Have you figured out which Worgen has kidnapped Raina?
-VALEN’S POV-“Val, hurry up down there.” Devin mind-linked me using his teleportation ring.“Well, it’s a great summer party down here. Want to come?” I was annoyed and couldn’t help the sarcasm.Inside the abhorrent funnel-shaped sinkhole was like a trip to hell. Diving through the fathomless, gloomy void and plunging into a deep sputtering fire pit, I struggled to get beyond the volcanic flames. It compressed against the invisible force field that Zuzu enshrouded me in, threatening to end my life.The magical energy shield kept me safe from the hostile crustal movements and any toxic scents that were fusing. Nyx ensured that my oxygen revolved in the protective barrier. Otherwise, I would have died.After an almost never-ending journey down the macabre inferno, I burst through a thick nebulous fog that thinned out into a craggy, turquoise-blue cavern. This was another dimension and the portal ahead of me resembled a swirling geode with crackling, red electrical streaks that whipped
-RAINA’S POV-“Why do you want a war? Can’t we negotiate?” I stalled. My mind scrabbled to think of a way to get out of this.“The war is revenge against Selene. It's about being the black sheep and wanting to kill her favorite children.” He explained with one arm folded and he tapped his nose. “Murdering all of you hurts your goddess. Maybe she’ll have to come herself to stop the war and save her wolves, Raina.”“So that’s your agenda ― to force Selene to show herself?“You are my agenda and I know all of your secrets. I also know things that might interest you.” Gustav gloated while flicking the mussed veil of white strands from his forehead.“What good is a bond with me when I lost my wolf?” I realized that his ultimate intention was to use me as leverage against Valen. I bit my lip, writhing in suppressed fury.His hand froze and then he stooped before me. “There are remnants of her within you. My brother will still come for you because you will have to tell them what happened, and
-VALEN’S POV-Back stroking through the air, Raina’s body fell like a flailing fledgling. The entire time on my flight upwards, my eyes shifted back and forth from her to the white-haired man above her. Panic threatened to seize control of my mind.“Get to her, Valen!” Zeus roared, even though he understood my steadfast resolve.I huffed with zipped-up determination and increased my thrust.Striving to deter my flight, the enemy threw black bomb balls at me. Once they sailed past Raina, I counteracted by flashing out an energy wave with my right hand. Boom! Boom! Boom! Each one of them exploded into amber flames and black smoke.This repeated three times before I reached Raina. Her back slammed into me and I grabbed her around the waist while I narrowed my eyes on the descending Worgen.Swiftly, I gripped the Worgen’s wrist. I tugged and twisted it, and rapidly slammed it into his chest with such a powerful force that sent him backflipping away from us.My flight ceased, and I hovered
-VALEN’S POV-Directly after I teleported Raina to Mom’s chief medical office, I mind-linked her that Raina was safe and with me. No matter how much I tried to put Raina on the bed to lie down for examination, her arms would not unwrap from my neck.“Don’t let go.” Her heart was racing at an incredible speed.So, I lifted her trembling legs and let them encircle my waist with one hand under her buttocks, holding her. I kissed her temple, leaving my cheek on hers.“I didn’t want to ― I didn’t mean to ― Valen,” Raina repeated with a low cracking voice, sniffling. Her moist button nose pressed into my neck.My free hand caressed the length of her back in an attempt to give her warmth and security. I whispered in her ear. “It’s okay. You’re my strong queen. You had no choice.”Her clothes were soiled with dried blood and grime. Plus I wanted to quickly check her body and in this state, I was hampered. It hurt to see her like this. I was feeling a lot of things and Zeus reminded me that he
-VALEN’S POV-“Um―” Raina faltered as she stared at the ceiling.The acknowledgment of her regret hit me. The sorrow she felt nearly knocked the wind out of me. My heart spasm in my chest thinking that the kiss actually happened.“He―” Her head turned towards me with a pained expression.Waiting for her answer, I squeezed my eyes shut and pinched the bridge of my nose. A throb of anger pounded on my temples.“No.” Raina’s blue eyes were very guilt-ridden, and my anger deflated just a notch.“The fealty requires that he swears his sword to you, and then you will have to kiss him on the lips to seal the bond.” Mom’s eyes hardened on me.“Like fucking hell!” I cracked cynically as my veins pulsed with unexplainable rage and my fist made another hole in the white wall.It wasn’t enough. My frothy wrath needed release, but it seemed that more and more anger bubbled inside as I lost control.Him kissing her ― touching her. My mate? Mine! Every thought of that kiss occurring jabbed me in the
-VALEN'S POV–Raina stirred beneath my arms. Zeus purred, as I nuzzled my nose on her mate mark, lightly nipping on it.I was a bastard for wanting to wake her up because I wanted her attention. It was that simple. Venus mentioned that she had been sleeping for the past three days and I couldn’t bare another minute without her.Determined, I rubbed my thumb up and down the side of her cheek, trying to gently coax her out of dreamland.“Mmm.” She moaned and shifted. I enjoyed the soft sounds of contentment that she made in her sleep as her muscles loosened and relaxed."Raina ―" I whispered, watching her facial expression change and twitch as I slowly pulled her from sleep. "Time to wake up, baby.”Arousing from slumber, I watched her eyes flutter open. She lifted her head and stretched out her arms and legs.“Good morning, Bluebella,” I whispered, kissing below her ear.She shivered, twisting her body to lay flat on her back. A few straying strands of her burgundy hair lay on her face.
