Raven POV We kept walking until I spotted Ansel.He stood tall at the far end of the hall, speaking to a few nobles. The moment his eyes landed on me, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “My queen,” he said, taking my hand and brushing a soft kiss across my knuckles. His voice was smooth, teasingly low. “You look radiant tonight.”“Ansel,” I said quickly, not letting his forced charm distract me. “We need to talk.”He arched his brow. “Talk about what? Tonight is your coronation. Stay, enjoy it. The people are still in awe of you—and afterward, we still have the mating ritual to complete.”“Mating ritual?” I echoed, blinking. The word pulled me out of the storm in my mind.He smiled again, that soft glint of possessiveness flashing in his eyes. “Yes. You’re Luna now. You must bear our mark. It’s tradition… and law.”I hesitated, then shook my head gently. “Ansel, that can wait. Kelvin was here.”His smile vanished in an instant. The shift in his expression was sharp and deadly
Raven POVAfter an hour of dancing and drinking, the music faded into a gentle hum, and the last of the guests were led to their rooms to rest for the night.Those who belonged to the pack quietly retired to their own homes, laughter and chatter slowly dying down under the soft glow of moonlight.“Come with me,” Asher said, his voice was deep and steady as he extended his hand toward me.I hesitated only for a second before placing my hand in his. He led me gently, his touch felt warm and secure. We walked in silence down a narrow, flower-lined path that I’d never seen before.The further we went, the more the air seemed to shimmer with something ancient and sacred and so beautiful I couldn’t put a name on it. Where exactly is this place?And then I saw it.The garden.It was like something from a dream.Glowing flowers bloomed under the moonlight, their petals looking like delicate glass, shifting in color with the light.Some shone with soft purples and blues, others had radiant, fi
Raven POV I gasped, caught between the overwhelming heat of their touch and the raw energy vibrating through the bond.Asher’s chest pressed against my back, his breath warm against my ear as he growled low. I could feel the evidence of his arousal against me, his grip tightening slightly as though the bond had taken hold of him too.“You drive us mad, Raven,” he whispered, his voice rough with need.Ansel was in front of me, his hands exploring every inch of my skin like he was memorizing me—claiming me. His lips trailed from my jaw to the other side of my neck, the spot opposite where Asher’s mark had already burned. I felt him pause, his tongue swirling gently, and then—another sharp bite.My body arched into him, a soft cry escaping my lips as the pain turned quickly into that same addictive rush of pleasure and power. The second bond ignited something deeper, something ancient. My whole body pulsed with it like a tether, pulling me even closer to them.“I’ve got you,” Ansel m
Raven POV It’s been three days since the mating ritual, and everything has been very different.I’m now officially the queen, living in the royal wing of the palace. It feels more like a golden cage than a home. The walls are gilded, and the air always smells like lavender and polished wood. But despite all the beauty, I’m bored out of my mind. My mates—Ansel, Asher, and Rowan—have become overly cautious, practically breathing down my neck about where I go and who I speak to. It’s sweet, in a suffocating kind of way. And honestly, I’m still trying to adjust and get used to it.The only real excitement I’ve had lately has been the endless sex. It’s normal after the mating ritual. Some kind of bonding overload. My body aches in places I didn’t even know could ache, but I’m not complaining. At least not about that.Rowan, though… he’s been absent. Distant. I hardly see him anymore. Not even a glance in the hallway. And while I know the ritual must have been hard for him—especially w
Raven POV My fingers tightened around the wood. I took a breath.And then… I remembered.Rowan’s voice was low and steady in my ear weeks ago. “Keep your stance, I'll be grounded. Don’t try to overpower it—feel it. Let your movement follow the breath, not the fear.”Back then, I didn’t understand why he insisted on teaching me basic defence. Said it was “for confidence.” Now I knew it had been more than that.I slid my foot back, angled my weight, and let my knees bend slightly. I exhaled and let the staff move—just once.Kael raised a brow.Then he came at me.Not fast. Testing me. Poking at my defenses like a curious wolf sniffing the air. His staff clacked against mine with a sharp snap. I absorbed it. Twisted.It was not perfect but not bad either.“Again,” he said.I moved with him, muscles warming to the rhythm. The other guards had gone back to training—half distracted, half watching me out of the corner of their eyes.The staff sang in the air, wood meeting wood, feet scrapi
