012

Raven’s POV

The dream made no sense.

I was running, my feet sinking into the mud every step I took. The sky above me was red, but there was no sun, no moon, no stars. Just endless red, like the heavens had been set on fire.

A voice whispered my name.

I gasped and turned, but there was no one. Only shadows stretching across the ground, shifting, twisting, reaching for me.

Then I heard crying, and the voice sounded like Yara's.

I tried to run toward the sound, but the ground cracked under me. I fell, my body sinking into darkness. Cold hands grabbed at my arms, my legs, pulling me under....

I gasped awake.

My heart was kicking against my ribs as I sat up. It took a second to remember where I was. The carriage. The wedding. The journey to Night Howler’s Pack.

But something was wrong. We weren’t moving.

The carriage was too silent, and when I looked around, I realized I was alone.

I reached for my dagger without thinking. Had we been attacked or robbed?

Holding the weapon tight, I pushed the carriage door open.

Outside, the sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hints of dawn. I stepped down carefully, scanning the area. I kept my body as low as I could, ready for a fight.

Then I saw Jaxon’s men scattered across the clearing, resting near small fires, preparing food. Some were sharpening their weapons, others were talking in hushed voices.

I sighed slowly, slipping my dagger back into its sheath. There was no danger, just a break.

I walked forward, my boots pressing into the damp grass. That was when I realised that I was the only female here.

I had trained alongside men my whole life, but this was different. I wasn’t here as a warrior, I was here as Jaxon’s wife. His Luna.

“Raven.”

I turned to find Jaxon watching me. A warm smile spread across his face. He lifted a hand, motioning me toward him. “Come here.”

I walked over to him. The moment I was close enough, Jaxon reached out and pulled me in gently, making me sit between his legs. He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “You are the Luna of my pack now,” he murmured. “And my wife.”

Heat rushed to my face. I shoved at his chest lightly. “Stop talking nonsense.”

Jaxon chuckled and stroked my hair. “We are resting for a little while,” he explained. “You should eat something before we continue.”

I crossed my arms. “I used to be a warrior, remember? I have gone three days without food before. I'm fine.”

Jaxon gave me a surprised look. “That was before, Ray. Now you are my wife, and a Luna must eat to stay beautiful.”

I rolled my eyes, but a small laugh escaped my lips. Just then, a man approached, carrying a wooden tray full of meat and fruits. He was tall, with sharp features like a vulture, and dark brown hair tied at the nape of his neck. He handed the tray to Jaxon with a grin.

Jaxon took it with one hand and gestured toward him with the other. “Raven, this is Liam. My Beta and best friend.”

Liam gave me a polite nod. “It’s good to finally meet you.”

I studied him for a moment before nodding back. “Likewise.”

Jaxon handed me the tray. “Eat.”

I sighed but took the food anyway.

"Rabbit?" I asked as I tore some part of the meat away with my fingers, and Liam nodded.

I chewed slowly as I watched Jaxon. The firelight made the green in his eyes look darker and more beautiful. He was quiet for a moment, poking at the flames with a stick. Sitting between his legs and feasting on rabbit was the most comforting thing ever.

I swallowed and leaned against his chest. “Tell me about your pack.”

Jaxon glanced down at me, raising an eyebrow. “What do you want to know?”

“The real deal,” I inclined my head to look into his eyes. “Not just the titles and ranks, I know all of that already. What is life actually like there? Is it different from Silver Moon or Stormgate?"

Jaxon let out a small breath and stretched his legs. “Night Howler is different from Silver Moon and very much different from Stormgate,” he admitted. “We value strength, but not just in battle. Everyone has a role. The hunters, the builders, the warriors and even the healers. Everyone has to earn their place.”

I nodded. That made sense. “And what about you? What kind of Alpha are you?”

“The kind that does what is necessary.”

I narrowed my eyes. “That is a vague answer.”

He chuckled. “I make sure my pack is safe. I train my warriors myself. I do not sit back and let others fight my battles for me.”

That, I already knew. Jaxon had always been known as a leader who stood on the battlefield, not behind it. I liked that about him; it matched my own values perfectly.

“And what about your family?” I asked, watching him closely.

Jaxon’s smile faded. “My mother is still Luna for now. But now that you're my wife, you would have to assume that role.”

There was something in the way he said it. A slight stiffness to his tone.

I frowned. “What is she like, your mother?”

Jaxon hesitated. “She does what she believes is right for the pack.”

I leaned forward. “That does not answer my question.”

Jaxon laughed, but there was no real humor in it this time. “She is… not always welcoming.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Not welcoming?”

“She has high expectations,” he admitted. “She believes in order, in rules, in things being done a certain way.”

I caught the silent words beneath what he was saying. His mother was strict, maybe even cold.

“Do you have siblings?” I asked, changing the subject slightly.

At that question, Jaxon's expression changed instantly. He dropped the stick he was using to poke the fire and looked away. “I do not want to talk about that right now.”

I studied him, waiting, but he didn’t say anything else. The silence was worse now. What was it about his siblings that he didn't want to tell me?

I forced a small smile to ease the tension. “You have an interesting family. It is going to be awkward being part of it.”

Jaxon turned to me. He reached out and took my hand, his fingers warm against mine. “They are excited to meet you.”

“Even your mother?” I asked.

Jaxon snorted. “Excited might not be the right word for her.”

I rolled my eyes, but a quiet laugh slipped past my lips. I finished eating in silence. Around us, Jaxon’s men began packing up, putting out the fires and gathering their supplies.

Jaxon stood and stretched, then turned to me. “Come on. It is time to go.”

I nodded. He helped me onto my feet and into the carriage, then climbed in after me. The moment the door shut, the wheels began to turn. We were finally on our way to Night Howler’s Pack.