I groaned as his hand found its way beneath the silk sheets—for the third damn time tonight.“Xander,” I mumbled, my voice low and exasperated. “Why are you like this?”“Like what?” he asked, voice deep and utterly unapologetic as his fingers trailed up my thigh.I didn’t have to look to know that maddening smirk was on his face—the one that always spelled trouble. The one that meant my legs wouldn’t be touching the ground for at least another hour.“You’re obsessed with me,” I accused, dragging a pillow over my face.“Guilty,” he said, far too proud. “Can you blame me, Raven? You’re my Queen. My addiction. My mate.”“You’re so annoying,” I huffed.His lips brushed my shoulder, slow and teasing. “And yet, you love me.”I peeked at him from under the pillow. His eyes were darker than night, filled with pure hunger. I barely had time to protest before he slid the sheets down and tugged at the straps of my silk nightgown.“Xander,” I warned. “If you rip another one, I swear—”He cut me o
She stood beside me on the grand stage, the evening sun casting golden firelight across her skin.My Queen.My Raven.She wore a gown that made it nearly impossible to breathe—dark, elegant, hugging every curve like sin itself. The sheer lace sleeves kissed her arms, the neckline framed her collarbones, and the slit revealed a dangerous stretch of thigh that had my wolf growling just beneath my skin.Moon Goddess help me.How the hell was I supposed to get through this ceremony without losing my mind?She turned slightly, her fingers brushing mine, and her voice whispered low enough that only I could hear it. “Why are you looking at me like that?”I smirked, leaning closer. “Because you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and it’s taking every bit of control I have not to rip that dress off you right now.”She rolled her eyes, but I didn’t miss the flush that crept into her cheeks.“You’re impossible.”I dipped my head, brushing my lips against the shell of her ear. “Be a good
"Finally," Loki whispered, a breath of triumph curling past his lips as his eyes drank me in like I was the only thing that ever mattered.Xander's wolf stirred, panting, bleeding—but he pushed against the rock he was pinned to, trying to rise."Don’t," I said through the mind link, my voice trembling. "Please… just trust me."His golden eyes snapped to mine, fury and confusion clashing inside them."What the fuck do you think you're doing, Raven?" he growled, agony raw in his voice.I met his gaze, heart twisting. "Please, Xander. Trust me."Time seemed to hold its breath.Loki took slow, deliberate steps toward me, his coat fluttering behind him like smoke. His hand reached up, cupping my cheek with an affection so gentle it made me want to recoil."I knew you’d come around," he said softly, reverently. "You always belonged to me. We were destined, Raven. Fated."I didn’t speak. Just gave him a small, almost lifeless nod. My heart pounded like war drums, and I felt the weight of Xan
"You’re a fool if you think you can kill me," Loki said, brushing dirt from his coat with casual arrogance. "Didn’t your ancestors tell you what it takes to end me?" Xander’s wolf snarled, claws dragging across the ground. His golden eyes blazed with fire, daring Loki to keep talking. But the vampire prince was unfazed. He tilted his head, the smile on his face chilling in its calm. "Only a true royal bloodline can destroy me. Not brute strength. Not silver. Not sunlight. A royal heart, a sacrifice, a life for a life." Loki chuckled darkly, walking slowly in a wide circle, pacing like a predator. "So unless you’re willing to rip that golden heart out of your chest and hand it to me, you can’t kill me. No one can." He turned to me. "Give me what is mine," he said, voice like velvet soaked in venom. "And we end this now." I didn’t move. His eyes softened, just a fraction, as he extended a hand. "You can stop this, Raven. You have the power to end it all. The bloodshed. The war.
His eyes glowed like twin rubies in the dark. His body pressed into mine, and I hated how cold he felt—how unnatural. Like death molded into something deceptively beautiful. He leaned in slowly, his lips ghosting over my throat. I went utterly still. No breath. No sound. Just the sharp thump of my heart thinking he'd bite into my neck but he didn’t. Instead, his lips… kissed me. Soft. Gentle. Like he was tasting something sacred. A shiver coursed down my spine. My body reacted before my mind could stop it—an instinct buried so deep it felt ancient. Like a thread from another life pulling taut between us. "Why are you fighting me?" he whispered against my skin, his voice ragged, broken. "There was a time… a time you wanted this. You wanted me. You welcomed my touch." My eyes burned as I looked at him. "That wasn’t me." His gaze flicked up to mine, something unguarded and vulnerable breaking through the coldness. And for the briefest moment—I saw it. A flicker of memory. No
"Where the fuck is your father?!" I snarled, my voice echoing throughout the hall. Dante flinched like I’d slapped him. We stood just outside the blood-soaked hospital, my fists clenched so tight the skin split across my knuckles. Blood ran down my hands, hot and furious. I didn’t even feel it. “I—I don’t know,” Dante stammered, eyes wide. “I swear, I don’t—” “Don’t lie to me,” I snapped, stepping toward him. “You’re his son. You know something.” “I don’t know where he is,” he insisted, desperation clawing at his voice. “But I heard Loki. Last night, when I saw them together—I heard Loki tell him to meet him… in a cave.” My pulse slammed against my skull. My entire body felt like it was set ablaze. “A cave?” I repeated, my voice sharp enough to draw blood. “There are thousands of caves in these woods, Dante. Be more fucking specific!” “I don’t know which one!” he shouted, and for once, he didn’t flinch. I turned away, pacing like a caged animal. Rage boiled in my vein