/-RAVEN-/I've never felt the need to be responsible for anyone until now.As I walked back to the healer's hut, I looked at the children, playing around on the streets, giggling and laughing without a care in the world and all this will be gone by dawn? Because of me? How? Why?I had so many questions. I wanted to go back there and probe her answers but I knew she wouldn't give me anything other than what she had just said.I walked into the hut and the healer had a strange expression on her face. One I couldn't read. “I'm guessing you didn't get any good news?” She said and I shook my head, crestfallen. “You know one thing about visions? They don't always show you everything. Only a crucial part of your actions determines whether the end will favour you or not. There's a reason it is hidden, you know,” she said with a smile, yet I couldn't bring myself to return it. “She said the village will go up in flames,” I told her. “We know that,” the healer shrugged, stunning me.“Why di
/-Raven-/We stood at a distance, watching the village go up in flames. My lips were slightly apart as I watched in shock.It was dawn already and the village was up in flames, just as she predicted, but it wasn't caused by the fire wielders or cloaked persons or whatever was chasing me. It was set ablaze by a man beside me. Maybe that was why she wanted me to leave as soon as I could. Because in the end, fate couldn't be changed. It would happen one way or the other. If Declan didn't do it, the cloaked men would have still done it. I looked at him, but he stood there, an emotionless expression on his face like he didn't slaughter an entire community and set their village ablaze.It made me realize just how powerful and dangerous he was. He could have killed me if he wanted but he tolerated me talking back at him and defying him.I wasn't innocent, but this… this was a massacre. No one was spared, not the women, not the children. He killed every living thing in it. It was suffocati
/-Raven-/“You're going to stain my sheets, Raven,” he stopped by the bedside. “You can change them in the morning,” I answered. “Join me in the bathroom,” he offered and my eyes flew open. “I beg your pardon?” “Don't act innocent now. You just spent a whole night and half a day with my naked self,” he shrugged. My cheeks flamed up. “Don't say things like that. People might think there is something between us,” I groaned. He climbed the bed, straddling me. “And there's not?” he smirked. I pushed him off me and jumped out of the bed. He laughed as I ran towards the door I assumed was the bathroom. There was an inbuilt pool, a tub and a shower cubicle. The whole place smelled so nice and I could feel the pool calling to me. I took over the soldier uniform and jumped in. It was so refreshing to swim freely in the water. Declan suddenly walked in and I submerged my body inside the water, leaving only my head out. “Do you not know the meaning of privacy? You can't just walk in
He stood in the middle of the room, his back turned to them, with the purple royal regalia covering a vast area of the floor. The two cloaked men fell on their knees, shivering as they pleaded for mercy. They knew their master would not forgive this incompetence.“You had one job…” His iciness in his tone made them shudder. “May I know why five of you left here yet two returned without her?”The two men exchanged glances, none willing to speak first. “Answer me!” He growled, turning to them with raging dark eyes. “We… we almost had her, Your Highness, but then we were suddenly attacked by this large grey wolf. He moved so fast that we couldn't even make a move at him. Three of our brothers were killed by him…”“You mean one wolf took down all five of you and left with the girl?” He demanded, his voice laced with disbelief. “Yes, Your Highness…”“Then you are all useless if a mere wolf could take you down. Do I have to do everything myself?” He growled. “Please have mercy on us, Y
/-Raven-/I couldn't sleep. My mind was haggling between Selene and Declan. While the doctors said she was in a very critical condition and would likely not survive it, Declan’s agonizing howls could be heard across halls and buildings. They said the injections needed time to kick in, but it was almost an hour, and I found myself flinching with every cry of pain. Othelia and Lisa were by Selene's side, which left me alone in the room. Unable to take it anymore, I found myself going toward the hall that led to Declan’s room. His painful howls turned to hysterical cackling at intervals as he threw threats. “I will kill all of you…” an unsettling chortling followed. “These chains won't hold me…”I stopped at his door, contemplating going in or not. A heavy silence fell suddenly like I was being given a chance to make a decision. “Make up your mind, princess…” his voice was calm, almost as though he was perfectly fine. It made my skin crawl like it was pricked with a hundred needle
