The Raven Wolf King: Wolfless novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Valeria

“I’m glad you accepted my invitation,” Tobias says.

Yeah, well, what are you supposed to do when a Crown Prince invites you to breakfast? Not reject him,

that’s for sure.

“Yeah… thank you for the invite.”

Why? That’s the question. He can’t truly be interested in me, can he? There has to be a motive. Something he wants. But what do I have to offer? Information? Or is it just… sex?

“Did you get my gift?” he asks.

A golden bracelet. I found it in my room last night after my rendezvous with Raphael. It was waiting on my bed.

“Yes. It’s beautiful, but-”

He puts a hand up, stopping me, knowing what I’m about to say.

“You can’t refuse it. It’s a gift.” He smiles, the kind of smile that leaves no room for argument. It’s a nice smile, but it doesn’t stir me. No nerves, no butterflies, no fire. Nothing like what Raphael ignites in me. Oh no… he’s ruined me. I catch myself comparing men to him. Damn it! I can’t let myself fall for Raphael.

I can’t.

“Valeria?”

I give an improvised laugh. “Yeah, okay, okay. I can’t refuse a gift from the Crown Prince.”

“True.” He laughs. “But actually, you can. Please, don’t give in to me so easily. I’ve been watching you, and I like your spirit. You’re not swayed by gifts or fancy things and I admire that.”

I feel myself blush. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” he replies without hesitation.

“Why… are you favoring me in such a way? Do you seek something from me? I don’t understand why your give me this kind of attention. You already have a beautiful mate and yet…”

He interrupts. “I was there, you know?”

“Huh?”

“At the Mating Banquet. I was there. I met you that night. I remember at some point, you were being scolded by your Mother, I believe. She was harsh, but it didn’t bring you down. I admired that. And then a little later, I watched you speaking to my brother, Raphael. I was curious, so I got closer but not fast enough to hear the whole conversation, though I knew the words that came out of him. I read his lips, and I saw how it crushed you…”

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I can’t move. I’m frozen. He saw it. He witnessed that horrible moment.

Tobias continues. “I couldn’t believe what he had done. If you had been my mate, I would have never done what he did, and I wish you were. Maybe then, you wouldn’t be so hurt.”

I’m about to cry. My throat tightens, and my chest feels heavy, as though every breath might break into

sobs.

“And then, I was so surprised when I saw you here at that first ball,” he says. “I watched you, and I watched my brother. He was getting what he deserved. I saw his shock, and I saw how it bothered him. But even with rejection, it’s hard to resist it, isn’t it?”

He watches me without judgment, while I sit in silence, fighting to hold back the tears.

“He doesn’t deserve you. And since you’re not marked, I can only assume you know this. But I’ll show you how a princess should be treated.” His hand settles on mine. “Let me show you. With me, you’ll never want for anything. You’ll be loved and cared for.”

I can’t believe this is happening. The thought keeps creeping in. Me, as the Crown Prince’s mate. It sounds unreal, almost like a dream. But then reality hits. I wouldn’t be the only one. I’d just be another name, another mate in his long list. And that thought… it stings. Part of me wants to imagine the glory, the attention, the power. But the other part knows it wouldn’t be mine alone. And that makes it hard to

take in.

“But… you already have a mate. And as a royal, you’re allowed more if you choose. The question is, do I really want to live that kind of life?”

“I know this life isn’t for everyone. It isn’t common in our werewolf culture. But you would be cared for. No one would dare hurt you or look down on you. You would be loved–because I would love you. You would be a princess, and I would give you anything you desire.”

This man knows how to sell a dream. That much is clear. And I like what he’s suggesting. Who wouldn’t? After all the pain I’ve endured with this mate bond, why would I even want a true mate? All it’s ever brought me is heartbreak. But still… is this really the kind of life I want to live?

He squeezes my hand gently. “Look, I can see your hesitation, and I understand. So take your time. Think

about it.”

My gaze drifts past Tobias, toward the window set into the side of the castle. Something catches my eye, and I have to look twice, my breath hitching as I realize what I’m seeing.

What the hell? Raphael stands there, looking creepy as hell. Michael Myers vibe. His head tilts slightly down, eyes narrowed, locked on me. And despite the anger simmering in his stare, the butterflies come alive in my stomach. Damn it.

A girl steps in front of him, speaking words I can’t hear through the closed window. If I’m right, she’s the daughter of one of the generals. Raphael doesn’t look away from me. Not once. Still staring, he seizes her wrist and pulls her into the hall.

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Who the hell was that? Jealousy spikes fast, before I can stop it. And then, in a blur, Raphael bursts back through the garden doors with the girl and drops onto the table beside us, as if nothing had happened.

“Coincidence to find you two here,” Raphael says through clenched teeth.

Tobias’s face hardens. “I see you’re getting along with your new mate–to–be.” He flashes the girl a smile, and my jaw practically hits the floor.

Mate–to–be?!

My hands curl into fists beneath the table.

“She won’t be my mate,” Raphael says flatly, turning to her. “Sorry, sweetheart, but I’m not interested.” His eyes snap back to me.

I can’t believe he said it like that.

The girl, who moments ago seemed meek and innocent, straightens, her tone suddenly cold and firm. ” Whether you like it or not, Prince Raphael, we are to be mated. The King has agreed to the terms. He needs my father’s men. So I will be your mate. You’d better get used to the idea.”

Jealousy flares hot in me. I want to punch her right on that pretty little nose. She’s radiant, golden–haired, hazel–eyed. Like a daughter of the sun. Beautiful. And I want to rearrange her face.

“Say and believe what you want,” Raphael replies coolly. “You’ll soon learn I’m not someone you can

control.”

Tobias scoffs. “He’s only in this position because the idiot rejected his fated mate.” His eyes flick toward

1. me.

Raphael growls. “Yeah, well, if you weren’t shooting blanks in bed, I wouldn’t be stuck with this girl.”

“I’m not!” Tobias snaps, pain flashing across his face. “Roseana–she can’t…” His voice falters, the truth choking him. “Father doesn’t know, but she can’t…”

I reach across the table, laying my hand over his. “You don’t have to say anything,” I whisper.

He takes a deep breath and gives me a smile of gratitude, but this gesture pisses Raphael off. He gets up and punches the table with both hands, making the girl jump.

Tobias rises abruptly, his chair crashing to the floor. He and Raphael lock eyes.

“She is mine,” Raphael whispers with a growl.

“She is not. You made that very clear,” Tobias responds.

“I wish you two wouldn’t speak of me as if I weren’t here.” They both look at me when I say this.

“You? They’re fighting over you?” the girl sneers, her eyes dripping with disdain. “But you’re… wolfless,” she mutters.

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I ignore her comment since I’ve heard this many times before. “This is nonsense,” I snap back. “For weeks now, I haven’t wanted a mate, and I’m not even sure I do now. So stop acting up. I belong to no

one.”

I get up and leave them to act like idiots, and that seems to calm things down. Honestly, I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do now. Tobias‘ proposal is stuck in my head. I’ll have to think about it. And Raphael… God, the idea of someone else having him drives me crazy, but at the same time he pisses me off when he acts like this. He doesn’t get to have that right, not after what he did.

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