Raphael's POV
Weirdly, as I am placing her on my bed, her eyes shoot open, pushing me away from her with all her might. I release the breath I've been holding for a long time. “Don't you dare come near me. I won't let you hurt me again.” She shouts, picking up a screwdriver which was lying on the bedside table. She seems to be in a daze so I take a step back, holding my hands forward in surrender. “Who are you.” She demands her eyes widening in fear and shock, tears escape her eyes as, she looks around my room. The screwdriver still held firmly in her tiny hands pointing it towards me. “Please don't harm me, I've had enough. Please stop.” She begs a drop of tear escaping from her puffy eyes. She must have been crying even before this. I wonder what happened to her, I've never really been concerned with other people's lives but seeing her like this, pulls something in me. It's strange but I want to protect her. I feel a tight lump in my throat at the realization that someone had been hurting her. I can't truly explain what I'm feeling. I try as hard not to show any emotion. Instead, I let out a little laugh. “How can I harm you when you are the one with the weapon here?" I say, smiling hoping to reduce her tension. I hope she can trust that I won't harm her. Her wide eyes wander around again down her body, she widens them even more when she sees my jacket on her. It is barely covering her butt from behind, I've never lost my cool, I've always been so composed, but today I wavered a little, my eyes kept wanting to stare at her naked body. I felt like a pervert, I try so hard, so I focus on her face instead. She starts walking away from me, towards the main door, before running out, she throws the screwdriver back and runs away. I try to run after her but to my surprise she hasn't left any scent behind. It's so strange, a wolf without a scent? I'm glad she is okay now but I hope to see her again. She seems like a badass. I didn't even get to know her name. Beatrice's POV I can't overstay my welcome, he helped me, but that was it, I can't ask for more because I don't deserve it. I'm a nobody, I'm grateful he helped me, but I'm also afraid what if he turns out to be like Mason. What if he hurts me? I can't take it. For some reason, though, I feel pumped up to live my life again. Maybe something good might come out of it. The moment I opened my eyes, I met His warm hazel eyes flecked with green and gold, filled genuine concern for me. His brows were slightly furrowed, but his expression so soft. "You're awake," he said, his tone both soothing and steady. I felt like someone other Maria the maid who raised me had genuine care for me. Part of me was delighted, but the sacred part won. With my quick reflexes, I picked the screwdriver lying on the table and pointed it to him. He didn't even flinch, instead he smiled, something that amused me. Was it because he thought I looked ridiculous ? I mean he stood there all tall and confident. His jawline strong and well-defined, His skin smooth with a healthy, sun-kissed glow, hinting at time spent outdoors. Even in the dark, he looks radiant. I've always thought that Mason was gorgeous, but damn, this man right here is all there is. His hair, a rich chestnut brown with subtle golden highlights, is slightly tousled, as if he’s just run his fingers through it. It falls naturally in soft waves that frame his face perfectly. His nose is straight, his cheekbones high and sharp, giving his face an elegant symmetry. When he smiles : a rare, genuine smile, it lights up his whole face, creating dimples on his cheeks and making his eyes sparkle. His physique is athletic yet lean, broad shoulders tapering into a trim waist, suggesting both strength and grace. There’s an air of quiet confidence about him, as if he’s comfortable in his own skin but doesn’t feel the need to boast. I run out, thinking that he would come after me, I let Nian take over, and I run back to the mansion through the kitchen exit and quietly head to the storeroom. Unfortunately, I find it closed. In my wolf form, I'm trapped, I have no clothes, and I can't access my clothes either. Shit, what do I do? Oh right, the laundry room. Good thing it's in the opposite wing of the mansion, the party is still happening, so it won't raise any suspicion if someone sees me by mistake. But I prefer if I lie low. I hate being in the limelight because all it causes me is pain. Nian tiptoes because I can't really transform, I've shown enough skin tonight, I mean that guy clearly saw me naked, I'm just glad he didn't do anything to hint that, and I had to pretend, but It was so embarrassing. I hope I find some clothes in there because…. Nian pushes the door slowly, and it screeches open, but to my surprise, I'm not alone in here. I feel someone's presence, and not just one person. The door suddenly closes, and before I know it, I'm standing before two people, a gorgeous woman and a huge man. Nian recoils, but since the room is tiny, we hit the wall. “Show your real self.” She orders, glaring at me. “ Don't make me repeat myself, okay, tiny wolf." She smirks. “Don't make me hurt you, little wolf.” His voice almost shakes up the whole room. And the female giggles. I've never moved around freely around the pack, so I don't really know who they are. Nian lets me take over, “Jeez you are ugly.” It's the first comment I get from the guy and the girl giggles again. “What should we do to her babe, I mean, what if she tells Mason about us?” The girl asks. I shake my head, I try to form words but the guy is too scary. He has a scar on his face, across his cheek, which makes him even more scary. I don't want to die. “Don't worry, she is just a nobody, my gorgeous Zahra.” He smiles, kissing her, as he turns to look at me, his face hinting danger. Chills run down my spine as he takes a step towards me. Today may be my last day because death seems to follow