses, his chest heaving with sobs. "Goddess, Eddy... I was so scared... so scared that I’d never be able to tell you how much I love you."

My eyes sting with unshed tears and I finally release the flow I've been damming up since the moment I found him. The air constricts in my lungs as I struggle to draw breath through the agony of almost losing my fated mate, the one being destined to be mine.

“I couldn’t feel you Darcy, I know our bond isn’t complete, but I’m still able to feel you in my heart when I think of you, but there was nothing. When I woke up after the truck crashed, I was terrified when I didn’t see you sitting in the seat next to me. These past two days have been the worst of my life, I-I’m so glad that you’re here.”

“How did you find me?”

Before answering him, I walk us to the bathroom and lean over the tub and turn on the hot water. “Let me get you into the bathtub first and then I’ll explain everything.”

The bathtub takes only a few minutes to fill, and I crouch down beside it, my fingers already easing Darcy into the hot water. Just as I'm about to release him, his hands shoot out, wrapping around my wrist. “Don't go,” he pleads, his voice low and urgent.

I wrap my hands around his, grasping his hands firmly in mine. 'I'm not going anywhere,” I reassure him, my voice soft and steady as I hold his fragile hands and lower myself to my knees beside the tub. “I'm staying right here, Darcy.”

I keep our hands intertwined as I recount the events that led us to this moment. I start from the instant I woke up, then tell him about my father's frantic arrival, the men who stormed into Grizzly-Fields, and how Ezra's quick thinking allowed us to track his location. “It was a gamble following the trail from your necklace,” I explain, “but it was our only lead. And, fortunately, those idiots are as foolish as they are ruthless. That's why I found this...” I rummage through my pocket and produce the necklace, holding it up for him to see.

Darcy's fingers brush against mine as he gently coaxes the bear pendant from my grasp. He raises the delicate chain to his neck, and as the pendant settles into place, his shoulders ease, his tension slowly unravelling like a thread pulled free from a tangled skein .

Grabbing the soap and I rub it into a rich lather, the bubbles tracing gentle paths down my forearms, Darcy lets out a soft sigh and closes his eyes, surrendering to my attention. The silence between us is a warm blanket, wrapping us in a sense of intimacy and trust. Only when his stomach growls for the fourth time does he rouse himself, and I say, “Time to get you out of here and eat,” my voice low and gentle, as I gently rinse the soap from his skin.

Dressing Darcy in my favourite sweater and a pair of boxers, a comforting ritual that feels like a hug, I lead him to the sofa and drape a plush blanket around his shoulders. I hand him the remote and my phone and say, “Take your pick and choose what you’d like to eat, and I'll order us something.”

I glance at my phone, I'm surprised to find it's only 9:07 AM. Darcy chooses what he wants for breakfast, while I head to the kitchen and fill a tall glass with ice-cold water and pour a steaming mug of coffee. As we settle on the sofa, Darcy reaches for the water first, downing the entire glass in one swift motion.

My mate wasn’t away from me for that long, but I imagine his captors didn’t provide him anything to eat or drink during that time. A fresh wave of pain rushes over me when I think of Darcy alone in that place, how scared he must have been.

Darcy's soft whisper cuts through my reverie, his words a gentle prod that shakes me back to reality. “Hey,” he says, his voice low and calm, “I'm okay. You got there before things got too bad.”

The image of that alpha on Darcy's back ignites a furnace of anger within me, but before it can consume me, he crawls into my lap, his presence a cold compress on the flames of my rage. "Eddy, I'm okay," he reassures me, his voice shaking slightly as he forces a gentle smile. "I was terrified, but I'm fine now. I promise. I won't sugar-coat it – I was petrified. But I'll be okay, eventually.”

I'm hesitant to ask Darcy the full story, my guilt and shame over failing to protect him, is like a weight in my chest. Before I can find my voice, Darcy starts speaking, his words tumbling out in a rush. “Do you know what belladonna is?” his tone detached, his eyes distant. “I didn't until now. It's a plant that can cause hallucinations so vivid they're almost real.”

