The Demon Alpha’s Gentle Mate

Getting Ready

{Raven’s POV}

As we walked up the stairs and past many doors, I could hear Dominic speaking, but my brain couldn’t focus on any of the words. I could smell this divine scent all around the upper floors. It smelled like citrus, it reminded me of summer. The scent took up all of my mind, and all I could think about is finding where that scent was coming from. “And this is your room!” Dominic snapped me out of my thoughts as he opened the door in front of us.

Inside the room was a twin sized bunk bed, with a desk under the top bunk. There was a glider in the corner next to a fireplace, and the curtains were open reveling a bay window. To the right was a closet, and to the left a bathroom. “This room is all mine?” I asked confusion evident in my voice.

“Of course! This room is normally reserved for pack guests, but seeing as how all of the other pack rooms are filled the Alpha and I thought it best to begin placing the newly moved pack members here on this floor. At least until the new section of the pack house is finished. They’ve begun the planning but it’ll take at least a year before it’s done.” He said smiling.

I looked around the room, there was so much space in here, it was so lovely compared to my old room. The lock on my old door was on the outside and they often locked me in, especially if I didn’t live up to their standards. “Thank you..” I said softly, beginning to tear up. “So, when I do I begin work in the nursery?” I asked turning to him.

“The nursery?” He asked back, his voice rising in pitch slightly. “You’re working in the nursery?”

“Of course, I adore children, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher for elementary aged children but I haven’t gotten the chance to do much of anything, seeing as how I’m not even allowed to leave home unless it’s to school.” I said quietly.

“Why..” he began, then he stopped himself and looked as though he were afraid to ask.

“Why what?” I asked. “It’s okay, you’ve been so kind, you can ask me anything.” I said gently.

“Why didn’t you tell anyone at school.. you know.. about Sylvia and Roger?” He asked, looking anywhere but at me.

“Who would have believed me.. me an orphaned child who was taken in by pack members that everyone loved and respected..” I laughed slightly. “No one would have believed me, then it would have gotten back to them what I had said, and my punishments would have been so much worse than what they were..” I finished, looking down at the floor.

“Punishments?” He asked, concern etched across his face.

“It’s fine, I’m not there anymore, I just want to move on and live a happy life.” I said turning away from him.

“What punishments Raven?” He asked, his tone growing angrier.

“I-I really don’t want to talk about it Dominic, please..” I cried out, but it was no use, his mind was set.

“Answer me Raven.” He ordered.

I nodded, bowing my head. “They would whip me, with wolfsbane infused whips.. I got lashings every time I acted out. They told me..” I paused, the horrible memory coming back to me. “They told me, that if I ever told anyone about what they did to me.. that they’d begin using the knives they ordered special..” I said looking anywhere but at him. “Please, just go to their house, in the basement, to the bookcase. I’m sure you could just pull it off the wall, then you’ll see everything you need to know..” I said gripping my arms roughly as I crossed my arms, my nails digging slightly into my skin.

“Okay, let’s get you settled in, you can take a nice hot bath, I’ll get your duffel bag, they just brought it back to the pack house, and then we’ll get you ready for work, alright?” He said walking over and grabbing my hands pulling them away from their places on my arms. “Then I’m going to go visit with Sylvia, and Roger!” He finished anger evident in his voice, and within the look on his face.

I nodded, watching the ground, and walking over to the bathroom. I closed the door behind me and began running the bath. I locked the door, and stripped down, stepping into the bathtub. I felt my anxiety begin to ease as I laid back in the tub. “Ahh..” I mo**** out softly under my breath. I closed my eyes and sank down under the water, wetting my hair. As I came back up I looked around realizing there was soap on the edge of the sink. I quickly grabbed the baggy with all of the soaps in it and washed off completely. Once I was finished I got out, draining the water and drying off. I wrapped the towel around me and walked back out into my room, where Dominic stood with my bag. A blush crept across my face. “I didn’t know you’d be in here!” I said turning back and walking into the bathroom. I closed the bathroom door and locked it.

I heard a low growl as I closed the door. “What happened to your legs?” He asked in an angry tone.

The backs of my thighs were covered in scars due to the abuse I suffered in their home, I also had scars on my ankles from the shackles they chained me with. “I’m fine Dominic, just please, leave my bag so I can get dressed.” I pleaded.

“Not until you tell me the truth!” He said in a stern tone.

“It was from my lashings..” I said, immediately regretting ever speaking at all.

He growled louder. “Alright, I’ve heard enough! I’m going to their house right now and I’m going to find that room!” He shouted, I heard him toss down my bag and his footsteps leaving, the door slammed shut, and after a few seconds I knew, I was alone here.

I opened the door and came out of the bathroom slowly. I walked over grabbing my duffel bag out of the floor and opening it up. I quickly grabbed some clothes, and threw on a light pink short sleeve dress that went down to my knees, it also had a large bow on the back. I pulled on some white leggings, and tossed on my white combat boots. I pulled back the top part of my hair, leaving the bottom few layers to fall down my back. I pinned up the top with some bobby pins and a matching pink bow. I pulled down some loose curls to frame my face then walked over to the mirror to check my work. Today is my first day, and I want to make a good impression, but I can’t help but worry about Dominic, I really wish he hadn’t gone alone to that horrible place.