Caged Between the beta and alpha

Chapter 35 Hope & Determination

RAVEN

I pushed open the low white fence that surrounded the graveyard. Not all children were buried here, as some would be buried with their parents, but there were still many graves. It was strange to know that I had a brother that I had never gotten to meet.

I looked down at the grass that was sprinkled with daisies and buttercups. Scattered between the small graves were several cherry blossoms. I walked through the graves, scanning the names for my brothers, stopping when I saw a young woman bending over, placing an orchid on each grave.

She tumed, sensing me watching her, and gave me a small smile. It took me a moment to realise she was the Omega who I had seen in the kitchen the other night.

"Sorry..." She said, stepping away from the grave.

I waved my hand.

"Oh, don't apologise! I'm just searching for a grave..." I said, giving her a small smile. "Whose?" She asked. "I might know, I visit often."

"Oh... Renji Jacobs.'

She frowned, paused, then turned and pointed to the far side.

"It's under that cherry blossom tree." She said.

"Thanks..." Goddess, I didn't even know her name.

"Nina." She said, with a smile.

"Thanks, Nina." I said before walking through the trees.

I stopped and stared at the marble tombstone, I could just about make the name out. It was so small that if I had never been told, I would never have realised that my brother was here. I dropped to my knees, feeling my eyes sting. I felt as if I had been robbed of something. This was my brother, someone who I had a part of inside of me, someone who had died but left me a gift and I couldn't even spend a moment of my time to thank him or to remember him? I didn't even know of his existence. Some sister I was.

I looked at the date on the tombstone. He had barely been three years old. I placed my hand on top of the grave.

"Hi, I'm Raven, your sister." I whispered, fighting back my tears.

I wanted to say so much more... But where do I start? I sniffed, reaching into the

pocket of my hoodie and taking out a small octopus plushie.

"And this is Sparks." I said, "He's for you."

I placed him against the tombstone, near the flower Nina had left.

"Where do I start... Well, I'm sure you are watching down on us wherever you are, but I still want to tell you about myself.."

Evening had fallen, my morning at the grave had felt like I had a burden lifted, and I would promise to visit often. I had just rung Damon's doorbell. I had the journal and stuff in my backpack, even if Liam wasn't going to tell anyone it wasn't something we could just deny. If Damon had no answers, then we needed to tell someone like Aunty Red. Liam had asked what I had told her, and I had told him she knew about us. He didn't ask me anything further after that but I could sense his irritation.

I knew he had been busy with other stuff today. I wondered if he planned to come to my room tonight, although Aunty Red's words rang in my head.

Treat them equally... But I also knew she didn't know about Liam's curse, hence I needed to tell Damon that. I rang the doorbell again, frowning when no one answered. He knew I was coming...

'Damon?'

Yeah?'

'I'm at the door?'

'Oh, shit sorry! Mom's asleep, I'm coming!"

Sure enough, the door was pulled open by a very wet Damon, a towel around his waist and water trickling down his body. My heart thudded as my eyes trailed over his sexy body before I blushed, looking away.

"Umm sorry didn't realise you were in the shower..." I said, unsure if I should hug him or not.

Oh who cares, I hugged Liam shirtless. I moved closer, giving him a quick squeeze around the waist, much to his surprise. His arms wrapped around me, pressing me into his chest. My cheeks were burning when I moved back, my stomach fluttering, and he cocked a brow.

"I wasn't expecting that."

"Why not? I am a very huggy person." I said closing the door behind me.

"Mhmm.." Damon replied with a smirk. "You had something serious to talk about, right?"

"Yes..." I replied sighing.

"Alright, let me go get dressed and I'll be down in five. Actually, better come on up, you can wait in my room."

"Ok." I said, following him upstairs.

I entered his bedroom, watching him grab some boxers and pants. I tumed my back, allowing him to get dressed, my stomach fluttering nervously.

