CHAPTER 96: WHEN IN RAVENSPIRE...

Charis

I stood between Slater and Kael, my arms wrapped tightly around my middle, pretending the chill in the air and the sweet scent had nothing to do with my heat.

Alpha Terry had asked us earlier, begging us to spend the weekend at Ravenspire pack house, since Rhett would be there too. I didn’t want to go, but Slater had jumped at the offer without a second thought.

And now we were waiting for Rhett to come before we leave.

I could feel the escorts who had come with the vehicles staring curiously at me.

Occasionally, they would look away when I caught them watching, but I couldn’t blame them. I was in my heat, and while this was a normal biological process for werewolves, meeting with one’s mate during this time was the ideal solution.

Although it wouldn’t stop the heat entirely, it would prevent others from detecting that I was in heat. Since I didn’t have a mate, the situation was worse. My body was actively sending signals to every nearby male that I was ready to bear pups.

I reached into my bag again and took another dose of heat suppression pills that didn’t seem to be working at all.

This was the same brand I’d always used back at Crestborne, and after taking them, the cramps and my scent would subside within minutes. But since I’d taken the first dose right after Rhett left earlier, it seemed they only worked for about thirty minutes before I felt even more aroused than before.

Slater bent toward my ear and whispered urgently, "Didn’t you take the suppression pills? I’m one second away from losing control. It’s affecting Alpha Terry, too; his eyes were on you a few minutes ago."

"I did," I murmured, bringing out the bottle of heat suppression pills from my bag. "I don’t know if my body got too used to them or something, but they don’t seem to be working anymore."

I slipped the bottle into his hand, and he turned slightly, backing the escorts, Alpha Terry, and Kael so they couldn’t see what we were discussing. After examining the pills for a moment, he turned back to me with a puzzled expression.

"This is a popular brand. Are you taking the correct dosage?"

"Yes, I am," I nodded. "I took a dose just a few minutes ago."

"Where did you say you got these from again?" he asked.

I nearly wanted to spill that I’d gotten them from Headmistress Vale, but I caught myself, remembering that I’d told Slater that Headmistress Vale didn’t know I was a girl.

At that moment, Rhett finally appeared, causing Slater to turn in his direction. Rhett’s gaze swept over us, landing first on me, before flicking to Slater and finally resting on Kael, who stood like a stone statue.

"Dad, what’s going on? Why are Slater and Kael here?"

"Clara thought it would be nice for your friends to spend the weekend at our house, and I agree with her," Alpha Terry replied. "I’ll be working the entire time, and Clara is visiting her mother, so the house will be quiet."

"I’m used to being alone, Dad," Rhett said dismissively. "What if they have pressing schoolwork to complete?"

"We’ll do it at your house," Slater interrupted, reaching for my hand and tugging me gently toward the waiting car.

I noticed that Kael didn’t get into the backseat with us. Instead, he walked around to the passenger seat and settled there without acknowledging Slater or me. Rhett and his father entered a second car, and then our small convoy drove off.

In the car, Slater helped me get comfortable and held my hands as I battled increasingly intense heat cramps.

I didn’t have to worry about Kael overhearing anything since he never once turned to acknowledge our presence, sitting rigidly in the front seat as if we were suffering from some contagious plague.

Even earlier, when he’d come to give me my school bag, he didn’t say anything to me. He just thrust the bag at me before returning to stand far away from Slater and me.

I sighed, trying to focus on how I might mend my fragile relationship with Rhett rather than dwelling on how I seemed to be getting more aroused by the minute.

After several minutes, Slater tapped me quietly. My eyes fluttered open, and he shook his head before whispering, "We’re taking care of this the first opportunity we have, okay?"

I nodded, understanding exactly what he meant. The more I delayed giving my body what it desperately wanted, the more it would punish me with intensifying symptoms.

As we drove through Ravenspire territory, I stared wide-eyed at the sprawling landscape.

The roads were wide and well-maintained, lined with colourful shops and gleaming high-rise buildings. Everything seemed perfectly organised. Zero pollution, zero littering, the entire place felt like a work of art brought to life.

When we arrived at the Ravenspire Pack House, I was completely stunned by its magnificence. The building was a masterpiece of modern architecture combined with classical elegance.

Soaring glass windows, marble columns, and manicured gardens that stretched as far as the eye could see. This wasn’t just a pack house; it was a palace that reflected the immense wealth of the Thatcher family, who were renowned as the wealthiest family in the world.

A uniformed maid ushered us inside and showed each of us to our rooms. Alpha Terry excused himself, mentioning that he would see us at dinner before disappearing into what I assumed was his office.

As soon as I entered my assigned bedroom, which was larger and more luxurious than my room at Crestborne, I immediately went to take a bath. This time, instead of relying on the ineffective heat suppression pills, I decided to try the calming tea that had been included in Slater’s heat care package that morning.

I took a tea bag and slipped out of my room to find the kitchen. I found it after a few turns and immediately froze at the doorway.

"I found Kael standing shirtless at the refrigerator, pouring himself a glass of water. His torso glistened with light sweat, and his muscles moved subtly with each motion.

The sight of his bare chest and the defined muscles of his back nearly drove me insane. I had to clutch desperately at the door frame to prevent myself from pouncing on him right there.

When I opened my eyes again, I caught him staring at me with an unreadable expression. Composing myself as best I could, I entered the kitchen and attempted to diffuse the awkwardness between us.

"I didn’t thank you earlier for bringing my bag," I said, trying to keep my voice level. "I’m truly grateful, and I’m sorry I caused you to worry. It was never my intention, and it won’t happen again."

Kael barely glanced in my direction; he just focused on pouring himself another glass of water before walking away from the fridge towards the kitchen island.

I chewed on my bottom lip and tried again. "Kael, I’m sorry, okay? I hate it when we fight..."

Still, he didn’t respond. He concentrated on his drink while idly scrolling through his phone, ignoring me.

Frustrated and on the brink of tears, I closed the distance between us and touched him gently on his back. At the contact, Kael jumped back as if he’d been electrocuted.

"No touching, Eamon," he said sharply. "I told you, use your words."