Chapter 3

Ravenna's POV 

Ravenna stood by a small forest, staring at the gate of the Lunarcrest Pack. Her chest tightened with shame. With guilt. She didn't have the strength to lift her legs and walked in through the gate.

What a shame!

Crawing back home after three years with nothing but a broken heart and a vengeful soul: she made a vow that make Talon suffer. She would make him feel every pain she felt and more. She promised to come back for everything he had taken from her.

She left the Northern province with nothing. The only thing that remained of her was her mother's empty bank card. 

Talon had emptied the account. The mansion and company was purchased in his name. He had made sure throw her out that night when he arrived home.

Truly if she walked into the palace, her father might forgive her and take her back. Afterall he had heard news of how he was searching for her but she has managed to hide her scent so they couldn't find her. 

But what about the shame? The murmurs and whispers from the palace staff, the elders. She won't be able to survive it.

She wiped the tears that slide down her face and turned back. She can't stay here. 

Never!

She walked away. She didn't bother taking the taxi, she just kept walking. Minutes passed. Hours passed. She didn't stop walking and and it was when she reached a club house at the outskirts of town that she realised how long she had walked.

A small smile spread across her face when she remembered how Myra and her would sneak out and frequented here several times in the past.

The Secret Lair—the club was known for it's tradition of using a mask before one can gain entrance and mixing of drinks that could get even the strongest of wolf drunk.

She moved towards the entrance, picked up a silver mask from the counter outside and wore it over her face. 

Ravenna stepped inside the club. Red neon light. Loud music that reverberated through her being. Clinking of glasses. She-wolves dressed in fish net and straddling men. Strippers twisting around a long pole on the stage. 

A place filled with secrets and sin. No one here knows that she was a foolish princess who has left her throne behind for an enemy.

She settled at a corner in the room. With a single flick of her hand, she summoned one of the waitress over.

“Your strongest mix, please,” she said, slamming some dollars on the table.

The bartender picked it up, disappeared into the crowd and came back minutes later with a glass of drink and placed it on the table.

Ravenna took a sip. It burned down her throat, and when it reached her stomach, she felt goosebumps on her shoulders and the air at the back of her neck rose.

“This is the real deal,” she muttered, smiling sadly in satisfaction, feeling slightly better than earlier.

After taking up to half of the glass, she was already feeling dizzy and more importantly, she feel pressed.

She forced herself up, and made her way to the restroom. Her legs wobbled slightly, but she kept walking.

She reached the empty hallway, her eyes darted around in fear and just as she passed by the male restroom, she heard a low, muffled groan that signify that someone was in pain.

She wanted to ignore: she already have enough on her plate but something tugged at her. She turned back, twist the door open and there he was.

A man whose face was concealed with a gold mask was sprawled across the floor, a silver dagger was piercing into his chest and he was drenched in his own blood. He seemed almost lifeless, every breath a struggle.

Her hands flew to her mouth at the sight of his critical state. He might die if he isn't taken care of.

She quickly stepped in and shut the door behind her. Her mind was spiralling on what she could do, voices echoed in the hallway.

“Search everywhere for him,” the voice commanded. “He is injured, so he wouldn't have gone far.“

“Yes, boss,” a group echoed.

Ravenna's chest thundered against her rib cage so hard that it seems, it was going to rip open. They must be searching for him. She heard them opening the doors and searching for him. If they find him, then she won't be safe too.

She quickly shield him with her body. “Ouchhhhhhh,” she let out a fake moan. “Harder, baby. Yes, yes,” she screamed so loudly that someone would think she was truly reaching orgasm.

One of the men creaked the door open.

She saw him and added more fire. “Yes… baby. That spot….“

He didn't finish opening the door before he hissed in disgust. “Get a room, won't you?“ He slammed down door close.

“He is not here. Let's check the parking lot.“

It was until their footsteps faded that Ravenna stepped away, heaving in relief, placing a hand over her chest.

“You sure deserve an…. award for such an outstanding performance,” the man muttered weakly. 

Ravenna glanced at him. “Are you okay?“ She said, her voice laced with genuine concern.

“Of course, not,” he groaned, pushing himself up and more blood splattered out of his chest.

Her eyes widen in fear but she stood up and ran back into the bar. She grabbed a bottle of gin and ran back into the restroom. He was still there, weaker.

She crouched lower beside him, quickly unbuttoning his shirt and pulled it carefully, exposing his bare chest.

“I thought you left,” he says, weakly.

“No…. I'm not the kind of person who runs away.“ She pressed down on the area where he was stabbed. “This would hurt a little, I hope you can endure.“

He nodded.

She squeezed her eyes closed, and pulled the dagger out. 

Surprisingly he didn't scream like she expected. He only growled a little.

“You seems stronger than you look,” she commended, twisting the gin cover open.

“You seem beautiful than you look,” he replied. “Your mate must be lucky to have you.“

Her hands weakens around the bottle that it almost dropped to the floor. She looked at him through her mask and could feel his silver eyes piercing at hers from the mask.

Mate? She hated the word. The Moon Goddess had deceived her or maybe she brought it upon herself.

She didn't say a word. She poured the hot gin on his wound.

“Fuck….“ He let out an animalistic roar, his fingers grew sharper, longer, wrapped around her wrist.

His touch sent a thrill through her and she let him hold her. His hands tightened, like it was the only thing giving him the strength to withstand the pain.

After a while he let go of her wrist, and drifted off to sleep despite his struggles to keep his eyes open. She wrapped the shirt around his wound. She collapsed by his side and soon slept off, her head leaning on his shoulders.

_________

The next morning, Ravenna blinked her eyes open to an unfamiliar environment. Her eyes darted around the room. Huge chandeliers. Well painted walls. Expensive furnitures.

Her heart raced and she jolted upright.

Where is this?

How did she get here?

She looked down on herself. Still fully clothed. She heaved in relief. 

Before she could step out of the bed, the door creaked open.

And the man who stood before her was no other person than Alpha Kael Darnen. The bastard Alpha.

The hard hearted and cold gaze Alpha king of the Southern Province Clan. The man who tear his enemies apart with his bare hands. A beast who doesn't forgive nor forget.

And most importantly, the man she had rejected three years ago to be with Talon.

She opened her mouth to talk but no words came out.

 He stood tall, jaw clenched and smirking.

Ravenna clenched the bedsheets tightly, eyes lowered, teeth biting down on her lips and the room suddenly felt suffocating.

“Ravenna,” he called and her heart skipped a beat. Then two. No one calls her name better the did. “You saved me last night. Who could've have believed that the woman who hated me in the past could've have done that. I bet if you knew I was the one you would have left me to die.“

As much as she wanted to tell him that she would have saved him still, she couldn't say a word.

“I'm… no,” she stammered.

Kael smirked deepened: he was right. 

“Thanks anyway.“ Then he turned around. “You can leave, now.“ He started walking away but before he reached the door, her voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Aren't you going to compensate me for saving you?“ she said, her voice steady surprising even her. “I think you should.“

He turned back. 

“Compensate you?“ he repeated, the words sounded absurd.

She nodded. “Yes.“

He scoffed, then walked back to her. “How should I compensate you, princess Ravenna?“ He folded his arms.

A beat passed.

Silence, her mind swirling.

Without thinking, she said, “Marry me, Alpha Kael.“