Planned Adventure

Talon had summoned for Malik and Raven to meet in his study, thus Miss Dupree headed around the mansion to find them. As she passed through the long corridor from the study into the great room, she caught a glimpse of the two in the garden, Raven in Malik's arms, watching the pond. She had spent her life in the mansion serving the Steele family and never had the chance to find love. Watching the young couple stirred feelings deep inside her. Feelings of regret, loneliness, and curiosity of what her life could have been like. She sighed heavily and smiled, she chose this life and seeing the woman Raven has grown up to be filled her with satisfaction and pride. Miss Dupree walked to the end of the corridor and opened the large French doors to a gorgeous balcony. Stepping outside taking a moment to let the sun warm her face, she called out to the couple, "Raven dear." Both Malik and Raven turned to see Jane on the balcony waving at them. "Your father would like a word with you both in his study, he's waiting," Jane said. Seeing that they both stood up, she walked back inside, shutting the large doors, and headed to the kitchen to prepare some tea for their meeting. In his study Talon sat tall behind his desk, trying to put together information to help them form a plan. Both he and Sarafina were determined to help their daughter and Malik in any way they could.

Talon's POV:

I had been up all night scouring through our library looking for anything that could be useful in this situation. Freya sent for her son Ash and Sarafina tried connecting with family members outside the faction to get information but we knew something wasn't adding up. It was becoming quite frustrating to think you know the answer because it lines up with what Malik was going through but knowing there was no way a pup of royal decent would have gone missing and not a word said about it. The loud knock on the door brought me out of my trance and as I snapped my head up I saw my beautiful wife escorting Freya and another man into the room. I stood up from behind the desk and walked around to the front, wrapping my arms around Sarafina, and pulling her close, "You look lovely today dear wife." Sarafina was always shy with affection, and I found it adorable the way her face caught a slight blush and she'd playfully tap my shoulder. "Oh my dear husband, always finding a romantic way to embarrass me," she said as she pushed my arm and went to sit down. "Good day Freya, I'm assuming this would be Ash," I said reaching my hand out to shake his. "Yes sir I am, it's an honor to meet you. My mother has said nothing but wonderful things about you and the presidential first lady and your faction. It's absolutely beautiful here," he said whilst strongly shaking my hand. "Please, come sit. Were just waiting for Raven and, oh well look at that. Here they are, welcome you two," I said as they walked in the study hand in hand. Malik saw Ash and beamed with excitement while walking straight to him. "Ash, you came. I'm so happy to see you. I have so much to tell you, "he said as he hugged Ash. "Oh brother, mom has filled me in on most of it, anything else keep it to yourself," Ash laughed. I could see Raven shake her head with a smile on her face and I didn't want to know anything about it. "Oh my goodness, Raven. Is that, did you both, are you," I turned as Sarafina gasped out. She was smiling from ear to ear as tears ran down her face. She immediately ran to Raven and hugged her quickly then turned to look at Malik. I stood frozen not understanding the issue at the moment, "is someone going to tell me what the heck is going on," I stated. All eyes were on Malik completely ignoring me as Sarafina embraced Malik tightly, "welcome to the family Malik, officially. We are so happy to see that our baby girl will be taken care of and loved. Talon, quit looking like a fool and get over here. Our baby girl is mated and taken. We have a new son-in-law." At that my eyes narrowed and brow creased, not knowing how to react to the news. I knew this would happen but on the first night. He marked my baby girl on the first night. I looked at Malik, seeing the terror in his eyes made me feel better. He knew although he was a wolf, I was her father and there was nothing in this world that would stop me from destroying whatever it is that would hurt my daughter. "Sir, I'm sorry, it just," Malik began to say but I quickly raised my hand to cut him off. "Don't. I apologize for my reaction; it wasn't meant to show anger. I was merely caught off guard, like way off guard but I understand what happens when one finds their mate," I smirked looking at my wife. "EW Dad GROSS," Raven yelled. "I could say the same to you young lady," I said pointing my finger to her. "I am truly happy for the both of you. It looks like we've extended our family by three more but, now that we've all realized what went on," I said sarcastically side eyeing Raven, "let's all sit down and go over our findings. Forming a plan and looking into where Malik came from is our first priority right now. If we can find out what is stopping you from shifting, maybe we can understand where you came from and what happened."

Malik's POV:

