Asher’s POVI watched Rowan leave, his steps steady, his resolve unshaken.Good.Let him go chase ghosts and curses. Let him disappear into the unknown. I had no intention of stopping him.Beside me, Ansel exhaled, a smug smirk tugging at his lips. He thought he had won. That the throne was his for the taking now.Fool.I tilted my head slightly, letting my gaze linger on him longer than necessary. Ansel was already savouring the moment, basking in the illusion that he was now the sole heir worth considering.But I knew better.I knew what he had done.The whispers reached me long before they should have. The little games he played, the manipulation, the way he twisted people to his will. Ansel had always been ruthless, always reaching for more, but he had crossed a line this time.And I was done pretending.For too long, I had played the role of the patient. The mediator. The one who stood between them when they clashed, keeping the balance. But balance didn’t win wars.Strength did.
Asher’s POV“What happens if Ansel succeeds in getting her pregnant?” I asked, my voice low but sharp.The shadow guard hesitated only for a moment before responding. “Then he secures his claim to the throne. The elders are already impatient. A child would seal his position.”I clenched my jaw, already feeling the weight of that possibility pressing down on me. Ansel, ruling over all of us, with Raven bound to him forever? No. That couldn’t happen.“And what happens if I get her pregnant first?” I asked, more to myself than to the guard. The idea took root quickly, spreading through my mind like wildfire.The guard hesitated again, then lowered his head. “Then you would be the one to take the throne, my lord, although it will be easier if she chooses you.”A slow smirk pulled at my lips. That was the answer I wanted to hear.Come to think of it, I’d been too patient and passive. I had let Ansel do whatever he wanted while I stayed quiet, waiting for my time. And I had neglected my mate
Asher’s POVI clenched my jaw, tightening my grip around her throat just enough to make her focus. “And what exactly do you need to think about, hmm?” My voice was low and controlled, but there was an edge of impatience laced within it.Raven’s lips parted slightly, her breath coming out in short bursts. “Let go.”I tilted my head, my fingers pressing just a little harder, feeling the rapid beat of her pulse beneath my palm. “Answer me first.”Her nails dug into my wrist, but I barely felt it. “Are you happy with this life, Raven? Being used, being tossed between Ansel and whoever else decides to stake their claim on you?” I leaned in, my nose brushing against her cheek. “You’re my mate. You should be doing what I ask.”She exhaled sharply, but I caught the way her body reacted, the way her thighs pressed together despite herself. She could pretend all she wanted, but she wasn’t immune to me.“We don’t have time for your dramatics,” I continued, my voice soft but firm. “This isn’t so
Asher POV Tears streamed down her eyes, but that only fueled my desire. She was still my mate, after all. Wanting her was in my blood.Grabbing her neck, I pressed my lips to hers, sucking on her bottom lip, then the top. She parted her mouth for me. It had been so long since I tasted my mate; I had forgotten she tasted like heaven and hell, all wrapped up in one. I licked the tears trailing down her face, kissing her neck, then her chest. Her perky breasts looked beautiful through the shirt. I sucked one through the thin fabric, hearing her hiss. It seemed my little mate was sore from my brother's relentless sexual appetite.That didn't stop me, though. I grabbed the other one, sucking with as much fervour as the first. Using my free hand, I touched her pussy, finding it soaking wet. That made me incredibly excited. I inserted two fingers into her while sucking her breasts. I could hear her moan and make those sweet little sounds beneath me; I didn't stop my assault.Soon, my
Raven POV I drifted into a restless sleep after Asher left my chambers. My body felt impossibly heavy, every muscle aching from exhaustion, hunger, and the weight of everything I’d endured. The constant battles, the sleepless nights, the silent war within myself—it was all becoming too much.Then, suddenly, I wasn’t in my chambers anymore.I opened my eyes to find myself in a strange place, an endless expanse of nothingness.Shadows twisted at the edges of my vision, stretching and curling as if they were alive. The air was thick and suffocating, and no matter how much I walked, I felt like I was going in circles. The eerie silence pressed against my ears, making the steady pounding of my heart sound deadening.I tried to wake myself up—tried to force my mind back to reality—but I remained trapped.And then I saw him.Kelvin.My breath hitched, my blood turning to ice. He stood there, calmly, watching me with that infuriating smirk, his dark red eyes gleaming with amusement.“What
Raven POV She hesitated, glancing toward the door again as if expecting someone to barge in at any moment. My heart pounded in my chest, desperation clawing at my throat.“Please,” I whispered, my voice raw with emotion. “I just need to get a letter to my mother in Shadow Claw Park. I’ll repay you somehow, I swear.”She swallowed hard, her fingers twisting in the fabric of her dress. “If they find out…”“They won’t,” I urged. “I’ll make sure of it. Just—please, help me.”A heavy silence stretched between us, her gaze flickering over my face, searching for something—maybe sincerity, maybe just a reason to take the risk.Finally, she exhaled sharply, her shoulders sagging in defeat. “Fine,” she whispered. “I’ll do it. But you have to be careful. If anyone suspects me—”“I won’t let that happen,” I promised, relief washing over me like a tidal wave.She took a hesitant step closer. “Write it quickly. I can’t stay long.”I nodded, my hands already reaching for a small piece of parchment
