Page 5

CHAPTER 5

Raven

The restaurant Alex drags me to isn’t anything fancy—just one of those chain places with sticky tables and servers who look like they’re counting the seconds until their shift ends. But the atmosphere feels charged, like it’s holding its breath. The Titans are already here, spread out at a couple of booths in the back, their laughter loud enough to shake the walls.

“Just... relax, okay?” Alex whispers to me as we approach. His fingers twitch nervously at his sides, and I can feel the tension rolling off him in waves. “They’re good guys. Mostly.”

“Mostly?” I raise an eyebrow, but keep my tone teasing. He’s already stressed enough without me adding to it.

When we reach the group, the laughter dies down just a notch. The guys greet Alex with a mix of nods and half-smirks, like they’re sizing him up and already finding him wanting. And then there’s Malakai.

He’s sitting in a way that instantly implies dominance, one arm draped lazily over the back of the booth, his green eyes cutting through the dim light like lasers. He doesn’t smile, doesn’t move, just watches as we approach. His presence is magnetic, pulling all the air out of the room and leaving me a little breathless.

“Callahan,” Malakai says, his voice low and smooth, like he knows everyone will shut up just to hear him speak. “You brought the girl.”

“The girl has a name,” I blurt before I can stop myself, my cheeks flushing immediately.

His lips twitch, the faintest hint of a smirk, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he leans back, his eyes flicking over me like he’s cataloging every detail. I suddenly feel hyperaware of everything—my hair, my outfit, the way I’m gripping Alex’s arm just a little too tight.

“This is Raven,” Alex says quickly, his voice a little too loud. “My girlfriend.”

Malakai nods slowly, still looking at me. “Raven.”

The way he says my name sends a shiver down my spine, but I force a smile and look away, pretending to be fascinated by the sticky menu on the table.

We slide into the booth opposite Malakai, and Alex immediately starts chatting with the guys, trying to insert himself into their conversation. I stay quiet, letting the hum of their voices wash over me as I sneak glances at Malakai. He’s got this way of sitting—completely relaxed but somehow still commanding. Like he doesn’t need to try to dominate the room; it just happens naturally.

I hate how drawn I am to it. To him .

“So, Raven,” Malakai says suddenly, and I snap my head up to find him staring at me. “What’s it like, dating a guy like Callahan?”

I blink, caught off guard. “Uh, it’s... nice?”

He raises an eyebrow like he doesn’t believe me, and I can feel my cheeks heating up again.

“He’s a good guy,” I add, my voice a little stronger this time. “He works hard. He cares about people.”

“Does he?” Malakai leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Interesting.”

Alex laughs nervously, clearly picking up on the tension. “Come on, man. Don’t scare her off.”

“I’m just making conversation,” Malakai says, his gaze never leaving mine. “She seems... interesting.”

I swallow hard, forcing myself to meet his eyes even though it feels like stepping into a lion’s den. “You seem like you’re used to getting what you want.”

The corner of his mouth quirks up, just a fraction, and it’s infuriatingly attractive. “I usually do.”

Alex jumps in again, desperate to steer the conversation away from whatever this is. “So, uh, what’s the plan for tomorrow’s practice? Anything specific I should work on?”

Malakai leans back again, his eyes still on me. “Keep up. That’s all that matters.”

The other guys laugh, and Alex’s smile falters for just a second before he recovers. He orders food for both of us, looking more flustered than ever. I don't know what's up with him, but it doesn't seem to be just about being jittery.

While my mind runs its rhymes, my eyes dart back to Malakai, who I see is nodding subtly to Nate, his second-in-command.

"Hey Callahan, got something to show you," Nate says, signaling Alex to follow him outside the restaurant. Alex gives me a confused look that shows he doesn't really know what they are up to, before following Nate like a scared mouse scurrying away from a cat. The dangerous feline in this scenario is Malakai, of course. Or wait, wolf suits him better. What the hell am I even thinking?!

"So, now that your boyfriend's not in the picture, let me ask you again: Why are you with him?"

"Seriously? Why shouldn't I be with him?" I snap. Malakai is getting on my nerves now, even though those piercing eyes are attacking my senses.

He laughs. "I think you know that," he adds conspiratorially. "Tell me, what do you like to do when you're not following your boyfriend around?"

That pisses me off. He says it as if my existence depends on being Alex's girlfriend. Of course it's not true. But the way I'm trying to convince myself how untrue it is hints at the fact that it might not be so untrue after all. Malakai flashes a crooked grin.

Before I can respond, though, Alex and Nate return, Alex looking more tense and Nate suspiciously smug. The food arrives almost immediately, and the conversation shifts to hockey and protein shakes. Malakai doesn't seem to be invested in the small talk; his eyes wander between me and Alex, as if he's not done sizing us up.

Alex ends up covering not just our bill, but half the team’s, too. The guys pile on beers and appetizers like they’re trying to bankrupt him, and he doesn’t say a word, just keeps swiping his card and smiling like it doesn’t sting.

