LOGINCW : NonConPanic locked my throat. I didn't hesitate—I scrambled away from his touch, rolled off the bed, and flew across the room toward the doors. I yanked the handle, kicking the wood loudly in a desperate bid to alert the guards outside.But two massive, strong arms closed around me. The Wolf dragged me backward, lifting my feet completely off the floor. I thrashed against his grip, but he hauled me across the room and threw me violently onto the bed. His weight descended over me, pinning me down flat. Warm lips closed over mine, pressing hard as they tried to force my mouth open.I ripped my mouth free and cried out, "Stop!"“Be as loud as you want, little bird.” He whispered against my lips.“Stop it!”The Wolf didn't stop. If anything, my protests only seemed to incense him. With a loud rip, my robe was torn down off my legs, leaving me completely naked from the waist down. I took advantage of the momentary release and tried to scramble off the bed, but he dragged me back by
RAVENExhaustion eventually won. My eyes grew too heavy to keep open, and I drifted off right there in the King's chambers.When I finally woke up, someone was gently tapping my shoulder."Calani," I whispered, tears dropping down my face as the memories of the morning rushed back.She was looking down at me with a worried expression, holding a tray of food. "The King ordered me to bring this for you."I blinked, realizing someone had moved me back to my room. I looked around and didn't see anyone else, the Wolf was nowhere to be seen. The King must have taken his unconscious body somewhere else to secure him."You need to eat something, Raven," Calani whispered softly, setting the tray down.My body was aching, and my stomach felt entirely hollow. I forced myself to sit up and eat what she brought. The food helped ground me, but the emotional toll of the morning left me feeling completely drained.I rubbed my stomach unconsciously. Was I making a mistake? Should I have just thought o
RAVENMy bare feet slapped against the stone floor of the hallway.I didn't look back. I could hear the furious thud of his footsteps behind me."Raven!" his voice boomed. It made me stumble, but I immediately righted myself and kept moving.Servants carrying laundry baskets and silver trays froze in their tracks, pressing themselves against the walls. Visiting nobles, dressed in their morning finery, turned around in shock. At first, a few of them smirked, assuming it was just another twisted game—a naked, feral prince pursuing his mate.But as the Wolf barreled past them, their smirks completely vanished.Their eyes widened in horror. The posture was all wrong. The way he carried his body, the raw, animalistic snarl tearing from his throat, and the unhinged, golden glare had nothing to do with the poised Crown Prince they knew.This wasn't a lover's chase. It was a predator hunting down prey to slaughter it.The servants shrank back, some dropping their trays in terror as the Wolf
RAVENThe room fell dead silent. The weight of the Wolf’s threat pressed down on my chest.I sat completely frozen, my knees still tucked tightly against my chest, staring at the exact spot on my stomach where his calloused palm had just been resting.He’s going to kill it.I couldn't let him do that. Our sacrifices would mean nothing, we'd just be back to square one. I was going to protect it, even if it meant running. Even if it cost me my life.But looking at the massive frame of the man standing at the edge of the bed, the reality of my situation hit me. The door was too far away. He was too fast, too strong, and entirely too alert. If I made a blind dash for the handle right now, he would have me pinned to the floorboards before I could even take three steps.I couldn't outrun him in a straight line. I needed him completely off balance.I twisted my lips as an idea started to form.The Wolf loved to take me. Every single time he emerged and forced Eilís back, that raw, dominant
(CW): This chapter contains graphic descriptions of childbirth trauma/medical horror, and threats of forced termination. Reader discretion is advised. RAVEN The wood of the wardrobe bit into my back, but I barely felt it over the heat of his body crowding me. I stared up into those blown-out, gold eyes and froze. My tongue felt glued to the roof of my mouth. "I asked you a question," the Wolf growled. His grip tightened until my shoulder bones ached. He leaned in so close his nose brushed mine, his teeth bared. "Answer me, or I will tear this room apart with you in it. I don't have Eilis’s patience, Raven. Speak." The volatility in his voice snapped my paralysis. He had no restraint. Unlike Eilís, who always pulled back, the Wolf could break my bones just to prove a point. Terror spiked hot and sharp in my chest, and the truth spilled out before I could stop it. "Luna appeared!" I blurted out, my voice cracking. "The goddess. She appeared during the ritual!" His jaw locked
RAVENThe walk to the guard captain's quarters was a total waste of time. When Eilís checked the ledgers, everything looked perfect. The names were there, the shifts matched up, and nobody had seen a thing.Whoever went down to see Mirabel hadn't used the main doors.Before Eilís could lose his temper at the captain, a page hurried into the room with a message.The King wanted to see me."He’s not seeing Raven alone," Eilís snapped, grabbing my elbow before the page could even finish talking. "Whatever my father has to say, he says it to both of us."The page didn't dare argue. He just nodded quickly and led us straight to the royal chambers.When we walked in, my chest tightened.The King was sitting at his desk, but something was completely wrong. Right across his cheek, the mark from the goddess’s slap was still there. It looked raw and angry, a deep burn that his werewolf healing hadn't even touched.I stared at it, completely thrown off. The ritual happened days ago. Why wasn't
The next morning, Denis didn't give me the luxury of a slow recovery. I could still feel the meat turning in my stomach.He arrived at my chambers while the mist was still thick against the glass, carrying a wooden practice stave. He didn't look like a playful attendant today, I didn't know Denis co
The "Blood Feast" was held in the smaller dining hall.I sat at the center of the long, dark table, surrounded by the Alphas of the Council. They didn't speak to me. They just watched, their eyes tracking the way my throat moved every time I swallowed a sip of water. I wore the most restrictive gown
The morning did not bring the soft, golden light of a new beginning. As I sat by the window in my chambers, the silk of my morning gown felt like a shroud. My body still ached—a dull, rhythmic thrumming in my lower back and the sharp, stinging memory of the bite on my neck.I had survived the ball,
Eilis looked ready to snap her in half, his posture a jagged line of restrained violence. I felt like a bird pinned to a board, having no idea how to defend myself. Every word that formed in my throat felt like a trap. If I spoke to softly, I was weak, but if I spoke too firmly, my voice would betr