/-Raven-/“I'll be heading back in now,” I got off the floor abruptly. He quickly stood. “Come on, Raven, don't tell me you're upset,” he said, and I shot him a look. “I know how you feel about him, I just need this small favour…”“We're not close enough to exchange favours, Tim,” I said plainly. If Declan hadn't been involved and he wasn't just a pawn in Lisa's sick games, I would have helped.“But we can be…” he insisted.“Tim…”“Let's be friends, Raven. Please?” He extended his hand. Friends? The word was almost strange to me. I have been a loner all my life, and I wouldn't even lie; it felt good. I could do whatever I wanted without stopping to consider anyone's feelings. Tim was going to complicate my life, plus the fact that I didn't plan to stay here for long. Something clicked in my head and I took his hand. “Fine!” I said. “But don't think you will be spared any brutality.” “I'm counting on that,” he chuckled. “I need to head back in and check on Selene, if they let me,
/-Declan-/All my life, the only thing I have ever truly known was pain. From my mother's hate and curse, to my father's betrayal, to my mate's rejection, to the stigma of killing my father to the tower and many others I would rather not remember.Yet none could compare to the pain of another rejection. She didn't know what she had done. She probably thought it was funny… but it wasn't. My heart rate sped up, and my heart clenched so tight it felt like I was suffocating, but I fought to keep it in. “Hmmm…” Raven stared curiously at my blank face. “Did I say the words wrong? You seem pretty comfortable.” With each passing second, it felt like multiple daggers were plunged into my heart. Rolfe growled in my head and I knew things were going to blow out of proportion in a couple of minutes. “Raven…” I could barely recognise my own voice. “Take it back…”“Why should I? Did I hurt your little Alpha pride?” She mocked. I moved away from her as I felt the shift in my body. Rolfe was f
/-Raven-/This wasn't Declan. I could tell from the glowing red eyes. I now understood why Declan insisted I leave the room. I just wanted to taunt him a little, not infuriate his wolf. The minute he ripped off those chains to pounce on me, I knew I had taken things too far.It was the first time I was ever truly afraid of Declan. I mean, a were breaking off wolfsbane, it was almost impossible. The persistent banging on the door reminded me that there were people outside, trying to get in. Possibly the doctors. I cursed myself for locking the door in the first place. The pain in my shoulders was crippling and he kept sinking deeper into me.“Rolfe please…” I pleaded as blood trickled down my arms. Surprise crossed his features briefly. He probably didn't expect me to be able to tell the difference. “Please stop… you're hurting me,” I pleaded. “Please…”“You. Hurt. Me. First.” He gritted. “I'm sorry… I swear to the goddess, I am,” I pleaded. I thought having those fire wielders ch
/-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.
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 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
/-RAVEN-/Dinner was over in a blur with everyone just happy and wishing Declan a quick recovery, after which they began to disperse. Declan didn't move, however. His presence was like a magnetic pull I couldn’t fully ignore. Those mesmerizing silver eyes followed me intensely, unspoken words swirling within them. He didn’t ask; he commanded with a simple look, gesturing for me to help him to his room.I hesitated. Helping him always came with strings attached. But leaving him to fend for himself while still recovering wasn’t an option, and he knew it.“Fine,” I muttered, walking to his side. “But don’t get any ideas.”Declan’s lips curved into that infuriatingly cocky smile as he leaned slightly against me. “When do I ever, princess?”Princess… My skin tingled at the brief eye contact. There was just something about that name, the way it rolled smoothly off his lips that had me melting every single time.“You want an honest answer?” I asked, forcing my mind off my acting nerves.
