/-Azaiah-/“How long are you going to endure it?” The question startled me and I turned to see Nile behind me. He walked to my side where I stood, watching Raven and Declan kiss. “You said she is your mate, yet you watch her be with another man, and you do nothing. The same man who Hannah left me for.” That statement immediately caught my attention. “What?” I blurted. “I thought they were merely companions who came to find Raven together.”He scoffed. “She was away from him for years yet he was all she would talk about. Not a day went hh without her reminding me of how worthless I was compared to him. For years I wondered what he looked like, wondered why he was better than me. I treated her right to the best of my abilities. I took care of our child so she wouldn't feel overworked. I handled the chores and treated her like a queen. I just didn't have the money to get her the expensive things she craved…” he sighed. My gaze returned to Declan who was staring at Raven as if she w
/-LISA-/I couldn't wait for them to come back. Life has been hell. I don't know what kind of magic Amelia used or how she was able to subdue the Elders, but she was now in charge of the pack. Tonight, the most abominable thing in the history of wolves was going to happen. A witch with no wolf blood was going to be crowned Luna. I knew it was definitely black magic. There was just no fucking way she could just make the pack elders submit and agree to marry her to Declan without his consent. “I guess this will have to do,” Francesca sighed, throwing her least favourite dress on the bed. “Heaven knows I will give anything to sit this one out!” “You and me both,” I sighed.But we couldn't. It was mandatory for everyone to attend. Disobey her and you would have your head on a platter. “This is just so outrageous!” Francesca exclaimed. “How do you just show up from nowhere and suddenly declare that you are the Alpha's mate? Even going as far as asking to be wedded to him when he clear
/-Declan-/Something was happening to me. Something dreadful that I couldn't explain. It felt as if I was being drained yet I couldn't tell how or where it was coming from. I had to hope that whatever it was didn't kill me first before I figured out how to stop it. My first thought was the curse, of course, but while I still felt my body freezing from time to time, it wasn't as intense as it should have been if it was actually draining me. My next thought was Azaiah. It had to be him. Maybe he was angry over the fact that Raven chose me and was trying to get back at me. Even that felt like too much of a sketch. He hated my guts fine, but I didn't think he had that kind of power over me. I was still contemplating when a knock came on the door. “Come in,” I sighed and a little servant girl entered. She shut the door behind her and stopped in with a tray. She was quite young so I assumed she was possibly one of the maid's daughters. “I brought you food, sir,” she informed me. It
/-Raven-/“What is happening here?”So many thoughts were running through my mind, so many questions, so many things I needed to know. The girl stood there, bleeding and sobbing with her mother trying to clean her up.Azaiah turned to me, “Declan did something really terrible. I would have never thought that he would descend so low.” “What are you talking about?” I demanded. “What did Declan do? What are you accusing him of this time?”“Accusing him?!” Azaiah repeated with disbelief. “Are you being serious right now?”“What happened?” I sighed. “He tried to rape a child!” He dropped the bomb and my blood ran cold. “We heard her screaming and begging him to let her go.” My jaw opened and closed several times but I couldn't get a word out. Declan did what? “See, I was shocked as you are! I know Declan can be possessive and a arrogant piece of shit, but I didn't think he was a paedophile!”“Stop saying that about him!” I snapped before I even realized it. “There has to be some sort
/-Raven-/“Leave?” I repeated. “Are you serious right now?” He turned away from me to hide the hurt in his eyes but it was already too late. I could see them and it broke my heart. “Yes, I am very serious, Raven. The entire point of you coming here was to hear my side of the story, right? I have told you just that and if you wouldn't believe me then there is no point.” I stood there for almost a minute, speechless. What was I supposed to do in this situation? Believe him or the child? In as much as Declan was my mate, I've come to know him as someone who wouldn't deny his actions. He would do it and rub it in your face. But what were the chances that an eleven year old was making that up? What reason did she have to fake it, to the extent of hurting herself?I released a confused sigh. Since there was nothing more to be said, I decided it was better to leave and probably cool my head. As I turned away, his words stopped me. “Just before you leave, I want you to remember somethi
/-Raven-/“Uhmm… what do you mean by that?” I asked. I just managed to convince Azaiah to give him a chance to prove his innocence and the next thing he says is don't bother?“Declan…” I called with warning. “You know is not the time for pride, right?”“This had nothing to do with my ego, Raven. I didn't do it and proving it will not be a problem, I just don't think he will appreciate my methods,” Declan said and Azaiah cast me a look. “What methods do you mean?” Azaiah asked.“Compulsion,” Declan shrugged. “She will be compelled to speak the truth or suffocate to death. The longer she resists speaking the truth, the more she bleeds from her eyes, ears, nose, every fucking hole in her body, until she drops dead and…”“Declan!” I gasped and those silver eyes narrowed emotionlessly at me. “What? Works on wolves all the time,” he shrugged.“She is a child!” Azaiah exclaimed. “You don't expect us to watch you subject her to torture after the trauma she has been through!” “She has been
