Raven I lay on my bed, surrounded by piles of books and study materials, preparing for the upcoming aptitude test for the University of Hope. The name of the school usually brought a faint smile to my lips because I needed hope badly after the downward slope my life was heading. Taylor and William visited, joining me in the study session. William, who was always serious, was competing with me, while Taylor did all she could with her playful antics to divert our attention. "You are such a hot mess," I shook my head and swallowed my laughter, pretending to be annoyed. The pop of her bubble gum filled my head, making me turn around and roll my eyes at her. "Come on guys," she whined, jumping off the bed. "Aren't you tired already? We've gone through these damn past questions over and again. Let's take a break." "Fine," I twisted my neck, getting rid of some kinks. "What do you have in mind?" "I don't know, shopping maybe? I'm just eager for a change of scenery. This study sessi
Lucian I winced, rubbing my stinging cheek. The force of Raven's slap remained. I deserved it for being so stupid to think she'd jump on me like a lovestruck puppy after I asked for her forgiveness or be easily manipulated without questioning me. Rooted on the spot, I watched her walk away, cursing under my breath. The girl was petite but bold and hostile. Thanks to that bastard, Dimitri, I'd received an unwarranted slap. My shoulders sagged like a deflated balloon. The idiot threatened me to gather information from Vlad's friends, including his girlfriend, about the staff of authority. I had two days to come up with something, and the consequences of not getting sufficient information would be brutal. But how could I ask them a string of questions without them becoming suspicious? Vlad's friends, especially Zarek, were discerning and could easily recognize a lie. It was a miracle that I hadn't gotten caught at this point. "Lucian, you're a man. I didn't raise you a coward!"
Vlad Days and nights passed, and I was still trapped in Bloodline Manor like a helpless butterfly, but I had completely healed and grown stronger. My desperation grew by the second. I wondered what was going on in the outside world. Dimitri hadn't come to threaten me in days. For sure, he was surely up to something sinister. My only companion was a damn diary where I scribbled all my plans to escape, waiting for the perfect time to hatch my plan. I was staring at a cow giving birth. The mother lay exhausted on the ground after pushing her calves far enough out. She was too weak to stand and the smell of its dung and blood was strong enough to kill, but the cows were the only distractions I had because I was so close to going insane. I loved video games and being with my phone. Not having that luxury was killing me. My ears perched when someone knocked on my door. "It's open," I said flatly. Anna, who was the only innocent person in this manor because she had no idea I was
Raven Confusion was an understatement for how I felt right now. My spirit was in chaos. I couldn't believe that Vlad had asked me for my forgiveness and wanted me back, even though I ended up whacking his face, which I had the right to, after all, he'd put me through. Something was off, no doubt. Yet, I couldn't deny that I still loved him. Our brief relationship brought me back to life in ways I'd never imagined. I lay on Taylor's bunk, staring off into mid-distance at the star design on her ceiling, lost in thought. I didn't want to be involved in a game of back and forth where I would be easily swayed by Vlad's seduction. I wasn't that stupid. Taylor didn't see a big deal in Vlad wanting to come back to me. "It was bound to happen," she chuckled, scooping the last of her vanilla ice cream."I know you don't see it that way, but I knew his relationship with Nova was not going to last." "I'm not buying that bullshit," I sighed. "I know something triggered him to ask for my fo
Raven I edged closer to Dora until our eyes met. Dora held her head high and a broad smile graced her lips. My curiosity heightened, wondering what she wanted from me, considering that we had only met once. There was only one way to find out, but something in me suspected Vlad sent her, but why would he when we recently reunited? "Hi," I formed a cheeky smile, hugging her. "What a surprise to see you here." "Hello, Raven, right? I can never forget your name, considering how my boy never stops gushing about you," she said and hugged me back. When she pulled away, she stared at me with kind, observant eyes. The clouds darkened and it began to drizzle."You might want to come into the hall," I said to her. We found a secluded corner in the empty hall and sat opposite each other. Silence settled on us like mist, filling the air. I waited for her to speak but she didn't, making me uncomfortable. "Does Vlad know you are here?" I managed to say. She let out a soft chuckle, repl
Lucian I had to keep up with this maze of dating Raven, but it felt nothing like the true affection I felt for Nova. Nova made my loins warm with love and pure passion, the complete opposite of how I felt for Raven. I never knew how things got so complicated, but I didn't know how long I could pretend. Raven's piercing gray eyes could read my guilt, yet I continued with the charade of acting as the perfect boyfriend. For instance, I got her a plate of chocolate ice cream, cards, and other tidbits I could get from the school's snack kiosk, and I was forced to spend time with her and make her happy. But the problem was that something about her made me uncomfortable, as though she had the power to cough out the truth from me. The way her body angled away from me whenever I touched her and stared at me like I was a carton of spoiled milk that should be thrown away. Eventually, I told myself it was her nature because there was no way in hell she knew anything about the switch. My guil