Lisa walked out of the palace for a breath of fresh air. She couldn't believe the conversation she just had with Amelia. There was just no way a woman like Amelia would also fall under Declan's charms. It felt like felony. She had tried to focus on anything else, to get her mind off the fact that she might be having more people to get rid of, but the sight of Tim stopped her.He stood by the gates, his figure rigid, his gaze distant. Once, he would have noticed her immediately, greeting her with a warm smile or even a teasing remark. Now, he didn’t even glance her way. He turned, as if she were invisible, and began to walk away.Lisa was shocked for a brief second then heart clenched for some reason. She told herself to let him go. He had every right to be angry, and forcing a conversation wouldn’t help. But her feet moved on their own.“Tim!” she called out, hurrying towards him. He froze. For a moment, she thought he might keep walking, but then he slowly turned around. His face w
/-LISA-/Hannah stormed in like a tempest, slamming the door behind her. Her face was a twisted mask of anger and desperation, her breaths ragged as though she had run the entire length of the palace."The plan is ruined, Lisa," she spat, pacing the room. "Francesca is alive. Alive! And now there’s a skin crawler in the palace."I leaned against the edge of the table, folding my arms. "What plan?"Her head snapped toward me, her eyes narrowing. "Don’t act stupid. The plan to kill Francesca! You know, the one we spent weeks putting together? And what time did you even get to arrange a sorcerer? You didn't tell me about that! Are we now keeping things from each other?"I raised an eyebrow, confused as hell. "You must have me confused with someone else. I’ve been a little preoccupied… being locked in tunnels for days."She froze mid-step, her expression flickering with uncertainty before settling into irritation. "What are you talking about? You’re the one who came up with the plan! Stop
Raven’s POVDeclan’s silence was maddening. I watched as Hannah glared at him, waiting for some sort of response, anything that would validate her anger. But Declan remained still, his gaze distant, almost disinterested in the scene unfolding before him. It was almost as if he had already decided what his stance would be and nothing would change it. His lack of reaction only seemed to make Hannah more frustrated.I could feel the anger simmering beneath her skin and it was almost amusing. The way she stood, fists clenched at her sides, her jaw tight with fury. It wasn’t hard to tell that she expected me to be at the mercy of her wrath. She had that aura of entitlement that came with being close to the Alpha.But Declan wasn’t interested in her theatrics. It was a strange sort of relief, but it also made me feel strangely isolated. I wished Declan would just tell her to back off rather than stay silent. Even though I could deal with her myself, I still wanted him to. “You little…!” He
/-Raven-/The faint flicker of Declan’s eyelids was the first sign of life I’d seen in days. His lashes fluttered before those misty silver eyes cracked open, bleary but warm. If you didn't know better, you'd think he was blind, and it was so freaking gorgeous. Relief surged through me, making my chest ache. But relief quickly gave way to fury."You idiot!" I snapped before I could stop myself, leaning over his bed. I didn't care if he was Alpha or not. "Do you have any idea how much you scared us? We even had to go as far as seeking a sorcerer for you!"Declan’s lips curved into a faint, lopsided smile. “Us?” he murmured, his voice scratchy but teasing. “Or are you speaking for yourself, Raven?”I froze, my cheeks burning as I struggled for a retort. Even when he was still weak and just barely recovered, he still had the energy to tease me. “Everyone,” I said stiffly, crossing my arms over my chest. “Don’t flatter yourself.”Yet, I felt so warm inside. I didn't know how much I mis
/-Raven-/I glanced at Lisa whose face had gone pale as she said the name. Even Tim's expression was confirmation that Lisa was right. It was indeed Diane. Declan suddenly stopped convulsing and for a moment, I was afraid that something might have happened to him. That he was dead. But then his steady breathing assured me that he was still alive.His face was ashen, his breathing shallow, and I had never felt so powerless. Amelia straightened slowly, her expression grim as she stepped away.Dread washed through me as I knew what was coming. Just like many others before her, she couldn't heal him. Yet, I tried to stay positive as she spoke."The curse on him," she began, her voice cutting through the silence, "is bound by blood. The one who placed it tied it to herself with a blood oath. As long as she lives, with her blood coursing through his veins, no one, not even me, can fully break it."Her words struck me like a physical blow. For a moment, I could only stare at her, struggl