Raven's Rose (Charity Series Book 3) (4 page)

He laughed softly. “Or lucky for me.”

“And how come you’re not having more trouble with this?”

“Well, I have observed this pack very closely, and to be honest, they are more honorable than any vampires I have ever known. I have done bad things to Levi and yet he invited me to become a part of this pack—he forgave me. I guess I have seen what they are truly all about, and I like it very much. Do you understand?”

She smiled. “Yes, I think I do.”

After dinner, he let her drive his car back to the Drake House, the hidden facility that houses their wolf pack. He thought she drove a little fast, but all in all a good driver.

It was fairly dark in the parking garage at 10:30. He took her hand and helped her out of the car.

“Raven, you bought me dinner, and now I’d like to offer
you
something in return.”

His eyebrows arched. “What do you mean?”

She nervously approached him, stopping just inches from his chest, and gazing up at him she said, “I want you to feed from me.”

His eyes grew wide. “It is not necessary for you to pay me back in any way.”

“But I want to,” she pressed, and a new and slightly unnerving intensity began to dance in her eyes.

Peering down at her so lovely and inviting was torture for him. He wanted her badly but knew it was too soon. He had to be strong. “I am sorry, Sophia, but I cannot do that.”

“Why not?” she whispered as she reached up and touched his face.

He closed his eyes as her touch penetrated his skin. He had to force his next words out. “It is too soon. I want to do this right.”

When he opened his eyes and glanced down at her, he could make out the disappointment on her face. It broke his heart.

She looked down at her shoes. “It’s getting late. I better get home.”

He wanted to ease her pain, but he knew he couldn’t. “Yes, of course.” But before the words were even out of his mouth, she had turned from him and was walking from the parking garage. Raven followed behind her silently—torn—not knowing what to say to make her understand.

 
                               Chapter Five

Rose knew she was doing the right thing, slipping out of her room and going to him. She needed to apologize or she would never be able to sleep.

              She had been foolish to act the way she did. It was silly to be upset because he wanted to be a gentleman with her and take it slow. She just wasn’t used to guys being gentlemanly. Most of the guys she had dated in the past were nice enough but were not gentleman. She wasn’t sure exactly where his room was, but she had an idea.

             
She took a few turns and entered the L Wing of the facility. The library was located on this wing, along with the laundry room, but she knew no one lived on this wing except Raven. As she was coming near the end of the hall she spotted a couple in a doorway, making out. No—wait—they weren’t making out. She stepped closer and realized it was Raven in the process of feeding.

He must’ve sensed her presence because he froze, suddenly jerking up to meet her gaze. “Sophia.”

              The girl in his arms was older, but attractive, with long, brown hair, and the biggest blue eyes she had ever seen.

             
“I-I’m sorry.” Rose backed away and headed back the way she’d come.

             
“No, Sophia, wait!” he yelled frantically.

             
She began to run, fully aware that he was in pursuit of her.

             
“Sophia, please come back!”

             
Then he was in front of her. She slammed into him with great force, causing her to bounce off him and almost hit the floor, but Raven was fast, catching her before she fell.

             
“Let go of me!” she squealed, pulling from his grasp.

             
“Sophia, please let me explain.”

             
“No.” She walked around him and headed straight for the Recreation Wing. She heard laughter coming from the second room on the left. When she entered, Levi’s elite, along with some others she didn’t know, were in the middle of a game of pool. “Hey guys, may I join you,” she called out.

             
“Absolutely,” Jordan replied in surprise, as he looked up from the game with a big smile plastered on his face.

             
She glanced over her shoulder in time to see Raven enter the room. His eyes spotted her instantly.

             
She narrowed her eyes at him and began flirting with the guys, even overdoing it a bit, but she felt Raven deserved it. She had offered herself to him to feed and he had denied her, but then she found him feeding from some other girl. She should’ve known better.

             
She knew she really should have been angry with herself for being so naïve, but right then all she could think about was making Raven suffer for her humiliation.

             
She couldn’t help noticing how much fun Jordan was now having. She felt guilty for using him but couldn’t seem to stop herself.

             
A woman entered the room then. “Raven, there you are. You didn’t get to finish, sweetie.”

             
Rose recognized her at once. It was the same woman that Raven had been feeding on earlier.

             
He met Rose’s gaze boldly and extended his hand to the woman, keeping her eyes captive as he escorted the woman to the back corner of the room.

             
She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. He pulled her into his arms and nuzzled her neck in an intimate gesture and began the act of feeding again.

Anger pulsed through her. “Jordan, would you escort me to my room please.”

              “I’d be glad to, Rose.”

             
Raven’s head popped up as Jordan took her by the arm and led her out of the room. She gave Raven one last, cold glance before she disappeared.

 
                                 Chapter Six

Charity observed with annoyance as Raven and Rose spent the majority of Sunday trying to make each other jealous. Rose continued to flirt with Jordan and the boys, while Raven had several women coming and going from his side. The tension between them was thick and uncomfortable. The problem was that their partners were well aware of what was going on. They weren’t fooling anyone, especially since they continually stared at one another. When Rose would pay Jordan a compliment it was Raven she was staring at, and when Raven would fire back with a comment of his own, it was Rose who had his full attention.

