/-RAVEN-/I didn't think it was possible to get any paler but he did. He was horrified to see me. At least he was smart enough to know that what he did was paramount to death. To my surprise, he immediately fell on his knees, tears clouding his eyes. I was stunned. I have only seen Eric cry once and that was several years ago when he lost his childhood friend. It was that incident that brought us closer to begin with, because I was always by his side, consoling him. “Raven please… I know I have fucked up badly but please… give me one last chance to make this right, I beg of you. That is all I am asking,” he pleaded. He legitly gripped my legs, sobbing at my feet. I didn't know how to react. I wanted him dead for sure but now, I wasn't sure anymore. “Is this some game you and your father put up?” I narrowed my eyes suspiciously at him. I wasn't going to fall for any of their tricks. “No, Raven… it's not a game. I know I messed up badly and it took being on the brink of death to
Eric’s voice was soft, but there was something about it that made me uneasy. “Stay the night, Raven.”I turned away, pretending to focus on the empty glass in my hand. My chest felt tight, a war raging inside me. Why am I even here? I shouldn’t have come. I shouldn’t have answered his call.My mind slipped, unbidden, to Declan. His voice, his steady presence, the way his eyes softened when he looked at me. I swallowed hard, guilt rising like a tide. What would he think of me if he knew where I was right now?I shut my eyes, willing the thought away. This isn’t about him, I told myself. It’s about me. I’m not back with Eric. I just need time to figure everything out.That was all there is. But even then, I still felt like I was lying to myself. A part of me knew that the longer I stayed here, the most likely I was to mess things up for myself.“I can’t, Eric,” I said finally, standing. “I shouldn’t have come in the first place. I need to go.”“Raven, please.” His voice cracked, and I
/-Raven-/I couldn’t breathe. Not with the thought of Declan hating me forever. The very thought of him never talking to me again crushed me. I didn't know what I would do if that happened.I hadn’t eaten, hadn’t slept—not properly. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was the betrayal in those silver eyes. The hurt dancing in those orbs as I lied to his face. I didn’t blame him for shutting me out. I hated myself too. But I couldn’t let things end like this. I couldn't lose him. I don't care if I have to grovel but I was going to get his forgiveness. I stood outside his door, my hand trembling as I knocked for the hundredth time. "Declan, please... let me explain." My voice cracked, the desperation leaking through.No response.“Declan, I’m not leaving until you hear me out!”Silence.I pressed my forehead against the cold door. "I’m sorry. God, I’m so sorry. Just... please. I made a mistake, but I didn't mean to hurt you, I swear. You have to know that, please…"Nothing.
/-Raven-/Whether or not, he wanted to forgive me, I was going to make it right. I followed him into the room, even if he clearly didn't want to see me. “Let's talk please,” I pleaded, shutting the door behind me. Declan turned, “You really need to leave, Raven.”“Not until we resolve this. I made a mistake and I'm sorry. I shouldn't be with anyone while I still have your mark…” I was saying when his eyes suddenly darkened. Fuck! I wasn't supposed to put it like that. “Declan…”“Do you want it off?” He asked and I flinched, like he just hit me. “Huh?”“Do you want the mark off so you can be with your ex?” He asked and my chest tightened. Was he giving up on me already?“Are you…” I couldn't even get the words out as my eyes watered. “Well even if you're giving me up, that is your business. You think I went all that way, searching for a cure, a way to keep you alive, just to let one stupid mistake ruin it all?” Surprise flickered in those beautiful eyes. He clearly wasn't expecti
/-Raven-/I stopped by Amelia's room to check on her. She was supposed to leave today for her village and although Declan had already prepared gifts for her, I thought it would be great to give my personal thanks to her. Knocking twice, the woman opened the door for me with a bright smile. “Hello, Raven,” she greeted. “Quite a surprise.” I returned the smile, “I'm sorry for barging in on you. It's nothing too serious. I just wanted to thank you once again.”She stepped aside, “come in.”I stepped into the room to see a long line of packed bags. “Oh,” I blurted before I could stop myself. “The Alpha has already present his gifts, I see.”“Oh, these are not from the Alpha. They are my things,” she explained and for a moment I was stunned. “Your things?” I repeated, incase I was hearing wrong. She simply shrugged as though it was no big deal. “Yeah, I will be staying here for a while.” I was speechless for almost three minutes. Staying here for a while? Since when?“I… I don't und
/-Raven-/I should have never underestimated her. When she said it wasn't a dress, I simply thought she was kidding but this wasn't a dress. This thing before me had me wishing she had given me a dress. Even if it was a short one. “So… try it on!” Francesca urged but I didn't dare move. Even my eyes wouldn't leave the two piece outfit. “I don't remember telling you I planned to fornicate with this man,” I blurted and she chuckled. “It's a date night. What do you think, you're going to eat and say your goodbyes?” She retorted. “Uhhmm… yes?” She skidded past me, ignoring my obvious displeasure and picked up the mini skirt, “Try this on. It has a a tiny waist so I'm certain it'll fit you perfectly.” “I'm not going naked to see Declan, Franc,” I stated. “This isn't going naked…” she defended, unbuttoning the skirt to test it around me.Since it was a button up, wearing it was relatively easy. All I had to was wrap it around me and button. She wrapped it and held both ends between
