/-Declan-/“You can't be serious. I am your Luna! You can't just discard me after all we have been through together. I helped you build everything you have today. You can't just leave me!” she said. “I can't?” I asked. “I can do whatever the fuck I want Amelia. I can't feel myself, Amelia. Whenever I'm around you, it feels like I am just floating. I don't know what I am doing and I am sick of it! I can't keep living like this!” I didn't mean to go off on her like that. “So what about me? All the time I've wasted with you? Why would you stay with me for that long if I made you feel this way? Do you think it is okay to play with my feelings like this?” She asked.My eyes darkened. “First of all, there is no record of a wedding between you and I or the family you claim to be from,” I said. “There is no record of you and I, or how this sham of marriage happened! So do you mind explaining that to me?” My words caught her off guard. “What?” She blurted. “What? You thought I loved rea
/-Raven-/Four hours. Fours hours I sat there without saying a word. Just tears rolling down my cheeks. I stared into space, without blinking.“How is she?” I heard from a distance. It felt like they were so far away but in reality, they were just in front of me. “Not so good. She has been like this for the past four hours. I can swear she has only blinked thrice in that period of time. Whatever happened to her must have been very traumatizing,” the healer responded. Must have? My whole life was filled with pain and abuse. I have been betrayed and hurt once again by the ones I loved. I have been played for a fool twice! Twice!I didn't know whether to call it ill-luck or just plain misfortune. Either way, I was just unfortunate. A worthless victim. More tears rolled down my cheeks. And Declan? Where was he when all this happened? He was happily married to Amelia! The witch who separated us. I wanted to believe that it was all her magic. The stake through my heart and the whole ma
/-Raven-/“What do you mean by he is with family?” I asked her. The healer was rather reluctant to give me the answer to that question and it made me fear the worse. “I think we have bigger problems, child,” she said and I frowned. What problem could be bigger than Declan missing. “Amelia is headed here. She is coming for you and you are nowhere near prepared to face her.” “I don't understand. Why is she coming for me?” My tone was angry. “Hasn't she taken enough from me? What more does she want? My life?” “I really wish I could answer that question, child but we don't have time. You need to leave,” she said. “Leave? I am not running from her!” I spat. “If she is here to finish the job then let her come!” “You are underestimating her, Raven. We need at least three days to prepare and fortify you to face her,” the healer said but everything she said wasn't penetrating my ears. “She is underestimating me as well. She might have gotten away with what she did months ago but I promis
/-Raven-/I thought I was going to die. The flames were unending and even when I transformed into my dragon self, I couldn't get away. Everywhere was a blanket of fire. I couldn't even get close to her, not talk of retaliating. All their dragon heads were spitting flames in all directions so I had nowhere to run to.It felt like I was being baked alive. She didn't care how many of her men dropped dead. I was her target and until I was turned to ashes, everyone would burn. There were so many bodies and one of them was Lisa's. I didn't even realize she was here as well. Did Amelia force her to be here too? Was Francesca here? I certainly hope not.Just then I thought there was no hope,. something happened. Something completely unexpected.I heard the roars of dragons in the air and this threw her off. She stopped opening fire at me, wincing in pain. I pushed myself against the bark of a tree, trying to position myself for flying even though I wasn't in the position to. As I looked up,
“Raven.”I heard a faint voice call. The voice sounded too melodious to be human. It felt like an entity. “Raven, wake up!” The voice said again. Raven? Who is that?“You've been asleep for so long, child, it's time to wake up!” The voice kept getting louder. I couldn't tell if my eyes were closed or open but I was surrounded by darkness. Pure darkness. “Wake up…”Then there was a flicker of light, like a star in the darkness. Then it got bigger and bigger until it almost blinded me and next thing, I spat out water.“Skylar! Skylar?! Can you hear me? Please tell me you can hear me, Sky…” the panicked voice didn't completely register in my mind as I busy coughing out water. Both my throat and my lungs burned. “Skylar?”Who is Skylar now? First was Raven, now Skylar? Who are all these people? I opened my eyes to see the chubby blonde with tears streaming down my cheeks. I barely sat up when she engulfed me in a hug. “Oh, thank God you are okay! I thought you were dead. We tried
/-Skylar-/“Why are you staring at me that way, Skylar? Are you not happy to see me?” He asked. “Calm down, Khaid. She has been acting weird since she regained consciousness. She doesn't even remember me either. The nurses said that she is in shock,” Blondie told him. “What does that even mean, Ava?” Khaid frowned. “No one loses their memory from just drowning.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “What do you want me to say? Maybe her case is different. You know her heart actually stopped for almost ten minutes, she didn't have a pulse and everyone thought she was dead and then she suddenly woke up. Maybe…”“What you're saying doesn't even make sense in the least, Ava,” Khaid cut her short. “Drowned or not, I am her boyfriend. The love of her life. She can't just forget me!”He stepped towards me suddenly and I backed away. “Come on, baby. You know who I am, Khaid, your boyfriend!” he said and I moved backwards again. He was creeping me out and I hated it. Ava stepped in between us. “T
/-Skylar-/“Raven…”I jerked up from sleep and it all came flooding back. Holy fuck!I ran to the bathroom to confirm I wasn't just dreaming and it was still there. Long dark hair, pale blue eyes, flawless milky skin, fuck!!I paced around the bathroom, trying to make sense of everything. Where was this place? What the fuck was I doing here? I could have sworn that I died. “Whatever it is, Raven, raging in a fucking bathroom won't hell,” I told myself. I stepped into the small room, scanning my environment. Everything just seemed strange and the place was so cramped up. Blondie was still asleep and by the time I checked the clock, I realised it was past 9am.I could remember a certain man telling me that I needed to be at work by 7 am. I waved it off and continued checking out her room. It was the calendar that stopped me. Was this real?“2025?” I muttered. This had to be some sort of joke. I could have sworn we were still in the ‘90s yesterday. Did I sleep off an entire century? O
/-Skylar-/Those seafoam eyes narrowed at me like he was going to tear me apart.Blondie immediately stepped in to beg for me. Back in the day, she would definitely be useful as my spokesperson.“I didn't explain to you, sir, but she has temporary amnesia so I promise you, she didn't know it was you,” She pleaded. “Do I look like I care?” His sharp retort caught both of us off guard. “Miss Anderson, you're fired. Make sure to clear your desk before I get back!” Ava gasped. “No sir, please. You can't fire her, she didn't mean it, I swear to you. Please spare her. It will never happen again.”His gaze shifted to me as if he was expecting something. Ava nudged me. “What are you doing? Beg him! Don't you want your job?” She whispered harshly. “What's with you and begging everyone?” I retorted. “If he wants to fire me, he should. I don't care. I am very capable of getting a job anywhere I want with a better pay too!” I didn't know about that but I just wanted him to know I wasn't at h
/-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.