/-Declan-/Pain. That was all I knew these days. Sometimes, I felt empty, like I was living someone else's life and other times, it felt like I was floating in this empty space I had no control over. I didn't know what I was going with my life until I met her. That fiesty red head that got on top of me with those intense beautiful eyes. All she wanted to do was kill me and leave. Bold of her. At first I was going to let her be but when her sweet scent hit my nostrils, I couldn't hold it in any longer. But I had to let her go. For her own safety. The rumor was already spreading around the palace that my Luna was looking everywhere for her. I didn't care enough to ask her why. I assumed it was because Amelia saw her walking out of my room. She never really talked to me about her or even asked me about that night because she thought I was completely passed out and I preferred it that way. I didn't have the energy to argue with anyone or prove anything. I just wanted to be on my
/-RAVEN-/The pits felt a lot more safer than being up there with those animals. But then, when he said rats, I assumed he meant actual rats or rodents at least but this pit was a very deep well and this well had crocodiles in them. I'm not even sure that is possible. Point is, Eric is not even smart and I always about to die. There was still dragon bane in my system and until I flushed it out, or my body neutralised it, I was nothing but a defenseless human with chains around her wrists.When they threw me in, I landed in a floating position, right above the water and once I settled my foot on either of the well, it was gone. No matter how hard I tried to make it work again, it just wouldn't. But it wasn't new to me. Every time I was in a near-death situation, I always ended up floating a few feet from my death and this thankfully, was one of those situations, else I would have conveniently been a late breakfast to some hungry creatures.Water sloshed below. The crocodiles circled,
/-RAVEN-/I retracted my hand, pulling his eyes along with it. Screams ripped through his throat as blood gushed out of his eyes. I tossed his useless eyeballs to the ground and turned to the guards who were completely frozen in shock. The eventually recovered and tried to attack but I didn't waste time in beating them one after the other until they were all on the ground groaning in pain. I went back to Eric who was crying now. “You bitch! What have you done to me?” He screamed out. “You will pay for this, I swear you will!”I squatted to his position and yanked his head up. I twisted it so hard that he was screaming out in pain and then I pushing my hands into his mouth and clawed his tongue. Another scream struggled to come out but his tongue was at my mercy. “All I ever did was love and respect you. I followed your instructions, allowed to take whatever decisions you wanted to, I submitted to you and the one time I decided to do something for myself, you have me beaten up and
/-DECLAN-/“Do you want to tell me where you are going?” She asked and I took a glance at her. I fixed my coat without offering a response. I made to walk out but she ran in front of me. “Can you ever stop treating me like I don't matter and actually put some effort into communicating with me? Tell me where you're going, Declan!” She demanded. “No,” I said simply and walked out of the room. As I stepped out of the palace, the guards made to follow me but I stopped them. I didn't want to be policed around by Amelia's spies. As I walked towards the borders, the people kept bowing and greeting and I got tired of responding. I just want to take a long run. Transforming into my wolf, I dashed into the forest. It was exactly what I needed. The energy flowing through my veins, the adrenaline, everything was just exciting until I picked up a scent. It was a sickening sweet smell that reminded me of the woman I met days ago. The woman in that red dress. Was she out here? If she was, wha
/-Declan-/“Are you even listening to me?” She yelled triggering an instant headache. I wanted to just lie down and get some sleep. But she got in my face again. I was trying so hard to tolerate her but she would stop making things difficult for me. Sometimes, she made me question how we got together because we had absolutely nothing in common.“I don't know what you want me to say,” I sighed. “I want you to deny it!” She yelled. “Tell me that this has nothing to do with her. That you didn't go to see her or something.” “I went for a run. Does that make you feel better?” I asked and walked to the bathroom without giving her a chance to respond.I took off my clothes and got under the shower. I shut my eyes, enjoying the way the steamy water ran down my back. The burn on my skin came with flashes. Me in a tub filled with hot water. Me taking pyre's breath. Me carrying a burning person. Me and a flame of fire. I turned off the shower andrl tried to think but everytime I felt like
/-RAVEN-/The buzz of the place jolted me from the horrific nightmare called sleep, My eyes flew open as I say up in panic. Did they catch me already? Oh goddess, I'm screwed. I tried moving my body subconsciously even though I expected to be tied up and to my surprise, I was unbound. I sat up and took in my surroundings. There were several maids entering in and out of the room, serving food on a big table. Who are they? Where am I? One of them glanced at me and immediately squeaked. “She's awake. We should inform the Alpha immediately.” That was when I truly panicked. It was obvious that I was captured by some unknown Alpha and probably going to be forced into marriage. Alpha Timultin would never catch me and spare me, especially after killing his son. He would murder me. Not sell me off. Which was why it made sense that this Alpha found me in the woods and brought me here, to be his Luna, possibly because if I were to be a slave, I would wake up in a cell, not a queen sized b
/-Raven-/“That can't be right,” I blurted. “Why not? You desperately want me to be the bad guy don't you?” He asked and I was speechless for a few seconds. I knew Eric and Timultin lied to me about many things but memories don't lie. There were so many blank spaces in my head but that didn't mean that I was going to just believe what he said. “I don't believe you,” I said and he shrugged. “Suit yourself.” Something about the way he casually said those words, like it didn't matter whether I believe him or not, infuriated me. He was so comfortable. So unbothered and here I was, struggling to live. If it hadn't been for him, I would still have my memories and now the gaps that Timultin and Eric managed to fill were most likely lies, what was I supposed to do with myself?It didn't help that there were still tiny sparks of attraction between us. The stupid mate bond sent my heart racing every time he glanced at me. And I hated it. I noticed that the other man seemed moody. I stare
/-Declan-/Someone hurt her. The mere thought of it made my blood boil. They hurt her so much that she couldn't even stand being touched. Watching her curl on the bed, sobbing made my chest tighten. When was the last time I felt something this strong? An emotion. Using all I felt was emptiness and now… all I could feel was pure rage. I wanted to know what they did to her. Who they were. Everything.I sat beside her, listening to her sob and beg me to leave her alone. She didn't even realise I had gotten off of her a long time ago. I wanted to pull her into my arms and whisper every reassuring word I could think of but what if it makes things worse? I wasn't even sure she would want me to touch her in this situation. When her sobs quieted down, I walked to the small fridge at the other corner of the room to get her water. When I returned to the bed, she was already sitting up. “Here,” I offered her the water. She hesitated, contemplating whether to kick me out of her room or jus
/-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.