"As I came to, I found myself disoriented and vulnerable, my mind reeling from the belladonna. The hallucinations were like nothing I'd ever experienced - eerie whispers in my ear, twisting shadows that danced like living things, and objects that melted into grotesque, fluid forms. I was trapped in a waking nightmare, detached from reality, and it took me what felt like an eternity to grasp what was happening. By the time I snapped back to awareness, it was already too late to regain control - my rational mind was lost in the chaos, consumed by the swirling terrors that haunted me."

I'm struggling to find the right words, unsure how to respond to this revelation. “Are you okay?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. “Do we need to take you to the hospital?” But it's a ridiculous question, isn't it? Of course, he needs medical attention.

I'm about to leap into action, desperate to get him to the hospital, when Darcy's hand shoots out and grasps my arm, holding me back. “No, I'm fine now,” he says, his voice low and steady. “The hallucinations have stopped, and I've been lucid for a couple of hours. But there's something I need to tell you.”

The fear that grips my mate’s face is a sight I'm growing all too familiar with, and it's one that fills me with a mix of frustration and helplessness. Hasn't he suffered enough already?

“My raven is gone,” he blurts out, his voice cracking with desperation.

I reel back in shock, and it's only then that I realise, my connection to my darling bird isn’t there. In the chaos of finding Darcy, I didn't notice that I still couldn’t sense his raven.

“When I stirred awake, I was met with an unsettling emptiness. My usual attempt to shift was thwarted. I reached out mentally, but my mind was a void, devoid of even a whisper of his presence. The sensation was suffocating, leaving me feeling desolate and lost," his voice cracking with emotion.

When I open my mouth to speak, the doorbell's sweet ring pierces the air, shattering the momentary silence and signalling that our food has finally arrived.

The tantalising aroma of food wafts through the air, but my mind is elsewhere – on finding Darcy's missing companion – yet the unmistakable rumble of his stomach is a reminder that some problems can be solved with a simple solution: getting him fed.

“You stay here, I’ll be right back,” I tell him before rushing to answer the door before the doorbell chimes again.

I open the door to find Ezra standing on my porch, a steaming bag in his hands and a car speeding away from my driveway. His sheepish smile hints at his embarrassment as he says, "We showed up at the same time, so I figured I'd bring it in for you." He eyes me expectantly, waiting for an answer.

With a frown of confusion, I open the door wider, and with a subtle inclination of my head, I invite the mouse shifter into my cosy living room.

Approaching the sofa, Darcy's face mirrors my confusion, but before he can ask what's going on, his stomach growls loudly. I grab the bag from Ezra and dish out our breakfast, apologising to my friend for not having anything for him.

Ezra shakes his head, “No worries at all, I was just checking to see if you were home yet, I’ve been trying to call you and when you didn’t pick up, I was worried. But I see that you’re both ok, I’ll be on my way.”

Before the mouse can turn around and leave, I shout, “Wait!” Ezra spins around and waits for me to continue. “I just want to say thank you for your help with tracking the necklace, I was able to find Darcy fairly quickly. ”

Ezra smiles and says, “It’s no bother at all, I’m just glad you’re both home safely.”

“Can I ask you something?” Darcy questions between bites of his food.

“Sure.”

“I don’t know what type of magic you used to track me down, but do you know how I can get my raven to come back to me?”

Ezra looks shocked but quickly covers the look, “What do you mean?”

"I'm a raven shifter," my mate explains, his voice trembling with desperation. "I've been trying to connect with my inner bird, but it's like he's buried beneath a layer of numbness. I feel him stirring, but I don't know how to bring him back.”

My omega friend's noncommittal "Huh" sends a shiver down my spine as he ambles over to Darcy, plopping down beside him on the worn couch. He eyes Darcy with a calculating gaze, his voice low and measured as he asks, "Mind if I take a closer look?"

Darcy turns to me, and I respond with a shrug and a nod, my confidence in Ezra evident. We've been through thick and thin together since I arrived in Everlong, and I know he'd never betray my trust – especially not when it comes to my mate. When Darcy gives his consent, Ezra's hands envelop my mate's head, his eyes burning with intensity as he takes in every detail before pressing their foreheads together in a gentle, intimate gesture.

Ezra's mouth forms words that sound like a foreign language, the syllables blurring together in a hypnotic rhythm that makes me lean in closer.

