LOGINEvander's POV I had not meant to eavesdrop.I had only come to check on them. That was all. Just a quiet check before I retired for the night, making sure the door was secure, that Erik had settled, that Ravena was not sitting alone in the dark the way she sometimes did when the grief crept back in and she thought no one noticed.But then I heard her voice through the cracked door, and I stopped.
Ravena's POV In the days that followed, whenever Evander and I were in the same room, Erik would immediately position himself between us.If Evander tried to sit beside me, Erik would squeeze into the space, using his small body to create a barrier.If Evander reached for my hand, Erik would grab it first and hold tight.If Evander spoke to me, Erik would make those broken sounds, drawing my attention back to him.It was constant and relentless. Almost comical if it were not so heartbreaking.Evander noticed, of course. How could he not?And being the perceptive man he was, he changed his approach.He stopped moving with the commanding presence of a general and stopped filling rooms with his alpha energy.Instead, he became gentle and… soft spoken. Almost scholarly in his behaviour.He thought it would help. Thought Erik would feel less threatened.But it had the opposite effect.Erik became more agitated and fearful.He would stare at Evander with wide, terrified eyes. Like he was w
Ravena's POV I held Erik, my tears soaking into his hair."I'm so sorry," I whispered over and over. "I'm so sorry. This is my fault. All of it."Erik pulled back slightly and looked at me with those haunted eyes. Then he shook his head and reached for the paper and the brush again, his hand still trembling from exhaustion.
Ravena's POV After our discussion, Evander sent for a physician.An older man arrived within the hour, carrying a worn leather bag, and moving with the calm efficiency of someone who had seen everything.He examined Erik thoroughly, checking his injuries, his leg, his throat, his overall condition.
Ravena's POV We rode without stopping. Without rest. Without mercy for ourselves or the horses.The journey to Ironhold would normally take a full day. But we covered the distance in half that time.By the time the city walls came into view, the horses were lathered with sweat. We were exhausted, but none of that mattered.
Ravena's POV Evander's words broke something inside me.All the grief I had buried. All the pain I had locked away. All the guilt I had carried for years.It all came pouring out."My brother," I gasped between tears. "He might have left someone behind. A son. His fle
Ravena's POVThe hour came too fast.The crowd gathered again, lining the training grounds like wolves waiting for blood. The sun was setting now, creating a golden hue over the dusty ground.I stood still, not blinking as Lucien leaned in close to Astrid and whispered in her ear.She didn’t react
Evander's POVStanding tall, I crossed my arms across my chest. Though every part of me burned with irritation as Lucien’s eyes found Ravena. My wolf stirred, restless and on edge.For a moment, it looked like it was only the two of them locked in that stare. Her posture was strong, but I saw the t
Ravena's POVLucien's eyes met mine just for a second, but all I saw in them was regret. His steps faltered, and his lips parted like he wanted to say something. Maybe he wanted to tell me that he was sorry.But I didn’t want to hear it.I held his gaze, then looked away first as I reminded myself
Ravena's POVI took another sip from the cup in my hand, letting the warmth of the wine coat my throat. But the moment it settled on my tongue, I frowned.There was barely any burn. Just a sweet flavour that reminded me more of juice than wine. I stared down at the liquid, wondering if the bottle h







