CHAPTER 249: MEETING THE ALPHA OF RAVENCLAW PACK

Roman’s POV

Kael and I left home to meet that bastard Asher.

Sitting in the car, staring outside, I couldn’t help but think about Eira—and what we did. My mind was supposed to be focused on dealing with Asher, who was a threat to her happiness, but it kept drifting back to her.

When she collided with me in the room, I had no intention of what followed. It happened suddenly, like a storm that hit me out of nowhere and swept me along with it.

The way she looked at me, the way she touched me and that kiss- I could feel and see how strongly she was drawn to me. Maybe it was because of what she was going through, but still, I felt wanted... needed.

I had dreamed of her kissing me on her own, willingly, but I hadn’t expected it to happen like that—when I wasn’t even thinking about it.

Even after an hour passed by, every part of me could still feel it. The hunger in her mouth, the need that poured through her... and I was willing to give her more than she even realized she wanted.

But it was a good thing Lucian showed up and warned me to be careful—because I was about to lose my mind. I wanted to mate with her, yes, but only when it was safe for her. We had to wait until Liam returned.

When I denied her of her needs, I could feel the disappointment in her eyes, but I had to.

Even when I left home, I could still see the longing in her eyes. It was enough to capture my heart all over again. I never thought there would come a day when she would look at me the same way I looked at her.

She didn’t say a word, but her eyes told me everything.

I couldn’t wait to return home and hold her in my arms again.

’Gosh, I miss her already.’

My wolf felt the same, restless and eager to be near our mate again. If she slept beside me tonight, only the gods knew how much restraint it would take to keep my distance.

"What’s the matter?" I heard Kael ask.

He was driving and must have noticed how quiet I had been since we left the house.

"Nothing," I replied. "I just hope we can quiet down that Asher today and end the matter in a peaceful way."

"Don’t worry about it," Kael assured.

There was silence for a while before Kael spoke again. "If Liam assures us everything’s fine, you can mate with her."

The words came out of nowhere. I turned to look at him, and he continued, "You have to complete the bond with her. After marking her, you can’t leave her like that for long."

I simply hummed. "If she doesn’t mind."

"Do you still think she will?" he asked.

Kael must have sensed what was going on between Eira and me. He was making things easier for me, like he always did. He’d always been considerate toward all of us, trying to solve problems before we even asked.

"As long as it’s safe for her," I said.

Kael hummed, and the rest of the journey passed in silence.

We reached the office building — the tallest corporate tower in the city. After so long, Kael was showing up at the office, and everyone was on high alert, preferring to focus on their work instead of relaxing like they usually did in his absence.

At the same time, seeing him there must have eased their doubts and worries about his condition.

We headed straight to the VIP elevator and rode up to the top floor where our offices were located. The receptionist greeted us, and both our personal assistants followed behind as we entered.

Kael settled into his chair behind the lavish desk in his luxurious office.

His assistant, Pete, a beta, began explaining the matters of the day — something he had been doing through calls for some time now. He looked clearly pleased to have his boss back in the office.

We continued working for about an hour before Pete finally informed, "Alpha, the guest — the Alpha of the RavenClaw Pack — is here. I’ve directed him to the waiting room."

Kael merely hummed and resumed his work. Pete looked uncertain, waiting for further instructions, since the guest was no ordinary man.

"Let him wait," I said, and returned my focus to the documents in front of me.

Pete gave a quick nod and left to handle the guest until his boss was ready to meet him.

It took us another half hour to finish the work at hand before Pete returned again.

"Alpha, shall I bring the guest in?" he asked.

Kael leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest in a silent rhythm. After a few moments of thought, he finally hummed in response.

Pete exhaled in relief and left the room. He knew exactly who the guest was — and also that his boss wasn’t the kind of man who showed kindness easily, no matter someone’s rank. The last thing he wanted was trouble for his Alpha.

A few minutes later, the door opened, and Pete led a tall, dark-haired man in a black suit into the room.

Another top-tier Alpha — a black wolf — Asher Valric, the Alpha of the RavenClaw Pack. His beta followed close behind him.

His dark eyes — calm, composed, and unreadable — gazed at us as we remained seated in our chairs. His face was expressionless, but it carried the pride and arrogance of the power he possessed. Even in enemy territory, there wasn’t the slightest hint of hesitation in him. He sat there like this was his own domain.

Well, that’s how we Alphas were. We feared no one, not even death itself. What defined us was our determination — to stand, to fight, and to never yield.

Kael and I stood up from our chairs and approached him.

"Have a seat, Alpha Asher," Kael said, gesturing toward the black leather couch across the office.

Asher took his seat, composed as ever, while his beta stood silently behind him. Kael and I sat opposite him, separated by the wide rectangular center table that gleamed under the office lights.

"May I know the reason for your visit, Alpha Asher?" Kael asked, his tone calm but formal.

The man finally showed a flicker of emotion. His calm eyes — cold and sharp, with a hint of challenge behind them — fixed on Kael.

"I believe you already know the reason, Alpha Kael," he said.

"You’d be disappointed to know I’m no mind reader," Kael replied evenly, meeting his gaze without flinching. "Care to state your purpose? We have a busy day."

The corner of Asher’s lips curved faintly before straightening again. "I’m here to take my son back with me."

Kael raised a brow. "Your son? You have one? I don’t recall ever hearing that."

"Neither did I," I added sarcastically. "I haven’t even heard you had a pureblood she-wolf with you. But I’m curious—is she your mate, or just a breeder you kept on the side?"

Just looking at this bastard irked me. And to hear him claim to be the father of Eira’s child—when he wasn’t—made my blood boil. Raven was ours now. Our family. And he dared to lay claim on what belonged to us.

The bastard stayed calm. "Alpha Kael, there’s no obligation for any pack to reveal their family to the world. It’s a matter of security. You have a pureblood under your protection, yet no one demands you to expose her."

If we revealed who that "pureblood" was, this bastard would eat his own words.

Kael, however, remained composed — as if Asher’s words meant nothing to him. "And I believe you’ll need more than just empty claims if you wish to be taken seriously," he said coolly.

"Both of us know you have my son, Raven," Asher insisted, his voice firm.

"If you’re that sure," Kael replied, his tone sharp and challenging, "then you’re free to come and get him. Let’s see if you can find your so-called son in my pack — if he truly exists at all."

The calm in Asher’s gaze finally cracked. One Alpha had challenged another directly — a declaration that only one would walk away unscathed.

Kael wasn’t bluffing. Raven wasn’t Asher’s biological son, so there was no reason to admit anything. We already had the DNA report — the proof — but we didn’t need to reveal that yet. A DNA sample from any Alpha was nearly impossible to obtain; it was considered the most protected data within a pack.

"I came here because I wanted to resolve this peacefully," Asher said, his tone turning cold, "but it seems peace isn’t your cup of tea."

"I prefer the peace that comes after a storm," Kael replied, unbothered. "It’s been a while since I’ve faced one."

Asher raised a brow. "Seems like you want me to fulfill that wish."

"You’re more than welcome," Kael said coolly.

I understood Kael’s intent perfectly. He was provoking Asher — luring him into making the first move. Because if Asher attacked, we would have the full right to retaliate. To destroy him and wipe out every last threat hiding within his pack, that could harm Eira and Raven.

We just needed one reason — one spark — and Kael was setting the stage for it.

If Asher had even a trace of sense, he’d know better than to push Kael.

So what would he do next? He’d go to the Council, of course. I almost chuckled at the thought. The Council may think of themselves as the supreme power of the supernatural world, but Kael had long learned how to make those self-righteous bastards dance to his tune.

Whether this ended in a Council hearing or all-out war, I was certain of one thing — the outcome would be ours.

Still, we couldn’t underestimate him. Just like us, Asher was prepared. And unlike before, we had something to lose now — something precious. We had someone to protect.

Asher’s lips curved slightly; he clearly understood the game Kael was playing.

"If that’s what you want," he said evenly, "then so be it. But I can at least ask — how’s my son doing? He’s not used to being away from me."

Bastard. I could only imagine how terrified Raven must have been under him. Beneath that calm, fatherly act was a demon that even a child could sense.

"I’ll repeat once more," Kael said, his voice smooth but cold as frost, "I don’t have your son."

I couldn’t help twisting the knife a little. "But we do wish you luck finding him — if he actually exists."

Asher chuckled softly at our defiance. "Raven," he said, "I named him Raven because he’s the heir of the RavenClaw Pack."

"Good for you," I replied with mock admiration. "A well-thought-out name."

"I’ll give you one week to make a decision," Asher warned. "Whatever happens after that will be entirely your fault."

"Sure," Kael said, unbothered. "It’ll be our fault — for destroying your pack over your delusions."

"Well then." Asher rose to his feet, his aura rippling faintly like the calm before a storm. "I’ll make sure you regret it."

Kael and I stood as well.

Asher’s beta immediately stepped forward, pulled a small vial from his pocket, and sprayed a chemical mist over the couch where Asher had been sitting. Then, without a word, he wiped the area clean with a cloth.

It was a common practice among Alphas — never leave a trace behind. No DNA sample, no fingerprints, nothing that could be used by an enemy. Though the bastard was already covered from neck to toe, even wearing gloves, his beta didn’t forget to follow protocol.

"See you soon," Asher said in a tone that carried a clear message — I’ll be back for you.

Kael simply offered a nod and turned to Pete. "See our guest out."

Pete nodded immediately.

Kael and I exchanged a knowing look. And I knew what to do.

Just as they reached the door, I said, "Other than your son, are you hiding anything else we should know about, Alpha Asher? Something you might accuse us of abducting in the future?"

Asher stopped and turned, his calm mask still in place.

"For starters," Kael said, "how about a vampire?"

Finally, for the first time, his smug composure slipped — just for a fleeting second. The bastard was good at controlling his emotions, just like all of us were. But that one crack was enough. If he was hiding a vampire in his pack, it showed how cautious and calculating he truly was.

He recovered quickly, smirking. "Isn’t it you who’s keeping a vampire, Alpha Kael?"

"Keeping and hiding are two entirely different things," I said. "That vampire lives with us legally. No one can challenge that."

"I’m not sure where you got such false information," Asher replied smoothly, without so much as a blink. "I’d suggest you find a more reliable source, Alpha Kael. It’s careless for an Alpha to act on rumors."

We didn’t respond — because we’d already gotten what we needed.

"See you soon," the bastard said again before finally leaving.

The door closed behind him, and we returned to our seats.

"So, he truly has a vampire with him," I said.

Kael leaned back in his chair, his voice low. "He does."