Chapter 688 I’m responsible for them
Jasper expected the scrutiny from his kid sister. What he didn’t expect was for her to do it so openly, with the kind of bluntness that came from years of sibling warfare.
A smile curved his lips, easy and unbothered. “Don’t you remember her?”
Liah frowned, her gaze fixed on the face smiling back at her. It wasn’t familiar. Not even a flicker of recognition stirred in her memory. But before she could voice her confusion, Jasper had already moved past her, pulling Corvine into a tight embrace.
“I didn’t see Damon.”
Corvine returned the embrace, his grip firm. “Damon has retired for the night. You’ll see him tomorrow, unless it’s urgent.”
Jasper pulled away, his expression brightening. “No, I just wanted to thank him. I used his advice, and the funds he transferred to us did magic.” A note of disbelief crept into his voice. “And the good part? He’s not taking any interest.”
Corvine wasn’t surprised. With other packs, interest was standard. Expected. But because of Liah, Damon had waved it off without hesitation.
“Well, you’re family.” Corvine’s voice was warm. “If you need more help, just say it.”
Jasper shook his head, his expression growing serious. “No. Things are already falling into place.” His jaw tightened with satisfaction. “What the King did to my father is great. No Lycan has approached us since they delivered his battered form.”
This time, Corvine frowned, a flicker of fake discomfort crossing his features. “Hey. That’s my father-in-law you’re talking about.”
Jasper laughed, the sound sharp and unapologetic. “You should thank our King for doing what he did. If not, there would’ve been too much mess for me to clean up.”
“Liah, I didn’t make you out too.”
A soft voice spoke beside the men, drawing their attention. Liah turned, her frown deepening as she studied the young woman standing there. Something flickered in her memory. Something familiar.
“Wait.” Her eyes widened. “Are you little Vianna? Gordon’s sister?”
The girl’s smile bloomed, bright and genuine. “Yes, Liah. After my mother left with us, we settled in the human world. I took my education seriously.” A hint of pride colored her words. “I’m a surgeon now.”
Liah’s mouth fell open. “Gordon informed me about his coronation, but I had a major surgery and couldn’t attend.” Vianna’s voice softened, thick with emotion. “I’m so glad to see you again.”
Liah embraced her tightly, the hug fierce and warm. Vianna and her mother had left the Silver Moon pack twenty years ago, leaving behind Gordon and his father. No one had expected her sudden return.
“I’m so glad you came.”
“Same here.” Vianna pulled back, her eyes bright with excitement. “Jasper told me about the Queen. I really want to meet her. I heard about her in the city but never got to work with her.” She paused, hope flickering across her features. “Can you arrange for me to have a word with her?”
Liah shook her head, a smile playing at her lips. “I don’t have to. Our Queen will be handling the coronation herself. So you’ll get to see her.”
Her gaze moved between Vianna and Jasper, a knowing glint in her eyes. “So, are you two…”
“You ask too many questions.”
Jasper cut her off, punching her playfully on the shoulder. His deflection was smooth, practiced. But the slight flush creeping up his neck told a different story.
“By the way, you look stunning.”
—
The next day was busier.
More pack members arrived in waves, their voices filling the corridors with laughter and greetings. The Alphas arrived later, their presence adding weight to the already charged atmosphere.
Every room hummed with anticipation, every corner bristled with the quiet tension of powerful wolves sharing space.
Corvine double-checked his list, his finger tracing down the names. Out of all the invitations sent, only one person had not arrived. The pack exits were about to close.
“Alpha Ravyn is the only one who hasn’t arrived.” Damon’s voice carried a note of concern. “Are you going to call him?”
Corvine contemplated, his brow furrowing. “I—”
The words died on his lips. A sleek sports car pulled up to the entrance, its engine purring like a satisfied predator. The paint gleamed under the evening lights, a dark, glossy black that seemed to swallow the shadows around it.
“That must be him.”
Corvine moved forward, Kael and Damon falling into step beside him. They had a job to do. Checking for arms. Checking for anything that might endanger the pack members or the guests. The car key would be handed to the omegas serving as valets, their hands quick and efficient.
Two slender women walked side by side with Ravyn, their heels clicking against the stone. The sight of them made Damon and Kael pause. Corvine had already seen Ravyn’s new haircut, but he hadn’t expected the man to dress so well.
Ravyn wore a black suit, tailored to perfection, the fabric hugging his shoulders and tapering to his waist. The two women wore matching red dresses, their figures draped in silk that caught the light with every step. They looked like high-fashion models, poised and impossibly beautiful.
“Alpha Ravyn.”
Corvine’s greeting was polite, measured.
Ravyn responded in kind, his tone equally formal. “Alpha Corvine.”
“The rules are clear.” Corvine’s voice hardened, just slightly. “Plus one. Not two.”
Though they had been informed about Ravyn’s arrival with two witches, no one expected them to look so striking. Voren had already instructed them to not make it easy, to not make it suspicious. Every move had to be calculated.
“Yeah, I saw that.” Ravyn’s expression remained calm, almost bored. “That’s why I paid extra.”
He gestured to the woman on his right, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders. “This is Candy, my girlfriend.” Then to the other, a blonde with sharp, watchful eyes. “And this is her friend, Jane. She wanted to tag along, and I couldn’t refuse.”
Corvine pursed his lips, his gaze narrowing. “I understand. But neither of them are pack members.” He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. “Can you tell us what they are into?”
Ravyn frowned, irritation flickering across his features. “They’re with me, Alpha Corvine. They’re under my protection. I’m responsible for them.”
Corvine noticed how nervous one of the witches was. Her fingers twisted together, her gaze darting around like a trapped animal. He turned to Liah, his voice firm.
“Please search the two women.”
“Alpha Corvine.” Ravyn’s voice dropped, a warning edge creeping in. “You’re embarrassing my girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend, Alpha Ravyn. Not Luna.” Corvine’s gaze remained steady, unyielding. “Please allow us to do our job in ensuring the safety of all pack members and guests.”
Ravyn’s teeth ground together, the muscle in his jaw jumping. He said nothing as Liah stepped forward, her hands moving with practiced efficiency over the two women.
In the course of the search, Corvine reached out through the mindlink to Voren.
’Ravyn is here. And trust me, if we let these witches in, they’ll blend into the guests, and we won’t be able to make them out.’