-RAINA'S POV-Hyperaware of my arousal, I gazed upwards into Valen’s dilated pupils and parted my lips. He pressed his lips on mine. I welcomed him into my mouth, hoping it would lead to passionate lovemaking. His tongue stroked my insides, slowly and lazily as he took his time devouring me.The furor of sparks awakened in Valen’s kisses, melting any form of estrangement. His long, disheveled black hair tickled my cheeks. He groaned with his lustful emeralds on my lips. He wanted more.Pulling away slowly, he kissed each of my cheeks, followed by the tip of my nose. Teasing him, I walked two fingers up his biceps, across his broad shoulders, down the hard planes of his pectorals, and finally, around his nipples.Valen drew a long hissing breath.I giggled. It was exactly the reaction I desired.The scent of his lust incited the ache in between my thighs. My desire for him escalated. It was the on-again, off-again bond that worried me. Yet, I chose to relish the sensation of his mouth
-RAINA’S POV-The first white card was from Alpha Rowling. He expressed many thanks for being able to make it home in time to attend to his Luna and their new baby girl, Evonnie. He'd like to host a celebration event for me with his Elder Council to attend. He also appealed for a royal blessing from his Luna Queen to his daughter.The second peach card was from Alpha Femoris, Mercedes' father's pack. I side-eyed Valen before reading the content. I was wary of him when it involved Mercedes.The Alpha congratulated us on our mating and would like to invite me to Canada for an honorary luncheon with him and his Elder Council.Lastly, I hesitated to open this one from Alpha Kain. Valen's skeptical eyes were practically burning holes in me.“I'm not leaving till I see what he wants.” Green with jealousy, he fussed. “Wasn't it enough that you were there for a whole week with him? An entire fucking week.”Side-glancing at him, I countered, “I was there with my parents.”"Kain's always wanted
VALEN’S POV“Raina is hurting.” Penn interjected, finishing up and discarding the cotton in a bin.“I saw the pain in her eyes when she saw Snow with your baby.” She gazed sadly at Devin and added under her breath. “I can imagine what that feels like.”My Beta averted his eyes to the side of the room, avoiding hers, suddenly unsettled as he scratched behind his ear.I blew out a hard breath. I did not care about what was up with these two. Raina was priority. The mate bond wrenched at me in a silent cry from her that only I could hear. Missing the softness of holding her hands and basking in her endearing presence, hugging, touching, gazing—I just can't go on without it.“I'm pissed too because the future hasn't changed and at some point, you'll give the dick away.” Devin aired bluntly. “How could you? After all those times you swore to me…”“I'll never cheat on Raina.” I cut in sharply, darting daggers at him.Unconvinced, he huffed. Then he spoke again, his voice quieter. "She loves
VALEN’S POVMy eyes snapped open, looking up at the wooden beams in the ceiling in confusion.This was Wolkrane.I can’t be here. Not when I promised Raina to be home by 9 P.M. daily. My head pounded with hazy memories, and I missed her pleasantly cool scent so badly. With her beautiful burgundy...Oh, fuck!I bolted up from the bed, and pain exploded on my side, spasming up and down my torso. Immediately, I glanced down at the three stitches that I just accidentally ripped, blood trickling down my side and into my gray sweatpants.Angry at myself for not knowing how long I’d been asleep, I yanked the IV line from my arm.Cursing silently while gritting my teeth against the agony, I barged out of the bedroom, ignoring the trail of blood I left on the umber-weave pattern of the vinyl plank flooring.Dizzy waves swept over me as I descended the stairs, determined for someone to tell me that it was a damn nightmare. That I imagined it all.“Where is she!” I roared, bulldozing into the sm
RAINA’S POV“Kókkino, I don't know,” Gustav replied with understanding in a low voice. His words lingered, heavy with an edge of doubt. “The sword should have taken his life.”I swallowed hard and confessed dejectedly, “I wanted to believe him, but he can’t be the real Valen.”Gustav hummed thoughtfully and moved to the foot of the bed to remove my shoes.Flashes of the harrowing hurt in the last Valen’s eyes made my forlorn heart sink deeper and deeper. It seemed nearly genuine, yet it was not. It was a mask to get me to lower my guard. I was glad that I didn’t let the bond derail the mission this time.My eyes trailed to my guardian, and I expressed, “The timekeepers were so cruel. This is my ninth trial, and if he's not my Valen, he'll kill me again. As an anomaly, they've cursed me to die over and over.”“Then I will protect you,” Gustav swore, putting down my shoes at the bedside while his gaze met mine. The sincerity and promise were clear in his voice.“How long do you think I
