The Wolves Among Us

Chapter9

Raven’s P.O.V.

The morning sun bathed the streets of Fairview in a golden glow as I steered my truck down the familiar roads. The morning air carried the scent of sunshine and fresh coffee from a nearby café, where a group of older gentlemen waved from their usual table. Lucy, seated in the passenger seat with her backpack hugged to her chest and her bunny cradled in her arms, waved back enthusiastically.

“I know them!” she announced with a grin.

“That’s Mr. Davidson, Mr. Grant, and Mr. Lively. They sit there every morning and drink coffee. Mr. Lively always has a cinnamon roll.”

I chuckled.

“You’ve been here for two months, and you already know more people than I do.”

Lucy shrugged, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

“I just pay attention.”

We passed by the small bookstore on Main Street, and Lucy pointed eagerly.

“Oh! That’s Miss Evelyn’s shop! She let me pick out a book for free last week because I helped her carry in a box.”

I shook my head in amazement.

“You’re making friends left and right, huh?”

Lucy giggled.

“Of course! People like me.”

As we approached Fairview Elementary, Lucy’s excitement dimmed slightly. Her fingers tightened around the straps of her backpack as the school came into view. The front lawn was bustling with kids laughing, talking, and running toward the entrance. The sight of so many children made Lucy shift uncomfortably in her seat.

I noticed immediately.

“What’s wrong, kiddo?”

Lucy hesitated, her usual confidence wavering.

“I just… I’ve never been around so many kids before,” she admitted.

“It’s different when it’s just grown-ups.”

I put the truck in park and turned to face her. I softened my voice as my heart cracked a little.

I've never been around so many kids before...

Piss-ass excuse of a father you are...

“Hey, it’s OK to be nervous. But you know what? You’re awesome, Lu. You’ve already made so many friends in town without even trying. This is just another place to meet more people who are going to love having you around.”

She looked at me uncertainly.

“What if they don’t?”

I smiled, ruffling her hair gently in order not to ruin her braids.

“Impossible. You’re Lucy Miller. You wrapped half of Fairview around your little finger in two months. The rest of these kids don’t stand a chance.”

Lucy took a deep breath, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.

“You really think so?”

“I know so.” I reached over and squeezed her hand.

“And no matter what happens, I’m always going to be proud of you.”

She exhaled, straightened her shoulders, and nodded.

“OK daddy. I can do this.”

“That’s my girl.” I smiled as she opened the door and hopped out, waiting for me to walk her inside.

I shifted the car into park in order to get out myself, glancing at Lucy, who was bouncing with excitement. Today was her very first day at school, and I had promised to walk her inside myself so she wouldn’t have to face everything all on her own on day one. It was a simple task, one I had no problem doing.

Except, the moment my hand reached for the door handle, something in the air shifted.

A scent.

It drifted in through the slightly open window, teasing my senses, and electrifying my blood. It was warm and soft, with the faintest trace of vanilla and wildflowers. My inner wolf stirred, growling low in recognition of something primal and inevitable. My gaze snapped to the parking lot just beyond, where a woman was leaning inside her car, rummaging for something in the passenger seat.

And God f**k me… she was stunning.

Long, wavy blonde hair cascaded over her shoulder, obscuring part of her face, but the rest of her was impossible to miss. The dress she wore hugged her curves in a way that had my throat running dry, accentuating every dip and rise of her body. My eyes lingered on the way the fabric stretched over her hips, the gentle sway of her body as she shifted to grab whatever she was searching for.

Then she straightened, stepping out fully, and my entire world tilted.

My pulse roared in my ears as recognition struck me like a bolt of lightning.

Jojo.

It had been years since I had last seen her. We had grown up together in Fairview, once close enough to call each other friends before life had inevitably pulled us in different directions because she was a couple of years younger than me. But this was different. This wasn’t just an old friend from my past standing before me. My wolf, the beast that lived within me, surged forward with an intensity that nearly made me lurch from my seat.

Mate.

The word echoed in my skull, vibrating through every cell in my body. My hands clenched into fists, struggling to maintain control. My wolf wanted out. Wanted to run to her, to take her in our arms, to claim her right then and there. The need was nearly unbearable, a force of nature clawing at me from the inside.

She turned then, and my breath hitched. Her face, more beautiful than I could even remember, was set in a look of concentration as she slung a bag over her shoulder and shut her car door. Completely oblivious to the war raging inside of me.

I had to move. I had to say something. I Had to—

“Daddy!”

Lucy’s voice shattered my trance, pulling me back into reality like a slap to the face. I turned sharply to look at her, heart still thundering, hands still trembling. She was staring at me expectantly, waiting for me to finally get out of the car.

With a deep inhale, I forced my wolf down, locking the beast away with sheer will. It took everything in me to do so. Especially after having lived inside a pack where finding your mate was just walking over to her and claiming her on the spot.

But here… In Fairview?

Not here.

Not now.

With one last glance at Jojo, I swallowed hard and forced myself to focus. Lucy came first. Lucy always came first. No matter how good Jojo’s ass looked in that flowery dress she was wearing.

Fuck Rave… FOCUS!



“Alright, kiddo,” I murmured, stepping out of the car with a tight jaw.

“Let’s go meet your teacher.”

Even as I said it, my eyes flicked back to Jojo, my f*****g mate, and my gut twisted with the certainty of what I already knew. Fate had just thrown me a curveball. And there was no turning back now.