              The entire pack was aware of this dance they were engaged in—everyone except the two of them.

             
Charity in particular was getting quite agitated by the spectacle. It took all of her strength not to go over to them and hit them across the heads with a tray of food. She had witnessed her share of lover’s quarrels, but this was pure torture to watch.
Didn’t they realize how childish they were behaving?
But the dance continued for the rest of the day.

                                           
   * * * * * *

That evening, Raven tried sleeping, something he didn’t really need to do but found he rather enjoyed it. However, sleep evaded him. He finally gave up and went into his living room where he proceeded to pace about. As he replayed his behavior from earlier in the day, he felt ashamed. Why had he stooped so low to irritate Sophia? He’d never had to play such silly games to win a woman’s affections in the past. It angered him that he had allowed himself to act so ridiculously. He loved this woman, and he shouldn’t have to play games. He should just tell her. He squared his shoulders and made a decision to tell her of his feelings first thing in the morning. With that decision made, he sighed and headed back into the bedroom, climbing into his silky sheets where sleep found him soon after.

              First thing Monday morning, Raven rushed out of his room and into the dining hall where handfuls of pack members were already gathered, enjoying their breakfast. He was surprisingly anxious to speak with Sophia and clean up this mess, ask for forgiveness, and proclaim his love. However, he was soon disappointed to find that she had left early for her first day at her new school. He felt a sudden uneasiness at her being so far from him. He had no way of knowing if she was safe. He knew then that no peace would come to him until her long awaited return.

         
                                     * * * * * *

Eli dropped Rose off at her new school, after his poor attempt at a pep talk. God love him—he was trying. He knew her well enough to know she was struggling to keep her emotional state in check. Unfortunately, his calming words did little to lift her spirits. She was bummed. Mostly it had to do with an old, but gorgeous, yet annoying vampire. It was also already weeks into the first semester and she was feeling anxious about meeting her fellow classmates, but Jordan was a familiar face in the crowd and that brought her comfort—though just a little.

Jordan had told her he was taking his senior year over again. He had been held back for two reasons. One, he failed one of his classes last year; and two, the pack needed a shift-changing werewolf watching after the school. Since the other elite members had graduated and the newer pack-students were still too young to shift, Jordan was the one picked. He had told her he didn’t mind much though. There were too many cute girls in his graduating class this year to be too put off.

             
For the most part Rose was treated with kindness. Her teachers seemed to be all right and most of the students were friendly enough. But she was miserable—for reasons outside of school, though she wasn’t quite sure what to do about it.

The day passed painfully slow, but when the last bell finally rang she bolted out of her class, eager to have her first day behind her.

                                              * * * * * *

Back at the Drake House, a handful
of pack members had gathered in the dining hall for a brief meeting, Raven among them. He had managed to make it through the day without hurting anyone and had actually spent most of his time with Eli.

Eli had ordered a new Xbox game and had been eager to show Raven how to play. Raven didn’t quite understand the pack’s obsession with this time-stealing past-time, but he made an effort to learn—mostly because Eli was determined to beat him, and he was more determined not to allow it. This at least helped the day pass quickly.

Jordan rushed into the room and threw his backpack on the table. “Sorry I’m late. I thought I would wait for Rose, but she never showed.”

             
“What do you mean she never showed?” Raven asked in alarm, rising from his seat.

             
“She never reached the parking lot. I guessed she got a ride home from Eli.”

             
“I didn’t bring her home,” Eli said, also standing. “She was supposed to call me if she needed a ride home, and she didn’t. I’ll just call her.”

             
Raven paced nervously as Eli tried to reach Sophia on her cell phone.

             
“That’s weird. She’s not answering.”

             
Raven, in a mad dash, bolted through the room and out the door.

             
Charity threw her hands to her mouth. “Raven!” she called in alarm. “It’s daylight! You can’t go out there! Levi, do something!” she squealed, grabbing his shirt in her hands.

             
Eli was the first to react, running through the facility after his friend, but Raven was already out of sight. Vampires were known, after all, for their amazing speed. Eli gathered up a group and went after him.

                 
                           * * * * * *

Raven bolted through the forest with fervent speed. Even though the thick forest filtered the sunlight, he could still feel the pain as it began to penetrate his clothing and skin, slowly draining his strength. He ran faster. Nothing would keep him from reaching her. He didn’t stop running until he approached the school parking lot, which by now was empty. He paced anxiously, trying to catch even the slightest scent of her.

              He finally stopped, calmed himself—and listened. He picked up on it right away—a rustling in the forest. It was her. He ran with speed and stealth, making no sound as he moved in and around the trees.

                                               * * * * * *

“Stop crying! No one is coming to save you! If you would have stayed with me none of this would be happening—and breaking my nose was a bad idea and one you’ll regret.”