Asher POV Tears streamed down her eyes, but that only fueled my desire. She was still my mate, after all. Wanting her was in my blood.Grabbing her neck, I pressed my lips to hers, sucking on her bottom lip, then the top. She parted her mouth for me. It had been so long since I tasted my mate; I had forgotten she tasted like heaven and hell, all wrapped up in one. I licked the tears trailing down her face, kissing her neck, then her chest. Her perky breasts looked beautiful through the shirt. I sucked one through the thin fabric, hearing her hiss. It seemed my little mate was sore from my brother's relentless sexual appetite.That didn't stop me, though. I grabbed the other one, sucking with as much fervour as the first. Using my free hand, I touched her pussy, finding it soaking wet. That made me incredibly excited. I inserted two fingers into her while sucking her breasts. I could hear her moan and make those sweet little sounds beneath me; I didn't stop my assault.Soon, my
Raven POV I drifted into a restless sleep after Asher left my chambers. My body felt impossibly heavy, every muscle aching from exhaustion, hunger, and the weight of everything I’d endured. The constant battles, the sleepless nights, the silent war within myself—it was all becoming too much.Then, suddenly, I wasn’t in my chambers anymore.I opened my eyes to find myself in a strange place, an endless expanse of nothingness.Shadows twisted at the edges of my vision, stretching and curling as if they were alive. The air was thick and suffocating, and no matter how much I walked, I felt like I was going in circles. The eerie silence pressed against my ears, making the steady pounding of my heart sound deadening.I tried to wake myself up—tried to force my mind back to reality—but I remained trapped.And then I saw him.Kelvin.My breath hitched, my blood turning to ice. He stood there, calmly, watching me with that infuriating smirk, his dark red eyes gleaming with amusement.“What
Raven POV She hesitated, glancing toward the door again as if expecting someone to barge in at any moment. My heart pounded in my chest, desperation clawing at my throat.“Please,” I whispered, my voice raw with emotion. “I just need to get a letter to my mother in Shadow Claw Park. I’ll repay you somehow, I swear.”She swallowed hard, her fingers twisting in the fabric of her dress. “If they find out…”“They won’t,” I urged. “I’ll make sure of it. Just—please, help me.”A heavy silence stretched between us, her gaze flickering over my face, searching for something—maybe sincerity, maybe just a reason to take the risk.Finally, she exhaled sharply, her shoulders sagging in defeat. “Fine,” she whispered. “I’ll do it. But you have to be careful. If anyone suspects me—”“I won’t let that happen,” I promised, relief washing over me like a tidal wave.She took a hesitant step closer. “Write it quickly. I can’t stay long.”I nodded, my hands already reaching for a small piece of parchment
Raven POV I felt my knees buckle beneath me, the weight of dread pressing so heavily on my chest that I could barely breathe.“No, no, this can’t be happening,” I whispered, my voice shaking as I slowly sank to the ground. “Please, Ansel,” I begged, my hands pressed together as if in prayer. “I’ll do whatever you want, just—just don’t hurt her. It’s my fault, not hers.”Tears streamed down my face, my vision blurred with desperation. But Ansel only smirked, his golden eyes gleaming with cruel amusement as he stepped toward me.“So, you wanted to send a little message to Mommy?” he mocked, his voice dripping with venom. “You thought she’d come running to save her precious daughter from the big bad wolves?”I flinched as he crouched down, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. Then, without warning, he slapped me hard enough that my head snapped to the side. Pain exploded across my cheek, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth.Rowan and Asher appeared from the
Raven POV After sitting with me for a while, Rowan eventually left, claiming he had issues to attend to.I wished he had stayed.I needed him around me, even if I couldn’t say it out loud. But I knew I had to let him go.At least neither Asher nor Ansel had come to me today. That was a blessing in itself because, in this moment, I felt murderous. If either of them had stepped foot into my chambers, I wouldn’t have hesitated. Even if it meant ripping their throats out while they tried to fuck me, I’d do it.The thought alone brought a twisted sense of satisfaction.After a while of just sitting in the suffocating silence of my room, I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed air.The moon was already high in the sky when I stepped outside, glowing silver and full, bathing everything in an ethereal light. It was beautiful tonight—so beautiful it almost hurt.I walked barefoot, feeling the cool earth beneath my feet and the wind brushing against my skin. For the first time in what felt like
Raven POV As the priestess turned, her silver hair shimmering like the moonlight, she faded into the distance, leaving me standing in the garden, swallowed by the weight of her words. She had given me answers, but they were like keys to a door I wasn’t sure I was ready to open.“I must go now, Raven,” she had said, her voice as soft as the wind, yet carrying the power of an entire destiny. “But I assure you, we will meet again.”Her words echoed in my ears as I watched her walk away, her figure dissolving into the shadows.With each step she took, I felt the distance grow between us, but something within me burned—a fire that wasn’t there before. I had a purpose now. And with that purpose came the terrifying realization that there was no turning back.I took a deep breath, gathering my strength. The air around me felt heavier, thicker with the weight of what lay ahead.As I made my way back to my room, the palace, once a place of cold stone and empty promises, now seemed like a pris