It does, though. I can see it in the way his shoulders tense every time the waiter brings another round.

As the night drags on, I try to focus on Alex, to remind myself why I’m here, but my attention keeps drifting back to Malakai. The way he moves, the way he speaks—it’s like he’s carved out of stone, all sharp edges and quiet strength. And the worst part? He knows exactly what kind of effect he has on people.

“You’re quiet,” he says to me at one point, his voice low enough that only I can hear it. “Not used to that from someone sitting at my table.”

“I’m just soaking it all in,” I reply, keeping my tone light. “You guys are... a lot.”

He chuckles, but not in his usual way. It sounds darker. “We are. But I think you can handle it.”

There’s something in the way he says it, something that feels like a challenge, and I hate how much I want to rise to it. But I can’t. Not here, not with Alex sitting right next to me.

When the check finally comes, Alex pulls out his card again without complaint, even though I can feel the strain radiating off him. Malakai watches him with a faint smirk, like he’s enjoying the show, and it takes everything in me not to snap at him.

“Ready to head out?” Alex finally asks me, his smile tight but genuine.

“Yeah,” I say, sliding out of the booth and grabbing my coat. “Thanks for inviting us.”

Malakai doesn’t respond, just watches me as I stand, his eyes burning into me like a brand. I force myself to look away, to focus on Alex, but the weight of Malakai’s gaze lingers long after we leave the restaurant.

As Alex chatters on about how well the night went, I can’t shake the feeling that something shifted tonight. Something I don’t understand yet, but that I’m pretty sure I’m not ready for.

Alex’s dorm room is surprisingly cozy for a guy who lives like a hurricane. The walls are lined with hockey posters, his bed is unmade, and there’s a pile of laundry in the corner that I’m trying very hard to ignore. But it smells like him—clean, warm, a little woodsy—and that’s enough to make it feel like a safe space.

I’m sprawled out on his bed, flipping through one of my textbooks while he paces the room. He’s been jittery all day, fidgeting with his phone and muttering about practice.

“You’re going to wear a hole in the carpet,” I tease, glancing up at him.

“Huh?” He stops mid-step and looks at me like he forgot I was even here.

I close the book and sit up, patting the spot next to me. “What’s going on with you? You’ve been acting like a caffeinated squirrel. Ever since dinner the other night, you've been off.”

“I’m fine,” he says quickly, but the way his jaw tightens tells a different story.

“Alex,” I say, softening my tone. “Talk to me.”

He hesitates, running a hand through his hair. “It’s just... a lot, you know? Between classes, practice, and trying to make a good impression with The Pantheon... it’s a lot of pressure.”

I reach out and grab his hand, pulling him down to sit beside me. “You don’t have to carry all of this on your own. I’m here, okay? Whatever you need.”

His shoulders relax just a little, and he squeezes my hand. “Thanks, Raven. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Before I can respond, his phone buzzes on the nightstand. He snatches it up, and I can see the change in his expression immediately. The tension in his jaw returns, and his eyes dart across the screen as he reads the message.

“What is it?” I ask, leaning closer.

“It’s... nothing.” But the way he shoves the phone back into his pocket says otherwise.

“Alex.” I raise an eyebrow, giving him my best don’t-even-try-to-hide-it look.

He sighs, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “It’s from Malakai.”

The name sends a ripple of unease through me. “What does he want?”

Alex hesitates, his fingers drumming on his leg. “He says... if I want to join The Pantheon, I have to make a sacrifice.”

The word hangs in the air between us, heavy and ominous. “What kind of sacrifice?” I ask, my stomach twisting.

“I don’t know. He told me to meet him to find out.”

Something about this feels all kinds of wrong. “Alex, are you sure about this? About them?”

He looks at me, and for a moment, I see the cracks in his confidence. “This is my shot, Raven. If I don’t do this, I’ll never get the opportunities I need to make it big. You understand that, right?”

I want to argue, to tell him that he doesn’t need the Pantheon, that he’s talented enough to make it on his own. But I know how much this means to him, how much he’s sacrificed already to chase his dream. So instead, I swallow my doubts and nod. “Yeah. I get it.”

He leans over and kisses my forehead. “You’re the best. I’ll go meet Malakai and figure out what’s going on. It’s probably just some symbolic thing, like pledging loyalty or whatever.”

I force a smile, but the knot in my stomach doesn’t loosen. It can't be that simple, can it?

“Just... be careful, okay?”

“I will,” he promises, standing and grabbing his jacket. “I’ll text you later.”

I watch him leave, the door clicking shut behind him. For a long time, I just sit there, staring at the spot where he sat before. Something about this feels off—more than off. It feels dangerous.

And the worst part? I can’t shake the image of Malakai’s piercing green eyes, the way they seemed to see right through me. Whatever this sacrifice is, I have a feeling it’s not just about Alex.

It’s about both of us.