Raven POV I felt my knees buckle beneath me, the weight of dread pressing so heavily on my chest that I could barely breathe.“No, no, this can’t be happening,” I whispered, my voice shaking as I slowly sank to the ground. “Please, Ansel,” I begged, my hands pressed together as if in prayer. “I’ll do whatever you want, just—just don’t hurt her. It’s my fault, not hers.”Tears streamed down my face, my vision blurred with desperation. But Ansel only smirked, his golden eyes gleaming with cruel amusement as he stepped toward me.“So, you wanted to send a little message to Mommy?” he mocked, his voice dripping with venom. “You thought she’d come running to save her precious daughter from the big bad wolves?”I flinched as he crouched down, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. Then, without warning, he slapped me hard enough that my head snapped to the side. Pain exploded across my cheek, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth.Rowan and Asher appeared from the
Raven POV After sitting with me for a while, Rowan eventually left, claiming he had issues to attend to.I wished he had stayed.I needed him around me, even if I couldn’t say it out loud. But I knew I had to let him go.At least neither Asher nor Ansel had come to me today. That was a blessing in itself because, in this moment, I felt murderous. If either of them had stepped foot into my chambers, I wouldn’t have hesitated. Even if it meant ripping their throats out while they tried to fuck me, I’d do it.The thought alone brought a twisted sense of satisfaction.After a while of just sitting in the suffocating silence of my room, I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed air.The moon was already high in the sky when I stepped outside, glowing silver and full, bathing everything in an ethereal light. It was beautiful tonight—so beautiful it almost hurt.I walked barefoot, feeling the cool earth beneath my feet and the wind brushing against my skin. For the first time in what felt like
Queen Gwen POVIt’s been three days since the battle.Three days since blood painted the earth and death hung heavy in the air—on both sides.It hurt to kill them. Those creatures… they were mindless, controlled by Kelvin and that cursed Queen. They were puppets, not monsters. But it was either them or us.And still… we lost.We fell for their diversion. We lost Raven.I’ve been trying—truly trying—to stay strong. I’m a queen. I’m supposed to be composed, logical, unshaken.But the thought of something happening to her…It chills me in a way I can’t explain.From the moment I first laid eyes on Raven, I knew.I don’t understand the feeling, not fully but I knew. I was meant to be near her. To protect her. To fight for her.I was meant to be her sword.And I let her down.“Hey… are you okay?” Loira asked gently, walking up beside me.I tried to force a smile. “Yeah. I’m just… sad, you know?” My voice cracked. “It feels like we were so stupid.”She said nothing, just listened.“She shou
Raven POV “What did you say, Raven?” she asked again, her voice low and skeptical.“I said I’ll join you, Morgan,” I repeated, steadying my voice. “But only on one condition.”She sighed as though she was enduring a headache. “And what is it now?”“You’ll release Mathias.”Her brows lifted. “Who?”Of course, she doesn’t even remember. The disgust rose sharp and hot in my chest, but I swallowed it. I was in enemy territory now. I had to play this smart.“Mathias is one of the prisoners. He was in the same cell I was thrown into.”“Oh,” she said with a chuckle. “That’s all?” Fine. I’ll have him released today.”“And—”She cut me a glare, her patience thinning. “And what?”“You’ll give me the dagger. I need it.”Morgan narrowed her eyes. “I’ll think about it. "Don’t push your luck, little bird.”She turned away, already done with the conversation. “When Kelvin returns, your real training begins. I’ll need you ready.”"But aren’t you scared, Morgan?” I asked, my gaze steady.“What?” she
Raven POV We walked out of the cell, the heavy door slamming shut behind me with a loud clang that echoed down the stone halls.I tried to ignore the gnawing feeling in my stomach, tried to shove the fear deep down where it couldn’t reach me — but it was there, crawling under my skin.Facing that beautiful monster again made my heart pound harder against my ribs.We moved through a large hallway, the stone walls cold and silent witnesses to my march.From what I could tell, it was already dawn — soft light trickled through high windows.Two days.I had been trapped here for nearly two days without food.My legs ached, and my body screamed for rest, but I forced myself forward, step after heavy step.Finally, we entered a large throne room.At the far end of it, sitting on a towering, jagged throne of black stone, was Morgan.She looked… magnificent.Beautiful and terrible, like something carved from nightmares.Her smile, slow and cold, made my skin crawl.I paused, instinctively gla
