Midfield Academy: Book 3

Chapter 31: Marked (14 years)

Raven finished packing the last of his things and zipped up his suitcase. Jesse was sitting on his bed staring at his feet. Raven felt horrible for him, but it was done. Omegas didn't have much say in this world. He was just lucky his father was giving him a choice.

"Are you ready?" Raven picked up his bags. "I got a text that the cars waiting downstairs."

Jesse didn't move.

Raven walked over to him. "Jesse?"

"I don't know if I can do this."

"I'll be there the entire time. You're dad just want you to start adjusting to my family."

"He's just throwing me in with all these strangers." He fell over his knees and put his hands in his hair. "I can't do this, Raven. I can't."

"We have to try. I know it's hard for you, but this is going to happen. You're going to be apart of my family. I'm really excited actually to have you as a brother-in-law. There are a few older subs, and they rely on each other a lot. So it'll be nice to have another one my age." Raven sat down.

Jesse glanced at him. "Daven, is he nice? Like I hear you complain about him, but is he going to treat me okay?"

"Of course." Raven grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Daven drives me nuts. He's the typical overprotective brother, and the older we get the worse he gets. He's going to protect you, Jesse, and I think that's the kind of mate you need."

The nervous sub nodded. "Yeah."

Raven helped his friend to his feet, and they gathered their bags. It was going to be an interesting summer for them both.

***

Raven jumped off the helicopter and raced into the waiting arms of his mother. "I missed you so much."

She hugged him tightly. "I'm so happy to have my Ravy home again." She stepped back. "You're getting so handsome."

Raven tucked his hair behind his ear.

"Look." She leaned down to show him her ear. "I kept them in."

He smiled at his mother's earrings. "I like mine too. I'm going to wear them at night, so my ears don't shut, and I don't have to listen to Daven either."

"Sounds like a plan." She touched the small diamonds in her son's ear. "They're so cute on you. My little boy is turning into so a beautiful werewolf."

He grinned at her before turning to his dad. "Daddy!" He jumped into his arms.

The red werewolf lifted his son off the ground. "Glad you're home." He kissed the side of the boy's head. "We're you good." He set Raven down. "Grades."

"Straight A's." Raven took off his backpack and searched for the paper. "I have a list of books I want to read this summer. Can you order them for me?"

"Of course. There's always room in the budget for books."

He put his arm around his son's shoulders as they turned to watch Trevor talking to Jesse. Other werewolves were gathering the boys' bags.

"I hope this is a good idea," said Storm. "He's so skittish."

"Daven is marking him tonight."

Storm took in a deep breath. "God help that poor boy."

Jesse stepped out, clinging to his father's hand.

Raven hurried over to his side. "Jesse this is my dad."

The alpha nodded with a slight smile and stepped behind his wife.

"Welcome to Northern Ridge," said Storm. "We are so excited to have you in the family."