The Raven Wolf King: Wolfless novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Valeria

The next morning, I woke with thoughts of Raphael still lingering, only to be dragged to breakfast in another vast chamber. Nearly as grand as the ballroom. It could almost pass for one, though this hall is lined with long dining tables. At the far end, a row of thrones dominates the space, the largest set in the center with a long table before them. The King sits upon his throne, flanked by his three legitimate sons, and Tobias’s mate at his side. The moment we enter, Tobias and Raphael’s eyes lock on me, and I feel the weight of their gaze.

Nolan walks up to us and bows. “Alpha Albert, you and your family have been invited to dine at the table closest to the King.”

Oh no! Please no! Don’t let what happened with the King’s fated mate slip.

Father looks back at us with a smile, and then we follow Nolan as he leads us to the table. Prince Emmet is already there waiting for us.

“Alpha King, we are honored,” Father says as we all bow.

The King’s hand rises slightly–a sign of acceptance–before he gives a single nod.

When we sit, Jade and I face the King and his princes. I don’t dare meet their eyes. I can already feel their stares pressing on me. Jade takes her place beside Emmet, immediately sweeping her hair off her shoulders so nothing hides her chest, which she angles boldly toward the men on their thrones. The poor prince beside her seems oblivious to her display.

I hadn’t realized breakfast was an occasion to dress up, but many clearly thought so, Jade included. I’m in a simple summer dress and sandals, and I’d feel out of place if not for the royal family’s casual attire. Everyone else, it seems, came dressed to impress.

“Have you and your family been settling well, Alpha Albert?” the King asks. Nerves twist in my stomach.

“Wonderfully, my lord,” Father replies.

We’re seated so close to the King’s table that conversation carries easily without raised voices. The King nods, his gaze steady. “I must say, we are fortunate to have you and your family here. Much gratitude is owed.”

Father’s brow furrows in confusion, while I sit frozen, heart pounding.

“I am told you brought a handsome number of warriors with you for the fight?” the King continues.

Father nods. “All of them, but twenty, my lord. Our pack is nestled through razor–sharp mountains. We barely ever get attacked by rogues, so I didn’t need to leave many men to protect it.”

They start talking about war plans and boring details, so I focus on my food instead.

“Miss Valeria, how are you finding the castle?” Tobias asks.

1/7

Crimpte 1

+25 Bonus

Mother’s and Jade’s heads snap toward me. Raphael does not. He turns to Tobias instead, fixing him with a murderous stare. Tobias seems unaware. His mate, however, refuses to even glance my way.

“Uhm, it’s big… and pretty.” I sound so stupid right now. The hell is wrong with me?

Tobias chuckles.

Raphael speaks next. “Perhaps I should show you around.”

Tobias glances at him and then back at me. “Not a bad idea, I shall give you a tour.”

“She’s more of an outside kind of girl,” Raphael says. “So I’d be the best person to show her around since you spend all your days cooped up in the castle.”

How the hell does he know that?

Prince Finn laughs, muttering, “What is going on?”

Tobias glares at Raphael. “Just because I spend most of my days slaving away with Crown Prince duties doesn’t mean I can’t spare time away from the castle.”

“A hunt, perhaps?” Stephan, the man I danced with at the first ball, appears out of nowhere.

The King motions Stephan closer. “My sister’s son, Stephan–have you met him?” he asks my father.

“Yes, I have. A good lad.”

The King nods. “Good indeed. Lost his older brother just a few weeks ago in a tragic accident. And their father, General Talis, died a year ago.” The King looks back at Stephan. “Nephew, what is it that you suggest?”

He’s part of the royal family?

“A hunt,” Stephan says. “It’s been a while since we had one, and these two young ladies are new to all of

our customs.”

The King nods, agreeing. “Very well. At noon.” He snaps his fingers, and a man appears behind him. Osric, make the preparations.”

And that’s all it takes for us to find ourselves outside at lunchtime with the royal family and their guests. Those not allowed to join watch from the sidelines. My parents chat easily with the King, while I become the focus of two annoying–yet undeniably handsome–princes.

They’re bare–chested, dressed only in pants in case they need to shift. All the men are the same. I stayed in my dress because it’s easy to move in, but I swapped for sneakers so I can run if I have to.

“Once our prey arrives, we begin,” the King declares. “I’ll begin with the rules. No group kills. Only one or two may strike together, or the kill will not count. Both men and women may take part. Those who choose not to may simply accompany us. Remember, tracking is done in human form, killing in wolf form.”

2/7

Chapt

+25 Bonus

Suddenly, to my horror, three men in chains are brought.

“What is this?” I mutter.

“Rogue prisoners,” Tobias says.

“For what?”

“To hunt,” Raphael replies.

