CHAPTER 16
SLEEP ELUDED ME.
I turned onto my side, then my back, then my other side.
The blankets tangled around my legs, the pillow felt too soft, too firm, too wrong.
I couldn’t sleep. Not after what tonight, not after what Julian had said.
"I couldn't bear to see another man around you."
I squeezed my eyes shut. Ughhhhh!
Damn him.
Damn that voice of his, smooth and low, curling around my thoughts like a shadow I couldn’t shake.
I could still feel the weight of his hands on me, the heat of his touch lingering even now.
“You want to fight this, but you can't…”
A shiver ran down my spine.
I should have pulled away.
I should have told him no.
But I didn&rsquo
CHAPTER 17I WAS PARALYZED.One by the deep, shuddering need that made my stomach churn, and my heart race so fast that it was almost impossible to breathe. His hand was barely on my waist, and yet, I felt like it belonged there, like I had been claimed in ways I couldn't fathom.Two, was by the noise we heard. This crippled me.I pushed him away from me immediately, with a strength I didn't know I had, my heart hammering in my chest as we both turned towards the sound.Panic surged through my veins. If someone had seen us then…What if it was Luca?Or Elena?I swallowed, straining my eyes further into the dark. Then, we heard the voices again.Julian didn’t think twice. He gripped my wrist, firm yet gentle, pulling me into the shadows behind a thic
CHAPTER 18MY BLOOD PRESSURE SKYROCKETED.The darkness enveloped me, my breaths so rough that it tore through my chest as I struggled against the iron grip on my wrist. My heart pounded, my body tensed, and my mind made up to fight, until I caught his scent. It was him. A slow, shuddering exhale left me just as a low, familiar voice murmured, “It’s me.”Julian. Relief flooded through my chest. “What the hell, Julian?” My voice was breathless. “You scared the life out of me.”His grip didn’t loosen. If anything, he stepped closer, his presence overpowering in the small space.“I had to,” he murmured. “I couldn't watch you walk away.”I scoffed, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my neck, and the goosebumps. “That’s not an excuse to abduct me.”Even in the darkness, I could feel him smirk.He reached out, and I held my breath. However, I never felt his touch. Instead, the room lit up as he flipped the switch on. I scoffed.And he smiled. “What? I can touch you if you want me to."
CHAPTER 19THE AIR IN MY ROOM FELT HEAVIER THAN EVER BEFORE. Julian was just about to leave when Father stepped inside. The moment he saw Julian, he stiffened, his eyes flickering between the Alpha and me. His gaze darkened.I remained frozen in place. Did he hear anything? Julian remained composed, his hands clasped behind his back, but there was a quiet tension between them.“Alpha,” my father greeted stiffly, his voice neutral, but laced with suspicion.Julian gave a small nod, unbothered. “Beta.”I couldn't help but wonder if this was just an act. How could he not be bothered that my father had walked in on us? Or am I the only one losing my mind? My father’s gaze narrowed. “Why are you here?”Julian glanced at me briefly, then turned back to my father, his expression unreadable. “I was speaking with Raven.”I felt my breath hitch. Not your daughter, just Raven. Why did that feel good? My father’s brows furrowed. “Speaking?” He crossed his arms. “And apologizing, from what I o
A growl rumbled in his chest before his lips met mine again, softer this time—savoring, and his hands trailed my body, like he was worshipping my very existence. His hands explored slowly, as if memorizing every inch of me. Every brush of his fingertips set fire to my skin, every kiss left me breathless.When our bodies finally came together, it wasn’t just heat or passion—it was something deeper. Something I didn't know I needed. I lost myself in him, in the way he whispered my name like a vow, in the way he made me feel like I belonged to him.The night was filled with heat, whispers, and surrender.I surrendered! ***Warmth.That was the first thing I felt when I woke up.Not just the warmth of the morning sun filtering through the curtains, but the warmth of him.Julian’s arm was draped over my waist, his bare chest pressed against my back. His breathing was steady, slow.For a long moment, I didn’t move. I just laid there, feeling the rise and fall of his breath, feeling safe.