Raven Sleeping had become a luxury for me. Restlessness ate me up throughout the night as I tossed and turned in my bed. I couldn't even shut my eyes for a moment. I was afraid, trapped, and burdened by this secret. I didn't know how long I could continue keeping it. The fact that Vlad was in trouble gripped my soul, and I needed to see him. Telling my dad was useless because he would never give me the staff of authority. The only person who could bring a hint of a solution was Dora. I spent all night thinking and thinking, racking my brain for a solution to my problems, until the morning light filtered in. I woke up with a banging headache. It didn't help that my roommates decided to wake up that morning, yelling like banshees as they prepared for the day. I rubbed my temples, feeling a yawn escape my lips. As the minutes ticked by, the urge to call Dora became stronger. I just wanted to break free from this suffocating web of silence and uncertainty. "Fuck it," I thought. "I
Raven My eyes fluttered open, and I checked the time. It was four am. The room was still flooded in darkness, and my roommates were fast asleep. I couldn't stay in bed any longer. I needed to release the restless energy in my body. Quietly slipping out of bed, I reached for my hoodie and running shoes, ensuring to be as quiet as I could, and tiptoed to the door. The hallway was dimly lit, and I headed out. It was dark except for the faint glow of streetlights and scattered moonlight filtering through the canopy of trees. The morning dew caressed my face as I began to run, my shoes hitting the pavement. I sighed as my body absorbed the energy that was drowning through my veins. I ran past the school's vicinity and didn't stop until I released all the pent-up sweat and worries. Returning to the dorm, I headed to the bathroom, turned on the cold water, and enjoyed the shock it sent through my body. After washing up, I lay on the bed. My roommates had already started getting ready for
JalenThe overpowering smell of old, musty leather filled my dad's beat-up sedan, and the sound of his angry voice rose above the roar of the engine as he scolded me for shifting into my beast form. Tension filled the car, and my anger radiated off me in waves."Is it such a difficult task to control yourself in public? Have you never seen a girl before that you had to shift into your beast form? Now everyone in the pack will yap about how my son was aroused by a stupid werewolf.""I wasn't aroused by her," I lied, trying to defend myself, but he was too far gone in his rage to listen."Griffin, please hear him out. There may be other reasons why he shifted, and besides, Jalen can't be attracted to that spoiled brat.""Oh, shut up," my dad barked at my mom, who had stepped in to try and calm the situation. "That's all you do, make fat and silly excuses for him. He never does anything right. I'll be retiring in a year, and I don't even know the future of our pack."She sat in silence,
Clarissa I fell to the stage, surrounded by flashing cameras and concerned faces, I couldn't believe what had just happened. My heart was racing and I was hyperventilating, trying to process the fact that a Lycan was my mate.All around me, my family rushed to my side, trying to help me up and calm me down. My mother's caked-on makeup was smudged with sweat, a proof to her concern and worry. And all around, people were talking and trying to make sense of what was happening. 'Breathe, Rissa,' I encouraged myself, breathing out of my nostrils.Why was the moon goddess doing this to me? My brain couldn't process this at all. I'd been mateless for twenty-three years only to become a forbidden Lycan's mate?Fucking great!My mum squeezed my hand to comfort me. She was going to keep blaming me for months for disgracing her. "Here, sip some water," she said. My brother, Bryon, held my head while my dad checked my temperature. I felt lightheaded and was breathing quickly, inhaling and exh
Dearest gentle readers, *wink. This book is a sequel to Bound By The Lycan's Curse, which is Raven's dad amd Stepmom's love story. Kindly support by reading and enjoying the rollercoaster of emotions and unwavering love between a werewolf and a Lycan after fifty years of rivalry between both factions. Below is an expert.Chapter 1 I gazed out at the bright sun through the tinted windows of my dad's limousine, and rhe diamonds on my dress seemed to mock me, reminding me of my failure.Growing up, I thought all the males would fall at my feet because I was the Alpha's daughter, and my dad was a billionaire. But now, at twenty-three, with a first-class degree from Harvard and all the money in the world, I had no mate.To crown it all, my longtime boyfriend had been cheating on me with my best friend for months before I found out, thanks to the moon goddess, who paired them as mates.Thinking about it now made my chest tight. The two people whom I loved and trusted betrayed me in the mo
