Fallen but never Forgotten

Chapter 11

They put the chess pieces in place and decided whoever moves first with a flip of the coin.

It landed on top of the board and spins until the head side of the coin shows up, Mark is going first. While Raven was the misfit of the pack, Mark is the opposite. He was looked up to by many, being the prodigal child he is and also a skillful guy, he was smarter than any other.

"How are things going?" Mark decided to spark a conversation. Since the four of them had changed priorities over the years, they have been too busy to hang out like they used to.

Raven honestly missed sleeping over in the most random times, triggering false alarms among the patrol guarding the Roderick House seems to be fun for her.

"Bothersome. Being a duchess is like what I imagined it to be, boring." She said before grinning. 

"That's why I decided that I would work for you."

"A duchess working for a viscount's son, that's ridiculous, Raven. We both know it's the other way around." Mark argued.

"I beg to differ. There's no law in the kingdom that states it's illegal." She pointed out.

"It is an unspoken rule." He replied. "But I think you might be up to something."

"I don't think I am." She tilted her head to the side, looking confused.

"Well, you are. I recognize that look." He said and she grinned before Mark sighed and cupped his chin, looking thoughtful. "How about we change that accommodation? Instead of you working for me, how about you work with me? We could be partners."

"Like partners." She echoed then nodded. "That's not a bad idea."

They proceeded to discuss their partnership whilst playing chess that no one noticed that it was late. When the clock chimed, both decided to come to terms that they will play another round of chess next time, an underlying tone that they will meet again.

But for now, the lady needed to retire for the night and dare not complain when Mark had offered to accompany her back to Depth Castle. Bats swerved through the air. Vampires had already mingled with the werewolves but they dare not intervene with their society.

Wars were, after all, apocalyptic. As long as no one bothers the other, there was no reason to add fuel to the million years of war between species.

They bid farewell and she went inside, quickly going to her room and dressing into her nightgown.

She spent the following days negotiating with the Roderick House and Depth Castle, the Alpha Duke was actually glad with Raven's decision.

"It's better than you working for enemies or behind my back, I could never decipher what goes on inside that head of yours." He replied, signing some files left on his desk.

"If you would like, I would gladly tell you." Raven lied down on the couch with arms behind her head and feet on top of Mary's lap.

The Alpha Duke scoffed and opened the door, file in hand. "Spare me the details, lady Flarring. That's an order."

When he left, Mary heaved a heavy sigh. "I still can't believe you didn't tell me."

"It's unimportant." She stared at the ceiling, a distant look on her face.

"I strongly disagree. They know we're from the fallen pack, Raven."

"That's why I would make this work."

"The twins." Mary mumbled, a hint of realization on her voice. "Is this why you're doing this?"

"I don't know myself." She shrugged and shut her eyes, Mary didn't reply but Raven envisioned the frown on her face.