Raven POV Unluckily for me, I was thrown into a cell by Queen Morgan’s hounds.The heavy iron door slammed shut behind me with a sound that echoed like a death knell. I stumbled forward, catching myself on the rough stone wall.I turned around slowly, trying to assess the cell.I’ve been locked up more times than I can count.This wasn’t new.I wouldn’t panic. Panic was the enemy now.First thing first, I needed a way out.But gods, it was dark.The air was thick with rot and something far worse—a sour, metallic scent that made my stomach turn. The walls oozed dampness, and the floor was uneven under my boots. The whole place felt like it had been forgotten by the world.Squinting my eyes, I edged deeper into the cell, ignoring the way the shadows seemed to reach for me.And then I heard a faint cough.It was soft and strained. From somewhere in the darkness.I froze, my heart hammering against my ribs.“Is anybody there?”My voice barely rose above a whisper, but in the stillness,
Ansel POV Raven is the child of the prophecy.And they kept it from us.Rowan and Raven both knew, and yet they chose silence. I don’t know what game the goddess is playing—first binding us all to the same mate, now tying her fate to an ancient prophecy—but I’m sick of being left in the dark. I should’ve seen the signs. The dreams she said she had, the divine visitations… they were all there, and I ignored them.And now, the truth burns in my chest like fire.My son—our child— will carry power in his blood. A legacy. He will be everything. But Morgan, if she’s taken Raven—if she lays a hand on what’s mine, I will tear this world apart.And if my brothers even think of challenging me for the child, for Raven, for the throne—I’ll destroy them too.We ran through the day and into the dusk, not stopping once. Our men were weary, barely holding themselves together, but there was no time for rest. Every second we wasted could mean losing her.When the palace finally came into view, I w
Raven POV Morgan didn’t look back at me. “What do I want? Oh, Raven, that’s the wrong question. What do you want?”The silence stretched out between us, the air thick with tension. My mind raced, trying to make sense of everything I was seeing.Morgan’s cruelty was evident in the creatures that slithered and prowled around us, their eyes cold and lifeless, their movements like puppets on strings. My anger surged, burning through my veins.“Why are you doing this?” I asked, my voice tight with fury. “Why are you enslaving innocent creatures, using them like this?”Morgan’s smile stretched into something far colder, more calculating. She tilted her head slightly, finally turning to look at me, studying me as though I were an insect in need of examination. “Innocent?” she repeated, almost amused. “You call them innocent? These creatures are nothing but tools—tools that help me achieve what is rightfully mine. They’re weak, living in fear. And I’m giving them purpose.”I shook my hea
Raven POV I stood there, with my hand pressed to my chest, heart racing, feeling the weight of the queen’s cold gaze upon me.“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice shaking despite my attempt to remain calm.She chuckled softly, the sound low and almost mocking. “Oh, so you know who I am,” she said, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “That’s very interesting, don’t you think?”“Very interesting indeed,” I muttered under my breath, not able to stop the bitterness that seeped into my words.She stepped closer, her presence suffocating. “Well, it seems like you haven’t been getting my messages,” she said casually, “So I came to pick you up myself.”“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I snapped, clenching my fists, unwilling to show the fear that threatened to rise in my throat. “You monster.”She raised a single eyebrow, her lips curling into a slow, sinister smile. “Who told you that you had a choice, my sweet girl?” Her words were laced with such venom that it sent a chill dow
Rowan POV The battle raged on with death on both sides, but something felt wrong. I couldn’t see Morgan anywhere. She kept sending mindless creatures at us, but there was no sign of her.Was it a distraction? Was there something else at play?“Behind you!” I heard one of my comrades scream. I spun around just in time to block a strike that would’ve taken my head off. Beside me, one of my comrades fell, lifeless.I turned and squinted into the far corner. From the shadows, Kelvin emerged, with a smirk on his face.Damn, bastard.I charged towards him with everything I had, shifting midair. My claws slashed through the air, aimed directly at him.We collided in a brutal clash, a flurry of strikes. I clawed; he ducked and retaliated with punches, sending invisible strikes that rattled my bones. We were locked in an all-out battle—neither of us giving an inch.“Where is your queen?” I demanded, trying to catch my breath between strikes.Kelvin’s smirk deepened. “Oh, she’s exactly where
Raven POV I watched them go but couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye.The words stayed locked in my throat, heavy with frustration and helplessness.I hated the way they treated me—as if I couldn’t make decisions for myself. Like I was fragile. Like I’d shatter.People were out there dying, sacrificing their lives for me, and I was just… here. Sitting inside like some fucking damsel in distress.A chill drifted through the hallway, brushing against my skin. I lifted my head and noticed it was snow.The first snow of the year.A small smile tugged at my lips despite everything.Snow always reminded me of fresh beginnings. Of the quiet before everything changes.I stepped further inside, warmth slowly replacing the cold that clung to my clothes. Then I saw Loira.She sat alone, her posture tense and her eyes distant.She hadn’t been herself since that day on the training grounds.“Loira,” I called gently.Her head turned; she seemed so slow and unsure, as if pulled from somewhere far a