The Raven Wolf King: Wolfless novel Chapter 4

Valeria

Patting the wrinkles from my dress, I take a deep breath before entering the room. Crossing the threshold of the grand doors, I’m met with a scene straight out of a fairy‑tale ball. The room is magnificently decorated in whites and golds. A huge crystal chandelier hangs as the focal point, and people dance beneath it. Everyone looks like princes and princesses in their extravagant, ornate clothing. At the end of the room, a grand throne stands with a man seated upon it.

The king…

Behind him are six thrones. Three on the left, occupied by two women—one empty—and three more on the right, all filled by the princes, including him, the man I was fated to.

I quickly avert my eyes and make a mental note never to look in that direction. Scanning the crowd, the first thing I see is Jade and her boy‑toy prince, frolicking.

“Miss Valeria, there you are.” Ronan finds me. “Your father has been looking for you. Please come.” He leads me through the crowd to my mother and father.

“Where the hell have you been?” Mother whispers, her voice still sharp.

“I… had to use the restroom and got lost.”

She grunts. “Straighten up and fix your hair. We’re about to meet the king.”

I’m burning with anger at myself, ready to explode. I should never have left my room. Now I’ll have to be near him. Exactly what I wanted to avoid.

“Trust me, I’d rather you stayed hidden in a hole,” Mother says, noticing my expression, “but the king wants to meet everyone staying in his home.” With brisk, unkind hands, she twists me around and shoves me forward. I stumble, nearly falling, but manage to steady myself.

“Jade, come.” Mother gently moves her between her and Father. They look like a family, while I’m left on the side, as if I weren’t even part of it.

“Be on your best behavior,” Father mutters. Once in front of the king, we all bow our heads. “Alpha King, we are humbled to be in your presence.”

“Rise, my High General, Alpha Albert of the Howlite Pack,” the king says. “You have a wonderful family.” His eyes linger on my mother first. I’d like to say she looks like a haggard witch, but she doesn’t. She’s beautiful—the very source of Jade’s looks. I, on the other hand, though not unpleasant to look at, share little of her beauty.

I get distracted. I can feel his eyes on me. The prince.

Don’t look at him… don’t look at him. I repeat it in my head, trying to resist the temptation. It’s torment knowing he’s staring at me.

Prince Emmet strides to our side. “Father, allow me to introduce—this is Lady Jade Langford, of whom I spoke.”

“Ah! I see. A pleasure,” the king sings. Jade smiles and bows.

To my displeasure, the king turns to me. “And this is?”

“This is… uhm…” Prince Emmet hesitates. “Uhm… her sister…” He doesn’t know my name. Why would he?

“Valeria,” I mutter, looking away with irritation.

“Hm… well, I welcome you all to my home. All of your needs will be met while you’re here. As for you, Alpha Albert, my men will inform you of our war council hours once we begin in two days’ time…” The conversation drifts into the dull matters of war, which I thought were meant for tomorrow.

Emmet leads Jade away to the dance floor. Seeing no one bat an eye when she leaves, I slowly merge into the crowd and draw a deep breath. I did it. I beat temptation.

“Valeria, was it?”

No…

I slowly turn. My insides ignite the moment I see him, ready to burst apart. He’s just inches away. His scent hits me like a brick wall, nearly knocking me off my feet. I crane my head up to meet those amazing blue eyes that are so light they rival the sky. His bright blond hair is neatly slicked back, save for a single strand dangling near his eye.

You’d think he’d look princely with that description, but it’s the opposite. His sharp features, his build, the way he dresses, and the ink visible on his fingers, neck, and—I can only imagine—elsewhere, make him look more like a Russian mafia boss. For a second, I wonder if I’m even at the right party.

“We need to speak…” His voice—I swear my ovaries began to ovulate the moment he spoke. People nearby stare and whisper, but that’s the least of my concerns.

“N-n-n,” I stutter, “no, we don’t.” Somehow, the words manage to come out.

He takes a deep breath. “We do. It would be best if we did.”

With eyes wide and body stiff as a mannequin, I slowly turn and walk away, ignoring him, forcing my hands together to keep them from shaking.

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