LOGINDraven pov
They call me the Ruthless Rogue Alpha King.
The Butcher,
The Devil of the Rogue Kingdom's
The monster who laughs while kingdoms burn If only they knew the truth that monsters don't remember every innocent soul they've failed to save.
Monsters don't wake in the middle of the night hearing the screams of women they couldn't protect and monsters certainly don't pray for death.
I do, Every single day.
The wind howled beyond the towering windows of Blackthorn Keep as I stood overlooking my kingdom.
Thousands of lights flickered below, scattered across the Rogue Territory.
How long will I protect them?
They had no idea I was the greatest threat they would ever face.
"Your father grows weaker." The voice slithered through my mind Ancient and Cruel, The beast it self.
"Soon his heartbeat will cease..and when it does the blessing dies with him." My jaw tightened.
"I know." As a low laugh echoed inside my skull.
"Do you?"
"Then why do you hesitate?" Pain exploded beneath my ribs my fingers curled against the cold stone windowsill until cracks spread through the marble as Black veins crawled beneath my skin as every breath felt like swallowing shattered glass.
The curse was reminding me who held the power as it crushed my bones from inside.
"A Luna......Bring me a Luna."
"The kingdom demands a queen and Your dying father demands an heir and I..." The voice lowered into something almost pleased.
"I demand blood "
I shut my eyes, For generations, the Rogue bloodline had carried this curse bonded to their souls as every king before me had obeyed, had sacrificed but I refused.
For years, I had refused as the curse answered with suffering.
Every act of defiance came with a price my people had to pay instead of me and that was the cruelest part. It never punished only me.
"You grow weak, little king."
"I am not your king."
"No..." It laughed.
"You are merely my vessel....." A sharp knock interrupted the silence.
"My King." Kael's voice carried through the chamber doors.
"The girl has arrived." The pain beneath my skin eased as Simply retreated. The curse became strangely quiet.
"What is that scent?" I frowned even before the doors opened...
Sunflowers and Fresh rain.It didn't belong inside a fortress built on blood.
"I dislike it."
"So do I." That was a lie because something about it made the constant pressure inside my head ease only slightly but enough for me to notice.
The doors opened as Footsteps echoed across the chamber floor.
I didn't turn.
"Leave us." Kael hesitated only a second before bowing as the doors closed behind her the Silence settled between us.
I could hear the tremble in her breathing, The rapid beat of her heart as if fear kept people alive.
"What is your name?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the kingdom beyond the window.
"Ashina Crawford." Her voice was softer than I expected.
"I expect you to be afraid of me?" A brief silence.
"Should I be?" The corner of my mouth almost moved because everyone who entered this room either begged or lied.
I slowly turned as my Silver met hers as she looked frightened as her chin remained lifted despite the fear swimming in her eyes.
A brave mask one that wouldn't survive long in my world. I held her gaze while I walked towardsher.
"Prepare yourself." She frowned.
"For what?" I didn't stop walking.
"Your Bonding ceremony." The room fell silent.
"You'll marry me before sunset."