CHAPTER 21OH NO! I fumbled with my words as we stood in the hushed corridor of the council hall, the tension between us almost palpable. I could feel Julian’s steady presence beside me—a silent assurance that made my heart both flutter and ache. Luca had been nearby, his eyes narrowing in suspicion at our closeness. Before he could press further, Julian’s cool tone cut through the charged atmosphere.“You didn’t need to know every detail,” Julian said sharply, his gaze fixed on Luca as if daring him to continue. His words were measured but edged with authority. “As you heard, it's clearly something no one can find out about. And you're not exception." Luca’s lips pressed into a thin line. For a moment, I thought he was going to give up and walk away, but I was so wrong. “Why are you always together?” he demanded, his tone low and challenging. “You do know an Alpha and his member is not supposed to be this close. It's so suspicious, it's not something I can ignore.”Without a momen
CHAPTER 22AWKWARD.That was the only way to explain the state between Julian and I. We retired to our assigned rooms—a sparse, modest chamber that did little to hide the tension simmering between us.I cleared my throat, “This seems like a comfy place to lay our heads after a ride like that.” My voice was desperate, and anyone could tell that I was struggling to start up a conversation.Julian said nothing, and my heart twisted. "Alpha, are you mad at me?” I blurted out. He heaved, finally looking at me. “His son's mate? Really? That's the only way you could think of to introduce yourself?" His voice was harsher than I expected it to be. I swallowed. “I’m sorry. They called us mates, and I panicked. I said the first thing that came into my mind, I didn't think it twice.” I tried to explain.He scoffed. "You make it sound like being my mate is so much of a crime.”"But I'm not your mate, Julian. And yes, it is a crime. Even this whole relationship is forbidden.” I bit my lips immed
CHAPTER 23TENSION.My heart hammered, and I pulled my hand away from Julian as if it burned. “Do you feel that?” I whispered, eyes darting into the shadows.Julian frowned, his protective instincts flaring. “I do,” he admitted, scanning the garden with narrowed eyes. “Stay close to me, Raven.”For a brief, uncertain moment, we sat together, the earlier peace completely shattered by the sense of unseen eyes. My pulse raced as I wondered who—or what—could be lurking out there. My mind was filled with uneasy possibilities, but for now, all I could do was hold onto Julian’s steady presence.He wrapped an arm around me protectively, and I leaned into him, grateful for the warmth and security. “We’ll be fine,” he whispered, though I couldn’t tell if he believed it.The shadows among the trees stretched long and eerie under the moonlight. Julian and I stood side by side, our gazes scanning the darkened foliage, the stillness of the night betraying the feeling that had jolted us moments ago.
