/-RAVEN-/Later that night, I sat by the window, staring into the sky since I wasn't allowed to go outside. The stars were so pretty tonight and it made me feel a little lonely.It stirred memories in my mind and it made my eyes watered. How long was I going to keep poisoning myself to keep from being with him?What if I ran out of poisons? What if he decided to perform the ceremony with my corpse? I was still thinking when the door opened and the maids entered my room with food. They simply bowed and dropped it, walking out before I even got the chance to say anything. Azaiah had forbidden them from talking to me because he thought I was going to manipulate them into helping me escape. I couldn't blame him because I would actually do so if I had the chance. I opened the plate and the food just made my spirit fall. I was tired of everything. This place, the food, the people, everything!I covered it back and got in bed. An hour later, they came to pack the food and we're surprised
/-Declan-/Tim and the rest of the warriors prepared for the journey to the Dragon clan. I had the Elders oversee the pack while I was gone. Raven was the most important person to me and I couldn't lose her. As we got ready to leave, Hannah ran to me with her bag. “What do you think you're doing?” I asked her. I wasn't in the mood for her antics now. “Allow me to come with you, please. I can help,” she pleaded. “No, I don't think you can help me in anyway. Stay back, I will bring her back as soon as possible,” I said. “No, please…” she pleaded. “I… I feel guilty. Every time I think about it, I blame myself for not helping her while I had the chance.”“Why should you?” I asked her. “You've never liked Raven to begin with. You should be happy she is finally out of your way. If you're going to hate someone, at least be straightforward about it. Stop trying to score yourself brownie points b pretending to care.”Hurt flashed in her eyes, “I don't care what you think about me but I a
/-Hannah-/No! No! No!This couldn't be happening to me! What the hell was he doing here? He shouldn't be here! Oh goddess, everything I planned was going to be ruined! Just when I came so close to achieving it!“Hannah?” Declan called. “Do you know this man?” I opened my mouth to deny it but Nile beat me to it. “Why wouldn't she? I should be asking who the fuck you are!” Nile stepped up, his fists clenching in anger. Declan chuckled, but it was his usual amused laugh. Nile had no idea what he was asking for. Declan would kill before he even got the chance to raise his fists. “What do you think you're doing?” Declan's tone darkened. “I asked a simple question and it wasn't even directed at you.” “You're the one with my wife and you think you get to ask questions?” Nile seethed and Declan's anger was replaced by confusion. “Your wife…” he echoed, staring at me and I wanted the ground to just open up and swallow me. Anything to save me from this moment. “Yes, my wife! We have a
/-Raven-/“Let go of me, you prick!” I struggled against Kaiz's grip as he dragged me away from the training ground. I knew he was taking me to Azaiah and the moment I got to that man, it would be a whole new level of combat. “You will shut up and let me take you to safety!” He snapped and I shot him a glare. “You are taking me to the fucking danger!” I yelled. “That man out there is my mate and if you insist on being a hero, you and your little dragon friends will be ripped to shreds and left to decay!”Something shifted in his expression but it wasn't enough to make him stop or even release his grip. “You should watch that tongue of yours, little assassin. You tend to underestimate people a lot,” he said. “At least I'm not declaring them dragons!” I huffed and the next minute, he was knocked down by Declan, of course. He released me and a smirk played on my lips. “I warned you!” He tried to get off but Rolfe tackled him down again and an intense fight began. I had to give it t
/-Raven-/I don't know how long we ran or where we were running to but somehow we ended up outside the volcano. They were coming after us fast but then Declan suddenly had a bright idea.“We need to block the entrance,” he said and I was about to ask with what when I saw the huge rolling stone.There was no time for questions as we joined hands and blocked it before they could get to us. “Once I shift, get on my back, Ramona. Tim, mind link the others to retreat immediately,” Declan instructed. He quickly shifted and I got on his back as instructed. He dashed into the woods with Tim following us closely behind. My heart was pounding as I kept looking up at the sky to see if anyone was following us. I wondered how long it was going to take for us to get to our pack and even if we got there, what was the guarantee that it was safe? I mean, these people could just fly over there and set the entire pack ablaze. What would we do then?I wondered if Rolfe could hear me and if so, give
/-Raven-/Declan was still weak. I could see it in the way he swayed as he stood up and Azaiah was getting ready to fire. How was I supposed to run?If Declan died anyway, then all that stress of running back here to save him would be in vain. So without thinking, I stepped in front of him.Azaiah paused.“What are you doing, Raven?” Declan's exhausted voice asked. He could barely speak, yet he wanted to throw his life away by fighting off Azaiah. “Instead of fighting him, why don't you fight me?” I challenged him. “What are you doing, Raven? Have you lost your mind?” Declan asked but I ignored him. “If I win, you let us go. If I lose… well I'll already be dead by then,” I said. I knew what I was doing of course. I didn't plan to die. I just knew Azaiah would never take the risk of fighting me. I was his “queen” after all. Just as I suspected, he shifted to human form and his expression was far from happy.“Why are you doing this, Raven?” he asked. “Because you are being selfis
/-RAVEN-/“Declan…” I climbed into his bed slowly. His body was warm this time and I was relieved that he was getting better.Having him next to me felt so unreal. It was as if I had been stuck here forever. I reached for his face, caressing it gently in my arms. His face was so peaceful and beautiful. For a second, my eyes flickered to his lips, and I felt like kissing him, so Ieaned over, slowly drawing closer to him until our lips were just inches apart, but I stopped myself. That would be taking advantage of him. I was going to take off my hand when he muttered, “Don't stop.” I was paralysed by shock at first. He was awake this entire time?Those eyes fluttered open and a wave of embarrassment hit me. My cheeks flamed, and I tried to quickly retract my hand, but he caught it, holding it in place. I couldn't look at him. How would I explain sneaking into his room in the middle of the night and touching him without his permission?“Never thought I would see a flustered Raven in
/-Raven-/Azaiah was pissed. We could feel it even before we got to meet him. He must have heard me, last night. Thanks to my very “subtle” moaning.Declan, on the other hand, didn't seem to that the place was hotter than usual. In fact, it seemed like it was even more beneficial to him.We were still in bed, and I noted that at this time, the maids would have been serving me breakfast already, but I guess that wasn't going to happen now. The whole thing was somewhat amusing to me. I mean, we didn't even make love yet, and Azaiah was already ordering the maids to stop serving me. I tried to get out of bed so I could look for the kitchen and make him something to eat but when I tried to peel his arms off me, he only tightened them. “Let me go, Declan. I want to make you breakfast,” I told him, but he pulled me closer and buried his face in my breasts. “Declan,” I groaned. “Five more minutes,” he mumbled. I was about to respond to him when there was a door on my door. I thought t
/-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.