ERIK

The dream with Raven last night had me confused about my sexuality, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. But as a person who escaped from his problems, I distracted myself by reading a book in the library room of the manor. It was quiet and peaceful, allowing me to focus on reading rather than my thoughts. I felt the sofa dip beside me. I hadn’t noticed someone had come in. I turned, expecting to see Lilah since she—aside from Raven—was the only one from the Powell sisters who liked reading. To my surprise, sitting next to me was Lesly. She was looking at me with a flirty smile.

“Hey handsome, what are you reading?” She said in a flirty tone, fluttering her eyelashes at me.

“Hello, Lesly. Just a horror novel I found.” I said, showing her the cover of the book.

“Horror? I wouldn’t be able to read any of that. It’s too scary.” She said, acting shy and scared, moving closer to me on the sofa.

“It’s not for everyone, I guess.” I mentioned, and my eyes returned to my book, wanting to resume my reading. 

“Yeah, I prefer other genres. Like romance.” She said, and then leaned into my ear, whispering. “Or erotica.”

“That’s…good to know.” I knew what she was doing. She was trying to seduce me like she had other times, but I had no intention of falling for it. Perhaps I was gay now because even with her breast against my arms, I was not aroused. 

I tried to focus back on my book, but I kept feeling her gaze on me. Maybe if I ignored her, she would leave me alone. And maybe it worked, because I felt the dip on the sofa disappear. Peace once again. However, I spoke too soon. The book in my hands disappeared, and lips crashed against mine. My eyes opened wide as Lesly sat in my lap and kissed me without my consent. Ed roared with anger in my mind, and I felt…nothing. Her lips on mine were disgusting, and even when she rubbed against my crotch, my body didn’t react. She was not Raven.

“What do you think you are doing?” I said, pushing her away from me, but she kept herself firm on my lap. I didn’t want to hurt her.

“I’m trying to hook up with you. Come on. You know you want it.” She said with a flirty smile and horny eyes. Lesly took my hands and placed them on her breasts. “When was the last time you were with a woman? I can give you a good time.”

“No, absolutely not. I have no intention of hooking up with you, Lesly.” I said, taking my hands away from her. “You are not my mate.”

“Well, Raven isn’t your mate either. You are not gay at all and you know it.” She said with a frown and drew circles in my chest with one of her fingers, even releasing some of her hormones. Her scent made me nauseous and uncomfortable. “I can make you happier than him, Erik.”

“No. I’ve tried to be gentle and reject you many times, Lesly. But it seems you don’t understand gentle.” I said with anger, pushing her away from my lap, making her fall on the sofa next to me. I stood up before she could reach for me. “You will never be my mate. I have no interest in being with a woman like you. And Raven…Raven will probably make me happier than you because I’m not as straight as I thought. Your attempts to seduce me don’t work on me, so leave me the fuck alone.”

I walked out of the room, leaving Lesly behind. She called my name, but I didn’t turn back. On my way out, I caught a subtle cinnamon scent in the air. My heart stopped for a moment. 

Had Raven seen me with Lesly?

RAVEN

I shouldn’t have seen that. I had just gone to the library room to look for a book, but ended up seeing Erik and…Lesly. She had been sitting on his lap, her legs straddling him on the couch. From where I stood, I could only see Lesly’s back. The pain in my chest distracted me from everything; I could only look at them. In that position, it only meant they were making out. Just thinking about it made my chest pain worse. I didn’t stay long, I couldn’t. So I left to seek shelter in my room. I didn’t want to think about it, but every time I closed my eyes, images of Erik and Lesly came to my mind. 

I was a fool, thinking that Erik would develop feelings for me. He was straight, always have been, and always will be. I thought there was a spark between us, but maybe it was all me. I was delusional thinking we could get together with time. Rion was silent in my mind, but I could feel his pain. He wanted badly to meet his mate, but now it seemed impossible. The hope I had disappeared, but the pain in my chest didn’t. 

After a few hours, I just couldn’t handle it anymore. I had to get some fresh air. I walked out the back to find my sisters talking—Lesly among them. Their conversation died down once they noticed my presence. I felt their gazes on me, but I walked past them.

“Sometimes I wish he weren’t here. Everything would be better without him.” I heard Lesly murmur, and I frowned. I was tired of this.

“What did you say about me?” I said, turning around to face their direction. “Say it to my face, Lesly.”

“Lesly, don’t.” Jean said, taking Lesly’s arm to stop her. 