/-Azaiah-/“So, did you like it?” He asked and my eyes moved to the doorway where Nile stood, crossing his arms. “Excuse me?” “The Alpha. He's in prison now. You can have the woman of your dreams, though I still don't think you should trust women,” he said. I dropped the glass in my hand. “Wait, let me get this straight. You're asking if I like the fact that the Alpha tried to rape a child or the fact that he is just in prison?” I asked.Nile chuckled and made his way into the room, “I don't see why you have to analyse that, your highness. The lady is all yours, that is the most important thing.”I crossed my arms, more stupefied than I was earlier. “Did you, by any chance, have something to do with it, Nile?” I asked suspiciously.“And why would you think that, Your Highness?” He chuckled. “I am not allowed to express my opinions anymore?” That triggered my suspicion even more. It was more like he was growing into someone I couldn't recognize. I mean, he was quite fine before th
/-Declan-/Something terrible was about to happen and I could feel it in my bones. It concerned Raven.I know I wanted to give them a chance at a fair trial, but hurting my mate was not part of the bargain. They had no right to touch even a hair on her head. I called Tim through the mind link to come with men. I felt a little too weak to break myself out through those iron bars. In what seemed like thirty minutes, I heard grunts outside and soon Tim appeared in the dark hallway with the keys to my cell. He opened it and I immediately sped past him to look for Raven. I tracked her to a room where I had no idea what was going on. I kicked it open immediately and the sight before me rendered me speechless. Raven was on the bed, pale and naked. She looked almost lifeless and Azaiah was sitting on top of her with a blade in his hand. A strange woman was also present, muttering some incantations and Nile was the one who moved to stop us.“What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here…”
/-Raven-/We lay upside down facing each other with the sheets sprawled over our bodies. Our bodies were covered in sweat and we were panting heavily.“No one said our wedding night was going to be so long,” I muttered. I could barely feel my legs but my core was burning from six rounds of lovemaking. Declan smirked at me, “Our honeymoon would be even longer.” “Where are we going?” I asked him. “Anywhere of your choice,” he said and I shrugged. “I don't know, we could tour. Or just stay here…”“Don't even suggest that,” he cut me short. “Those elders always have one problem or the other when they set eyes on me. Unless you want your husband to be working during his honeymoon, I suggest you cancel all plans of staying here.” I chuckled. “You are so serious about avoiding work.” “Because I want to spend time with my wife. That is perfectly logical. Anyone can understand that,” he said and I laughed. “Of course. Like I don't have duties as Luna.” He frowned, “Cha we put this whol
/-Francesca-/I admit it. It was pointless. Fighting for someone who didn't clearly want me. But the truth was that it didn't really matter what Declan wanted; I was giving up for Raven's sake. Right from the moment she called me sister on the roof, I couldn't bring myself to hurt her in any way. That was why I was humbly accepting defeat. It was her big day and whether I liked it or not, I was going to be happy for her.The IronClaw Courtyard had never looked more radiant.White blossoms bloomed from enchanted vines that shone under the moonlight. A carpet of silver petals led the way down the aisle, which glowed faintly as if the moon itself had kissed every inch. The air was thick with magic, anticipation, and, despite myself, love.I stood just beyond the arched entryway, my hands clasped in front of me, fingers trembling only slightly.The pack had gathered in full. Alphas from allied clans, betas in full ceremonial garb, omegas glowing with awe. Everyone had come to witness
/-Raven-/“You smell nice…” Declan muttered, hugging me from behind out of nowhere. I was in the dressing room at the . designer's shop, trying out my wedding dress. “You're not supposed to be here,” I whispered. “Who let you in?” He chucked mischievously. “I don't need permission to see my woman whenever I feel like.” “Don't tell me you came here, all the way from the palace…”“Because I missed you? Fuck yes,” he interrupted. I couldn't believe my ears, yet as much as I wanted to scold him, I found myself smiling like a fool.“You're an Alpha, don't you have duties to perform?” I asked him. He took a step closer and I backed away. Another step and moved back. His lips curled into a mischievous smile. “You know if you keep moving back, you're going to trap yourself between me and the wall.” That brief second when I glanced to see if I was that close to the wall, he pin me to the wall and caged me in a chokehold.“Oops,” he smirked. “I got you.” I didn't even know how to react a
