I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror.
Everything seemed normal—my silver hair, though a little dull, and my familiar tired pale eyes staring back at me.But that wasn’t what sent ice crawling through my veins.It was my chest.The place where the lightning had struck was different.The scar marred my skin, a branching, jagged pattern that stretched like dark veins.It was swollen, discolored, and burned.I traced it with trembling fingers. I could feel the current in my skin as if the lightning was stored in me.I broke down, the weight of it all crashing over me.It was too much. It was all too much for my heart to take.I haven't even had time to grieve about the loss of my pack, of my father, of my life.And now that I was alone, it all came crashing down. It felt like the floodgates of my emotions had burst wide open.There wasn't really much to cryMy heart hammered wildly in my ribs as I stared at the note in my trembling hands. Written in red ink was: "You're not welcome here." I swallowed hard when I understood why red ink was used. Yeah, I got the message loud and clear. "Ravenna?" I jumped at Lilith's voice. I forgot I wasn't alone. "Yeah?" I answered as I hid the note in the pant's pocket."Are you okay? Why're you just standing there?" "I'm okay. I just want to use the toilet." I rushed into the bathroom, and flushed the note down the toilet. Why was I hiding the note? Shouldn't I have shown it to Lilith so she would know this floor wasn't as safe as she thought?It's okay. I'm okay. I wasn't going to leave this room. I would keep the door locked. And if they somehow broke into the room, I knew how to defend myself. I washed my face, and headed back to the room. Thoughts about the note buried deep in my mind. ***It's been days since I've settled into the pack. So far there hasn't been another note or anybody br
The forest was eerily quiet, save for the crunch of dead leaves beneath my boots. The night was dense, the air thick with tension, and the cold bit at my skin as I moved, eyes sharp, scanning the dark wilderness. Alpha Rowan’s words echoed in my mind: Prove you're not a threat. Prove you're not a spy.And this is me proving myself. A rogue had been spotted just beyond the pack’s territory, terrorizing the borders. My mission was to hunt down the rogue. Rowan said if I pulled this off, his people would see I wasn't some danger to them. They'd see I could protect them, that I'd risk my life for them. He also wanted to see what I was really capable of. If I could bring him down, maybe—just maybe—they’d stop looking at me like I was the enemy. I crouched low, my breath shallow. Ahead, the scent of blood mingled with the musk of damp earth. The rogue was close. I could feel it—a creeping presence, a predator lurking just out of sight.A growl vibrated through the trees, low and thr
"What do you mean for me?" I stopped walking as I turned to Lilith, my brows furrowed. "You are now part of our pack now," she explained, still smiling. "It's like a welcome party." "Oh." That was all I could say. A welcome party? For me? ME? It made me feel… important. I forced the lump down my throat and tried to say something but words failed me. Joseph threw his hand around my shoulder and I winced from the pain of my injury. "Shit. Sorry," he apologized and just held my arm instead. Very touchy. These two people. And I've come to understand that it's a way to put their scent on me. In all my twenty-one years of living with wolves I didn't know that. They touch me to put their scent on me, their mark, to tell people I was theirs. The lump in my throat grew bigger as I kept walking. "I'll have to say thank you," Joseph said as we continued walking. I t
Heat rushed to my face the moment I met Rowan's eyes. He stared at me with such intensity that I couldn't decipher the look in his eyes. He'd trade his usual suit for the night, opting for jeans, a white t-shirt, and a matching jacket instead.His hair, no longer neatly styled, was now tousled, and I had the sudden urge to run my fingers through it.He looked much younger and so much handsome now, I couldn't bring myself to look away even though I knew I'd been staring too long. Someone cleared their throat, and just like that the spell was broken. I looked away, embarrassed. Why was I always staring like an idiot?There was just something so captivating and alluring about Rowan that I always found myself staring, not able to look away. Lilith elbowed me gently and I faced her. "You should go see him," she said, her head gesturing towards Rowan. "Uhmm… I don't think that's a good idea," I said as I rubbed my neck. "Ravenna, shut up and just go," she said and she faced the guy
I sized the guy up, assessing my chances. He was larger than me and stood about an inch taller.But I had something he doesn't—speed. I kept my jaw tight, saying nothing, just nodding in response. "I’ll take that as a yes," he growled, lunging at me with startling speed.Okay he seems he was also fast. I barely dodged the first strike. His claws swiped through the air where my face had been moments before, the force of his swing cutting through the wind. His claws?!I ducked, spun on my heel, and countered with a swift punch to his ribs. He barely flinched. "Come on, is that all you’ve got?" he taunted, circling me like prey. His eyes gleamed with arrogance, feeding off the attention of the other wolves who had paused their own training to watch.I bristled but kept my calm. I knew better than to get emotional. It was what he wanted—me to lose control, to make a mistake.What a disappointment I was about to be to him. He lunged again, this time faking high and going low. His s