Rowan’s POVI watched in stunned silence as Raven entered my room, her presence overwhelming. She didn’t even knock. The way she moved, so sure of herself, so full of conviction—she was beautiful, powerful, and yet… there she was, asking me to mark her. “Mark me.” The words echoed in my mind like a thunderclap, but I couldn’t process them, couldn’t wrap my head around what she was asking.“Mark me.”It was all she said, and the weight of it almost brought me to my knees.How could she? How could she ask that of me? I couldn’t even begin to understand what this meant for her—what it meant for us.But then she said it.“I love you.”And in that moment, my world shifted. Her words were a gift, pure and honest, offered so freely, so unguarded. I was speechless.Did she understand? Did she know what she was giving me? A nobody like me, a man cursed to walk this earth without a true future—she was offering me her love, her trust, her heart. It was more than I deserved. It was more than I
Rowan POV I felt bad lying to Raven, but this was something I had to do on my own.This mission wasn’t normal—the chances of survival were nearly zero. Dragging my mate into this wasn’t an option. No matter how much I wanted her beside me, I refused to let her share this burden.Taking a deep breath, I grabbed a piece of parchment and a pen, my hands steady as I scrawled a short letter to my brothers.By the time you read this, I’ll be gone. Don’t come after me. This is something I have to do.I folded the letter neatly and placed it on my bed, knowing someone would find it and deliver it. There was no point in meeting them face-to-face—if I did, they’d try to stop me, and I couldn’t afford any distractions.Moving quickly, I gathered a change of clothes, filled a satchel with water, and grabbed a few pieces of dry bread from the kitchen. No one questioned me as I moved through the palace halls, my steps quiet and purposeful.Finally, I reached the doors leading outside. The early mo
Raven POV I gasped, caught between the overwhelming heat of their touch and the raw energy vibrating through the bond.Asher’s chest pressed against my back, his breath warm against my ear as he growled low. I could feel the evidence of his arousal against me, his grip tightening slightly as though the bond had taken hold of him too.“You drive us mad, Raven,” he whispered, his voice rough with need.Ansel was in front of me, his hands exploring every inch of my skin like he was memorizing me—claiming me. His lips trailed from my jaw to the other side of my neck, the spot opposite where Asher’s mark had already burned. I felt him pause, his tongue swirling gently, and then—another sharp bite.My body arched into him, a soft cry escaping my lips as the pain turned quickly into that same addictive rush of pleasure and power. The second bond ignited something deeper, something ancient. My whole body pulsed with it like a tether, pulling me even closer to them.“I’ve got you,” Ansel m
Raven POVAfter an hour of dancing and drinking, the music faded into a gentle hum, and the last of the guests were led to their rooms to rest for the night.Those who belonged to the pack quietly retired to their own homes, laughter and chatter slowly dying down under the soft glow of moonlight.“Come with me,” Asher said, his voice was deep and steady as he extended his hand toward me.I hesitated only for a second before placing my hand in his. He led me gently, his touch felt warm and secure. We walked in silence down a narrow, flower-lined path that I’d never seen before.The further we went, the more the air seemed to shimmer with something ancient and sacred and so beautiful I couldn’t put a name on it. Where exactly is this place?And then I saw it.The garden.It was like something from a dream.Glowing flowers bloomed under the moonlight, their petals looking like delicate glass, shifting in color with the light.Some shone with soft purples and blues, others had radiant, fi
Raven POV We kept walking until I spotted Ansel.He stood tall at the far end of the hall, speaking to a few nobles. The moment his eyes landed on me, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “My queen,” he said, taking my hand and brushing a soft kiss across my knuckles. His voice was smooth, teasingly low. “You look radiant tonight.”“Ansel,” I said quickly, not letting his forced charm distract me. “We need to talk.”He arched his brow. “Talk about what? Tonight is your coronation. Stay, enjoy it. The people are still in awe of you—and afterward, we still have the mating ritual to complete.”“Mating ritual?” I echoed, blinking. The word pulled me out of the storm in my mind.He smiled again, that soft glint of possessiveness flashing in his eyes. “Yes. You’re Luna now. You must bear our mark. It’s tradition… and law.”I hesitated, then shook my head gently. “Ansel, that can wait. Kelvin was here.”His smile vanished in an instant. The shift in his expression was sharp and deadly