RAINA’S POV I lingered behind Gustav as we arrived by teleportation at a sprawling lakeside manor. With urgency, he stalked off down a corridor that cut straight through the house. I broke off into a little jog to keep up with his large strides. Walking by his side, I felt curious and apprehensive about where he had taken me. Warm tones guided me through the great hall. Feeling antsy, my head pirouetted in the unfamiliar environment. Gaping archways revealed sitting rooms, recreational rooms, a grand dining room, and others. Each was filled with soothing terra cotta tones from walls painted in red earth color. “Nice safe house,” I remarked as he led me up the winding stairs, overwhelmed by the sheer size of it.Layers of vintage finds, painted artwork, and houseplants created a classical, inviting effect across the spaces. Together with white and green accents, the wall's reddish tone produced a muted color scheme that brought a diverse range of furniture pieces in a harmoniously b
VALEN’S POV“Grrr! You are not needed here,” I growled, feeling my skin ripple, pinning the man in place with a murderous glare.“The nerve of that Worgen,” Zeus snarled in my head.Nyx and Zuzu swayed their attention to the obnoxious intruder, waiting for my command to attack him.“Stand down, Nyx. Do not attack him, Zuzu. Hibernate,” Raina commanded them, her back constantly bumped into my chest from her struggle against the grasp I maintained on her arms.It was a shock to see my guardians revert to a leisure position, debunking their fight mode.Raina averted her eyes to the man in full white. “Get me out of here, Gustav.”“Careful, Bluebella. Do not deliberately make me jealous. My wolf is unsettled as it is. You are mine,” I muttered into her ear, and she flinched with resistance.Swinging her sabre-rattling eyes sideways, she expostulated, “I’ll chose him a million times over you, you fake bastard!”What the hell was this?She was protecting him—choosing him?Wanting to go with
VALEN’S POVThe portal spat her out with a thud on the floor of my sanctum in a disheveled mess.“Mate! Mate! Mate!” Zeus purred, going into overdrive to touch what was ours.Thank fuck.“Ugh!” She groaned, landing face-down, and something clattered on the floor.My body jumped to life as her rich scent wrapped around the entirety of my being like thick vines.“She came back to us!” Zeus’ rear end started to twitch and wiggle in excitement to see our beautiful mate.Gladness pumped my heart wildly, and my feet moved briskly before my wolf shouted at me to go to her. Zuzu flapped her giant wings in flight towards her regular spot on a custom-designed tree branch in the corner.I rushed towards Raina, dropping to my knees and gently grabbing her shoulders to help her to stand. My heart danced with delight when the sparks erupted across my palms from the skin-to-skin contact.“She’s back,” Zeus howled in my chest with joy and enthusiasm, jumping up on his two hind legs.Raina's legs gave
VALEN’S POVEighty-four hours.Three and a half days.It’s been that long since I’ve been home and without my precious Luna. Precious time was being wasted when I should have been able to go after her. That knowledge and helplessness weighed heavy on my chest, obstructing every labored inhale.Detached from everything, I wallowed in heart-shattering misery.With a deep scowl, I ran my thumb over the inscriptions of the golden bracelet as my mind worked overtime. My brain felt like it was on a treadmill, unable to stop.At this point, my eyes were hooded and void and my brain wasn't far from becoming the same. Frazzled and throbbing.“You’re the reason she disappeared.” Zeus snarled in my head, castigating me for putting Vaheed over our mate. He rambled, “If we weren’t away, we would have been here to stop her. I told you to leave him alone, but no, you had to go and bring him back. Are you trying to make us mateless?”My throat was too parched to argue with him.The worst had happened
VALEN’S POVAll their heartbeats rose, thundering against their chests. Devin quickly scurried over to the witch’s side.My eyebrows met. My face scrunched up and I pointed at Penn. My voice was incensed, and my teeth clashed together. “You let her go?”They visibly sagged under the weight of my temper. Anger pulsed through my chest, the upcoming headache didn't help his bitch fit either.“Well, I—um, I, er,” Pennelope stuttered and Devin frowned, spinning around to cup her face before facing me again.Letting out a breath of disbelief, I felt like my whole world was caving in. My vision went spotty as I pictured Raina lost and on her own in an unfamiliar world, and this witch did nothing to help her when she had the means.“It’s not that simple. I tried to stop her…” Penn explained, shaking her head, and went into more detail, stumbling over her words. “...once she saw Snow, she decided to go AWOL.”"Slow down, Penn." Devin guided me because at this point she was mumbling, and I didn
VALEN’S POV “Beta?” I scowled in the witch's basement after descending the last step of the stairs.Thick tension greeted me. One built on apprehension and fear.They were as scared as a kitten that had just noticed the shadow of a dog’s tail lashing against a white wall. I could feel the weight of their trepidatious stares pressing against me. Their fretting, whispering thoughts practically radiated off them like static.Zeus growled low and ferociously in my chest, unsettled by the hangdog silence. The implication of guilt hung heavily in the air.My anxious eyes roamed every inch of the space, skipping through the bookshelves, futons, chairs, and stone tables seeking the one woman that my soul ached for. Seeing no trace of her, my longing hammered our bond with impatience.An outburst climbed up my throat to be lashed out, only to be hindered when Venus flew at me. I swallowed the impending words. She gripped the front of my black shirt and tugged it repeatedly. Immense anxiety fu