/-Raven-/“Well, I thought we were going on an actual date not a cuddle session,” I mumbled, looking everywhere but him. A chuckle followed and my cheeks coloured. Francesca quickly stepped in front of me. “I'm sorry, Alpha. This is all my fault. I misinterpreted the situation and dressed her up to suit my taste. I'm sorry,” she apologized, surprising me. “Could we maybe retreat and change?”Amusement didn't just shine in his eyes, his lips were twitching as he struggled to control his laughter. “Gosh, this is so embarrassing for you,” Declan snorted and I wanted to die. Even Francesca snorted and I shot her a glare. I was ready to walk out and never show my face again but Declan caught my arm. “It's okay, Princess. There's no need to act so cute. Since you are dressed up, I might as well take you on one,” he said but it didn't ease my shame.“Maybe I should just change. You're not even strong enough to start anything outdoors or long distance. I don't even know what I was thinki
She stood there, cloaked in the night, her eyes locked onto Declan and Raven, her nails digging into the bark of the tree she leaned against.Her lips twisted into a sneer as she watched Declan laugh, his silver eyes warm as he gazed at Raven. The sight made her stomach churn. ‘That should be me sitting there, not that irritating little assassin who refuses to die,’ she thought with a hiss. Her grip on the knife in her hand tightened. The cool steel pressed against her palm, grounding her as her thoughts spiraled into vivid images of what she could do to Raven. Cut out her tongue first so she can't scream. Then carve her pretty little face into something unrecognizable. Maybe slit her throat just enough to make her choke on her own blood before finishing her off.The knife glinted in the faint light, and she traced the edge with her thumb, imagining how it would feel slicing through Raven's flawless skin. But she stopped herself, exhaling sharply.‘No’, she reminded herself. ‘I can
/-LISA-/I watched as Tim was brought before Amelia. My heart was pounding. I didn't know what she was going to do to him. Hell, I didn't even know if he was going to live past this minute.Why did he have to lie to me? I know we had our differences but that wasn't enough reason for him to lie about Raven's death. “I am only going to ask you this once and I expect a direct answer from you, otherwise you will be held responsible for whatever happens to you,” Amelia started but Tim didn't even look a quarter as terrified as I was. He didn't even look afraid of her. “Yes Luna,” he answered in a monotone. Since he came back from wherever they went to and Raven was allegedly killed, he has never been the same again. This time was cold and emotionless. If he was asked to stab a baby, he would do it without hesitation. With Declan under her control, it made things even worse. I didn't know this man anymore.“Where is Raven?” She asked.“Lying at the bottom of the river somewhere,” he re
/-Raven-/I don't know how it happened but it did. The chains fell off me like it was nothing and I found myself wondering if I could do that the whole time.I mean, if I could, why the hell was I stressing myself? I could have just easily freed myself before those animals got the chance to lay their hands on me. Now was not the time for that, anyways. I needed to get out of here before they realized what was happening, but where would I go?Back to Azaiah? Or just complete my mission by killing Declan? I didn't have the luxury to contemplate on that so I shifted and flew as high as I could. I left the mountains and just flew high into the sky, wondering where I was going to go. Azaiah might have treated me well but there was no guarantee that he wouldn't just hand me back to that crazy man and his son if they came asking. Something struck me by the side and I let out a painful roar but then it hit me again, and again until I stop seeing myself fly and crashed to the ground in a ma
/-LISA-/"Are you sure it was Raven you saw?" Othelia asked again, her voice filled with skepticism.I folded my arms, forcing myself to remain calm. This entire conversation was ridiculous. Francesca was grasping at straws, desperate to hold on to the idea that Raven was alive. But if she was right… no, that couldn’t happen."I know what I saw," Francesca insisted, her eyes blazing with conviction. "She walked right through that door in a red dress. She looked real, alive, but she didn’t even seem to recognize me."Othelia sighed. "Francesca, do you hear yourself? You’re telling us that Raven, Declan’s mate, the woman who was supposed to be dead, just strolled in like nothing happened? And then, what? She attacked you and disappeared?""I don’t think she attacked me," Francesca admitted. "It was more like… she was surprised to see me. I mistakenly shattered the vase and slipped out her name and she panicked. Then she hit me" She shivered. "Everything went black, but there was somethi