me everywhere I go.Raven’s POV The storm hasn’t left me since I woke up. It lives under my skin, restless, whispering, reminding me that I am no longer who I once was. The maroon streaks in my hair fall into my eyes as I brush them back, and even the smallest movement crackles with strange energy. I feel… whole and fractured at once. Raphael notices everything. His eyes linger on me too long, as if he’s proud of what I’ve become. As if I’ve become exactly what he and my parents wanted. Sometimes, I hate the way he looks at me. Sometimes, it thrills me. That morning, he clasps my wrist as we step into the corridors of the Nadine-west mansion. His hand is warm, firm, but it feels like chains even though he holds me gently. “Today is important,” he says, his tone too calm, too confident. “Mason will see what he lost. He’ll regret every decision he ever made that didn’t include you.” I hesitate. “Why Mason?” Raphael leans closer, his lips almost brushing my ear. His voice is velvet, but it coil
Caleb's POV The run back to Blood-Howl nearly tears me apart. Fenric howls the entire way, a sound that rattles in my bones, sharp and desperate. The rhythm of his paws striking the earth is uneven, like even he can’t decide if he wants to keep moving forward or turn back to her. Every mile feels like betrayal, every breath like fire. When the familiar treeline rises in the distance, I nearly stumble. The scent of home, pine, smoke, the faint musk of wolves, rushes into me, but it feels wrong, like I don’t belong here anymore. My wolf quiets only for a moment, then lets out another mournful sound that echoes inside me. 'We left her.' “I know.” 'We should go back.' “I can’t.” 'She’s ours.' “She doesn’t remember us.” I say. Silence falls after that, but it’s not peace. Fenric retreats to the edges of my mind, pacing endlessly, growling low, a beast in a cage. Duty, that’s all I have left. The days blur together in a haze of sweat, steel, and commands. I train t
Caleb’s POV Her voice cuts through me like a blade. “Why does it hurt to see you like this?” For a second, I think I’ve imagined it. That my grief has finally twisted into madness, whispering her voice into my ears to torment me. But then I lift my head, and she’s there. She stands only a few feet away, the damp strands of her hair clinging to her face, Raphael’s shirt hanging loose on her body. The sight rips through me like claws. It should be my shirt on her. She should be in my arms, where she belongs. But she’s here, looking at me, her voice soft, confused… and she doesn’t remember. My chest constricts and my throat tightens so badly I can barely breathe. “Raven…” Her name scrapes out of me in a broken whisper. Just saying it nearly undoes me. I have never loved a woman as I love her, and I think I’m being punished for all the hearts I broke. I never imagined it could be this painful. She tilts her head, studying me, her eyes glistening with uncertainty, but I see i
Raven’s POV I open my eyes again, and this time only one of them is left, Raphael. I look around, scanning the room, and my chest tightens when I realize Caleb isn’t here. “Where’s Caleb?” I ask, pushing myself up slowly. I feel more like myself now, more grounded, but something inside me feels… off, like a part of me has been ripped away, torn from my soul and left bleeding in a place I can’t reach. Raphael’s head snaps toward me, his jaw clenching. He lets out a sharp laugh that doesn’t reach his eyes. “What, that moron? You wake up and ask about him? Wow… just wow.” He paces the room, his tone laced with bitterness. “I’m sorry,” I murmur, though the apology feels hollow on my tongue. “I just wanted to ask since... since he was here a while ago.” My voice cracks, and I don’t even know why I care so much. I don’t understand what he means to me, only that the question tore itself out of me before I could stop it. Raphael stops pacing and sighs. His shoulders drop slightly,
Raven’s POV Darkness clings to me like wet ash. I float in it, half-dreaming, half-drowning, voices murmur at the edges, distorted, pulling at me. Then comes the pain. It cuts through the fog, sharp and merciless, dragging me toward consciousness. My body is heavy, my chest tight, as if something is crushing me from the inside. I fight for breath, and every inhale feels like tearing through smoke. Then I feel warmth, a hand, rough, trembling, clutching mine as though I might slip away forever if he lets go. My lashes flutter, and light sears into my vision. I wince, but the grip tightens, a voice cracking through the haze. “Raven? Please, come back to me.” the words anchor me, though the voice… the voice is a stranger’s. My eyes adjust slowly, a ceiling I don’t know, walls painted in shadows, the faint scent of pinewood, smoke, and something richer, like earth after a storm. Then I see faces. One kneeling at my side, his dark hair falls forward, his eyes wide, desperate, ri
Caleb’s POV Fenric my wolf runs like a storm unchained. The ground is a blur beneath us, each stride pounding like a drumbeat of desperation. My wolf doesn’t slow, doesn’t falter, his only thought is her, our Raven. His voice is a growl in my head, frantic, clawing at me. My own heart mirrors it, slamming against my ribs until I can’t breathe. Every shadow we pass looks like a memory of her, her smile, her laugh, the way her eyes found me in a crowd whenever we are training. Her gaze that speaks volumes. By the time Nadine-west’s outskirts rise ahead, Fenric’s rage and grief bleed into mine. I shift mid-sprint, bones snapping, fur ripping away, leaving me trembling and human in the night air. The shift steals my breath, leaves me gasping and bare. I stagger to the village edge where spare clothes are always left for wolves returning from runs. My hands shake so violently it takes me three tries to pull the trousers up, fumbling like a child. I drag a shirt over my head, b