Raven POV My voice cracked at the end, and I hated how uncertain I sounded. I turned slightly toward Rowan. His face was unreadable, but I could feel it—the tension in him, the weight of what he wasn’t saying. He hadn’t told them what my blood had done… and neither had I.Maybe he was protecting me. Or maybe… he didn’t know what it meant either. Ansel’s sharp eyes never left me. The silence stretched, unbearable, as if everyone in the room was waiting for something. Then suddenly something shifted deep inside me. It was almost like a whisper, faint but undeniable. The tug, the pull, it was as if something—or someone—was calling to me.I was tense. The sensation was foreign, yet familiar. It was the same feeling I felt when I saw loira. It was as if a thread of magic had wrapped itself around my heart and was pulling me toward something I couldn’t see. I tried to ignore it, telling myself it was nothing. Just another thing my mind was making up.But no, it was too real.I blinked,
Ansel POV Did the Fae Queen just bow to Raven?My jaw tensed. Something about this didn’t sit right. Not the reverence in her voice. Not the look she gave Raven, like she’d found the moon herself. And not the eerie quiet that followed, like the room was holding its breath.Something was slipping through my fingers. My control, my order and my position.I took a breath and closed the distance between us. My fingers gripped Raven’s shoulders before I could think better of it. She stiffened beneath my touch.“Raven,” I said, turning her to face me, “we’re not done talking.”Her eyes lifted to mine, she looked so uncertain. She opened her mouth like she had something to say.Then she just collapsed.Right in front of me.My hands jerked forward too late, catching nothing but air as her body dropped backwards. For a second, I didn’t move. I stood there frozen, my mind blank and stunned.Rowan rushed past me, fast as hell, catching Raven before her head hit the floor. He cradled her like s
Raven POV I didn’t know how long I had been asleep.The last thing I remembered was the Fae Queen waking up… and then the world going dark. My body had given out, too tired to fight anymore. Even now, my limbs felt heavy—like I was waking up underwater.When I finally forced my eyes open, I blinked at the light filtering through the curtains. It was soft, gentle. Then I saw them—green-silver eyes staring at me, wide with concern.“Hey,” a soft voice said. Her hand slipped behind my back to help me sit up. “Are you okay?”I blinked again, adjusting to the sight in front of me. The Fae Queen. She shifted nervously, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. “What do wolves that are… pregnant eat?” she asked, biting her lower lip like a child caught doing something wrong.I stared at her.Was the Fae Queen-who is normally regal, graceful, and mysterious—chewing her lip in confusion over what to feed a pregnant wolf?I was in awe at her softness. At how the world kept flipping
Raven POV The halls blurred around me as Maria led us through winding corridors. Her arms were full of the fabric, sketches, and pins we picked on the way to the testing room—her words were rushed and clipped. She didn’t ask how I felt about any of it. No one did.The Fae Queen walked beside me, calm and composed, like she already belonged there.They took us to a private chamber. Gold-framed mirrors. Velvet seats. A long platform in the middle surrounded by glowing lanterns. It looked like something out of a dream or a nightmare—I couldn’t tell which anymore.Maria motioned for me to stand. “We’ll clean you up first. Then dress. Then crown fitting.”“Crown fitting?” I muttered under my breath, but I stepped onto the platform anyway.The Queen came closer, reaching up to gently brush a streak of dirt from my cheek. “Let them fuss,” she whispered. “Let them see your power." Even if you don’t feel it yet.”I blinked fast, swallowing the knot in my throat. “I don’t want to be anyone’
Raven POV After hours of clothing fittings, dance lessons, and being told how to behave, I was finally allowed to leave. And thank the goddess for that—because I already felt like I was going to explode. Stepping outside, the moon hung high above me, full and bright, casting silver light across the palace grounds.A cool breath of air kissed my skin, and for a brief moment, I was grateful to be alone.I wandered through the gardens, trying to clear my head, to push everything out of my mind. The flowers here were always stunning—vibrant, fresh, and untouched by the decay spreading across the land. It was one of the few things I genuinely loved about this place.I bent down to touch a blossom, its petals soft as it seemed to sway in my hand. I kept walking until I came upon a quiet clearing, the grass smooth and bathed in moonlight. I sat down, and all the emotions I’d been holding in—fear, frustration, sadness—spilt out at once.I didn’t even realize I was crying until I felt the
Raven POV When I woke up the next morning, Rowan was already gone.He’d held me through the night, and I was grateful for that—more than I could ever say. I still felt the echo of his warmth wrapped around me, like his presence had settled into the fabric of the room, anchoring me. Because of him, I felt more grounded today. Steadier.The ache in my chest hadn’t vanished, but it was quieter now. Bearable.I rose slowly and made my way into the bathroom. The hot water soothed the stiffness in my body as I bathed, washing away the heaviness of the night before. I brushed my teeth, combed through my tangled hair, and stood in front of the mirror for a moment, just breathing.The girl staring back at me wasn’t the same as yesterday. I looked more composed. But my eyes—they still held too much.I was almost done dressing when a knock came at the door.“Come in,” I called, tugging at the last strap of my gown.Maria peeked her head in, her usual nervous energy buzzing beneath her calm ex
Raven POVAfter the final fitting, the room became a whirlwind of activity as the stylist entered, ready to transform me into someone unrecognizable.She approached with a calm yet efficient demeanor, her hands moving with practical precision.The delicate fabric of the gown had already been set aside, but I could feel the weight of it in my mind as I prepared for the next steps.She guided me to a chair in front of the mirror, and with a soft smile, she began to work on my hair.She sectioned my hair into layers, her fingers gliding through the strands with the gentleness of someone who understood the value of each strand.I could feel the tension in my shoulders begin to ease as she carefully twisted, curled, and pinned, creating an elegant updo that framed my face perfectly.Each curl seemed to fall into place as if it were meant to be.The design was intricate, yet it had an effortless elegance that made me feel both royal and delicate, the way a Luna should feel.Once my hair was
Raven POV After that, we were ushered into the dance hall.The music floated in the air like incense, sweet and thick, wrapping around me like a net I couldn’t escape. My fingers twitched at my side. The weight of the crown on my head didn’t compare to the stares pressing on me from all angles.Then he stepped forward.Asher.He moved like a shadow wrapped in silk. Elegant, sharp, and utterly unpredictable.His hand slid into mine before I could process the shift. His fingers were cool, but they sparked something in me—something I didn’t like admitting.His eyes found mine, and for a moment, he just looked. There were no words. No movement. Just watched me, as if peeling back everything I had tried to build tonight.Then he smirked. “You wear power well,” he said, his voice as smooth as wine. “But you’ve always had it, haven’t you? This is just everyone else catching up.”I swallowed hard as he pulled me into the dance. Unlike the others, he didn’t wait for the music to carry us. He
Raven POV My other self turned to look at me, her eyes filled with tears. I never let fall that day.“Do you understand now?” she asked quietly.I nodded, breath shaky. “That was the day I gave up.”“You didn’t just give up on him,” she said. “You gave up on you.” "You buried yourself beneath anger and pain. You stopped believing you were meant for more.”Tears slid down my cheeks before I could stop them.I hated how much it hurt.“I was broken,” I whispered.“You still are,” she said gently. "But broken things can be rebuilt. She stepped forward, walking into me.And I felt it.That pain. That grief. That rage.But also… I felt light.Soon, the memory shifted, and it was me when I was much younger, the children at the park stoning me and laughing out loud in amusement.I bit my lips until I felt blood roll down my lips, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. Because the pain in my mouth was nothing compared to the pain in my chest.There I was, no older than six years old, curled into m
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