LOGINRUNEThe silence in the Oxen stronghold wasn’t peaceful anymore, neither was the silence in my head. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat…not as much as I needed to anyways.The toll of it all scraped at the edges of my mind like claws on stone. How could Raven move on from everything we'd once shared because of one mistake I made?Outside, the still falling snow clung to the eaves of the hall, melting in thin, reluctant drips. It made me suddenly wish that the fire in my chamber wasn't burning too bright, too hot. I wanted to feel the cold. Perhaps it'd calm my wolf a bit.But just as quick as the thought of stepping outside and letting the snow rain down on me, formed, it disappeared, as a wave of sadness rushed through me.The bond, it was growing weaker by the day and not just because of the distance between Raven and I.“Raven,” I murmured, sounding helpless even to myself.I closed my eyes and reached for the throbbing pulse again desperately.There was nothing, it was almost like i
RAVENA sharp, chilly wind whipped through the clearing, spreading through Blood Nest in strong ripples.Logan was already waiting on the training field when I arrived. Barefoot, sleeves rolled to his elbows…exposing strong, corded arms, his hair damp from the morning mist. I took a moment to assess his easy stance, a small smile tugging on my lips as I shifted on my feet.He turned to face me then, stealing my breath away when our eyes met.“Back for another beating, Milady?” he teased.I rolled my shoulders, stretching the stiffness from my arms. “What do you mean by ‘another beating’? I wiped the floor with you last time.”Logan's brows shot up as amusement danced across his features. “Is that a hill you're willing to die on?”“Cut the speech and come at me.”He chuckled, that low, easy sound that somehow always found its way under my skin, and lingering like the aftertaste of something sweet. “You really think you can beat me?”“Think?” I lunged before he could finish, claws ha
LILA'S POVI'd only been to Varek’s shrine twice, but the air reeked of the same sulphur and blood as I strutted through the darkened entryway.Candles crowded the stone floor in a spiral, their wax dripping into bowls of salt and crushed herbs. Every flame bowed when I entered, as if recognizing the monster I’d become.The cult's acolytes were kneeling, as always, their shaved heads bowed, mouths moving in that low hum that sent a wave of unending goosebumps covering my skin, making the walls vibrate in response. In the center of the spiral, Varek reclined on the steps of his altar, robes spilling around him like spilled ink. His smile met me before his eyes did.“Lila,” he purred, voice a velvet drawl that slid under my skin. “Tell me, milady, should I be flattered or frightened by this visit of yours?”“The boy you sent to Blood Nest was vanquished by Rune.” I gritted out. “You should be ashamed, Varek.”“You should be careful with your words,” he replied warningly.But I kept
RAVEN"Lady Raven?” A tiny, female voice called after the short knock on my door. “I have a letter for you.”I stood up and immediately hurried towards the door before she could knock again and wake the baby.“Thank you…” I muttered, staring at the serving girl imploring.She smiled, curtseying slightly. “Julie, Milady.”I nodded, accepting the letter from her. “Thank you, Julie.”Another curtsey, then she turned and scurried away.The letter was wrapped in pale blue ribbon, smelling faintly of lilac and smoke.My heart immediately knew who it came from before I even unsealed unsealed it.Aunt Seraphine’s handwriting danced across the page in neat, looping strokes, steady and bold as her voice had always been.‘My dearest Raven,I’ve heard words about the unrest near the Oxen border, and I know what your heart must be worried. But I ask you to hold steady a while longer. MoonFyre isn’t safe right now either for you nor the little ones. The council here is also divided and thirsty for
RAVEN'S POV The morning wind stung the inside of my nose, making me sniffle as I rubbed my palms together for warmth, then crouched.The clearing stretched ahead, pale with mist, the air still damp from last night’s rain. I rolled my shoulders, feeling my muscles stretch and complain slightly.It had been a long time since I’d done this, I was almost afraid to try.My wolf stirred, impatient as she whispered just how strong we were together.I smiled at that. “We sure are,” I murmured, gripping the practice staff. “I just need to find my balance…”The first swing cut through the air. The second steadied my pulse. By the tenth swing, I could almost pretend all those months without practice had done nothing to my throbbing muscles.“Should I be worried?”Logan’s voice slid through the mist, low and amused and I promptly turned towards it, a small smile already on my face.He was leaning against a tree, arms crossed, watching me with a lazy interest that sent a warm buzz through me.W
LILA’S POV The council chamber was meant for secrets.But secrets had a way of slipping through cracks, and I had always had enough patience for an army.I stood just beyond the door, pressed against the stone wall, taking deep silent breaths to keep my heartbeat steady. The low growl of male voices carried through the narrow gap.Rune’s council of elders was in full revolt, panicking and ripping into him, to my greatest pleasure of course.“You would start a war,” one of them thundered, “over a woman who abandoned you?”“She didn’t abandon me,” Rune’s voice cut back, low and dangerous.“Then where is she?” another elder demanded. “You claim she lives, but no one has seen proof! You will lead Oxen into ruin chasing ghosts!”“She lives! I've seen her!”“Then where is she?!” More than one voice asked in unison.I smiled faintly in the shadows. This was like music to my ears.Tilting my head, I listened closer as Rune rose from his sea, the scrape of his chair loud enough to echo throug