I had been given thirty minutes to go shower and change out of my bloody clothes. Thirty minutes was done and I was now standing with Lilith, Joseph, Selena, Vera, and Lucian—the guy Joseph left the party with. He seems like the quiet kind. Only spoke when spoken to and said just a few words in response. He was the total opposite to Joseph. The room buzzed with anticipation as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting warm, golden light through the tall windows. Joseph stood at the front, his voice carrying over the excited chatter of the group. "Alright, everyone! Welcome to the scavenger hunt! This isn’t just a game; it’s a… while it's just a game. You’ll be working together to find a list of items hidden throughout the pack house. Remember, some items may require teamwork or clever thinking to uncover. Ready?" "He sounds old," said Lilith, crossing her arms. The girls giggled and Joseph just rolled his eyes. "We'll be divided into two groups," he continued. "Ravenna, Lucian
"What the hell?" Selena said with her eyes wild. The scream was so loud, so painful, we all stood in shock, eyes wild, mouth open. What kind of terror could cause such a scream? I'm not sure I want to find out. "It came from outside," Joseph said, the first to break out of the trance, his voice low and tense. "We need to check it out." We rushed toward the pack house, the weight of dread heavy in my chests. As we stepped outside, the once lively atmosphere shifted to one of alarm and panic. Pack members were gathering, their faces pale and anxious. I heard a some people whisper, "He's coming." And I felt dread pool at my stomach. Who was he? The scream had echoed from the edge of the territory.We pushed through the crowd, finally reaching the clearing, where a horrific sight awaited us. A gruesome display hung from a nearby tree—severed wolf heads, their fur matted with blood, eyes wide in eternal terror. Some wolves were skinned, some ears were cut off, some mouth were wi
I didn't have any weapons with me save for just a butter knife, but I picked it regardless as I walked to the door. If the knife didn't work out I would use my teeth and fingers, but I wouldn't go down without a fight.Common sense screamed at me to stay away from the door, to call for help. But common sense wasn't my strong suit. Lila, with her holier-than-thou attitude, had a way of reminding me of that. I looked down and the shadow was still there. What were they waiting for? Who could they be? From the shadow I could see it was only one person. I could take out one person. I placed my hand on the door knob and took a deep breath, preparing myself. I swinged open the door, and I lunged forward, knife poised, ready to strike. But then I saw who it was, and my attack faltered. I stumbled, losing my balance in my sudden halt, and braced for the inevitable fall. But it never came. Strong arms caught me before I hit the ground. Rowan held me before I could fall, his arms wrapped
DARIUS POV THREE YEARS LATER "Jasper, come back here right this instant!" Ravenna yelled, her hands on her hips.Jasper giggled and ran towards me, his arms raised. I picked him up with a laugh and looked over at Ravenna."Bring him here," she commanded."No, daddy! Don't!" Jasper shouted as I carried him towards his mother, fighting against me with his little hands."Sorry, buddy," I said as I handed him to Ravenna. "Your mother is scary when she's angry." Said mother rolled her eyes and carried Jasper back into the bathroom where she was trying to bathe him before he all but ran out naked. Something nudged my leg and I looked down. A smile spread across my face as I picked up my little girl. "Morning, angel," I said softly as I pressed a kiss on her forehead."Jasper is making trouble again, isn't he?" Juniper asked, rubbing her sleepy eyes.Unlike her twin, Juniper was a late raiser, calm where Jasper was restless, silent where Jasper was loud. Yan and yang, these two. "Yeah,
RAVENNA POV I cupped Darius’ face and kissed him harder when he hesitated to kiss me back. After a few moments his tongue slipped into my mouth and he deepened the kiss. He left the ground and climbed into the bed, laying me on my back and he climbed on top of me. He sucked my bottom lips before he bit it gently, causing me to moan. I tugged on his shirt and he broke the kiss to pull it off. He kissed me as he took off his remaining clothes, before he took off mine. His lips trailed down to my nipples but I fisted his hair and dragged his head up so he could look at me. "No time for that. Just fuck me." I wanted to feel him, wanted to feel if this was real. I wanted to know that I wasn't in that cell and this wasn't just a dream. Darius studied me for a while before he kissed me again, softly, and positioned himself on my entrance. He pulled away to look down at me as he pushed slowly inside. The both of us moaned at the same time and I struggled to keep my eyes open. Darius pu
RAVENNA POVRowan had shifted so suddenly, that Darius didn't have time to react. Rowan's massive wolf jaws locked around Darius's hand with a sickening crunch, and the sound of bone breaking sent a ripple of terror through me. My heart stopped as Darius roared, a sharp, agonized cry that echoed in my mind."No!" I screamed, my voice weak but filled with panic. The pain in my shoulder was blinding, and I could barely keep my head up, but the sight of Darius in agony was too much. My body trembled as I tried to push myself up, my hand pressing against the bleeding wound, but I collapsed back down. I was losing blood too fast.Darius was struggling now, his face contorted in pain, and he was trying desperately to pull Rowan off his hand. He pushed and shoved, but the wolf’s hold was relentless. And then, in the blink of an eye, Darius shifted.His body twisted and contorted, bones cracking as they rearranged into his wolf form. I could hardly take a breath as I watched him grow in si