Loira POV Kael stood near the edge of the training circle, with his sword strapped to his back, sunlight catching the edge of his jawline as he gave out instructions. His voice was commanding but calm, and the surrounding warriors listened intently.I tried to look away, tried to pretend I hadn’t been staring—but my treacherous heart was pounding fast in my chest, and I knew I wasn’t hiding it well. The worst part? Gwen noticed.She leaned in slightly with a knowing smirk. “You’re staring,” she whispered.“I’m not,” I lied.Raven didn’t seem to notice—thank the goddess—she was too busy watching the soldiers spar, her eyes lighting up with every clash of blades. She looked different now… more sure of herself. Maybe it was the coronation or the marking, or maybe something deeper had been unlocked in her.“Loira,” Gwen said again, nudging me softly. “You’ve got it bad.”I rolled my eyes, my cheeks flaming. “It’s just… he’s very good at what he does.”“He’s also very good-looking,” Gwe
Loira POV I didn’t hear what Kael and Raven were talking about—my mind had wandered again, lost somewhere between the rhythm of the training ground and the persistent flutter in my chest.But then I heard my name.“Loira?”I jerked back to awareness, blinking quickly as my eyes locked with his. “Yes—yes?” I said, a little too fast.Kael took a step closer, the sunlight catching the edge of his armor. “Can I talk to you for a moment?” he asked, his voice quiet but steady.“Me?” I repeated dumbly, awkwardly pointing at my chest like there was another Loira nearby.He almost smiled, but held it back. “Yes. You.”I turned instinctively to Raven, seeking her reaction. "She wasn’t trying to hide the soft amusement in her eyes. "She gave me a tiny, encouraging smile. “Go on. "We’ll be here waiting,” she said gently.I hesitated only for a second longer before nodding.“Okay,” I murmured, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear and following him as he led me a little further off the t
Raven POV Loira had been gone for quite a while now, but I didn’t go after them. She deserved her moment—whatever was happening, she’d come back when she was ready.I was exhausted. Every muscle in my body ached, the kind of satisfying soreness that came from pushing limits. But despite the fatigue settling deep in my bones, I felt more alive than I had in days.Training with the guards, sparring, laughing, being seen… not just as a queen, but as one of them—it meant something. It made me feel grounded. Stronger than I was yesterday. And with the blade now strapped to my side, I felt almost invincible… even if I still didn’t fully know how to use it.I ran a gentle hand over the hilt of the sword, fingers tracing its worn handle. There was something comforting about it. As if it truly did choose me.“Raven!!”The sudden shout made me flinch. My head snapped up, and I saw Ansel striding across the field, his jaw clenched and his golden eyes blazing with fury.Oh! No.“Where have you
Raven's POV I was still in a state of shock when Kelvin strolled into the room, completely unfazed by the bodies at his feet. He walked over them like they were nothing like he’d seen this kind of carnage a thousand times before, and he probably had.He wore that infuriating smirk again, the one I was beginning to realize was just part of his face. Part of his behavior.“Your Highness,” he greeted Morgan with a bow. Then his gaze slid towards me. “Oh, the little queen is here. Lovely to see you, Raven.”I rolled my eyes, refusing to give him the reaction he wanted. The urge to punch that smug face of his clawed at me, but I held it down. Barely.God, if I ever got the chance, I’d kill them both. Rip them apart and bathe in their blood if that’s what it took.I felt my wolf stir inside me, a low growl vibrating through my chest.She didn’t like being separated from our mates, caged like that. And these two were responsible. Again.Twice now, they’d taken me from the ones I belonged t
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