Fang

Bonding

Beta Eren was leading the rest of them from the room, however Raven lingered at the doorway, casting Forrest and I a judgmental glare. Forrest didn't notice or care about the manner behind her stare. 

"Raven," he spoke as he stood, leaving me still sitting down. I tilted my head to look up at him as he rose. "I'd like to talk with you later. For now, Gamma Crossfield is going to show you around the lands and meet our members." 

Raven and I looked at each other at the same time, both of us shocked by this. This female was the last person I wanted to be stuck with. Forrest only smiled, aware of what he was doing. 

"Follow my Beta and drop off your things, my Gamma will meet you outside." 

Her mouth opened as if to say something, but she shut it quickly and left the room. Forrest was about to follow her. 

"Alpha," I cleared my throat. He turned around to face me. "A word?" 

Forrest raised his brow in question, but swiftly shut the door and came to stand in front of me. "Yes?"

"Why does she have to go with me? We could simply go as a group together." I pushed the hair out of my eyes that was falling down, starting to curl from the rain. 

"Because I want the two of you to get along. It's good. . . female bonding." He smiled at my scowl. "I already know Alpha Ezekiel isn't going to refuse my answer. Like it or not, she is back in the North and will be part of its future. It's better if you work on a friendship now, rather than when it will be forced later on." 

"How do you know he's going to accept your offer?" 

"Because he wants to please his mate. He may not like the North, but an entire kingdom? It's more than triple the size of the lands he currently owns. Raven does not belong in the South, and I doubt she will go back with him if he declines me." His eyes drifted down to the collar of my sweatshirt, to the hickeys that marked my skin. He reached up and tugged on the collar, revealing more. He stroked one with the back of his knuckles. "I like those on you." 

"Don't distract me, Forrest. I don't care if Raven is from the North. She has adopted the South and was raised in it. She belongs there." I pulled the collar back up, unimpressed by his attempt to reconcile my feelings. 

"My word is final." 

A growl bubbled in my chest. Nothing could force me into accepting Raven. His fingers came under my chin in a flash, gripping it harshly as he tilted my head to look him in the eyes. "I said not to growl at me," his voice deepened as he spoke. 

"But-"

"Do I make myself understood?" 

Defeated, I gave him a small nod as much as his grip would allow me. "Fine. But we will be talking about this later." 

"I know," he leaned in to give me a quick kiss as his grip loosened. "Go now. She will be waiting for you." 

Although I wanted to lean in for a longer kiss, I forced myself to pull my chin away from him. Knowing my words would not be kind, I left the room silently, now in search for the crow.

Raven was indeed waiting outside for my arrival. Her arms were crossed as she stared out into the rain, watching the pack bustle by. She had sad eyes. 

I cleared my throat, unsure what to say to her. The female jumped slightly, startled by my sudden appearance. "Are you ready?"

I watched as her eyes drifted up and down me swiftly, trying to assess what I was now presenting myself as to her. She was wary of me, as she should be. Raven nodded in response, uncrossing her arms as she followed behind me down the steps.