Chapter Sixty-One Raven

Morning comes softly. I wake curled against Noah, my head tucked under his chin, his arm wrapped around me like he’s been holding me all night. His breathing is slow and deep, he’s completely asleep, peaceful in a way I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. For a moment, I just lie there, listening to the quiet cabin, the faint crackle of last night’s fire, the gentle lap of the lake outside. Then I remember. We marked each other. We completed our bond.My heart flutters, warm and steady. I shift slightly, and the blanket slips just enough for me to see his mark, the one I placed on him. It sits over his left shoulder, curling down his upper arm and across part of his chest.His family crest is at the center, bold and clear. But surrounding it… is a blue flame. My flame. It glows faintly, like living ink, shimmering when the morning light touches it. I reach out and trace the flame lightly with my fingertip. Noah stirs, his breath catching. His eyes blink open, soft and sleepy. “Morning.

Chapter Sixty-Two Noah

Today was supposed to be perfect. We woke up tangled together, warm and quiet, the matebond humming like it finally found its home. We spent the morning on the porch with coffee, the afternoon hiking, and the evening lying on the dock watching the lake turn gold.I kept thinking: This is what she deserves. This is what we deserve. Peace. Normalcy. A break from destiny.But now she’s shaking in my arms, curled against my chest on the couch, breathing like she’s trying to remember how.I hold her tighter, rocking her gently, one hand stroking her hair, the other pressed over her mark, our mark, trying to steady the bond.“Raven,” I whisper, “I’m right here. You’re safe.” It takes a few minutes before her breathing evens out. She wipes her eyes, still trembling, but she’s present again. Here. With me. When she finally lifts her head, I brush her cheek with my thumb. “Do you want to talk about it?” I ask softly. She nods. So I keep holding her, letting her stay tucked against me, letting

Chapter Sixty-Three Raven

Noah keeps his arm around me as we sit on the couch, the matebond warm and steady against the panic still twisting in my chest. I can feel his heartbeat through his shirt, slow, grounding, safe. Mom sits on my other side, close enough that her knee touches mine. Liam stands behind the couch, hands on the backrest, jaw tight. Grace and Emily sit across from us, both leaning forward, both worried. Everyone is here. Everyone is listening. And I’m terrified.I take a shaky breath. “It was a vision. Not real. But… it felt real.” Mom’s hand finds mine instantly. “Sweetheart, tell us everything.” So I do. I tell them about the Nothing. About the Hallow wearing Brad’s face. About the fury. About the threat. About the words he used. “He said I was supposed to be his vestal,” I whisper. “His vessel. His doorway.”Mom’s breath catches. Liam’s eyes widen. Grace presses a hand to her mouth. Emily whispers, “Oh my god…”Noah pulls me closer, his thumb brushing my shoulder in slow circles. “And he s

Chapter Sixty-Four Raven

I wake before Noah. The room is dim, the soft gray of early morning slipping through the curtains. Noah is still asleep beside me, one arm draped over my waist, breathing slow and steady. The matebond hums quietly, warm, comforting, peaceful. I smile. But my mind is already turning. Thinking. Planning. Worrying. I slip carefully out from under his arm, trying not to wake him. He stirs once, reaching for me instinctively, but settles again when the bond reassures him I’m close. I pull on a sweater and head downstairs.The farmhouse is quiet, wrapped in that soft hush only early mornings seem to have. I walk into the kitchen, expecting to start coffee, but the pot is already full. And one mug is missing. I blink. Who else would be up this early?I grab my own mug, pour coffee, and head toward the back door. The November air is crisp, cool enough to make me pull the sweater tighter around me.When I step onto the porch, I see her. Mom sits in one of the rocking chairs, legs tucked under

Chapter Sixty-Five Noah

I wake to an empty bed. For half a second, my heart jumps— until the matebond hums softly, warm and steady, telling me she’s close. Safe. Calm. Thinking. I smile into the pillow. Of course she’s up early.I stretch, pull on sweatpants and a shirt, and head downstairs. Halfway down, I hear voices...low, tense, arguing. Dad. And Delaney. Great. I step into the living room just as Dad throws his hands up. “Delaney, this is insane. You can’t seriously think this is a good idea.”Delaney’s voice is sharp. “It’s the only idea we have left.”Mom is sitting on the couch, looking like she’s trying to mediate without actually stepping between them. Raven is curled in the corner of the couch, mug in hand, watching them with wide eyes. I go straight to her and sit beside her, our knees touching. She leans into me automatically, the bond humming warm. “What’s going on?” I murmur.She sighs. “Mom wants to call a Luna in to help us learn more about the prophecy.”My eyebrows lift. “A Luna?”She nods

Chapter Sixty-Six Clara/Kyle

I’m halfway through organizing the winter supply inventory when my phone buzzes.A name flashes across the screen. Delaney Warren.I freeze. Delaney hasn’t called anyone in eighteen years. I answer immediately. “Delaney?”Her voice is tight, urgent. “Clara… I need your help.”I don’t ask questions. Not yet. Not when her tone tells me everything I need to know.“I’ll come,” I say. “Tell me where.”“Hallow’s Edge,” she replies. “By nightfall.”I exhale slowly. “We’ll be there.”She tells me what's going on and what she needs. When I hang up, Aaron is already standing in the doorway of my office, arms crossed and brow raised. “Did I hear that right?” he asks. “Delaney called you?”I nod. “Yes.”He whistles under his breath. “She’s been missing for eighteen years.”“I know,” I say softly. “And I’ll explain what happened when we get there.”He steps closer, expression shifting from surprise to concern. “Clara… if she’s calling you now, it’s serious.”“It is,” I admit. “We need to be on the