“I thought we were hunting a stag or a boar, not people!”

“These men have been sentenced to death. They’re dangerous. They attacked a small pack, raped their women, and then murdered them.”

The rogue men show no fear. They smile as if they’ve already won.

“These hunts are dangerous, Miss Valeria. Maybe you should sit back and let me bring you the kill,” Tobias says, staring at me with concern.

Raphael scoffs. “Wolfless or not, she can handle it. Stop treating her like she can’t. The girl is strong.”

He’s right. I’m not a fragile little girl. Mother has built me to be able to take a few hits. But I dislike how Raphael speaks as if he knows me.

“And how would you know that?” I ask him.

“I just do. You seem like the strong type, and you act when you need to.”

My eyes pinch with irritation. “I’ll be fine,” I tell Tobias, though my narrowed eyes stay fixed on Raphael. He seems to enjoy it. The man is infuriating… yet I can’t deny I like his confidence, or maybe it’s his

cockiness.

“Then I’m impressed,” Tobias says. “But I shouldn’t be–you did save Lady Alma, after all.”

“Lady Alma?” Jade asks. My heart sinks as Emmet leans down to whisper in her ear. Her eyes widen.

Damn it.

“Miss Valería, please stay close to me. I must make sure that you’re safe,” Tobias says,

“Don’t you have a mate to protect already?” Raphael asks.

“Roseana doesn’t like these things. And she has no protest.”

I find myself caught between them as their argument begins.

“So you want to be like our father?” Raphael asks. “Harems are only beneficial to the men.”

“Shut the fuck up, Raphael.”

“Make me then.”

3/7

+25 Bonus

Finn chuckles. “What the hell is going on here?”

“They only fought like this when we were kids,” Antonio–the fourth prince–says.

I don’t even pay them any mind because all I can think about is that now Jade knows what I did.

“Begin!” The King shouts as the rogues are let loose and, like wild beasts, run into the forest, shifting in the process.

People scatter, most of them running off. But not Raphael or Tobias. They wait for me. I take a shaky breath and start walking, scratching my head at how awkward this feels. Finn, Antonio, and Dorian seem amused, so they linger with us, along with Jade and Emmet.

“Careful. That’s poison oak,” Tobias warns, stomping on the plant so I can pass.

Raphael rolls his eyes. “I’m pretty sure she knows that.”

I do, but I don’t say anything.

They glare at each other, eyes full of hate. I watch them both. So different in looks and in spirit. If not for common knowledge, no one would guess they were related.

Raphael makes me feel like a masochist; I want to punch him as much as I want to kiss him. How can

both be true?

Tobias is sweet, but he treats me like I’m fragile. I’m anything but that.

Suddenly, there’s pain, and I’m on the floor, being dragged away. One of the rogues has his jaws clamped on my shoulder. Tobias and Raphael become specks in the distance with how fast it all happens. When I finally react, I grab one of the rogue’s legs as he runs. With the momentum, he slams to the ground. I roll and get on my feet, but the rogue is fast and on me within seconds. I fall to the ground with him over me, and now he begins to shift back to human.

The disgusting man smiles and then leans down, licking my cheek. “You smell good,” he grunts.

I’m appalled and immediately kick him in the balls. He yelps and rolls off me. I get up and knee him in the face as I rush him.

“Fucking bastard!” I shout and kick him in the stomach again.

I’ve never faced rogues, but I’ve faced disgusting men before, so I know where to hit so it hurts. Bastards like him don’t think when they’re horny, and the man is visibly aroused.

“Valeria!” Tobias and Raphael are both next to me now.

I clutch my shoulder. “I’m fine.”

Tobias scoops me up anyway, as if I’d broken a leg. I grunt. These royal men never listen.

Tobias and Raphael turn to the rogue squirming on the ground.

4/7

+25 Bonus

“Finish him,” Tobias orders.

Raphael cracks his knuckles. “With pleasure.”

Tobias heads back to the trail, and behind me, the rogue’s scream splits the air.

“I apologize. I should’ve been more alert,” Tobias says.

“I’m okay.”

My father’s Beta, Ronan, is the one running toward us. “Is she alright?!”

“I’m fine.” I’m not used to people fussing over me, so it makes me uncomfortable.

“So she says,” Tobias mutters. “It’s best if she goes and gets some rest.”

Ronan takes me from Tobias and immediately carries me to my room.

“Are you sure you don’t need a doctor?” Ronan asks.

“I’m fine, Ronan. I’ve had worse, you know it.”

He sighs. “Alright. I’ll head back to the family, but call me if you need anything.”

Not even two minutes pass after he leaves before Raphael walks inside my room as if he owns it.

“Let me see you.” He kneels in front of me as I sit on the bed and examines me. “How bad is it?”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify