Chapter 5 Awakening The Sliver Wolf

"Are you a spy, Ravenna?" Alpha Rowan asked as he rounded the table. His voice was low now. Dangerous.

"No. I swear to the moon goddess, I'm not," I said with my hands held up.

"I knew we shouldn't have brought her here," Sofia grumbled, cutting a sharp look at Lilith, who just stood there still watching me.

"Please," I begged, my voice trembling. "Just just let me explain."

"What can you possibly tell us? Lies?" This came from Sofia again.

I turned to Rowan, my eyes pleading. "Please."

He watched me for a while, his face unreasonable. "Go on," he finally spoke.

I let out a breath as I tried to steady my voice. "I'm an exile," I began. "I got banished from my pack. I never intended to come here. I swear it."

"An exile," Rowan repeated. "What got you banished?"

I swallowed, tears forming in my eyes.

What was I going to tell them? That I found my ex boyfriend with my step sister and I had dashed her head against the wall? And what was what got me exiled?

God, that sounded so pathetic.

I could tell they were waiting so I'll just settle on the full truth if I wanted to stay alive. "I was like an outcast in my own pack," I started, my voice cracking. "What am I saying?" I scoffed. "I was an outcast.

I was born without a wolf, you see. Nobody wants someone as weak as me in their pack, not even my father. I caught my ex-boyfriend and step-sister together, and I lost it. I... I got angry. I, uhm, beat her up a little. And I got punished for it. My punishment was banishment." Tears streamed down my face, a testament to the pain and shame I carried.

If they didn't think less of me before, I'm sure they do now.

"So you're saying you got banished because you beat up your sister?" Joseph asked, an edge in his voice.

"Step sister," I corrected as I wiped my eyes.

"Damn." He released a breath.

"Are you seriously believing this?" Sofia said to Joseph.

"I swear!" I shouted. I turned to Rowan and Lilith. "I'm telling you the truth. Please believe me. Please."

"I do believe you, Ravenna," Lilith said, holding my gaze.

I heard someone snorted, and I knew it was Sofia without looking.

I turned to Rowan who was still watching me silently. He nodded and went back to his desk.

What does that nod mean? Is it approval or am I going to die?

"Lilith," he called without looking at her.

"Yes, Alpha." She stood straight.

"She's your responsibility. If she turns out to be a spy, you will both pay. Two guards will be assigned to watch her. She's not free to go anywhere on her own. Understood?"

I almost broke down in relief. He was letting me stay. HE WAS LETTING ME STAY!!!

"Yes Alpha," Lilith answered.

"Ravenna," he turned to me. Although he seemed relaxed, his eyes still held that dangerous glint. "Do not prove me right."

With that he dismissed us.

Lilith and Joseph followed me out of the room while Sofia stayed behind. I'm pretty sure she will try to convince Rowan to just kill me and be done with it.

We walked to an elevator. Lilith and I walked in while Joseph remained outside.

"Welcome to Stonehowl pack," he said with a smile as the elevator door closed.

We stood in a tense silence as the elevator took us to the fourth floor.

I wanted to say something but didn't want to. Maybe a thank you for believing me? Yeah, I could say that.

I opened my mouth to tell her but she spoke first. "Can I trust you, Ravenna?" she asked, looking at the floor.

"Yes," I answered back quickly. "Yes, you can."

Lilith just nodded and said nothing more.

I understood why she would ask that. If I turn out to be a spy, she would lose a lot, maybe everything.

She was risking a lot for me. And she didn't even know me.

"Thank you," I whispered.

She raised her head, looked at me, and smiled.

We continued in comfortable silence.

We finally got to the fourth floor. Lilith took my hand and led me down the hallway.

She seems like the kind that touches you any chance she got. And I was okay with that.

After years of living with people who acted like they'd rather touch a cactus covered in honeybees than touch me-except Lucas-I would take any touch I get.

The hallway was a tomb of silence, devoid of any life. We were alone, utterly alone, in this endless corridor.

Lilith, sensing my unease, cleared her throat. "This floor is restricted. It's only used for pack guests. And since the Alpha has declared you my responsibility, you are my guest. There are very few people in this hallway. I chose it because it's the safest."

I turned to her. "Why?"

"Word would spread that you're from the enemy's pack. The pack won't take it lying down. Nobody would want to hear your story. So this floor is the best."

I swallowed hard as we continued our walk in silence.

Lilith was right. No one would want me here. Every one would want to take their pound of flesh.

We stopped in front of a door at the end of the hallway and Lilith led me inside.

I wasn't disappointed by what I saw.

The room was a perfect blend of elegance and comfort.

The walls were painted a soft, dove-gray that complemented the rich, dark oak floors.

A king-sized bed, dressed in luxurious, white linen with a velvet, navy blue throw, sat in the center of the room.

Two sleek nightstands flanked the bed, each adorned with delicate gold lamps and small vases of fresh lavender.

In the corner, a plush armchair upholstered in cream sat beside a floor-to-ceiling window, offering a breathtaking view of the forest.

"I'll leave you to bathe," Lilith said by the door. "I'll be back with clothes." And with that she closed the door and left.

I walked to a door which I assumed was the bathroom. And I was right when I opened the door.

The bathroom was equally stunning, but all I could see right now was the big tub that sat near a large window.

I peeled my dirty clothes off, happy to get rid of them.

I walked to the tub but froze on my step when I saw my reflection on the big mirror.

I moved closer and my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach.