LOGINRavena's POV "You did not care enough to find out," I spat. "That is the same thing."I let that sit for a moment before I crouched down in front of her so we were at the same level, and I looked her directly in the face."And on top of everything," I whispered, "you let your jealousy consume you. For years. Constantly targeting me. Constantly pushing at me over Lucien, as though that man was the center of everythi
Ravena's POV Astrid opened her mouth to argue, but I didn't let her.My hand suddenly connected with her shoulder and I shoved her hard. She went down to the floor with a sharp sound that rang through the receiving room like a statement.The maidservants standing by the walls froze in place.
Ravena's POV The knock came before the sun was fully up.I heard it through sleep, and then Liora's voice at my door, low and apologetic in the way she only got when the news was something she would rather not deliver."Princess. I am sorry to wake you. But it is Astrid."
Ravena's POV Garrick Blackstone had spent years watching me move through his son's household like a woman who was there by mistake. He had never said it to my face. Men like Garrick rarely did. But it had been in every room he entered, in the way he looked through me at pack gatherings, in the way he had said nothing when Lucien started humiliating me publicly.Doris was staring at my face closely. I could see the moment she realized she had said more than she intended, the slight widening of her eyes, the small inward pull of someone reassessing how much they had just handed over."I should not have said all of that," she said."Doris." I looked at her warmly. "You have spent years being the only honest person in that entire household. Please do not stop now on my account."She let out a breath that was almost a laugh. "I just don't want to cause you any distress before your wedding.""You haven’t," I said. "Really. Everything you have told me today I am filing away as gossip and no
Ravena's POV Suddenly, her mother reached over and touched her arm. "Mara. Your tone.""It is fine," I said, before the woman could work herself into a full apology. "Honestly. I would rather she ask me plainly than sit here wondering."Mara's mother looked at me with the gratitude of someone who had been holding their breath and was not sure yet if they were allowed to stop.
Ravena's POV By the time we arrived home, Erik was deeply asleep and I carried him to his room without waking him.Evander was waiting in the study.He looked up when I came in and something in his expression told me before he spoke that this was not a casual conversation."Sit
Ravena's POVEvander turned to look at me, his expression calm. Too calm for someone surrounded by potential enemies."Everything is under control," he said quietly."Under control?" I repeated in shock. "We are surrounded!""I know," he said simply. Then he raised his voice, addressing the warrior
Ravena's POVI woke to a comforting warmth as sunlight streamed through the tent, painting everything in shades of amber. Blinking slowly, my eyes adjusted to the light, and I felt something heavy and warm draped over my shoulders.It was Evander's cloak.The fabric still carried his scent. That cl
Ravena's POVI was about to say yes, to brush it off, but then his eyes dropped to my wrist.The skin was red where Lucien had gripped it. Angry marks were already forming, darkening into bruises that would last for days.Evander's expression changed immediately. The softness vanished, replaced by
Ravena's POVThe silence that followed my question was heavy, thick with tension and unspoken promises.Every warrior stood frozen, their eyes locked on me. Some looked shaken. Others looked determined. But all of them were listening."Do you all understand me?" I repeated, my voice cutting through