Two Weeks Later/-Francesca-/They were so happy. Raven and Declan. After everything they've been through, it was only right for them to celebrate, right? Have some rest and finally live the good life they deserved. IronClaw deserved a break. That was the thought of many wolves, not mine. I assumed you against someone as powerful as Amelia would have been enough to severe whatever ties Raven had with Declan. I hid for so long. Playing the coward. Allowing everyone to have their shots and when the chances were high, I walked in their skin, hoping to complete the mission and finally get the man I deserve. Yet every single time. Every. Single. Time. That little redhead found a way to beat me at my own game. I struck a deal with Azaiah to get her out, it failed, I set her up, it failed, I walked in her skin but it took only minutes for him to recognize me. All the while I played sweet little Francesca, pretending my elf blood was useless and magic almost non-existent, hoping I cou
/-Raven-/The air smelled fresher than it had ever been. Being back to IronClaw felt like a dream. With Diane and Amelia gone, things were beginning to fall into place. The Elders regained themselves and the darkness looming over the pack was finally gone. Azaiah couldn't come back with us. He insisted on taking back the bodies of the men he lost in battle back to the mountains. I offered to help but he declined. He insisted I take Declan home and here we were. Francesca and Othelia were waiting eagerly for us and beside them was my very old friend. “Greetings, Alpha!” They all bowed and Declan merely nodded. I don't know the level of damage Diane did to him but I hoped with her death, the curse she put on him would also disappear. The way his body felt cold against mine was making me skeptical. The guards immediately rushed to help him off me. “Tim!” I exclaimed, hugging him before I even realized it. Francesca frowned beside me and I understood her jealousy. She expected I wou
/-Raven-/I didn’t breathe.Couldn’t.Declan’s body jerked unnaturally, his head tilting like a marionette on frayed strings. His mouth opened, but the sound that spilled out wasn’t his voice.It was mine.“I should’ve killed her when I had the chance.”My own words. A whisper I’d spat to myself as I held Ava's corpse in my arms. How the hell did she…?“No…” I stepped back, heart thudding so loud it felt like it echoed in the cavern.Azaiah's joints twisted, bones popping, contorting in ways no living body should. His eyes were a soulless abyss. Whatever spark once made him Azaiah had been stripped clean, replaced with something cold. Controlled.“Do you like it?” Diane cooed, her voice sweet and venom-laced. “It’s not possession. That’s so... temporary. I rethreaded them. Blood, bone, and memory.”She cocked her head, watching me with childish delight.“You’re lying,” I snapped, more to myself than to her. “Declan’s still in there. Azaiah too. I’ll get them back.”“You think love can
/-Raven-/My heart stopped. I stared down at Diane, no, whatever the hell she’d become, as she walked calmly through the burning remnants of the forest, her voice echoing in my head like a curse.She wasn’t just mimicking Azaiah.She was him now.“We need help in here, Raven…”The exact same voice. Same words. Same rhythm. Except this time, her lips curled into a grin as she said it aloud, like she knew I was listening.As expected of a witch…But this was something darker than anything I’d ever felt. Something deadly. I wasn't even sure this was just Diane anymore. I hovered higher into the clouds, hiding behind a veil of smoke and fog, praying she couldn’t sense me. My heart hammered in my chest.I’d seen death. I'd caused death. But this… this was beyond it. She had devoured them. The silence from the mind-link wasn’t a glitch or mental interference.It was because everyone was dead.And now she wore their voices like masks.“Come on, Raven,” she called out, twirling once slowly
/-Raven-/I shifted into dragon form and flew as far away as I could. As much as I wanted revenge, I couldn't jeopardize the living for the dead. If my presence was going to secure their victory then I would take pride in that and let go of my anger.For Declan. I don't know how long or how far I flew but i was at a distance I couldn't intervene quickly even if I wanted to. “Azaiah, what's your status?” I asked through the mind link. “She's down. So is half of our men. I hate to admit it but Declan is helping a lot. Are you coming in?” He asked.“Unfortunately, I can't. I need to take care of Amelia's soldiers but until then I can't come in,” I said. “But make sure she is dead. Take off her head, that is the best way to kill a witch and set her ablaze. We can't risk her suddenly resurrecting.” “That was the same thing Amelia said. Don't worry, Raven, do what you have to do, we have it all under control,” he assured me. Relief washed through me. This was definitely a good thing.
/-Raven-/On getting outside, I met Amelia. Unlike before, she had gotten here earlier than I expected.“Let's get this over with. I have more important things to deal with,” she said. “If the more important thing you're talking about is Diane, then I think we should take her down first instead of wasting our energy on each other,” I told her. “Why should I…” she cast me a condescending look. “...collaborate with you to do anything?” “Because you can't take her for me on your own,” I said plainly. “If we work together, we might actually have a chance to defeat her then we can face each other.” “Really? You must be bold to think that I would actually need help from you!” She huffed and I rolled my eyes. “I don't have time for your boost your little ego. When I'm done taking Diane, you can come fight me,” I said, shifting into dragon form. “Like I would wait for you to do that!” She muttered and leapt into the air, too. A smirk played on my lips. One down, one more person to go.