CHAPTER 33JULIAN'S POVWHAT HAVE I DONE?The moment the guard delivered the news, my world tilted. My Raven!"A group of rogues were seen near the borders. A fight broke out. We can’t find Lady Raven."The words slammed into me like a death blow. This is all my fault. It's all my fault.Silence stretched between the guard and I for a beat before I moved. My body was a blur of motion as I stormed past the warriors gathered in the courtyard. My pulse thundered in my ears, my wolf clawing to break free.She was out there—alone, or worse. I had to find her.“Get every tracker we have,” I barked at my warrior, my voice sharp enough to cut steel. “Now.”The pack stirred with unease. The weight of my fury was suffocating, even I felt it. I was like a storm ready to tear through anything in its way.As we set to depart, I heard my name. “Julian," I turned to see Desmond, Raven's father. His face was pale, as if he hadn't sleep in weeks. I would have walked away, but something in his eyes ma
CHAPTER 34RAVEN'S POVPAIN DRAGGED ME BACK TO CONSCIOUSNESS.It came in waves, sharp and unrelenting. My wrists ached from the rough ropes binding my hands, and my body throbbed from the fight I had put up before they captured me. My head pounded, my breathing shallow as I took in my surroundings.The room was dark and cold, the scent of damp stone and old blood filling the air. A single torch flickered on the far wall, casting shadows that danced eerily across the rough stone floor. My pulse quickened. Where the hell was I?A dull, throbbing pain echoed through my skull. The darkness around me was thick, suffocating. I tried to move, but the effort sent sharp pain shooting through my limbs. My mind was sluggish, like I was wading through fog.Where… am I?Then, it all came back—the slap, the heartbreak, running into the woods, and then… the attack. The struggle. The hands grabbing her. The blow to my head. Everything came back.My heart pounded against my ribs.I forced my breathi
CHAPTER 35RAVEN'S POV HESITATION SPREAD THROUGH THEIR FACES.“What?” the one holding me snapped.“You heard me,” the rogue panted. “She’s not to be harmed.”Confusion flickered through the room. But I didn’t wait for them to figure it out.The moment their grip on my arms loosened, I wrenched free, stepping back toward the door.The rogue leader’s words echoed in my mind. You are more valuable than you realize.What the hell did that mean? And why were they letting me go?One of them glared at me, and I recognized him as the rogue of earlier—the one who had seemed too familiar.He sneered. “We can't just let her leave like that. She hasn't fulfilled the purpose for which she was brought here." The other one countered him immediately, “Do you intend to go against the master? She will not be pleased, and you know what happens after that." The rogue who had brought in the information, followed up with his own subtle warning. “It seems you don't love the life you live anymore." The r
CHAPTER 36RAVEN'S POVABYSS.I drifted in and out of consciousness, barely aware of what was happening around me. I wasn't unconscious, but I was fully awake either. Just somewhere in between, floating in an abyss of an underlying misery.I felt movement—the steady rhythm of footsteps. The firm, unwavering grip of Julian’s arms around me was not something I could unfeel. It was there, not subtle, rather overwhelming. I could hear him breathing, hear the way his heart pounded against his chest.He was holding me like I was the most precious thing in the world, like he would never let me go.The cold air bit at my skin, but I wasn’t afraid anymore. I was going home.Finally, I was finally going home. This was the only thought that filled my mind as I eventually passed out.I couldn't tell how long I was out. The first thing I noticed was the smell.It wasn’t the damp rot of the rogues’ hideout, or the thick scent of fear clinging to my skin. It was home.Home?The crisp morning air dr
CHAPTER 37RAVEN'S POVWHAT DID I EXPECT? The silence that followed my confession was suffocating. For the longest time, all I had ever felt from the pack was judgment. Doubt. Cold indifference that burned worse than any fire.That had finally changed. Now the mood had shifted.The anger that had once been directed at me was now aimed at Luca and Elena. Whispers grew into murmurs, and murmurs into outrage.“How could they?” someone hissed.“Betraying their own friend, that's heartless.” another voice growled.“I always knew that Elena was up to no good. How dare she try to steal her best friend's partner?" I saw it in their eyes—the guilt, the regret for ever siding against me. For believing lies over the truth I had been screaming for so long.Luca was nowhere to be seen, but I knew he was feeling the weight of his actions. And Elena… I exhaled, forcing myself to let it go. It wasn’t my burden to carry anymore.Father bowed his head, but before he did, I saw a tear fall. “I'm sorry
CHAPTER 38RAVEN'S POVI HAD FORGOTTEN. I had forgotten what it felt like. I had forgotten how beautiful this feeling of being held by him felt.His lips worked on mine, slow at first, like he didn't want to push too much. I wanted him to.Before I could restrict myself, I reached out, holding his collars as I pulled him closer. His second hand found my waist too, the unexplainable feeling of warmth steering through me from his touch.He bit my lips, just before his tongue slipped into my mouth, ready to explore. A moan escaped my lips, loud but I didn't care.“I missed this," Julian's raspy voice echoed in my ears as he murmured against my lips.I was overwhelmed. The pleasure was just too much. “Show me!" I whispered, my voice breathless. “Show me how much you missed this." He stepped back ever so slightly, and at that moment, I saw the intense desire flash through his eyes—the one I had gotten used to. Oh how much I missed that!“My Raven, indeed, I'll show you how much I've miss