CHAPTER 24BREATHE, RAVEN!The council chamber was suffocating, a thick cloud hanging above the room. The elders sat in their high-backed chairs, their faces stern, their expressions unreadable. The only sound in the room was the distant crackling of the fire in the hearth.I stood beside Julian, my heartbeat loud in my ears. Though he hadn’t touched me, I could feel his presence like a steady force, unyielding and firm.“What are you talking about?" Julian finally said, his voice was calm. It made me feel like I had no reason to be this scared.The oldest elder met his eyes head-on. “There are rumors." He paused, his eyes flickering towards me. My breath caught. “Rumors that aren't healthy for the pack." “Again, what are you talking about?” Julian repeated, unphased. "Is an Alpha supposed to be questioned like this? Like an ordinary wolf?”It was my Father who spoke this time. "Well, what happens when the Alpha decides to break the rules he set himself? Do we, as the pillars of the
CHAPTER 51RAVEN'S POVMATE!The moment Julian’s wolf roared “Mate,” I felt my world tilt. Exhaustion, pain, and the weight of everything I had endured crashed over me like a wave. My body gave out, my knees buckling as darkness threatened to consume me. But before I hit the ground, strong arms caught me. Julian’s scent enveloped me, familiar yet intensified by the bond now surging between us.For the first time, it was real—unfiltered, unbroken.Tears welled in my eyes as I forced myself to look up at him. His hands trembled as they held me, his eyes wild with emotion. “You finally feel it?” I whispered, my voice barely more than a breath. Before he could answer, my vision blurred, and the world faded to black.I woke to the scent of herbs and candle smoke. The soft rustling of fabric and hushed whispers surrounded me. Blinking against the dim light, I recognized the healer’s chambers. My body ached, but it was a distant pain—numbed by something far stronger.The moment my eyes flut
CHAPTER 50JULIAN'S POVHELL—The days without Raven felt like hell. The days that passes without seeing her smile, hearing her voice, and just feeling that undeniable presence of hers that kept me grounded—were unbearable.I had always prided himself on being strong, composed, a leader who stood unshaken in the face of adversity. But now? I felt hollow. Empty. And I couldn't even hide it. I wasn't willing to try.It had been four days since Raven left for the woods, and each passing hour gnawed at my sanity. I had tried to convince myself she would return, that she had promised me, but that promise felt like a whisper in a storm. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, all I saw was her walking away, disappearing into the trees, vanishing like a ghost.What if she never came back?The thought was a dagger to my chest, twisting deeper each time I imagined a world without her. I had already failed once—failed ny wife, failed Luca, failed as a leader. I couldn't a
CHAPTER 49READY OR NOT?These words repeated in my head over and over again as I got ready to leave the next morning. Lucian and Atena were at the borders to see me off.Atena reached out for my hand, her eyes holding a gaze I couldn't quite explain. “Let the moon goddess guide you and Julian. It might seem tough, but the path shall become clearer." My heart melted. “Thank you. For everything." I said, genuinely meaning it.She nodded at me.Lucian gave me a small nod. “Well, tell your mate I said he's one lucky champ." He said with a small smile.I couldn't help a smile of mine. “I will." “Stay safe, okay? I hope to see you again." He added. “I wish you didn't have to leave actually." He said, his voice reduced to a whisper.I laughed lightly, but said nothing. I couldn't wait to return, I had missed Julian a lot.“Alright. I'll see you soon." I said.They bid me goodbye, and I finally set out to leave.The woods stretched before me, endless and thick, but I felt no hesitation. I
CHAPTER 48HAUNTED.The darkness surrounded me like a suffocating shroud, pressing in on all sides. A chilling wind howled through the trees, whispering words I couldn’t understand. I turned in every direction, searching for something—someone—but all I saw were twisted shadows stretching toward me, clawing at my skin with unseen hands.A figure stood in the distance, barely visible through the thick mist. Their voice was like an echo in my mind, deep and resonant.“Your journey is not over yet.”The moment the words reached me, pain shot through my wrist, searing hot, as if something branded my skin. I gasped and clutched my arm, but the pain only intensified. The symbol burned bright blue against the darkness, pulsing in time with my heartbeat.I jolted awake with a sharp inhale, my body drenched in sweat. My chest rose and fell rapidly as my eyes darted around the dimly lit room. I was back in Atena’s home, lying on a soft bed. The scent of herbs and aged wood filled the air. My wri
