RAVEN

I never thought avoiding someone could be tiring, and I certainly never expected to be doing it myself. Erik Bennet was hard to avoid, but I somehow managed to do it the past couple of days. To be honest, I was completely confused. I didn't understand why Erik wanted to talk to me. Yes, the situation was complicated. He is straight, he likes women,  so why was he trying so hard to get to me? It’s not like he was going to court me or try to date me. 

‘Remember, he said we are beautiful. There’s a chance he likes us.’ Rion said in my mind, and I rolled my eyes.

‘He is straight, Rion. Don’t get your hopes up.’ I said in a serious tone. How could I make my animal self understand that people don’t just change sexualities overnight?

‘You are so negative, Raven. And you are acting like a child.’ He roared at me, scolding me. ‘You should talk to him. Communication is important.’

‘Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, Rion. I said uninterested and pointed to my book. ‘Can I read in peace now?’

‘Whatever.’ Rion scuffed at me.

I sighed, took a sip of my latte, and went back to reading my book. When I wasn't at band practice, I enjoyed going to Deja Brew. It was a quiet place, with a cozy atmosphere, perfect for reading, and the coffee was great. The owner, Ezra, was also really kind, and as a regular, he would give me treats for free sometimes. It was nice. My eyes went back to my book ‘Greatest Works of Edgar Allan Poe’. The content wasn’t new to me. I loved reading his works; it was my comfort book, my inspiration for writing music for the band. As I focused on reading a poem, I heard the bell of the door, an intoxicating scent hit my nose, Rion purred, and I opened my eyes widely, looking at the door. Erik walked into the cafe. What was he doing here? I panicked, not trying to make eye contact with him, and tried to hide my face with the book. 

‘Please don’t look at me. Please don’t look at me.’ I chanted in my head. Unfortunately for me, the alpha’s scent grew stronger as he approached me, until he was standing right in front of me. Rion purred again, and I could see him moving his tail from side to side in my mind. He wanted to get out, but I managed to get him under control.

“Raven?” I heard him say, and I looked up from a book. His smile grew wider as he saw me. “It is you, hello.”

“Hi, Erik.” I said awkwardly, but trying to keep my composure. 

“It’s nice to see you.” He said with a smile and looked around the place. “Would you mind if I sit with you? All the other tables are full.” 

“Yeah, sure. You can sit with me.” I said with a smile. ‘Of fucking course everything had to be full. That’s just my luck.’ 

“Okay, I’ll go order a drink and come back.” He said, and I nodded, watching him walk to the counter. My eyes wandered down his body. He had a great body, toned muscles, but not too bulky, just my type. 

‘His butt is also great.’ Rion purred, and I involuntarily observed it. Rion wasn’t lying.  

‘Makes me want to take a bite.’ I said, and then shook my head, realizing what I was thinking. What was wrong with me? 

I looked up again, and Erik was looking at me. I blushed and hid my face in my book, faking that I was reading. I can’t believe he caught me checking him out. I wanted to get out of here and hide in my room, but that would make me look guilty. I just had to act as if I wasn’t checking his butt out, just act normal. ‘Just keep reading, Raven.’ And I did or well, tried. As soon as Erik sat in the chair in front of me, his scent was so strong it distracted me. The silence between us was awkward and uncomfortable, adding to that the fact that he was looking at me. I felt his eyes on me, and it made me anxious. I was used to being the center of attention as a member of a band, but this was completely different from that. In front of me was an alpha, but not just any alpha; he was my fated mate. I had had enough; this was too awkward.

‘Communication babes.’ Rion said in my mind, and I sighed, putting down my book. My eyes met Erik’s.

“What do you want from me?” I said frowning.

“What?” He asked confused by my question.

“You keep trying to talk to me. You won’t stop staring. Just say it, say what you want, Erik.” I said annoyed and stressed.

“I just want to get to know you.” He said in a serious tone, but I was just as confused. 

“Erik, please. Your whole aura screams straight. Why would you want to get to know me?” I asked arching a brow at him.

“Yes, you are right. I’m straight. I have never thought about being with a man in my life.” He said with a sigh. A sudden pain filled my chest at his words. I flinched, and he noticed. He sighed again and continued speaking. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you are my fated mate. I may not be interested in a relationship, but I want to know more about you. Be your friend.”

“Why would you want to be my friend? We are completely different. I don’t think we would have anything in common.” I said, still frowning. 

“Mmmm…Are you an Edgar Allan Poe fan? Or are you reading that just because?” He asked, pointing at the book on the table. His question took me by surprise, I didn’t know what it had to do with the conversation we were having.

“Of course, I’m a fan of his work. He is one of my favorite authors. I just like re-reading them.” I said looking at the book and then back into his eyes.

“Really? I enjoy reading his stories too, but my absolute favorite is ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’.” He said with a smile, and I was shocked but also excited. 

“Oh! It’s my favorite one too.” I said with a smile and wondered if he had other favorites. I never had someone to talk about books before. Just my Papa.

“I also like ‘The Raven’” We said in unison. We looked at each other for a moment, and I noticed a glimmer in his eyes. I let out a chuckle, and Erik laughed with me.

“My Papa loves it too. That’s why he named me Raven, but if I had been a girl, he would have definitely named me Lenore.” I said with a smile, and he nodded. 

 “Have you read the poem?” He asked and I let out a chuckle.

“Obviously. I have everything here.” I said proudly picking up the book and showing it to him. He laughed and I put the book back on the table. “I didn’t think you would be a reader.”

“Well, I just proved what you said before was incorrect.” He said with a smirk, and I arched a brow at him confused. “We have things in common.”

“Yeah, I guess you are right.” I said smiling back at him.

The rest of the time, I left my book on the side and continued to talk with Erik. I felt bad for assuming his personality from his looks. He was the complete opposite of what I had thought, and surprisingly, we had read the same books. Erik was easy to get along with and kind; he even invited me for another latte once I had finished mine. Even if we didn’t become mates, I could see myself being friends with him. Today was the start of that, but sadly, it was getting late, so we had to go back to the pride. On the way there in the taxi, we continued to talk some more about books and other authors we liked. He even gave me some recommendations that I gladly accepted. 

“Well, we are here.” I said after getting out of the taxi and standing by the door of my house. “Bye, see you at dinner.”

“Wait!” Erik said before I could walk inside, I turned to look at him. “There’s a movie that I want to watch, but I don’t have anyone to go with. Would you like to go with me?”

“Which one?” I asked curiously. 

“The Monkey, but I understand if you don’t want to. I heard it's super gory.” He said and I gasped.

“No way! I have been meaning to watch it, but my friends are boring. They don’t like horror and gore.” I said excitedly, but then blushed trying to control my excitement. 

“Oh! Then we can go together.” He said with a smile.

“Sure, I would love to” I said accepting his invitation. “I like Stephen King.”

“Me too.” He said, letting out a chuckle, and then looked into my eyes. “Wow, we really do have a lot in common.”