CHAPTER 39PAIN — THE LAST THING I WANTED.After everything, I just needed reassurance that I wouldn't lose him yet again. I tried to build walls, to not fall as hard as I did before, but the truth was I had already fallen, and I didn't stand up after that.I was in love with this man. The last thing I wanted was another regret.Julian rested his forehead against mine, a shaky exhale escaping him. “You won't, Raven. I promise."We sat there by the river, the world around us fading into the background. In that moment, amidst the uncertainty of the future, a fragile thread of connection was rewoven, one that we both hoped would withstand the tests to come.When we went back to bed that night, I snuggled closer into Julian's arms. My mind replayed everything that had happened in the past few months, and I couldn't help but smile. From giving my self to him out of pain and the sheer need for revenge at a random bar that night, to him finding out who I was and me trying to avoid and bury
CHAPTER 40AM I HAPPY?I turned in his arms, meeting his gaze. I didn't need to think twice, I already knew the answer. “Yes.”Relief flickered across his face. He cupped my cheek, his thumb tracing the curve of my jaw.“I won’t ever let anything come between us again,” he vowed.I smiled softly. “I know.”He pressed his forehead to mine, and for a while, we just stood there, breathing each other in.Then, slowly, he tilted my chin up and captured my lips in a kiss. It was slow, deep, filled with promises unspoken.I melted into him, wrapping my arms around his neck as he lifted me effortlessly, carrying me inside.This? This is home.***The morning air was crisp, but my mind was anything but clear. The events of the past few days had settled like a weight on my chest. Everything was finally falling into place—Julian and I, the pack’s acceptance, the removal of those who had wronged me.And yet, something lingered.The rogues.The ones who had taken me, who had spoken in riddles, who
CHAPTER 42STARTLEDI woke with a gasp, my body drenched in sweat.Julian stirred beside me, his eyes opening instantly. “Raven?”My breathing was ragged, my chest rising and falling too fast.He sat up, wrapping his arms around me. “It’s okay,” he murmured. “It was just a dream.”But as I buried my face against his chest, my body trembling, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it had been more than just a dream. I couldn’t shake the feeling that it had been a warning.The nightmare still clung to me, a ghost of fear twisting around my ribs, refusing to let go. I had woken up drenched in sweat, my heartbeat hammering like a war drum in my chest. The image of Elena smirking at me evenly, it lingered at the edge of my mind.I didn’t tell Julian what had actually happened in the dream. Not because I didn’t trust him, but because I didn’t trust myself. My mind had been through too much—betrayal, pain, battles—I was probably just reacting to all of it. At least, that’s what I told myself.Th
CHAPTER 41REALIZATION DAWNED ON ME. Alongside this feeling I couldn't tell—one which came when suspicions you didn't want to be true, turns out to be true.The journey back to the pack was filled with silence.Julian and I rode at the front, warriors flanking us as we carried with us the final truth—the last rogue had confirmed it.We knew who it was—the one behind my abduction, the mastermind behind these crazy mind games. She had been playing her game in the shadows all along, waiting for her moment.Now, her time was up.The moment we crossed into pack territory, Julian sent word to the council. The pack gathered swiftly, murmurs filling the air as the news spread like wildfire.Elena was dragged from her chambers, her wrists bound. Her once-pristine appearance was gone—her hair was unkempt, her clothes wrinkled. But the moment her eyes met mine, there was no shame. Only hatred.Julian stood tall, his Alpha presence undeniable. “Elena,” he called, his voice carrying over the rest
CHAPTER 40AM I HAPPY?I turned in his arms, meeting his gaze. I didn't need to think twice, I already knew the answer. “Yes.”Relief flickered across his face. He cupped my cheek, his thumb tracing the curve of my jaw.“I won’t ever let anything come between us again,” he vowed.I smiled softly. “I know.”He pressed his forehead to mine, and for a while, we just stood there, breathing each other in.Then, slowly, he tilted my chin up and captured my lips in a kiss. It was slow, deep, filled with promises unspoken.I melted into him, wrapping my arms around his neck as he lifted me effortlessly, carrying me inside.This? This is home.***The morning air was crisp, but my mind was anything but clear. The events of the past few days had settled like a weight on my chest. Everything was finally falling into place—Julian and I, the pack’s acceptance, the removal of those who had wronged me.And yet, something lingered.The rogues.The ones who had taken me, who had spoken in riddles, who