Draven's POVI had been awake long before she entered my chambers. The moment her scent crossed the threshold, the curse stirred beneath my skin enough to remind me that something was wrong. I kept my eyes closed.I wanted to know what Ashina would do if she believed I couldn't see her.Her footsteps were careful too careful for someone who had simply come to speak with me.She stopped beside the bed as I could feel her watching me as neither of us moved. I heard her breathing change.My fingers tightened against the sheets as I opened my eyes. Ashina froze immediately as the moonlight caught her face and for the first time since she had entered my kingdom, I saw something I had never seen in her before.“Were you really going to do it?” I pushed myself upright as she stepped back.“Answer me.” Her chin lifted as a bitter laugh escaped me.Even after sneaking into my chambers in the middle of the night, she still found the courage to challenge me.“What did you come here for?” I swun
Ashina's POVThe guard unlocked the cell door.“My Lady, you said you needed the washroom.” I nodded, keeping my expression neutral.“I do.” He stepped aside but remained close enough that I could hear his boots behind me as I walked down the corridor slowly.Every step carried me farther from the cell, Farther from the guards.When we reached the washroom, I stopped at the doorway.“I can go alone.” The guard hesitated.“Stay here,” I added. “Unless the Alpha ordered you to watch me while I use the washroom too.” His face tightened.“No, my Lady.”“Then wait.” He stepped back as I entered while closing the door for several seconds, I simply stood there as I looked toward the small service door at the back.It led into the servants' passage as my heart began pounding. I had found my way through those passages.I pushed the door open as the emptiness of the passage terrified me. I slipped through and closed it behind me immediately my breathing quickened as I moved through the narrow c
Draven's POVEvelyn was still talking when I walked out of the chamber.“My Lord, you cannot keep defending her.” I kept walking.“She awakened something that hasn't been seen in decades. What if the stories are true? What if she is using forbidden magic?” I stopped, she nearly walked into me.“You've said enough.” I turned slowly.“But—” she hesitated. No.” Her mouth closed. I held her gaze for a moment before continuing down the corridor as she followed.“My Lord, if she is connected to the curse, keeping her alive could destroy you. You have already sacrificed too much for this kingdom.” I stopped again.“Did you just tell me what I should sacrifice?” Her face tightened.“No, my Lord.” I walked away. I had heard enough voices telling me what was best for me. My father, the council and every Alpha who thought they understood the throne. I didn't need another one especially not tonight.Ashina had awakened a wolf that should not have existed. I had watched the palace shake around he
Draven's POVThe words echoed through the room long after the guard whispered them.The last White Wolf has awakened.I stared at Ashina. She was on the floor, one hand pressed against her chest as she tried to steady herself. Her breathing was uneven but her eyes had changed.They were no longer the eyes of the woman who had spent years believing she was wolfless but something strange stared back at me through them.I had heard the stories.The White Wolf was supposed to be extinct. The last one had disappeared decades ago and no wolf had carried that blood since yet Ashina was sitting in front of me with white fur still visible beneath her skin.I looked toward the guards. “Get everyone out.”“Now.” They moved immediately as another guard helped another servant out of the doorway while the others kept their heads lowered. Nobody dared look directly at Ashina.“My Lord!” Then hurried footsteps came from the corridor, Evelyn appeared at the doorway. She stopped the moment she saw Ashin
Ashina's POVI turned the silver brooch over in my palm again. The broken wolf was unmistakable because it had the same symbol from the servant in the ballroom.My thumb traced the damaged edge, which means Someone had been inside my room. I glanced toward the locked window. The brooch was cold against my skin when the door suddenly slammed open as I jerked around.Draven stood in the doorway. He didn't even bother asking whether he could come in as he dashed towards me with Gil speed clearly impatient.“What happened when you went to see your stepsister?” I stared at him as his enormous figure towered above me.“You just barged into my room.” His eyes remained fixed on mine. Expecting answers that I wasn’t going to give him.“What did Ella tell you?” He barked as I lifted my chin. I wasn’t afraid of him.“Nothing.” My voice louder than his as my heat pounded heavily.“Don't lie to me.” He closed the little distance between us as I stepped backward.“What exactly gives you the right t
Ashina's POVThe carriage door closed behind me. I barely had time to settle before Draven climbed in after me as the carriage began moving but neither of us spoke.I kept my hands folded in my lap, trying not to feel the folded piece of paper hidden beneath the fabric of my dress.Ella's letter. I could still feel its weight against my skin.The words kept repeating in my head as I stared through the window.The palace disappeared behind us, but the conversation refused to leave.“Kill him.““Take the throne.““Avenge Grandfather.“ My stomach twisted as draven sat opposite me.Usually, his silence didn't bother me but Tonight, it did. I could feel his eyes on me.“You're quiet.” I didn't look at him.“I'm tired.”“That isn't why.” My fingers tightened together as He noticed everything and I hated that or perhaps I hated that I was beginning to like being noticed by him.“I said I'm tired.” Draven studied me for another moment as he leaned back.He couldn’t question me again that some







