Raven“You will be meeting the Lycan King and Queen today.”Great, I thought as Ember carefully pulled my hair back into two ornate braids, affixing small golden cuffs around the end of each. That was just what I needed; to spend a day having to blend in with people who executed their own.After all
“I do not share a mother with my brothers.”The answer took me by surprise. I had no idea that Neil was an illegitimate child—since he apparently still had a right to battle for the throne, then it never occurred to me.“It’s complicated,” he added, sensing my confusion.With that, he turned to Edri
HannahI whirled around at the sound of the voice, meeting the sharp gaze of a beautiful woman across the room.She had silver hair that was coiled neatly into a plait around her head, on top of which sat a delicate golden crown that matched her shimmering golden gown. Her eyes were the color of hon
Hannah’s eyes were wide as saucers. “My Queen—”“Hush, Hannah. Do not make a fool of yourself.” The queen corked the bottle and handed it to her servant, who pocketed it. Hannah seemed to tremble with rage, but finally went silent. The queen asked, “You’re well-versed in making perfumes, I take it?”
RavenThe ballroom was awash in the golden light of the braziers, casting flickering shadows across the swirling dancers. Long gowns swished across the floor, cloaks dragging behind muscular shoulders.Neil’s cloak enveloped us both as he held me against his chest. It didn’t smell like the coppery t
“I won’t go easy on you, Raven,” Castor said with a tiny smile. “Eric is right; you are a little big for your breeches this morning.”Eric scoffed. “She got into the Queen’s good graces last night, and thinks she runs the castle.”My face reddened at that, but I knew they were right. Between that an
RavenI must be crazy, I thought as I ran those laps.Outwardly, I complained nonstop about the punishment. I made sure to throw Eric and Neil and even occasionally Castor whatever insults would come to mind as I passed them on the track.But on the inside…I couldn’t stop thinking about the way his
“Where are you going?”I was halfway across the courtyard when the sound of Neil’s voice stopped me in my tracks. I turned to see him leaning against a pillar, shirtless as if he’d just been on patrol or something—like that first day we met.“The forest,” I said, pulling my shoulders back. “To gathe
Dani flushed, and Nathan had the decency to look ashamed. “We’re fated mates,” he said quietly. “We didn’t plan for it to happen, Raven. You have to believe me.” “I don’t have to believe anything,” I said sharply, clutching my fresh champagne glass tightly. For a moment, I was tempted to throw it
Raven It felt surreal, stepping back into this world of polished smiles and manufactured charm. The moment I stepped into the grand hotel, I could practically smell the competition mingling with the expensive perfume in the air. Everyone seemed to be trying to outdo one another, each gown and ma
“Raven!” my old public relations manager, Valerie, exclaimed, her face lighting up. She was dressed to the nines in a sleek black dress and heels, her hair perfectly styled. “Goddess above, where have you been? You’ve had me worried sick!” “I…” I faltered, unsure of how to respond. “It’s been… com
Raven The process of handling my father’s affairs felt so… clinical. After hours of signing papers and talking to coroners and a whole blur of other preparations, I finally stepped out of the hospital, feeling sick to my stomach. But I also felt strangely numb. Numb because I had the chance to
My breath caught, and I stared at him, waiting for him to laugh or tell me he was joking. But he didn’t. “A Lycan?” I repeated. “You’re… serious?” He nodded weakly. “She was from the Lycan kingdom. A defector. She left her people… left her family… because of me.” I couldn’t breathe. The walls see
Raven I swallowed hard, clutching the strap of my bag as tight as I could as I followed the nurse down the hallway. I’d left the others waiting outside, which was probably for the best. If I had walked in here with a posse full of strange-looking people, it might raise eyebrows and reveal that they
As I nuzzled down into the cloak, I glanced up at him. His face was impassive, his jaw set hard as he gazed out over the water. He didn’t look at me, but I did feel eyes on me, and I looked over to see Ember staring. She said nothing, although I did see her gaze soften a little before she looked a
Raven The nearly-full moon was already hanging high in the night sky by the time I slipped out of my room, my modern clothes feeling oddly uncomfortable around my body. The jeans were snug, hugging my legs in a way that felt unexpectedly restricting, and the black sweater was soft but a little too
“You have been busy,” she finally said as she took her seat. I froze, the cup halfway to my lips. “I—I’m not sure what you mean, Your Majesty.” The corner of her mouth quirked upward in a faint, almost amused smile. “Do not insult me with feigned ignorance, child. I know what happened to Hannah.