Page 40 of The Raven's Alpha
"I know it's not the same, but I want you to know that you're part of this family now, Darcy," Mother says, her voice filled with emotion as she squeezes his hand. "We may not be your blood family, but we’ll try to fill the gap in your heart. You'll always have a place to call home, where you'll be loved and accepted for who you are."
Just as Darcy's about to respond, the creaky back door swings wide, and a flurry of boisterous voices spill into the kitchen. My siblings stampede in, their laughter and shouts mingling with the scent of breakfast. They tumble in, their feet thundering on the floor as they make a beeline for us.
My older brother’s long strides eating up the distance between us. He nearly collides with Darcy, but my mate manages to catch himself just in time. My brother's arms wrap around my back, pulling me out of my seat as he shouts, "I've missed you, Edgar!" The words are spoken with a mix of urgency and relief, and I feel a lump form in my throat as I return his embrace.
Henry's arms tighten around me, I feel my airway constricting, his thick arms digging into my shoulders like hooks. I try to wriggle free, but his grip is like a vice. "Missed you too, Brother," I manage to choke out between laboured breaths. Henry's face is flushed with excitement as he holds me in place, his eyes shining with a mixture of relief and affection.
Being a family of grizzly shifters, you’d expect my siblings to be imposing figures - and they are, but my brother, Henry, is something special. While he shares our physical stature - broad shoulders and a powerful build - his personality is a gentle contradiction to his rugged appearance. His kind eyes and warm smile make him seem almost fragile, and despite his intimidating size, he is always willing to listen and offer a helping hand.
Suddenly, my sister's smaller hands grasp for us, her fingers like tiny claws digging into our chests. "Move! Let me in," she whines. I feel her push us apart, my brother's arms straining against hers as he refuses to give way.
When I wrench free from Henry's grasp, my sister launches herself at me, her arms wrapping around my waist like a lock. The scent of lavender and honey wafts up to me, a familiar fragrance that instantly transports me back to childhood summers spent playing in the forest. The sweetness is tempered by a hint of strength, a reminder that this is no longer a little girl, but a fierce and powerful woman. I feel her body mould to mine as she holds me tight, her breath hot against my ear as she nuzzles my neck.
Once Millie steps away, I study her face, taking in the subtle changes that have accumulated since I last saw her. Her brown curls now cascade down her back like a waterfall of chestnut silk, and her features seem to have gained a new definition, as if the softness of youth has given way to the sharpness of adulthood. Yet, despite this transformation, her eyes remain the same – warm and bright as a summer sunbeam – and in that instant, I'm flooded with memoriesof lazy summer afternoons spent playing with my little sister. As I gaze at her, I'm struck by the bittersweet mix of emotions that arises from seeing someone you once nurtured grow into a strong, capable woman.
Looking at my sister, my question hangs suspended in mid-air, lost on my lips as I'm riveted by the unmistakable scar on her neck. A purplish-silver blooms like a flower on her pale skin, its edges slightly swollen and tender-looking. I lean closer, my heart racing with a mix of concern and curiosity.
Millie's cheeks flush as she gently strokes the jagged edges of the scar on her neck, her fingers tracing the familiar contours with a mixture of tenderness and peacefulness. “I found my mate.”
“What? When? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Millie shrugs, “I was going to tell you this morning.”
“My baby sister has a mate. You’re all grown up.” I can't help but feel a pang of sadness wash over me. She's only twenty-three, but it seems like just yesterday she was chasing butterflies through the woods, her pigtails bouncing behind her as she giggled and twirled. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”
Millie's eyes sparkle with amusement as she says "What about you? You didn't tellmeabout your mate." She saunters over to the chair next to Darcy and flops down into it, her long legs stretching out in front of her. The creak of the chair fills the room as she leans forward and sticks a hand out. "Nice to finally meet you, Darcy," she says with a friendly smile.
His eyes dart towards me for a fleeting moment, his expression softening into a gentle smile as he holds out his hand to my sister. The smile creeps up from the corners of his mouth, reaching his eyes and making them crinkle at the edges. "Likewise," he says, his deep voice low and smooth.
When Henry's booming introduction fills the room, I slide onto the worn chair beside my parents. I gaze at them, my eyes searchingfor answers as I whisper, "Why didn't you guys tell me about Millie?" My voice trembles slightly as I ask the question, and I can feel my parents' attention shift towards me, their faces softening with concern.
My father's eyes cloud over as he sets his jaw, his tone heavy with reluctance. "We wanted to tell you about Millie, Edgar, but it's your sister's news to share. And besides," he adds, his voice laced with a hint of hesitation, "they haven't been together all that long." His words are a gentle rebuke, and I can feel my face fall as I process the weight of his words.
"What's he like?" I press, my tone a mix of curiosity and wariness.
My parents exchange a glance, and I can sense the hesitation in their silence before my mother finally speaks up. "He's a nice guy," her tone is measured. "But we'll let Millie tell you all about him herself."
Just as I'm about to ask another question, Millie interrupts, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "You can meet him tonight at family dinner!" My parents exchange a look, and my mum's expression softens into a gentle smile. I feel a flutter of nerves in my chest as I glance at my dad, who's watching me with an unreadable expression.
My mate catches the dark cloud hovering over my head, and his eyes soften with concern as he suggests we take a walk. "How about you show me around and then we can go for a run in the woods?" he asks, his voice gentle and reassuring. I nod gratefully, feeling a glimmer of relief at the distraction.
My mother stands up from the table and begins clearing away the breakfast dishes. "Make sure you boys are back in time for supper," she calls out as we step out of the family cabin.
Chapter Fifteen