Chapter 5

Aria’s pov

I woke up when the second sound of claws dragging deliberately across the wooden floor was heard. Blood stains were seen on the cabin walls. The eerie howl sounded just like the last one heard in the forest before I dozed off to sleep. My heart raced and I hid beside the shelves at Raven's back.

Raven stood by the window near the shelves far from the door, he didn't appear afraid, rather, he seemed expectant.

"It wasn’t after me," he said quietly, not looking back. "It was after you."

The words struck me hard, "What do you mean?” I asked curious

"Your bloodline is tied to a prophecy. Some creatures can sense destiny," he said, his tone heavy with unsettling knowledge. "Ancient and starving beings."

Outside, the creature had disappeared, leaving behind a bloody mark on the cabin door – a crescent moon crossed by claw marks. I stared at the symbol, a chill running through me.

Raven turned to me, his expression unreadable. "You’ve been claimed. It will return."

Before I could ask for clarification, he was already gathering weapons with swift efficiency. "We need to leave. Now."

***

Raven took me deeper into the woods along paths that seemed only him walked. Hours of walking in silence passed until we reached a stunning hidden clearing.

Lots of tents were set up, smoke swirled upward from the corner of the tents. There were wolves roaming between the structures – their scarred, hardened faces turning to observe our arrival with wary eyes. These were not ordinary pack wolves; they were the castaways, the forgotten.

“Welcome to the last refuge for the unwanted,” Raven said, his voice filled with dark pride.

A woman with three claw marks on her face spat into the fire. “Another pack princess?”

A sharp heat ignited in my chest. “I’m no princess.”

The woman laughed bitterly but as Raven gave her a piercing look, she stopped instantly. When he spoke again his words made even the toughest wolves move backwards.

"No," he responded, never breaking eye contact with mine. "She’s something much more valuable."

That night inside the Raven's tent filled with weapons and maps on the table, he moved around me like I was a prey, he then began… “Aria Blackwood, you've three choice, you have to choose wisely”

I stiffened. "How do you know my name?"

His smile was cutting as ice. "Daughter of Marcus and Elena Blackwood, those two were great warriors who fell in the border wars five years ago." My surprise must have been evident since his smile grew. "I make it my business to know about notable bloodlines."

“Choice one,” he continued, pacing again. “Leave now and die in the wilderness within the week,” he stared at me, “but that is if you can actually last for the week.”

“I can take care of myself,” I protested, my voice shaken, making the words lack conviction.

Raven's chuckles sliced through the air. "Like you did with those weak rogues?"

Heat rushed down my cheeks, but he moved on before I could say anything.

"Choice two: Go back to your Alpha and beg for forgiveness."

The mere thought made Nyra growl. "Never."

"Choice three," Raven stopped directly in front of where I sat, his silver eyes penetrating. "Stay. Learn. Become strong enough that you’ll never be cast aside again." He bends towards my corner, “That is a promise.”

Pride clashed with desperation in my chest. I yearned for strength. God, how I craved it. But nothing comes without a cost.

"What’s the catch?"

His voice turned steely. "If you must stay then you give complete obedience. Unquestionable loyalty. Challenge me, and you’re gone."

"So I’d be trading one master for another?" I asked

"Ronan discarded you like rubbish," Raven stated, each word landing like a physical blow. "I’m offering to mold you into a weapon." “A weapon meant for revenge.”

I like that. I’m ready to revenge Ronan and the Crescent Moon Pack. After I'd agreed, the other outcast circled me and Raven to perform an ancient ritual ceremony, predating both parks and law. Their faces lit up in the burning light.

Raven took out a sharp knife that was as bright as the moonlight, “If you have agreed to stay, then you swore by blood and silver to heed to my commands.”

Looking at the faces around me— the outcast, those desperate faces who had made the same choice to survive. Each scar told a story, each wound an evidence of strength earned through suffering.

"I swear," I replied, my voice more steady this time.

Raven used the knife to cut his palm, blood darkening in the firelight, then gave me the blade. The warm silver pressed on my skin cut deeper than anticipated.

Our palms met, blood mingling.

A surge of power moved through my body like lightning.

Nyra rumbled.

Silver light burst out from our joined hands, brighter than the flames, brighter than the stars. It pulsed twice before disappearing, leaving us both breathless.

Raven stepped back quickly, staring at his palm as it healed at a fast speed. The cut sealed instantly, leaving only a thin silver line.

“Interesting,” he murmured.

“What just happened?” I asked, glancing at my own palm that healed immediately.

Raven didn't answer, instead he rolled up his sleeve showing off the old bite scars patterns on his forearm, pale in the firelight. I recognized the pattern – the distinctive marks of an Alpha's punishment.

“Do you see these marks?” His voice was soft, but beneath it was a strong rooted rage that made me step back. “Your bloodline destroyed my pack once, little Silver Fang.”

The name struck me like a slap. Silver Fang. The same name Elder Varyn had whispered to Ronan.

"I don’t understand...," I said stammering

Raven's eyes grew cold as stone, and when he smiled, it was pure desires to cause harm.

"This time," he stated, his voice heavy with the weight of old vengeance, "it will restore my empire."

My gut tightened, a whisper of regret crawling up my throat.