Hunter

Lisha and I finally emerge from the pounding, crowded hall, ready to head home, only to have Dylan block our way out.

"Hunter! Leaving already?" he calls out, overly friendly, moving to stop us. I shoot him an icy stare.

"What do you want, Dylan?" I ask bluntly, not hiding my annoyance.

He looks a bit shocked by my coldness, but tries to stay pleasant. "I just thought we could chat more before you head out...--"

"Let me stop you there," I cut Dylan off sharply, simmering at how he was all over Raven earlier. "I've got nothing to discuss now. Excuse us."

I move to brush past him, but Dylan grabs my arm lightly. I sense Lisha bristle subtly beside me.

"Of course, of course!" Dylan stammers, laughing nervously. "Another time then..." He lets go of my arm.

Beside me, I can see Lisa's lips pinch together, subtly irritated by the hold up. "Yes, Dylan. I'm afraid Hunter and I really must be going now," she repeats more firmly, linking her arm through mine intimately. "But it was lovely to briefly chat with you."

Taking my cue, I nod curtly to Dylan and put my hand over Lisha's without another word, trying to lead us away again. But either missing or ignoring my impatience, Dylan pipes up once more just as we start to walk away.

"Hold up, one more thing before you bounce..."

Dylan's eager smile finally falters as he sees how annoyed I am. Still, he keeps going. "Well I just wanted to say...you two make quite the striking pair. A real power couple, if you don't mind me saying."

He gestures between Lisha and me. "With your combined lineages, your children would truly be the best of the best. You could build a real dynasty together."

I resist the urge to scoff. There will never be a "union" between Lisha and I beyond this temporary political arrangement. She is not the one I see in my future, though the public believes otherwise.

I stare back stonily, now completely out of patience. "You done?"

Chastened, Dylan clears his throat. "Yeah, ah...I think I've said all I wanted to."

"Great. Then if that's all, we're heading out." I swiftly guide a relieved-looking Lisha away before any more hold ups.

"Have a lovely rest of your night!" Dylan calls half-heartedly after us as we exit into the drizzling night without looking back.

I turn away, fuming internally. Dylan's lucky I'm keeping my cool for now after whatever he pulled with Raven behind closed doors. But if he crossed a line with her, he'll answer to me soon enough.

Stepping into the rain, I take a deep breath, trying to clear my head after the tense run-in with Raven.

Beside me, Lisha moves gracefully, silently expecting me to keep up the strong, composed facade despite my inner turmoil. Can't let on that I'm still rattled by fighting with Raven.

But pushing her from my mind is impossible when traces of her seem to linger everywhere - echoes of her laugh, her fiery wit, the electricity of her touch. The way she challenges me ignites memories I'm desperate to bury.

"My father wants to meet with you tonight," Lisha states smoothly, reaching for my hand. "Will you come?"

I stare down at her proffered hand, the physical link feeling suddenly weighted and unwelcome.

"Of course, lead the way," I reply evenly to Lisha. But as we walk, I'm unable to stop my thoughts from flickering back towards Raven.

I know I must maintain this facade with Lisha, though my heart remains with another. Raven saw only betrayal in my actions, unaware of the dark forces that forced my hand.

I wish I could explain the encroaching threats, make her understand my reasons for pushing her away. But revealing the truth would put her in graver danger.

So for now, I remain silent, letting her hate and condemn me. If it keeps her and Willow safe, I'll bear that pain. I'll play the villain so she stays far from the evils of my world.

And in the meantime, I'll make sure she's protected, no matter how she tries to distance herself from me now.

No matter the convincing charade with Lisha, some deeper part of me is still inexorably tied to Raven.

I can only hope that one day, she might understand and we could be together once more. Until then, I lock my feelings away and move forward, as is expected of an Alpha.