All Chapters of Bride Of The Beast: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

The doors of our chambers shut. The room was quiet. "Stay here," Eilís said. "Do not leave this room please, Raven. I need to properly check on my brothers." I leaned against the table. "I won't move. Go." "Promise me you will sit still," he said. "I promise, Eilís. I'll be right here." He turned and left the room, shutting the doors behind him. As soon as his footsteps faded down the hallway, I moved. I walked over to the vanity table, opened the box, and took out the silver wolf pendant. Holding it tightly in my hand, I slipped out of the chambers through the side door. I hurried through the quiet servant passages to avoid being seen. I didn't stop until I reached the Solarium. I needed to talk to Marilyn. I wanted answers. The Solarium was quiet and smelled of plants. Marilyn was there, knitting what looked like a neck scarf. She looked up when I entered, her eyes dropping to the silver wolf pendant gripped in my hand. "Raven," she said, putting down the knitting pin. "Wha

RAVENFive seconds after the door clicked, I heard it click again and Eilís threw the door open.He sighed, looking apologetic. "That was stupid.""Yes, it was," I answered, still annoyed and shocked."Raven, please," he said as he walked in. "How about we compromise? When all these are settled, we'll think about what to do about Marilyn."I was silent. I could say no and drag this out, but that would help none of us. I could say yes and agree with him, but still go ahead to meet Marilyn without him looming over me, of course. And it was not like he could detect a lie from a supposed truth from the bond directly. All he could do was suspect.I sighed, forcing the tension out of my shoulders to make him think I was finally giving in."Fine," I said, keeping my voice flat enough to show I was still irritated. "We'll wait until everything handles itself before I go to her."Eilís let out a visible breath of relief, the tight lines around his eyes relaxing. He walked over and closed the d

RAVEN‘You have my blessings. You shall have the gift you so desire.’The voice was faint, fading like mist, but it echoed inside my head.‘I will grant you this as a favor to your beloved mother. I shall try and reduce the punishment and toll of your coming days.’I jolted upright, a harsh, desperate gasp ripping from my throat. My lungs burned, taking in air so fast it felt like I had been underwater and had only just broken the surface. I clutched my chest, my heart hammering against my ribs as I tried to breathe.The cold air of the courtyard and the blinding silver light were gone. I was sitting in our bed, the morning sun filtering softly through the heavy curtains.Beside me, Eilís sat up immediately, his brow furrowed with sleep and instant worry. He reached out, putting a warm hand on my shoulder."Raven?" His voice was rough. "What's wrong? You're shaking."I stared at him, my mind spinning. "How... how did I get here?" I whispered.Eilís blinked, looking confused. "What do

RAVENThe heat inside my core refused to die down, but I didn't have time to worry about a fever. Kiya’s smug face and her thinly veiled threats kept replaying in my mind.She wanted me to show up and perform for the inner circle. Hoping to use me for the comedic act of the day perhaps?A knock sounded at the door, and Calani stepped back into the room, holding a fresh set of formal robes over her arm."Raven, I was told by the event planners that you've been invited to a gathering for high wolf mates.”I groaned. “I was informed.”“I thought you were supposed to be under house arrest?”“I suppose being within the palace surroundings count as part of my house?”“Of course,” Calani agreed, straightening up from the door.I straightened up from my place on the couch and went to sit at the vanity table. The movement made the warmth in my stomach flare.Calani set the robes down on the bed. “Should we just keep it simple? A plain tunic, neat hair—don't give them anything to comment on?""

RAVENKiya smiled. I didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but it sent an unsettling chill through me.Desperate to steer the attention away from my identity and my clothes, I forced myself to sit upright and decided to shift the target back to her. “Kiya are you mated? I find myself wondering why you are present at a gathering for high wolf mates if you aren't.”Kiya’s smile widened, entirely unfazed by the question. She leaned back, tapping her porcelain cup with a manicured nail. “I have the privilege of being here because I am the overseer of the inner circle's affairs. I was personally tasked by the crown to ensure everything within these walls runs seamlessly. Mated or not, my authority in this court is absolute.”I simply nodded, letting out a quiet breath of relief as the conversation finally drifted away from me and moved down the table.I picked up my cup and took a small sip, expecting the bitter floral note of tea. Instead, a sharp, burning warmth coated my