The Victory that claims.

Raven’s POV

The howls of victory echoed through the night as we crossed the borders of our land. My people who were battered and bloodied, held their heads high. We had done it. We actually won against the Lycan Alphas.

The Lycans were stronger, faster, and more ruthless, but we were determined, and that determination had paid off, though we had lost many of our own, we were still victorious.

As we approached the heart of our territory, the scent of home filled my lungs and as we stepped into the main square, the air exploded with cheers.

Men, women, and children rushed forward, their faces a mix of joy and sorrow. Mothers searched for their sons, mates clung to each other in relief.

The Elders stood on the stone steps of the palace, their eyes shining with pride.

“Alpha Rowan!" They chanted my name. "Our Alpha, our warrior, our savior!"

Their voices rang through the night, blending with the sound of drums and the crackling of bonfires.

The Elders stepped forward, their long robes trailing behind them. Elder Magnus, the eldest of them all, raised his hands for silence. The crowd stilled instantly. His piercing gaze settled on me, then on my warriors.

"You have led us to victory, Rowan, as always," he said, his deep voice filled with pride. "You have avenged our dead and reclaimed what was stolen. Tonight, we honor you and those who fought beside you."

I bowed my head slightly, trying to keep myself on two feets.

"Tonight, we drink," Magnus continued, his voice growing stronger, "for the ones we lost, for the ones who survived, and for the future that awaits us!"

The crowd erupted once more, clapping and jumping in joy. A feast had already been prepared, tables laden with food and drink, but as I took a step forward, pain shot through my side.

I staggered.

A sharp gasp came from the crowd as they stared at me, I gritted my teeth, forcing my body to stay upright, though I knew that I couldn't stand anymore, but I just had to be stubborn, I took another step forward and immediately my knees buckled, and before I could hit the ground, Damien strong arms caught me.

"Get up," My mother, Theodora hissed under her breath, her glare burning into me.

I clenched my fists, willing myself to move, but the pain was unbearable. My side burned like fire, spreading through my body like poison.

"Take him inside," Damien ordered.

“Yes,” another Elder nodded in agreement. “I think he should rest, we would call the doctor immediately.”

My mother gestured to her personal guards to take me from the arms of my men. “We would make sure he rest,” she assured them.

Two of her guards came forward, wrapping my hand around their shoulders and dragged me to the room.

Immediately we got to the room, she asked the guards to leave, Damien shut the door immediately.

"Get the healer," he growled.

"No," my mother snapped.

Damien froze. "What?"

"The healer will return in the morning, so then, he stays here," she said.

Damien's jaw clenched. "First she is a she and then she is dying!"

My mother scoffed. “I don't remember you carrying Rowan for nine months.”

Damien clenched his fists, slowly getting up. “Either way, he—she needs help, I would call a healer, now,” he said, making for the door.

"He will survive," my mother said sharply, her eyes locking onto mine. "No outsider will touch him, we will wait for our healer."

The pain in my side intensified, my vision fading in and out. I gritted my teeth, biting back a scream.

I couldn't bear it again, I pulled off my clothes, leaving only the clothes that were concealing my boobs.

"The wound—" Damien gasped, rushing to my side.

"It's turning black," I gasped out.

Damien swore under his breath. He reached for my tunic and tore it open.

The wound from the Lycan Alpha’s bite was worse than I had imagined. The skin around it was dark, veins spreading out like ink under my flesh.

"Venom," Damien muttered. "It's spreading too fast. If we don’t act now, you won’t make it till morning."

I couldn't even respond. The pain was unlike anything I had ever felt. My body trembled, sweat dripping down my forehead.

Damien turned to my mother. "We need to do something."

She crossed her arms. "He will not die."

“Would you just stop?” He snapped. “She is dying!" Damien roared.

Her expression didn’t change. "You will not bring an outsider to treat her and you know why Damien. Our healer will come at dawn. Until then, we wait."

I let out a strangled groan as another wave of agony ripped through me, their argument seeming to make the pain grow.

If only they felt just half the pain I was feeling right now, they wouldn't still be here arguing about what to do or what not to do.

He turned to me, his eyes desperate. "Raven, listen to me. If we don’t get that poison out, you’re dead."

I knew he was right.

I should have been dead already. No one survived a Lycan Alpha’s venom. It killed swiftly, spreading like wildfire through the veins, shutting down every organ until there was nothing left.

But I was still alive—barely.

“Alpha Rowan,” a voice shouted from outside. “I was sent to treat you, sire.”

Damien's face lit up as he made to go and open the door but my mother stepped forward, blocking his path, her hands folded under her breasts.

“Don't get me angry, boy,” she hissed. “Raven, is my daughter, I would not let your foolishness end her life.”

Damien scoffed. “End her life? She is going to die if we do nothing.”

“I have taken care of my daughter for twenty five years, boy, twenty five years, I know what I'm doing, no other healer would touch her.”

Damien scoffed, pushing my mother slightly out of his way. “You are crazy.”

“Would you take responsibility if they find out that she is a girl disguised as their Alpha?* She blurted out.

Damien froze, slowly turning to me, our eyes locked, confusion etched on his face.

My mother turned to me. “You would survive, Raven,” she said before walking to the door. “Don't do anything stupid,” she added before walking out.

“I would go get the asshole, who calls himself your healer,” Damien added and followed her immediately, slamming the door shut.

I pursed my lips, gripping my bedsheets, fighting all the urge to scream, I grabbed my chest as I felt the poison like veins tightening around my heart.

I tried sitting up and immediately coughed out dark blood. The poison has completed its work already, I knew I wouldn't make it till dawn.

With what little strength I had left, I forced my trembling fingers toward the dagger on my bedside table. My claws wouldn't come out anymore—the venom had taken too much.

I didn't know what I was doing but right now, I would rather die trying than wait patiently for my death.

I inhaled deeply, piercing the dagger into my wound, and it was only then I realized that this decision might have been the worst decision I have ever made.

I couldn't hold it anymore, I screamed at the top of my lungs, my vision blurred, everything turning black.

I knew my time had come—death came for me.