/-RAVEN-/I could barely move a muscle. When talpha Timultin mentioned the whips at first, I thought he was joking. That there was no way he was actually going to sit back and let me get whipped but I was wrong. This man was as strict as he was merciless and his men couldn't afford to disobey him so I got whipped. Over and over again until I passed out. Now I woke up, I was still tied to the pillar with the pain shooting through me from all angles. How coido Eric do this to me? How do you even watch someone you claim to love go through such pain and you do nothing about it. It was cruel and wicked but he didn't obviously give two shits about that. Speak of the devil, he stroleld towards me like my suffering was a delightful sight. “What are you doing here?” I glared at him with all my might. “I'm guessing you haven't learnt your lesson yet. Else, you wouldn't be speaking to me in such a disrespectful tone,” he said. I looked at him in shock and anger. Was he being serious right
/-Amelia-/“Why do you keep staring at me?” He asked. His tone was neutral so I figure the spell was still active. “Why did you suddenly go off like that? The feast barely even started,” I asked suspiciously. “I was drugged by one of your numerous guests and I passed out. Anything else you'd like to know?” He asked. I let out a sigh. He was right. There was no way he would have known what happened while he was drugged and he never liked the idea of a feast. “There was this veiled woman I saw in your room when I came to check on you,” I started, monitoring his expression closely. There was nothing I could accuse him of because his expression remained blank. Once again, I reminded myself that he wouldn't know. There was no use being suspicious over him. “So, what now?” He asked. “Did you find her?” “No, we couldn't find her. She just sped away and I suspect that she might have been the one who drugged you,” I said. “Good to know,” he said dryly and walked towards the bathroom. I
/-Raven-/He was angry but I was angry as well. I might be in love with him but I wasn't stupid. “Did you just hit me?” I asked him. “Evade my fucking question and I will hit you again! Do you know how crazy we went looking for you? We thought something happened! And you just stroll in here acting like you nothing happened?” He yelled. I dropped my hand and stepped closer to him, staring him dead in the eye. “Listen to me carefully, because I am only going to warn you once. I don't care if you are the air that I breathe but the next time you lay your fucking hand on me again, you are going to regret it. If you have a fucking problem, you speak. Use your words, do you understand?” The iciness in my tone was unbelievable to me as well but I needed to set him right. “You fucking bitch! Hoe dare you speak to me like that, huh?” He yelled. “Who did you go out there to see? Don't even tell me you were flying because I know you weren't!” “Good for you,” I said coldly and turned away fr
/-Raven-/There was something awfully familiar about this woman but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't place it. “Well?” She growled, stepping closer. “Where is my husband?”Husband…For some reason that word made my heart tighten in a way I didn't understand. Why should I care if he was taken? That man was flirting with me so he was hardly a good keep! He wasn't worth thinking twice about.“You're not deaf, are you?” She stepped closer, glaring at me menacingly. Woah! Someone tell this tiger that nobody wants her man. He might be hot but all I want to do is kill him. That's all!“He… he just…” “He just what?” She snapped, pushing past me to look inside the room. I glanced back and to my greatest shock, he was on the bed, passed out. At least pretended to be. I knew for sure that I couldn't waste another minute here so I took to my heels. “What have you done?!” I heard her scream and fastened my pace. I didn't know where I was headed but when I spotted the guards coming, I
/-Raven-/“I'm sorry. I know you were probably not expecting to see me but something came up last minute and the princess couldn't make it,” I told him. “I see…” he said simply. “Do you mind sharing one glass with me?” I asked, offering him a glass of champagne. “I know I'm beneath your class and you probably don't want to but if you could please…”He took the glass before I could go on with my pretend rambling. “Cheers?” I raised my glass and he clanged his glass against mine and we each took a long sip of the champagne. Gotcha!“This is really good,” I commented but before he could respond, a strange woman joined him. I tried to keep the frown away from my face. Who is she now?She began flirting with him right in front of me and I know I shouldn't care but my grip on my glass was tightening subconsciously. I hated the way seeing her smile at him. I hated watching her hands drape all over him. I hated her kissing him. And I didn't know why. Maybe it was because I hated him tha
/-Raven-/The blackouts have been frequent, coupled with horrifying nightmares that all ended with a metal stake in my heart. Not to forget the body pains I felt every time I woke up. I felt violated and I couldn't tell if it was real or not. I never fully understood it and when I told Eric about it, he said it could be a memory from the torture I went through in the IronClaw pack. Those agonizing dreams made me hate Declan Thorne and everything about him more and more. Not a day went by without me thinking of how to destroy him.It pushed me to train harder than I ever have and soon, the day was here. The day when I was finally going to put a face to the silver eyes that haunted my dreams. It was a solo mission and no one had any idea what I was doing or planning to do. IronClaw was hosting a big feast and I was going to disguise myself as one of the guests and get in. I wasn't quite sure what they were celebrating but I knew Alphas from far and near were going to be present. I