The Raven Wolf King: Wolfless novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Valeria

After talking with Father, I went to my room with Max–who Father left with me, and cleaned up. Only a few clothes made it. Jade even ruined the black dress Raphael gave me. At least she didn’t touch my underwear drawer where I keep the gifts. Now I’m lying around with Max, wondering about my future. If I don’t get mated… then what? Jade’s the oldest, so her mate will be Alpha. She’ll either throw me out or keep me around just to torture me. How did I never think of this before?

The moment I ask myself that question, the answer hits me–I’d been putting all my damn eggs in the mate basket. And now that I’m not even sure I want one, I realize just how deep in trouble I am. Tobias‘ proposal is starting to look better and better. If he becomes King, no one would ever dare hurt me again. My life would be secure, simple: children–something I’ve always wanted–food, sleep, and freedom to do whatever the hell I please.

But then there’s Raphael. I can’t stop thinking about him. The truth is, being with him would mean the same kind of safety. He’s a prince, with his own pack. Yet the memory of what he did lingers. He hurt me once, and that means he could hurt me again. And that’s the part I can’t get past.

Jade slowly walks into my room with crossed arms and narrowed eyes.

“I really need to start using the damn locks,” I mutter.

“What did you do to Mom and Dad? What happened to them?” she asks.

“Father finally sees the truth. That’s what happened with him. As for Mother…” My eyes lock on hers, unflinching. “I made sure she’ll never hurt me again. And she never will.”

“You… made Grimm reject me,” she says.

“You’re delusional. I didn’t even know he was your mate. He never told me. What he did tell me was that his mate–you–had rejected him first. And I saw how cruel you were to him. You did this to yourself.”

“He is my mate. You can’t hang around him anymore.”

“He is not your mate. You rejected each other, so there is no bond.”

“Bullshit! It doesn’t work! I want him! He is my mate. I… feel the want.”

Is it possible that the one who makes the first rejection never truly loses the bond? Grimm seemed finished with her, just as I was with Raphael. Yet now Raphael is the one chasing me. If that’s true, then this is one hell of a punishment from the goddess. It makes sense. They rejected what was meant to be their gift, and now they suffer the consequences. And I have to admit, even if faint, I still feel it: a

connection.

“Stay away from him,” she warns me.

“He’s my friend, so that’s not happening. But I can assure you that I don’t want him in that kind of way. And if by some miracle he wants you back, great. You can have him. Now, leave me. I don’t want to see

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you.”

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She growls, baring her teeth at me, and slams her hand on the bed, as if she were trying to intimidate me. Months ago, this would have worked. I’d be afraid she would call Mother, but now, I find it too funny, and sol laugh.

“Uh!” She grunts and begins to walk away, giving up.

“Oh, and Jade?” She pauses and looks back. “If you ever touch anything of mine again, I’ll cut your hair in your sleep. I’m not playing your games anymore. You come for me, and I’ll meet you with the same courtesy. This is my only warning.”

She looks scared for a few seconds, then scoffs and walks out. I glance at the window. It was sunny earlier, but now the clouds are rolling in, and rain has started to drizzle down.

“Come, Max. Let’s take you out before it pours down.”

I lead Max outside, where I let him run off to do his business, but Grimm catches my eye a bit further down. He stands in the middle of the clearing, feeding the ravens. They swarm around him, pecking the ground as he throws seedlings.

I step up to him. He notices me and gives a quick nod.

“How are you feeling?” I ask him.

He smiles. “I’m fine. The rejection acceptance was painful, but I had prepared myself for it. I’m okay

now.”

“Wow. Then you’re much stronger than I was.”

I watch the ravens croaking, fighting over scraps. One edges closer to my feet, searching. I push past the fear I’ve always had for them, crouch low, and extend a finger. As if it understands, the creature hops onto me without hesitation. I rise slowly, holding it aloft, and meet its gaze. It tilts its head, watching me

in silence.

“I suppose… it is kind of cute,” I mutter, making Grimm laugh.

“Can I ask you a question?” I ask him.

“Yeah.”

“Yesterday–last night, you were in the tower with your friends.”

“Yes. But that doesn’t seem like a question.”

“Did you… pet a raven?”

His eyebrow lifts. “Yeah. But I’m always petting and feeding them.”

I nod. “Did your friend call them rats with wings?”

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Both his brows furrow now. “Yeah. Were you spying on us or something?”

So it really was real! I somehow… was looking through the raven’s eyes! How?

“Grimm, I need to know more about the Raven Wolf King.”

He turns to me with what seems like confusion, but then his eyes narrow just a fraction, studying me

before he reacts.

“Everything you can learn is in the library,” he says.

“Do you not know where I could find more in–depth books?”

“No,” he says fast, sounding almost defensive.

I guess I could ask Raphael’s mother, as Raphael suggested.

“I thought you were afraid of ravens.” A familiar voice speaks from behind.

Stephan. I hadn’t seen him in a little while.

“I think they’re growing on me,” I tell him.

“Really? It’s good to see that you don’t let fear rule your life.”

I smile at that. He’s right. I’ve been conquering so many of my fears in the past weeks.

“Grimm! Did you leave a bird in our room?!” A guy walks up to us dressed as one of the servants.

“Oh shit!” Grimm turns and rushes towards the guy. “Sorry! It was injured!”

“It shat all over my bed! Mother fucker!”

Stephan and I laugh, watching Grimm apologize, but not really looking like he’s sorry at all.

Once the commotion is out of sight, Stephan and I slide into a comfortable silence, watching the ravens dance around us.

“So, I heard that you seem to have the attention of not just one but two princes,” he says.

“Are rumors really spreading?”

“Not really. I didn’t hear anything, but I’ve seen how Tobias and Raphael seem very interested in you.”

“Mm. What a problem to have, huh?”

“You don’t sound enthusiastic,” he says.

“That’s because I don’t know what I want. I’m not even sure I want a mate, but… what else is there for

me?”

“I see.” He remains quiet as if he’s thinking. “You… you could join the King’s army.”

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Chapter 21

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My head yanks in his direction, startled by the idea. “What?”

“Yeah. The King accepts female warriors. The reason we don’t have many is that it isn’t mandatory for females to participate if they don’t wish to. But you’d get paid and wouldn’t have to rely on any mate. You’d have to go through training first, of course.”

“But… I’m wolfless.”

“You’d be sent to the Royal Firing Squad.”

This thought has never truly crossed my mind. I remember it almost did when I first learned about the firing squad, but I never really considered it until now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a female warrior, yet he’s right, it isn’t unheard of. Still, would I really be ready for something like this? Fighting… killing?

“There’s a training camp not far. You could probably spot it from the castle’s upper windows,” he says. The Northern camp. Just beyond the woods, tied to the border. Why don’t you come see it for yourself? If you don’t like what you find, then you’ll have your answer.” He smiles, then turns away, leaving me nodding slowly as his words settle in my mind.

A warrior…

The raven in my hand croaks and takes off in flight. I walk back inside with this new idea. A new option.

“Valeria!” Tobias calls as he steps through the doorway, his mate at his side. She doesn’t glance at me. Her eyes fix on the distance, as if I’m not even there.

Tobias takes my hand, kissing it with a broad smile. “Will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?”

”

“Uhm…” My eyes flick to his mate, but she doesn’t acknowledge me. There is no anger, no reaction at all.

“Y–yes. Sure,” I respond.

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