Raven POV “Hello, Queen.”I froze.My heart leaped into my throat as I stumbled back, nearly tripping over the hem of my gown.“Kelvin?” I whispered, dread sinking its claws into me. “What are you doing here?”My hands trembled uncontrollably, the memory of my time with him flashing like lightning behind my eyes. The pain. The fear. The darkness. And now, he is here… in the heart of my new life.“And don’t call me that,” I added, my voice sharper, though it shook.He smirked, stalking forward like a predator who already knew the end of the game.“But you are a queen now,” he said mockingly, eyes glinting as they scanned me from head to toe. Quite literally, it seems. The crown suits you, Raven. Though I must say—”He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper.“—you wear it like a child playing dress-up.”I glanced around, trying to see if anyone was nearby. The corridor was empty—silent except for the faint echo of laughter and music from the ballroom.“Don’t bother,” he sai
Raven POV After that, we were ushered into the dance hall.The music floated in the air like incense, sweet and thick, wrapping around me like a net I couldn’t escape. My fingers twitched at my side. The weight of the crown on my head didn’t compare to the stares pressing on me from all angles.Then he stepped forward.Asher.He moved like a shadow wrapped in silk. Elegant, sharp, and utterly unpredictable.His hand slid into mine before I could process the shift. His fingers were cool, but they sparked something in me—something I didn’t like admitting.His eyes found mine, and for a moment, he just looked. There were no words. No movement. Just watched me, as if peeling back everything I had tried to build tonight.Then he smirked. “You wear power well,” he said, his voice as smooth as wine. “But you’ve always had it, haven’t you? This is just everyone else catching up.”I swallowed hard as he pulled me into the dance. Unlike the others, he didn’t wait for the music to carry us. He
Raven POVAfter the final fitting, the room became a whirlwind of activity as the stylist entered, ready to transform me into someone unrecognizable.She approached with a calm yet efficient demeanor, her hands moving with practical precision.The delicate fabric of the gown had already been set aside, but I could feel the weight of it in my mind as I prepared for the next steps.She guided me to a chair in front of the mirror, and with a soft smile, she began to work on my hair.She sectioned my hair into layers, her fingers gliding through the strands with the gentleness of someone who understood the value of each strand.I could feel the tension in my shoulders begin to ease as she carefully twisted, curled, and pinned, creating an elegant updo that framed my face perfectly.Each curl seemed to fall into place as if it were meant to be.The design was intricate, yet it had an effortless elegance that made me feel both royal and delicate, the way a Luna should feel.Once my hair was
Raven POV When I woke up the next morning, Rowan was already gone.He’d held me through the night, and I was grateful for that—more than I could ever say. I still felt the echo of his warmth wrapped around me, like his presence had settled into the fabric of the room, anchoring me. Because of him, I felt more grounded today. Steadier.The ache in my chest hadn’t vanished, but it was quieter now. Bearable.I rose slowly and made my way into the bathroom. The hot water soothed the stiffness in my body as I bathed, washing away the heaviness of the night before. I brushed my teeth, combed through my tangled hair, and stood in front of the mirror for a moment, just breathing.The girl staring back at me wasn’t the same as yesterday. I looked more composed. But my eyes—they still held too much.I was almost done dressing when a knock came at the door.“Come in,” I called, tugging at the last strap of my gown.Maria peeked her head in, her usual nervous energy buzzing beneath her calm ex
Raven POV After hours of clothing fittings, dance lessons, and being told how to behave, I was finally allowed to leave. And thank the goddess for that—because I already felt like I was going to explode. Stepping outside, the moon hung high above me, full and bright, casting silver light across the palace grounds.A cool breath of air kissed my skin, and for a brief moment, I was grateful to be alone.I wandered through the gardens, trying to clear my head, to push everything out of my mind. The flowers here were always stunning—vibrant, fresh, and untouched by the decay spreading across the land. It was one of the few things I genuinely loved about this place.I bent down to touch a blossom, its petals soft as it seemed to sway in my hand. I kept walking until I came upon a quiet clearing, the grass smooth and bathed in moonlight. I sat down, and all the emotions I’d been holding in—fear, frustration, sadness—spilt out at once.I didn’t even realize I was crying until I felt the
Raven POV The halls blurred around me as Maria led us through winding corridors. Her arms were full of the fabric, sketches, and pins we picked on the way to the testing room—her words were rushed and clipped. She didn’t ask how I felt about any of it. No one did.The Fae Queen walked beside me, calm and composed, like she already belonged there.They took us to a private chamber. Gold-framed mirrors. Velvet seats. A long platform in the middle surrounded by glowing lanterns. It looked like something out of a dream or a nightmare—I couldn’t tell which anymore.Maria motioned for me to stand. “We’ll clean you up first. Then dress. Then crown fitting.”“Crown fitting?” I muttered under my breath, but I stepped onto the platform anyway.The Queen came closer, reaching up to gently brush a streak of dirt from my cheek. “Let them fuss,” she whispered. “Let them see your power." Even if you don’t feel it yet.”I blinked fast, swallowing the knot in my throat. “I don’t want to be anyone’