Ezra pulls back, his eyes locked on mine, and says, "He's in there, I can feel him. I can't tell you how to fix it." My mate's face crumples, and he sinks back into the couch, defeated.

Ezra's expression softens. "But I can offer you some advice," he says gently. "You've been through something traumatic, so it may take time before he realises you're back home and safe. Spend some time with your mate, do something that makes you happy, and he should come back to you." He pauses, his gaze searching mine. "And remember, you were drugged. That's probably slowing down the healing process."

“I can do that,” Darcy says with a determined nod.

Ezra's voice drops to a whisper as he says, "Or maybe... you can seal your bond." His eyes flicker away, revealing his embarrassment, but his tone remains tender.

When night begins to fall, I cradle Darcy in my lap, his soft snores a comforting sound as Ezra's words echo through my mind. The warm glow of the setting sun casts a golden light over the landscape.

The weight of Ezra's suggestion settles heavy on me, like a stone in my chest. If we were to complete our bond, maybe Darcy's raven would come back to him, and the ache in his heart would ease. I glance down at his peaceful face, his dark eyelashes fluttering with each gentle breath.

The silence is deafening, my mind replaying the moment my mate vanished, the ache of regret growing with each passing second. I can’t shake the what-ifs, my brain looping on the thought of if only we'd sealed our bond before leaving for my parents' home.

If we were already bonded, then my mate wouldn’t have been taken away from me... or maybe he would have been, but I would have managed to find him a lot quicker than when I did.

Darcy’s gentle voice pierces the air, his words shattering my reverie like a shard of glass. "You're thinking awfully hard," he murmurs, his brow furrowed in concern.

His eyes flutter open, his face creased into a map of tired lines, but his features remain striking, like a worn sculpture crafted by the gentle hands of time. He rubs his face, smudging the shadows beneath his eyes, and looks at me with a question written across his face: "Do you want to talk about what's bothering you?"

The words spill out of me like a river bursting its banks as I grasp Darcy's hands, pressing gentle kisses against his skin. "I've loved you since the moment I saw you perched on my truck, chain swinging between your beak," I confess, my words trembling with emotion. "I want us to claim each other, not just for convenience or obligation, but because I love you.”

“I want you to know that I'm not pushing for us to rush into anything. I can only imagine how difficult the past twelve hours or so have been for you, and I want you to know that I'm here for you every step of the way. When you're ready to take the next step with me, I'll be here, waiting patiently and lovingly. I promise that when we do claim each other, it will be because we're both ready and willing, and it will be a beautiful moment of comfort, safety, and security. You mean everything to me, and I'm willing to wait as long as it takes for us to get to this place together.”

“Take me to bed,” Darcy begs with a low moan, his skin releasing a heady scent of sweet berries that's almost overwhelming.

I breathe in slowly, my lungs expanding as I try to process the intoxicating scent that wafts towards me like a warm breeze on a summer day. The air is thick with the heady aroma of freshly picked berries, and I can feel my senses begin to spin. My hands tremble as I reach for him, my mind racing with the effort to focus on his words rather than give in to the temptation to bury my face in his neck and inhale deeply. “Are you sure, Darcy?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper as I struggle to resist the pull of his scent.

His voice husky with desire as he whispers, “Yes.” His eyes lock onto mine before his gaze dips down to my lips, and I can feel the air vibrate with the tension between us. I reach up to pull his face to mine, my fingers tangling in his hair as I crave the taste of his mouth on mine. “Take me to bed,” he repeats, his voice barely above a whisper

Standing up, I bend down and scoop up my mate, his arms wrap around my neck in a warm embrace. His fingers dig gently into my skin, sending shivers down my spine as he pulls me in close. Our bodies mould together like puzzle pieces and my breath catches in my throat when I feel his hardness press against me. His legs hook around my hips, his ankles locking in place as he holds me tightly, I can feel his heart pounding against mine.

As soon as we step into the bedroom, our mouths meet in a sizzling collision, his taste explodes on my tongue, rich and intoxicating, as our tongues explore each other's mouths with reckless abandon. My breath comes in ragged gasps as his mouth claims mine, our kisses growing hungrier by the second. I can feel his heart pounding against mine like a drumbeat, and I'm lost in the sensation of being devoured by him.