CHAPTER 47A PROPHECY?With my heart in my hands, I asked, “What prophecy?" She held my gaze. "Written deep in those scrolls is an ancient saying which somehow metamorphosed into a prophecy to be fulfilled in our time.When I said nothing, she continued. “A prophecy that speaks of a forbidden bond—one that, when realized, will unlock the true potential of the werewolf race.”My breath caught in my throat. “A forbidden bond?”Atena nodded. “Two wolves, meant to be together, but forced apart by unnatural forces. Their unity would have changed everything… but someone feared that power.”My blood ran cold. “You’re saying this… has to do with Julian and me?”Atena nodded. “You and Julian were never meant to be ordinary. Your connection was forged by fate itself. But someone interfered.”A deep unease settled in my stomach. “Interfered how?”Atena closed the book. “There was one among your own people who feared the prophecy, who sought to prevent it from coming true. A spell was cast—dark
CHAPTER 46RAVEN'S POV DEEP INTO THE WOODS.The moment I stepped past the border of the forest, the air thickened, wrapping around me like unseen tendrils. The towering trees stretched endlessly into the dark, their branches twisting like skeletal fingers. The silence was unsettling—not the calm quiet of nature, but an eerie stillness, as if the forest itself was holding its breath.I exhaled, pressing forward, following the invisible pull that had led me here. It tugged at my soul, an unspoken command I didn’t understand but couldn’t ignore. The further I went, the more distant the outside world felt. The forest had its own rhythm, its own presence—watchful, ancient, alive.The sun dipped below the horizon, and the darkness thickened. Then I saw them.I was barely seconds into the forest, were they waiting for me?I turned immediately, my instincts rising. I could run back to the pack. Maybe asking to do this alone was a bad idea. I could really use Julian's help right now.However,
CHAPTER 45JULIAN'S POV FLASHBACKI leaned back in my chair, the dim lighting of the bar casting long shadows over my features. The woman in my lap trailed kisses along my jawline, her hands wandering with an eagerness I barely acknowledged. I had picked her out of the crowd without much thought, seeking nothing but a temporary escape from the ghosts that haunted me.But as her lips pressed against me, something inside me recoiled, like I was repulsed. The touch was wrong. It wasn’t what I wanted. It wasn’t who I wanted.I grabbed her wrists and pulled back, my expression darkening. "Get out."The woman blinked in confusion, her lips still parted from our unfinished kiss. "What? But I thought—""I said get out," I repeated, y voice laced with a growl. She rose to her feet, a disbelieved scoff escaping her lips. “I thought they were all rumors, turns out they were true after all." I shot her a glare, my eyes cold, but she didn't seem phased. A courageous one. "What does that mean?"
CHAPTER 44I KNEW WHAT I HAD TO DO.The words left my lips before I could second-guess them. Julian’s reaction was instant.“No,” he said sharply, shaking his head. “Absolutely not.”“Julian, listen to me—”“I don’t need to listen,” he snapped. “You’re not going into those woods alone.”I reached for his hand, pressing it against my wrist where the mark still burned. “It won’t stop,” I whispered. “You saw Dorian’s reaction. This isn’t just some random nightmare, Julian. It’s real.”His jaw clenched, his body taut with tension. He wanted to fight this. “More reason you shouldn't leave, Raven. Come on! All of the signs are there before you, and yet you want to walk right into the pit. That's reckless.”"Well, what else am I supposed to do?” I snapped, at the edge of losing control.He turned to me, his eyes softening. "We could just ignore this, act like none of it is happening. It'll stop eventually. If they realize they can't get to you, they'll give up.” I scoffed. "Easy for you to
CHAPTER 43THE TRUTH. I parted my lips to tell him the truth, but I was interrupted.A knock echoed in the room, and both of our attention was immediately captured. “Who's there?" Julian called.A voice returned an answer. “Alpha, there's a problem." The heavy urgency in his tone attested to his words.“Come in." Julian said, rising to his feet.The moment the scout burst into the room, his face pale and his breathing ragged, I knew our peace had been short-lived.Julian stiffened beside me, his muscles coiling with tension. "Speak," he commanded, his voice sharp as a blade."A rogue group, Alpha," the scout panted. "We noticed a rogue group. Near our borders. Their numbers are growing."My pulse quickened. The room went deadly silent.Julian exchanged a glance with me before turning back to the scout. "Reach out to the elders, arrange a council meeting. We meet now."Moments later, we were seated in the council chamber, the air thick with unease. Some of the elders believed these ro