"Sir, if I may," I said looking at Talon. As he bowed his head I looked at Ash, "last night I started to shift, but it was different. It was a much shorter time frame but more intense. I think it has to do with Raven being my mate, at least Ares believes it does." Ash looked intently at me trying to coordinate his thoughts, "so last night, was your shift before or after you mated?" Raven chimed in, "he shifted first, it's what confused me. Do you think his body knew I was there and we were close to mating so it was changing? Whereas maybe tonight he'll actually be able to shift? Or what could happen if I were to mark him?" Raven looked at me and smirked with a raised eyebrow, "maybe tonight I can bite you and then you'll go all wolfy." I could see Ash holding back trying not to laugh, Freya and Sarafina giggled but Talon wasn't impressed hearing that from his daughter. "Raven that is enough. Save that talk for when I'm not sitting next to you. Good God child," he sneered at her. Ash cleared his throat and composed himself, "well lucky for you we're not even sure she has to do anything. A mark given to your mate is done by our saliva, it changes the skin and forms the unique design. I don't believe Raven would possess that type of magic per say being human." I looked at Ash and said, "Well," then looking at Sarafina I paused to get consent to tell Ash the truth. "It's ok Malik, let me tell him," Sarafina interrupted, "but this information goes no where but this table, is that understood Ash?" Ash looked slightly shocked and taken back that this was going to be information so important to keep secret that it was to stay at this table. "Yes of course first lady, none of this information moves outside this room," Ash nodded. "I come from a long line of Fae, except now, our magic is becoming far less effective. For generations before me, my ancestors have bred with humans. Therefore, causing our offspring to be hybrid, that of Fae and human. Our magic seems to disappear more with each generation that produces a hybrid child. I still possess some power, nothing of much use but it's there. We've yet to see if Raven possesses anything but I believe it's why she was fated with Malik. Maybe this was all the moon goddesses plan knowing Malik would need an equal by his side and not a feeble human." Talon gasped and threw his hand to his heart, "I feel attacked by that. There's nothing feeble about me." Sarafina rolled her eyes and laughed, we all laughed. "Ash, darling, you know what I mean right? At least you see what I mean about the feebleness," she laughed as she nodded her head towards Talon. "Ok that's enough woman. You don't like anything feeble and have no complaints" "NO DAD, just no," Raven yelled. "Lets not go there and just say we did okay. Gross." Raven shook her head and shattered the image she had in her head. "It's always gotta come back to something like that yet I'm the nasty one who just wants to" Talon quickly held up his hand, "Nope, conversation over," he said. "Lets get back to why we're here. Ash, do you understand what my wife just told you?" Ash looked at Talon and shook his head, "that kind of changes everything Sir, possibly for the better." We all sat in silence for a moment, thoughts racing threw our heads. "I apologize sir but, maybe Raven could try to mark me," I said looking gently at Raven. She was so beautiful and I was more than blessed to have her smiling back at me. "Maybe if she did it before I started to shift, it would break whatever is going on and I could actually fully transform." Raven smiled and said with a smirk, "and I'm not against doing what needs to be done my dear mate." She ran her hand down my arm and intertwined her fingers with mine. Freya stood up slowly glancing at each of us, "I think it doesn't hurt to try but more importantly, Malik my boy, I think we need to make a trip to the Midnight Shadow Pack. Maybe our answers await for us with others who have red eyes. Maybe they'll know something." She looked at Sarafina, "or, if the trip is too long, do you possibly have a messenger that can be sent? One to speak with the King of Malik's situation and see if it's worth us making the journey?" When no one answered right away, Freya sat back down and sighed. "Mom, I think going there is a great idea and I agree the trip is long. It should be just Raven and I then. We can make the journey, consider it our first adventure, and if anything is found we will call for you. You have responsibilities back on our territory and Ash has a family. Raven and I, we just have time." "Absolutely NOT," Talon shouted as his fist hit the table. "There are unknown threats beyond these walls that I will not allow my daughter to come in contact with. There is no plan that can account for everything that may come to harm you. Going alone is absurd and I won't allow it. Tough talk is one thing but what is needed is tough fighting, and you Malik aren't able to shift to protect Raven." Sarafina gently rubbed the top of his hand with hers, "my love, I know you're scared but our baby girl isn't so baby anymore. She's trained with the best of our soldiers and she's incredibly smart. Malik may not shift completely but that doesn't take away from his protectiveness over her. I fully believe that he would die fighting to save her, therefore I trust him to bring her back to us." Talon sat frozen, holding eye contact with me so I didn't falter. "Sir, there is nothing in this world right now more important than Raven. I would choose her over everything, including finding the truth. If you are that concerned for her safety than I will not put her in that situation," I said, turning to look at Raven. "No Malik," Raven whispered as she turned to face her father. "Father please try to understand this because I mean no disrespect. This is important to Malik thus it's important to me and I will support him till my last day. As Mother said, I've trained with the best and I have what most savages don't, I have common sense and knowledge. I must do this for him, for both of us, we will do this." Raven squeezed my hand and sat up straight, looking into her fathers eyes, "and please, never again belittle Malik as if he can't protect me. I am completely aware that he will shield me from anything and I will never have to worry, but I will also do the same for him. That's what it's about right? Being a team and defeating any obstacles that block our way?" She was matter of fact and to the point as she spoke. This woman was more than amazing and quite adorable thinking she will ever get the chance to be put in harms way to protect me. "Well, I see you've made up your mind princess and you are right, I apologize Malik for what I said. I do realize that it is now my turn to let you always put her first instead of me. I'm entrusting you with my only daughter Malik, do not take this as a threat but, you better return with her unharmed, do you understand?" Talon commanded. The others in the room looked down yet I wasn't phased by his command nor his aura. Only out of pure respect for him did I nod and say, "yes sir of course. She is my priority now and I will never leave her side. If we find anything we will call for you otherwise we will journey back here to the mansion." Everyone stood up as Sarafina clapped her hands, "well it's settled then. Lets rest tonight and you both can head out tomorrow morning. Ash, are you able to sit with me for another moment? I'd like to make a list for them to bring with information that we've found so they have something to show the King." Ash looked at me and hugged me tightly, "good night brother, I wish you nothing but the best on your journey and I'll await for your word once you're back. Be careful but enjoy your time with Raven." For now, Raven and I will begin to pack for our journey and prepare for my shift tonight. Lets hope all goes well tonight.