009

Raven’s POV

The second we stepped into my room, I turned and shoved Jaxon hard in the chest.

“What the hell was that?” I snapped at him. “You had a meeting with my father and said all that in front of Yara? You stood there and declared I was your mate and your wife like she wasn’t in the damn room?”

Jaxon barely moved from the force of my push. It was like shoving a great oak tree. His green eyes went dark as he studied me. “I said the truth, Ray.”

I huffed impatiently. “The truth is that I don’t want this. I don’t want to be married to you. Not if it causes this rift between myself and my sister.”

He took a step forward, I took one back.

“I wish you had a choice, but you don't anymore,” he murmured. “I have already marked you.”

“I can still reject the bond.”

He smiled coyly. "You wouldn't do that."

“I can,” I repeated. “Okay, yeah, sure. We had a very insignificant moment in that tool shed..."

"...and another 'insignificant' moment before that window," his smile was teasing now, as he took yet another step towards me. "...and then another very insignificant one on your bed two nights ago. That is a whole lot of insignificant moments, Raven."

I knew that if I looked into those green pools of his, all my strength would melt away. Keeping my gaze on a spot above his head, I continued. "I was weak, but I am not weak now. I will not let my father do this. I will not let him send Yara to Stormgate while I stand here playing the good Luna at your side.”

Jaxon sighed through his nose, then moved so fast I barely saw it. His hands wrapped around my arms, firm but not rough.

“You are angry,” he murmured. “But not at me. You think you betrayed Yara, but this is not your fault.”

I struggled against his grip, but he didn’t let go. “Let me go, Jaxon.”

“No.” His voice was calm. “Listen to me. This is fate. It is the Moon Goddess’ will, not yours or mine. You cannot blame yourself for something that was always meant to happen.”

The fight left me all at once.

I let out a trembling breath, my body slumping against his hold. “You don’t understand." I whispered. “Yara is the only person who has ever been good to me in this family. She is the only one who has ever loved me. My father blames me for my mother's death. My stepmother hates me because she thinks that I'm fighting for Yara's spot with our father....”

Jaxon stayed silent, but his hands relaxed just enough to let me move.

“She is the only one who never looked at me like I was nothing. Even when her own mother tried to turn her against me, she still loved me. She still called me her sister.” My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes. “And now she will hate me forever because I stole her chance at happiness.”

This time I couldn't control the tears that dropped from my eyes. Jaxon did the last thing I expected and pulled me to his chest.

I froze in surprise at first, but his warmth felt oddly. His arms wrapped around me, as if he was physically holding me together.

“She will get over it,” he murmured. “She is hurt now, but she will not hate you forever. Over time, she will realise that this was meant to be.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. “You don’t know that.”

“I do,” he said softly. “And since I was the one who chose you, no one will dare hate you.”

For a long time, we stayed like that; holding onto each other as if the rest of the world didn’t exist. My face was buried in Jaxon’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat that matched mine.

Then he pulled back slightly, his hands still resting on my waist. “Now, we have a wedding to get ready for.”

I sighed, closing my eyes for a brief second. “I don’t want anything loud. No grand celebration, please. That will only give the people a bigger reason to talk."

Jaxon tilted his head, studying me. “You want something quiet?”

I nodded. “Just a small ceremony. No unnecessary guests.”

His lips curved upward as he leaned down and kissed my forehead. The warmth of his lips sent a strange feeling through my body, something unfamiliar yet not unwelcome. I might get used to it.

“If we weren’t fated mates,” he murmured, “I still wouldn’t have chosen Yara.”

I frowned and leaned away from him. “What? You were betrothed to her.”

"Only because of the alliance between your father and I." He smiled, staring at me through hooded eyelids. “You caught my interest long before I knew you were mine. That day in the tool shed, when you sharpened your blade and barely looked at me.”

My heart jumped again, but this time, it wasn’t from pain. I let out a small laugh. “So you mean to tell me my attitude left an effect on you?”

Jaxon chuckled. “More than you know.”

I smiled to myself, a strange sort of satisfaction settling in my chest. “Good to know I have that power.”

He laughed and shook his head slightly. “I want you to be happy, Raven. Always.”

His voice was softer and more careful. It caught me off guard and before I could process it, he moved closer.

One hand slid around my waist, pulling me against him. His other hand lifted, fingers brushing against the sensitive skin on my neck where he had marked me. A shiver ran through me as his thumb stroked the spot slowly, deliberately.

Heat curled low in my stomach. I released a whoosh of breath, gripping his shirt without realizing it. Suddenly I felt lightheaded.

Jaxon lowered his head, pressing his lips gently against the mark. I gasped as warmth spread through me and my entire body reacted to his touch.

“You will know love through me,” he murmured against my skin.

I should have pulled away, should have said something to break whatever spell he was weaving over me. But I didn’t.

Instead, I leaned into him and once again, let the world go silent around me.