Ravens of the Mist Book 3: Behind Enemy Lines
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Elfy G
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34
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Stella
Book 3: Behind Enemy Lines
I glance around, feeling a sense of belonging with the pack that chose me. We’re not your typical pack. We’re outlaws, rogues as others label us.
Our leader is Renard Weston. He’s not my destined mate, but soon he’ll be my official one.
He’s made a promise to me. After he avenges his brother’s death, he’ll mark me as his mate.
“I’m not comfortable with this.” Onyx, my wolf, voices her concern.
“We need to give him a chance. He saved our lives.” I try to convince her.
“But he’s not the one the Moon Goddess chose for us. We should be with our true mate.” She argues.
I can’t help but scoff.
“Do you really think he’ll want us? Whoever he is, once he discovers what we are. Do you believe he’ll want a rogue for a mate?”
“You can’t be sure. He might surprise us when we find him.”
I close my eyes.
“Onyx, please. I need you to support this. We might never find him. Are you going to deny me happiness because of a man we’ve never met?”
Onyx sighs. “It’s not fair of you to play that card. You know I’d do anything for you.”
Onyx is a unique wolf. Her fur is pure white. Some cultures believe a white wolf is a good omen, bringing luck to those near it.
But that’s not true. Our past is proof enough.
When I was fifteen, hunters wiped out my pack. I survived because my mother helped me escape.
She smeared my clothes with the blood of dead werewolves to mask my scent.
She gave her last breath to save me.
A month later, Renard found me on the brink of starvation. I’ve stuck by his side ever since.
Now, at twenty-two, I’m ready to be his mate.
He just needs me to do one thing first. After that, we’ll be together forever.
We haven’t shared a kiss yet. He says when the time is right, he’ll let me know with our first kiss.
There are unmated males in the pack, but none dare touch me. They know the consequences of crossing Caesar.
Caesar is Renard’s wolf. As black as the night, he would never harm me. He doesn’t want Onyx to despise him.
I jump as two large hands land on my shoulders.
“Stella, what are you doing?” Renard’s voice sounds behind me, making me smile.
I turn to face him. “Joining the hunt, with you guys.”
He tucks a stray lock of my hair behind my ear. “What did I tell you?”
My smile fades. “Not to join in.”
He lifts my chin to meet his gaze. “And why is that?”
I clear my throat. “Because Onyx will be easy for the prey to spot.”
“And?” He presses.
“We don’t want to risk someone seeing her. She could put the pack in danger.”
“Good girl.” Renard plants a kiss on my forehead. “I promise, soon you’ll be able to let her out more often.”
Renard only allows me to transform into my wolf when she’s on the verge of distress.
If a wolf is confined for too long, it can go mad, and there’s no coming back from that.
“And you wonder why I’m skeptical about him,” Onyx retorts.
Before I turned eighteen, Onyx never had an issue with Renard. But ever since we were old enough to find our mate, she started seeing him differently.
As she’s said, she’d do anything for me. So I know she won’t stop me when I mate with Renard, even if he wasn’t our chosen one.
I look at him with pleading eyes. “Why can’t you stay with me, instead of going on the hunt?”
He smiles at my question.
“If I could, I would. Stay hidden until I come back for you. You remember what happened last time you didn’t listen to me.”
I shake my head. “Don’t worry, I won’t disobey you.”
I watch with envy as the others transform into their wolves, ready for the hunt. I retreat back into the cave to wait for Renard’s return.
“Now that he’s gone, we can go for a run.” Onyx tries to persuade me.
“No! You remember what happened last time.” I protest. “Renard didn’t speak to me for two weeks. That hurt a lot. I don’t want to risk that again.”
Onyx turns her back on me, lying down. She’s upset with me.
I settle on the floor to catch some sleep.
I’m running. No, it’s not me running, it’s Onyx. She’s running through a forest.
She’s free and happy. She glances to her side as she continues to run.
A handsome brown-black wolf is running beside her. Onyx feels pure joy seeing him, and so do I.
I open my eyes, waking from the dream. Now I feel guilty. How can I dream of a wolf I’ve never seen before?
I want Renard and Caesar to be ours.
I’m relieved that Onyx can’t see my dreams. It would give her another reason to reject them as our mate.
I shouldn’t keep this from her, but I can’t help it. Renard saved my life. He’s always been there for me. I won’t betray him.
“Stella, we’re back. It’s time for you to eat.”
Renard takes my hand, leading me to the food they’ve just hunted.
I adore rabbits. It’s a rabbit. We all sit down to eat, and as usual, the meal is consumed in silence.
When we finish, everyone leaves the table except for Renard, Eric, and me. Eric is Renard’s right-hand man.
“Stella,” Renard begins, his voice serious. “You remember I mentioned I’d need something from you.”
I nod, meeting his gaze.
“I need your help to get justice for my brother’s death. I need you and Onyx.”
I reach out and take his hand. “You know I’d do anything for you.”
“I need you to infiltrate a pack and seduce their Alpha. He’s mated, but not to his true mate. Their bond won’t be as strong as it would be between an Alpha and a Luna.”
I let go of his hand, stepping back in shock. “You want me to seduce him? But you said you’d be my first in everything.”
“I knew this would happen,” Eric mutters under his breath.
“Leave us, Eric. I can handle this,” Renard commands.
Eric nods and leaves, leaving me alone with the man I’m supposed to mate with.
“How can you ask this of me?” I ask, my voice trembling.
“Stella, you promised you’d do anything for me. Remember, I saved your life. If you refuse, I won’t mate with you.”
I gasp, taken aback. “How can you expect me to do this? I’m a rogue. He’d never go for someone like me. You said it yourself, he’s already mated.”
Renard growls, or maybe it’s Caesar. “Are you questioning me?”
He takes a deep breath, trying to control his anger.
“Trust me, Stella. Once the Alpha sees Onyx, he won’t be able to refuse you access to his pack. After that, leave the details to me.”
“But why seduce him? You said you’d be my first.”
Renard grips my arms, not too gently.
“Once I’ve avenged my brother’s death, you’ll be mine.”
He lets go of my arms and cups my face. “Please, do this for me.”
“Okay.”
Even though I’m a bit scared of him, I can’t say no. I owe him too much.
“I don’t like this,” Onyx says.
I don’t either, but I don’t have a choice. Especially if it means getting what I’ve always wanted.
Which is him.
