The world was a cold and dreadful place. She had witnessed how mankind was so easy to brutally turn against their own. Raven was aware that the way she was treated by her family was wrong, but she knew there was nothing she could possibly do. She was not embraced in such a loving way by her own parents. Rather she felt the continuous tormenting assaults that slowly broke down the little girl into nothing more than a hollow shell of what could have been. As a daughter of an Alpha she should naturally be instilled with confidence, but there was barely a tiny piece left of it that was constantly fading away. Being tortured and abused slowly shaped the woman into a broken and shattered soul. By no means would one believe that she was capable of believing that it was possible for there to be good in other people. However, each night when she was wide awake, far too much in pain to sleep, she would lie there thinking, praying for something good to happen. It was childish, but when she saw a shooting star at night she made a wish, thinking that maybe one day, just one day something good would happen to her. Sure enough, it did. Not only did she get a chance to finally belong and be accepted to a pack, but she was blessed to find a mate. By no means was he perfect, she didn't consider herself perfect either, but he accepted her and wanted her. For a girl that was always unwanted in her life, being wanted actually meant something! Tobias was the first individual that actually accepted her company, always accepting her presence, and never...never hurting her. Not once did he raise his voice at her, not once did he raise a hand or a claw at her. He accepted her for as she is just as she accepted him for as he was, as they both were.

If she wouldn't have been beaten into submission perhaps she wouldn't be as subservient as she is. Raven truly believed she wasn't worth anything. After all she was constantly told that by the very people who should have loved her and supported her. She didn't grow up in a loving or a caring environment that nurtured her to be something strong. Instead she was mistreated and beaten down into believing she was nothing, and that no one would ever see her in any other light. Oh, but how she wished for someone to see her, just for her, and see that she had some worth. Why else would she do everything she possibly could for her pack mates? Instead of volunteering to do any of the necessary chores she would just do them without any questions asked. She cooked and prepared their meals, first out of needing to find a role, shifting towards a need to show she cared for them. Not spending time with her own Father before, she was willing to bond with her Alpha first by helping him with his business, and slowly the two of them found their relationship to be a good one â€" a member and an Alpha, a sister and brother-in-law. Even with Nadya, although unable to be with the cubs, she would do the laundry or ensure their food was always well stocked, even purchasing child age appropriate toys. Raven by no means saw herself as the glue keeping the pack together, she just saw her role as serving her pack, at first because it was a necessity, but it had slowly evolved into love.

With a soft sigh she shook her head when Tobias explained that it was a 'long-term' loan. Indeed it was a long-term loan, one that would never be paid. She was, by no means, a saint either. She committed her own sins in the past. So that her Alpha and her mate would go about an annually steal, well, that wasn't so bad. Of course if that was the only bad thing they did then that was fairly good. Raven had no idea what other business Tetradore had been running or any other mischief he and her mate got into. Maybe it was best Raven didn't attempt to tear through this other life that her green-eyed Alpha led. Maybe it was for the best, after all, he was a very private man and both respected each other's privacy. Seeing the flashes of the cameras and the numerous well-dressed men and women flaunting about reminded Raven that they didn't belong here. They were the riff-raff. There was absolutely nothing wrong being with the riff-raff, but she knew all those people would see through their facades. What would happen if they were caught? Tobias appeared like he belonged, but she knew that everyone would notice she didn't belong, after all, the flaws marked into her skin was noticeable enough. Never before did she hear her moniker be spoken in such a warm, loving tone, her dial would raise slightly when his finger was under her chin tilting it upwards, anxious blue-grey eyes looked into that darkened golden gaze. A somber and sadden look would slowly begin to etch on her face as he spoke, feeling guilty and dejected all the same, for upsetting him. Gently her hand would squeeze his own, as her free hand gently rested against the side of his face, tenderly. Softly she murmured her response hoping he would see.

"I wasn't raised to believe that...I was raised to believe that I was worth nothing. It was beaten into me since I was a little girl. I am sorry that I upset you, but you should know you hold a lot of worth too."

Gently she kisses him on the lips, staying there for a moment, before slowly letting go. He needed to know that he was worthy to accept all that was good in this world too. Whether he was his other half or he was himself, all parts of him deserved it. It wasn't fair what Fate had done to them. Fate had tortured them endlessly, but it would seem that Fate gave them each other, and in the end they should be grateful for that. Life was short and fleeting, the death of their Alpha was a clear show of that. How could he not see that the woman that appeared so 'put together' was barely hanging on. By no means was she someone that had everything settled. She was an anxious creature and worried that all of this was a dream, that no longer would she be within her pack or have Tobias as her mate. It was a fear she had, oh so much fear that one day she would be kicked out and Tobias wouldn't want her anymore. Obediently she walked beside her mate, stumbling slightly in her heels, but when they made it closer to the red carpet she got better. Her hand squeezed his, relying on his strength, he was her rock, her everything, and she was sure that he would help her get through this. She noticed how all eyes were upon them and already she could feel them staring at her and her scars, but she kept her dial up trying to so hard to ignore them, keeping her walking steady beside her mate. When he stopped and gestured to the cameras, she placed herself at his side and gave a soft smile, keeping her eyes open as the cameras flashed away. Once they were done she allowed Tobias to wheel them away, a sad simper on her face when he spoke their Alpha's name. As they headed for their table she murmured softly to him.

"Every time we say his name or think it..."

It was difficult to think about Tetradore, let alone, even say his name. She had gotten better at seeing his name over and over again on the paperwork. Before then she would cry, but now she got better at it. Blue-grey eyes scanned the well decorated warehouse. The bright lights, the well set up tables, and the people were far too grand, she was sure they stuck out like a sore thumb. Once again as they passed the other guests she noticed how the stared, and she would lean into him, trying so hard to ignore them all. As they sat in their designated seats, she graciously took the flute of champagne, setting it upon the table. By scent alone the smell of the champagne didn't seem good. She would let go of his hand, as she continued looking around finding it all, well, extremely different. How in the world did Tetradore and Tobias manage to be in such an extravagant gala without being noticed? Even under Tetradore's watchful emerald eyes, Tobias could still be a bit...mischief. Her hand would pull some of her golden-brown curls out from her eyes as she looked over to her well-dressed mate, leaning into him gently to speak.

"It seems quite wonderful, like one of those movies that show the rich at their parties. I can't believe he would take you. How did you two do it without being noticed, I mean you are quite the showman. Where is the obstacle he wanted me to do, I do not see it."