RAVENNA POV I tried to struggle against Rowan but he had a choke hold on me, and he also had strength that I didn't have. That poison was still taking a toll on me and I haven't regained my full strength. Plus, I couldn't feel my wolf. That filled me with so much fear and panic. I had thought after the poison had worn off I would feel her again but I couldn't. Have I lost my wolf again? I wasn't sure I could live with that.But I pushed that to the back of my mind. I couldn't panic now. I had to stay clear headed.Darius was here. My mate was here and Rowan was going to use me as leverage against him before he would kill him. I couldn't let that happen. But no matter how I fought against Rowan he didn't let up.I had bite, and pinch, and stepped on his foot but he remained unfazed as he held me and waited for Darius to come through that door. When he finally did, my knees buckled, but Rowan's hold on me kept me standing.Darius was here, covered in blood, his hair tied up, his han
DARIUS POV The heavy air of the night clung to my skin as we approached the border. Isabelle, still bruised and battered from Mia’s interrogation, shuffled in front of me. Her hands were trembling slightly, and though she kept her gaze fixed ahead, I could tell she was trying to suppress the fear bubbling beneath the surface. But that didn’t matter anymore. We were close.Dalian and Mia flanked her, their eyes scanning the horizon, ever alert. The men I’d brought with me were scattered around the perimeter, watching for any movement, any sign that Rowan's pack had caught wind of our approach."Don't do anything stupid, Isabelle," I warned. "Take down the ward quietly."She nodded shakily before she raised her hands, muttering under her breath. The air around her seemed to warp, a subtle flicker of light shimmering in the distance. I felt the hum of magic in my skin. It felt like something shifting beneath the surface, a barrier dissolving, like a dam giving way to the rushing force
DARIUS POV Mia was right. I was a selfish bastard. I didn't want to face my pain, I didn't want to acknowledge it so I remained in my wolf form where all I could think of was kill. And kill I did. I haunted animals like it was nothing. And any unfortunate human who happens to come across me went down too. I didn't feel guilty about it. I wanted the world to feel my pain. But then sense returned to me when Mia had dared question my love for Ravenna. There was no questioning it, there shouldn't be any doubt. I loved Ravenna more than I loved myself, more than I loved to live. I would have traded my place for her in a blink if I was offered the chance. I would lay my heart in her palms if she asked for it. I would burn the world down for her if that's what she desires. But I needed to save her first before I could prove my love for her. The ward surrounding Rowan's territory was strong. We had tried without success to find a weak point in it and break through it. There wasn't any
RAVENNA POV For the second time in less than a year I found myself in a cell, but this one was cleaner and had more light than the last one. Small mercies. When I woke up, a part of me wished I hadn't. I had felt hollow, my body weighed down by exhaustion, my mind clouded with pain. The poison had worn off, but it felt like something inside me had died with it. My insides hadn't felt right, my head had felt too heavy. I had nearly choked on my vomit until I managed to get up and dragged my body to the bucket at the corner and vomited what should be in the body. I had almost vomited my organs and I had to force them back down. After that I had dragged my body back to the thin mattress. Then the shaking began.I didn't feel cold or anything but I had shook so hard that I feared my bones might snap. I had wanted to scream, to fight, but the silence of the cell had crushed any thoughts of rebellion. I didn't know how but I had managed to fall asleep with the shaking. When I had wok
MIA POV I sat at the edge of the cliff, wiping tears off my eyes. But fresh tears kept replacing them. I couldn't stop crying no matter how hard I tried to stop. My face was puffed up, my eyes were so swollen I could barely see through it, my throat felt like sandpaper. My heart felt like there was a knife in it, twisting everything I breathed. We couldn't find Ravenna. Not even a single trace, not even a wisp of her smell. Nothing! It's like she vanished from existence, and she took a piece of me with her.Even though Ravenna had found her mate and I knew mine was probably out there, she felt like the other piece of my soul. The other half of me. I grew up as an only child. My mother died during childbirth and my father refused to remarry. So I grew up alone, but back then I had Darius and Lucian, along with the pack. Darius and Lucian were fine but I never had that sliding connection with them. But then Ravenna came and I felt it all. I felt more than just siblings' connection
DARIUS POV The poison burned like ice in my veins, draining every ounce of strength I had left. My body trembled under the weight of it, but I refused to go down. I had to protect her. I had to—Another figure lunged at me, their syringe aimed for my neck. I fought with everything I had left, swinging out wildly, but my limbs felt like lead. I caught the man by the wrist and threw him across the battlefield, but before I could recover, two more were on me. They moved with brutal efficiency, and before I could react, their needles found their mark."No..." I gasped, my voice barely a whisper, as the poison spread faster now, flooding through me like a wave of frost.I fought harder, I couldn’t let them take me down, but the world blurred at the edges. My body was slowing, my movements sluggish, like I was moving underwater. I felt like I was sinking into it, and no matter how much I fought, my strength was draining too fast.I wanted to scream for Ravenna but I couldn't. My tongue f