I guide Darcy down onto the bed, his body thuds softly onto the mattress, sending a ripple through his muscles as he relaxes into it. His eyes lock onto mine as he reaches for his sweater, and I stop him with a gentle shake of my head, my fingers brushing against his skin as I whisper “No, don't you do anything yet.” The air is thick with anticipation as we freeze in this moment, our breathing synchronised in a shared desire.

Darcy does as I say and stops his movements, I quickly shed my own clothes and climb up onto the bed, my length swinging and dripping between my legs. My mate’s eyes widen as he stares directly at my arousal, licking his lips as I get closer to his body.

I begin my journey of devotion at my mate's feet, my hands glide up his warm skin like a gentle summer breeze on a sun-kissed day. The softness is an invitation, urging me to explore the contours of his body further. His shins, smooth and hairless, beckon me to continue my ascent. I follow the gentle curve of his thigh, my beard whispering sweet nothings against his skin as I pause at the crease of his groin. Inhaling deeply, I am enveloped by the heady scent of berries and lust, a fragrance that intoxicates me and leaves me craving more.

"Darcy, my love," I whisper, my voice husky with desire, as I trail my tongue along the gentle curves of his hip bones. The ridges and hollows of his pelvis seem to be beckoning me closer, like the tender petals of a flower unfolding in the sunlight.

I slightly lift Darcy’s oversized sweater and let my lips linger on the tender skin of his abdomen, my tongue brushing against the softness of his body. I pause to savour the sweet surrender of his bellybutton, my tongue tracing the contours of his navel. Darcy's body responds with a subtle tremor, and I feel his stomach muscles tense, as if trying to hold back the thrill of pleasure. But I tempt him further, my teeth grazing his skin with a soft, seductive bite, and he lets out a delighted laugh, his tension melting away.

I move up his chest, my eyes feast on the tender ridges of his nipples. I lavish attention on the sensitive peaks, tracing their curves with reverence. His skin yields to my touch, his nipples hardening like rose petals unfolding.

His neck flexes, relaxed and ready, as I draw his head to the side. My tongue follows the rhythm of his pulse, my mouth watering at the thought of claiming this most intimate spot. I savour the thrill of it being seen, of marking him where all can see.

"I'll mark you here," I whisper, my breath a promise against his skin. "Where my teeth will sink deep, sealing our bond. You'll be mine, Darcy and everyone will know it."

I pull back, our gazes locking in a fiery embrace. I drag my finger down my own neck, the gesture deliberate and provocative. “Here,” I whisper, my voice husky with desire. “Bite me here, and mark me as yours. I'll wear your claim like a badge of honour, my heart beating only for you. ”

Darcy's pupils dilate, his gaze riveted on the tender skin where my fingers linger. His nod is almost desperate, his voice low and husky as he whines, “Yes, I want every last inch of you marked with my ownership, so the whole world knows you’re mine to touch, to taste, to possess.'"

I swoop in, my mouth claiming his in a searing kiss that sets our souls ablaze. Our lips meld together in a sultry tango, the world around us dissolving into nothingness as we become one. The air is heavy with the promise of our love, our kiss a tantalising whispered vow to surrender to the passion that simmers between us, to cherish and adore each other for all eternity.

Our bodies thrum with an electric intensity, our need and longing crackling like live wires, as we devour each other with a hunger that's impossible to satiate. The kiss is a shockwave of sensation.

With a slow, deliberate motion, I coax my mate onto his stomach, his body surrendering to my touch as he nestles into the pillow. Then, with a gentle, teasing exploration, I burrow between his legs, my lips and tongue dancing across the tender skin of his crease. The sweet aroma of ripe fruit wafts up to greet me, and I'm drawn in by the irresistible scent of his desire. As I delve deeper, his slickness coats my face, and I groan in rapture at the taste and sensation, my senses drunk with the thrill of pleasure.

Darcy tries to lay still, but after a few minutes I feel his hands grab a hold of my hair and push my head further between his cheeks. His moans and groans getting louder with each passing moment. As soon as my tongue makes its first pass through his sphincter, a bucket of slick floods out of him and straight into my mouth, I continue to lick and suck him through his first orgasm of the night.