CHAPTER 39PAIN — THE LAST THING I WANTED.After everything, I just needed reassurance that I wouldn't lose him yet again. I tried to build walls, to not fall as hard as I did before, but the truth was I had already fallen, and I didn't stand up after that.I was in love with this man. The last thing I wanted was another regret.Julian rested his forehead against mine, a shaky exhale escaping him. “You won't, Raven. I promise."We sat there by the river, the world around us fading into the background. In that moment, amidst the uncertainty of the future, a fragile thread of connection was rewoven, one that we both hoped would withstand the tests to come.When we went back to bed that night, I snuggled closer into Julian's arms. My mind replayed everything that had happened in the past few months, and I couldn't help but smile. From giving my self to him out of pain and the sheer need for revenge at a random bar that night, to him finding out who I was and me trying to avoid and bury
CHAPTER 38RAVEN'S POVI HAD FORGOTTEN. I had forgotten what it felt like. I had forgotten how beautiful this feeling of being held by him felt.His lips worked on mine, slow at first, like he didn't want to push too much. I wanted him to.Before I could restrict myself, I reached out, holding his collars as I pulled him closer. His second hand found my waist too, the unexplainable feeling of warmth steering through me from his touch.He bit my lips, just before his tongue slipped into my mouth, ready to explore. A moan escaped my lips, loud but I didn't care.“I missed this," Julian's raspy voice echoed in my ears as he murmured against my lips.I was overwhelmed. The pleasure was just too much. “Show me!" I whispered, my voice breathless. “Show me how much you missed this." He stepped back ever so slightly, and at that moment, I saw the intense desire flash through his eyes—the one I had gotten used to. Oh how much I missed that!“My Raven, indeed, I'll show you how much I've miss
CHAPTER 37RAVEN'S POVWHAT DID I EXPECT? The silence that followed my confession was suffocating. For the longest time, all I had ever felt from the pack was judgment. Doubt. Cold indifference that burned worse than any fire.That had finally changed. Now the mood had shifted.The anger that had once been directed at me was now aimed at Luca and Elena. Whispers grew into murmurs, and murmurs into outrage.“How could they?” someone hissed.“Betraying their own friend, that's heartless.” another voice growled.“I always knew that Elena was up to no good. How dare she try to steal her best friend's partner?" I saw it in their eyes—the guilt, the regret for ever siding against me. For believing lies over the truth I had been screaming for so long.Luca was nowhere to be seen, but I knew he was feeling the weight of his actions. And Elena… I exhaled, forcing myself to let it go. It wasn’t my burden to carry anymore.Father bowed his head, but before he did, I saw a tear fall. “I'm sorry
CHAPTER 36RAVEN'S POVABYSS.I drifted in and out of consciousness, barely aware of what was happening around me. I wasn't unconscious, but I was fully awake either. Just somewhere in between, floating in an abyss of an underlying misery.I felt movement—the steady rhythm of footsteps. The firm, unwavering grip of Julian’s arms around me was not something I could unfeel. It was there, not subtle, rather overwhelming. I could hear him breathing, hear the way his heart pounded against his chest.He was holding me like I was the most precious thing in the world, like he would never let me go.The cold air bit at my skin, but I wasn’t afraid anymore. I was going home.Finally, I was finally going home. This was the only thought that filled my mind as I eventually passed out.I couldn't tell how long I was out. The first thing I noticed was the smell.It wasn’t the damp rot of the rogues’ hideout, or the thick scent of fear clinging to my skin. It was home.Home?The crisp morning air dr
CHAPTER 35RAVEN'S POV HESITATION SPREAD THROUGH THEIR FACES.“What?” the one holding me snapped.“You heard me,” the rogue panted. “She’s not to be harmed.”Confusion flickered through the room. But I didn’t wait for them to figure it out.The moment their grip on my arms loosened, I wrenched free, stepping back toward the door.The rogue leader’s words echoed in my mind. You are more valuable than you realize.What the hell did that mean? And why were they letting me go?One of them glared at me, and I recognized him as the rogue of earlier—the one who had seemed too familiar.He sneered. “We can't just let her leave like that. She hasn't fulfilled the purpose for which she was brought here." The other one countered him immediately, “Do you intend to go against the master? She will not be pleased, and you know what happens after that." The rogue who had brought in the information, followed up with his own subtle warning. “It seems you don't love the life you live anymore." The r
CHAPTER 34RAVEN'S POVPAIN DRAGGED ME BACK TO CONSCIOUSNESS.It came in waves, sharp and unrelenting. My wrists ached from the rough ropes binding my hands, and my body throbbed from the fight I had put up before they captured me. My head pounded, my breathing shallow as I took in my surroundings.The room was dark and cold, the scent of damp stone and old blood filling the air. A single torch flickered on the far wall, casting shadows that danced eerily across the rough stone floor. My pulse quickened. Where the hell was I?A dull, throbbing pain echoed through my skull. The darkness around me was thick, suffocating. I tried to move, but the effort sent sharp pain shooting through my limbs. My mind was sluggish, like I was wading through fog.Where… am I?Then, it all came back—the slap, the heartbreak, running into the woods, and then… the attack. The struggle. The hands grabbing her. The blow to my head. Everything came back.My heart pounded against my ribs.I forced my breathi