ログインValen’s POVBlood.It was everywhere. It pooled in the grooves of the stone floor, dark and thick. My claws were stained a deep, messy crimson. Why was there so much? The screams... they were so loud, then suddenly, they just stopped. The silence was worse. The smell of copper and salt filled my nose until I couldn't breathe.I blinked, and the floor of the courtyard came back into focus.My head throbbed. These days, my thoughts felt like a cracked mirror. I could feel my humanity slipping through my fingers like sand. Most days, I didn't even know who "Valen" was anymore. There was only the rage, the darkness, and the constant, crushing weight of the Northern throne.People think I’m the crazy King. They aren't wrong. Even the Alphas who report to me, the ones who are supposed to be my inner circle, look at me with fear and disgust. They don't like me. They just submit because they know I can rip their hearts out before they even blink. I was a pathetic mess, a monster waiting to ha
Raven's POVAfter the elders were finally satisfied that the Kings weren't going to tear each other’s throats out again, they called for a temporary truce. They ordered Darian and Valen to go their separate ways to get patched up properly and announced that the Peace Summit festivities would continue in thirty minutes.I was dismissed too. Elder Fabian told me to go back to my room and "freshen up," though I felt more like I needed to hide under a rock for a decade.I entered the building through the side entrance, my heart still racing against my ribs. To my surprise, the corridors were completely empty. No servers, no guards, no whispering pack members. I was incredibly grateful for the silence. I would have hated for anyone to stare at me unabashedly after the show that just went down in the courtyard. I guess the elders had strictly ordered everyone to stay indoors while the mess was cleared away.I reached my door and pushed it open. I didn't even have the handle fully turned bef
Raven's POVMy legs felt like they were made of jelly as I walked toward them. Every eye in the clearing was glued to me, but I kept my head down, focusing on the grass until I reached them."Look at me," the man said.I slowly lifted my chin. He had this aura around him that made it almost impossible to hold eye contact for long. It felt like he was looking through my skin and straight into my thoughts. I couldn't handle it, so I compromised and focused on his nose instead. It was slightly crooked, like it had been broken a long time ago and never set right."What is your name?" he asked. His voice was low, but it commanded attention."Raven," I whispered."Look into my eyes, Raven," he said. I forced myself to meet his gaze. He stared at me for a long time, his expression unreadable. "There is something about you..." He trailed off, looking thoughtful for a moment before shaking his head. "Who are your parents?""I don't know, sir," I said, my voice getting a bit stronger. "I was ab
Raven's POVThe two Kings were staring at each other like they were ready to burn the whole world down. Darian suddenly decided he was done talking. He ignored Valen completely and started to walk away, still holding my sleeve firmly.Valen’s hand shot out like a snake and grabbed my other sleeve, jerking me back.“Where do you think you’re going with her?” Valen growled.Darian didn't even look back. “I’m leaving with my mate. Move out of the way, Valen.”I felt like a wishbone about to be snapped in half. I cleared my throat timidly, my voice coming out as a tiny squeak. “Um, may I interrupt for a second?”Both of them looked at me instantly. The weight of their combined stares was so heavy I felt like I was being crushed into the stone floor. I took a shaky breath and tried to sound reasonable.“How about... I don't go with either of you?” I suggested, looking from one to the other. “You both just go back to your palaces, forget this ever happened, and we all move on with our lives
Raven’s POVKing Darian’s hands were steady as he tried to keep me from falling for the third time. At this point, I wasn’t just shocked, I was beyond mortified. I had completely and utterly embarrassed myself in front of the most powerful man in the South. My mind was spinning. The son of my own Alpha had rejected me because I was a lowly Omega so there was no way the King of the South was going to want me. I felt like a disaster waiting to happen. My only instinct was to disappear, to run back to the kitchens and hide in a cupboard before I got hit with a second, even more public rejection.He was still holding the tray of drinks, his fingers long and strong against the silver edges. I reached out with trembling hands and managed to collect it.“Thank you, your majesty,” I squeaked. I turned on my heel, ready to bolt, but he was faster.His hand shot out and grabbed my sleeve, stopping me in my tracks. “Where are you going?” he asked.His voice was deep and smooth, like flowing wate
Raven's POVThe banging on the door sounded like a hammer against my skull. Through the thick wood, I could hear the faint, annoying screech of Miss Freya’s voice telling us to get moving.I groaned and pulled my pillow over my head, but it didn't help. My roommates were already starting to stir. Sheila, who was always in a bad mood, sat up and rubbed her eyes aggressively.“That woman is so annoying,” Sheila muttered, her voice raspy from sleep.“I agree,” I whispered back.I peeked out from under my blanket and looked at the window. The sun was barely even rising. The sky was that weird, dark purple color you only see when it’s way too early to be awake. Why would she wake us up now? We had gotten into bed so late last night. Miss Freya definitely takes her job too seriously.Despite the complaining, we all stood up. Nobody wanted to deal with her wrath this early in the morning. Dan looked over at me and offered a small, bright smile.“Good morning, Raven,” he said.I crinkled my b