"Alright, all done." He said coming over to the bed, pulling the duvet up and making some space for me to sit.

His room was a mess, I won't deny that...

"Take a seat." He said, running his fingers through his wet locks.

Thanks. Ok I need you to pay attention, this is serious." I said, unzipping the bag and taking out the book, the notebook and the card.

Taking a deep breath, I told him everything I had learned...

Thirty minutes later, Damon was frowning. He had asked a few questions, but for the most part, he had listened and skimmed through the book towards the end. He now stood there, his emotions a mess.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

"There has to be more, what did Liam say?" He asked, concern clear in his powder- blue eyes.

"Liam? He said whatever is meant to be will happen. He seems to have just given in." I said sighing, placing my head in my hands for a moment.

Damon crouched down before me, placing his hands on my knees.

"He's going to be ok. We aren't going to let anything happen to him." He said firmly, his scent clouding my senses.

I looked up at him,

"Of all the Deimos prince's, why Liam? Why someone who was so sweet and giving?

Why did he deserve all this?"

"He didn't, but he is probably the one capable of doing this, of ending this curse Even if he is the darkness, he has good in him. Darkness doesn't mean evil." Damon said, taking my hands in his.

I nodded and took a deep breath.

"I also told Aunty Red about us..." I said, feeling a sliver of guilt at what I was about

to say next. "This morning... she walked into my room when Liam was there."

There it was the flash of pain, but it was gone as quickly as it came.

"Oh, so how did she take it?" He asked with a small smile.

"She said, I need to know what I want and to not favour one of you over the other... and ultimately, if things don't work, I will have to choose one." I said, feeling my chest squeeze painfully.

"Well don't think you need to treat us equally, we both know Liam is going through a lot. Right now, he needs his mate and friend. We need to be there for him, not make him become even more angry and bitter." Damon said.

Oh Liam, if you knew how much your friend cared for you...

I stood up, feeling even more confident, knowing that I wasn't alone.

"So, what do we do?"

The answer lays within..." Damon murmured. Within the prophecy or within Liam? I swear we need to rip this thing apart like a damn Shakespeare play."

"English was Liam's forte." I grumbled.

Damon chuckled.

"Yeah, well guess we need to pull our socks up." Damon said.

"Hey, I did good okay, I got a B...' I grumbled. "You barely passed!"

"That's because I hated reading, I only passed because Liam did my coursework." He grinned and I smiled.

Oh, how I missed those days.

"There is someone who's a pro in literature... Damon said hesitantly. "Someone who might see something we didn't."

"Who?" I asked. "Robyn, she's still studying literature and history, she's smart."

I felt a pang of pain, but I nodded. If Damon could be selfless, then why couldn't I?

"Perfect, then we should ask her. She can be trusted, right?"

"Yeah." Damon said, he walked over to me and cupped my face, making my heart thunder. "This will be nothing more than her helping us."

I smiled, looking up at him.

"Do I even have any right to act so selfish?" I asked, smiling softly.

Damon smiled back.

"Of course you do, and I like it." He whispered huskily. "I do care for you, Raven."

"I know." I said, staring into his eyes.

His smile faded, his gaze dipping to my lips. He slowly looked back into my eyes as

if seeking permission, his heart thudding as fast as mine was.

"Can I kiss you, gorgeous?" He asked quietly.

I nodded slowly, and Damon leant down, claiming my lips in a soft, tender kiss. A wave of tingles rushed through me, the sweet taste of his mouth and the softness of his lips making my heart race like a galloping horse. I slowly placed my hand on his chest, kissing him back, but before we could deepen the kiss, Dad's voice erupted in my head.

'HOW DARE YOU?! WHERE ARE YOU?!'

I flinched pulling away.

"Hey, are you ok?' Damon asked, worried.

I nodded.

"Yeah... Dad's just..."

"RAVEN!"

Both of our heads snapped to the window.

Dad was here and his anger was clear. I had no idea what I had done this time.....