EpilogueSix years later "Raven, my love, ever since I met you, I've fantasized about this moment," Vlad's voice trembled with emotion. "I can't imagine a world without you. We have everything we need – money, a loving family, and a future ahead. Please, baby, will you marry me?"Caught off guard by Vlad's proposal, I burst into tears, turning to mush and ruining my perfectly done makeup."You naughty boy! Why didn't you tell me about this," I blubbered, hitting his shoulder? His perfect dentition broke into a killer smile, as my head bobbed in a yes. "Of course, I'll marry you," my heart sang with delight. "you own me after all.""I owe you my life," he said and I threw myself at his arms. He wrapped them tight around me, the smell of his cologne and our mating bond engulfing me and sending shivers down my spine. Gently, he slipped a Tiffany style round cut engagement ring onto my third finger, and the diamondsglinted brightly against my skin. "So this is why that silly girl, Ta
Raven The Doctor and King Vladislav walked in slowly, with the king standing beside me.I sobbed uncontrollably to the point that I began seeing spots and my vision became blurred, and I could hardly see the people in front of me anymore. The king's eyes were clouded with sadness and regret. I could feel the pressure building in my throat, making my breathing feel constricted. "Raven, please don't cry. You have done enough. Let's just say goodbye to Vlad.""Goodbye?" I spat, and he took a step back. "How will I do that? How do you expect me to say goodbye to my mate? My partner for life!""Raven, Vlad is my son," King Vladislav said with a resigned tone. "I feel so hopeless right now. But we have to face reality. Hybrids are different from humans and werewolves. The earlier we accept the reality that Vlad can never regain consciousness, the better for everyone. False hopes and delusions will get us nowhere."The king's voice cracked. "Please understand, Raven." I stumbled forward,
Raven On the night of day six, I couldn't sleep. My mind was restless like a rolling stone and I kneeled by Vlad's bedside, begging him with everything in me.King Vladislav had begun preparing for Vlad's funeral. According to him, Vlad deserved a befitting burial. How could anyone be comfortable burying their child?My tongue felt swollen. I was helpless and needed a miracle for Vlad. He was the only thing that brought joy and light to my life.The king was broken. All he did was mope and answer questions with monosyllables. Reality had begun to hit him but matter how much I begged him to extend the date, he didn't budge."Raven, there's nothing we can do. This is pure torture," his voice choked. "Let him rest.""Vlad, my love," I gripped his hand. "Did you hear your father? Is this what you want, to be buried? Talk to me. Wake up before they turn off the life support. Come back to me. Don't leave me, please. Just come back!"The answer I got was the beep of the machine and Vlad's s
RavenI couldn't sleep all night, and all I kept thinking about was Vlad. It was so bad that when I finally managed to drift off to sleep, it was filled with nightmares of them burying Vlad and all our classmates placing flowers at his gravesite. I felt even worse when I woke up, rolling over to face the wall and pulling my knees tight against my chest. The darkness of the night wasn’t comforting enough for the pain in my heart. The silence didn’t help either. What if Vlad never makes it? What if he doesn't come back to life? And then the memories from my dreams replayed over and over again in vivid detail. Taylor never left my side and even shared my bed with me. She sat up, staring at me with sympathy in her green eyesMy head rested on her shoulder as she whispered soothing things into my ear while rubbing my arms and whispering ‘It's okay’ every few minutes.At one point, she had to go out and make me some hot chocolate because I had started shivering so badly. Early the nex
Raven On day three of my stay in the specialist hospital, I had to return to school to write an important test that couldn't be written online. It was the last screening part to get admitted to college."You need to go," King Vladislav pleaded with me. "You're young and have a full life ahead of you. Vlad wouldn't want you to waste your time here and spend a year doing nothing just because you missed your college entrance exam." He paused to let his words sink and sadly, he was right. It was a good thing that I had been accepted into the best college program on campus on a full scholarship. My dad was wealthy enough to train me but that didn't mean I should waste his money on tuition. I sighed and the King begged me to stop making excuses. "you've got to graduate, Raven. I'm here with Vlad and you can always come back whenever you wish.""I don't trust you enough," I muttered. I don't know what you'll end up doing the second I step my foot out the door. You have been looking for h
LucianI'd seen too much, witnessed too many painful scenes. I returned home, terrible regrets and guilt assailing me. Vlad's condition was my fault. I let out a choked, desperate laugh. The king was so mad at me that he couldn't stand my presence. He hated me so much. Blood pounded in my temples as I felt humiliated and deflated remembering the disgraceful way he sent me away from the hospital. Not that I blamed him anyway. I deserved to be ridiculed. Everything was all my fault. If I hadn't fallen for Dimitri's stupid antics, I would have exposed him instead and saved my brother.Now Vlad's blood was forever spilled on my hands. It made me want to cry like a baby.How could I have been so stupid? How was I so careless as not to recognize how evil Dimitri really was? When I returned home, that wicked bitch, Elvira, was nowhere to be found. She could run, but she was definitely not going to hide forever. She was the mastermind of all this calamity and the reason why my mother d