“He wants to hear it. Then I will say it.” She said, shoving Jean’s hand away from her. She stood and walked up to me. Our eyes locked as she said. “Our family would be better if you hadn’t been born.”

“Do you really mean that?” I asked in a serious tone, hiding the pain in my chest. I looked over her shoulder to my other sisters sitting there: Josie, Jean, and Lana. “All of you think that?”

“Raven, no. Lesly is just upset.” Jean said, trying to explain her litter partner. “You see, Erik just—“

“I don’t want to hear excuses. Do you all mean it? You don’t want me here?” I asked in a serious tone, interrupting her. 

“Yes, we don’t want you. I don’t want you here.” Lesly said with a frown, not letting any of the others respond. The pain turned into anger, hearing her words. “You just make our lives harder by being Papa’s favorite. It has all always been Raven this Raven that, it was never us. Always you. Now, even you are the lucky one to have found a mate.”

“Well, maybe if you weren’t such a bitch, you would have found a mate by now. I’m not the cause of all your problems, Lesly. You are the cause of your problems.” I said, frowning at her. I had had enough of her bullshit.

“You bastard!” She cursed at me and slapped me on the cheek. I saw red and shifted to my panther form. Lesly followed, and she jumped at me. 

A fight started between us. I did my best to avoid her attacks, but she still managed to hurt me. She left bites and scratches on me, but I also managed to leave some on her. Our sisters started to shout at us to stop, but I had no intention of losing the fight. I would make her feel my pain, the pain she caused me for years.

“Stop right now!” Papa’s loud voice came from the side. Lesly pulled away from me. I stepped away and turned to look at Papa. “Care to explain what is happening here?”

“Papa. Raven, he—“ Lesly shifted first and started to say, but I shifted and interrupted her. She was going to act like the victim and blame me for all.

“I’m leaving. I don’t want to live in this house anymore. I’m sorry Papa, but I can’t handle this anymore. I had had enough of being treated like trash and being put at fault for everything.” I said in a serious tone, hiding the pain from the wounds now in my body. 

“What? Raven, what do you mean?” Papa asked, looking confused between me and Lesly. Worried about seeing us hurt. “What happened?”

“Goodbye, Papa.” I said, giving him a brief hug, and then walked to my room to pack my things. At least just the essentials and my guitar. 

Tears went down my cheeks as I packed. Lesly’s words rumbled in my mind with the images of her with Erik. Perhaps it is for the best that I am leaving. I needed the space. I heard a knock on my door, and it opened. Lilah walked in with a worried look.

“Raven? Are you okay? Is it true that you are leaving?” She said, worried about me.

“Yes, I am leaving. I don’t want to be under this roof anymore. I can’t handle it anymore, Lilah. It’s just too much. They are just too much for me to deal with.” I confessed to her. The image of Lesly with Erik came back to my mind. I closed my eyes and then opened them to see my sister. “And Lesly, she…she was making out with Erik in the library. Maybe if I leave, she can finally have his way with him.”

“What? Erik did that? There’s no way, Rae. Are you sure?” She was shocked and confused. I wanted to believe it was not true, but it was.

“I saw it with my own eyes. They were kissing.” I said with a sigh. It was an image I wanted to get out of my mind. “And now I’m just going to get out of the way.”

“But, where will you go? Where are you staying?” She asked worried. That was a question that was still on my mind, and I had no clear answer. I had no doubt my friends would let me crash at their places, but did I want that? An idea came to me.

“I can ask Roxanne. I know she will take me in for a bit while I find my own place.” I said and that made her feel more at ease. She nodded in approval. “I can also help take care of the twins.”

Lilah helped me finish packing and treat my wounds. Once we were done, I gave my room one last look and then walked to the front door with Lilah on my side. Papa was standing at the closed door, waiting for me.

“You don’t have to leave, sweetie. We can fix whatever happened.” He said with concern, taking my hand in his.

“No, Papa. I need this.” I said with a sigh, taking my hand away.

“O-Okay. Just let me know where you are going, okay? Text me and call me.” He said with hurt in his eyes, he was holding back tears. I wished Dad were here to comfort him.

“I will. Bye, Papa.” I said, hugging him once again, and whispered into his ear. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Take care, sweetie.” He said, leaving a soft kiss on my cheek before pulling apart.

I took my bags and walked out of the house. I hated the idea of driving my car, but I had to. I placed all of my things in it and hopped on the driver's side. I took one last glance at the house, took a deep breath, and went in the direction of Roxanne’s. Leaving the Powell Manor behind.