Ansel’s POVI paced my room like a caged animal, my boots scraping against the marble floors with every sharp turn. The glow of the fire threw shadows along the walls, but the heat didn’t touch the ice spreading through my chest.“I will never be yours. Not in this life. Not in any life.”Raven’s words gnawed at me like a dull blade, not because they hurt — but because they defied me.She didn’t matter. Not to me. Not to anyone. She was just a complication, a stubborn obstacle standing in the way of what was mine.The crown. The throne. The power.I dragged a hand through my hair, breathing heavily as my pulse thundered in my ears.Everything I’d trained for, everything I’d bled for, hinged on that pathetic girl’s choice. The council’s decree echoed in my mind like a curse.The first brother to fully bond with his mate will be crowned king.I should already be king. I was the eldest, even though we were triplets. The strongest. I deserved the throne. And now? Now I had to play this si
Rowan’s POVThe moonlight shone through the tall windows of my room. The world outside was quiet, but inside, my mind roared with noise.I sat at my desk, an untouched candle flickering beside me, the flame swaying like a heartbeat. The ink on my fingers had dried hours ago, but I kept writing, the pages before me a mess of tangled words — confessions I could never speak aloud.I had decided, there was no need to fight for the crown.The goddess had cursed me from the moment I drew breath. The second son. The shadow trailed behind his brothers. The reminder of what Father lost the night we were born.My hand shook as I wrote, the quill scraping harshly against the parchment.The curse is already eating me alive.I could feel it — like a slow rot beneath my skin. Ever since Father died, it had grown heavier, an invisible chain dragging me toward an inevitable end. My wolf, Rome, was quieter by the day. I couldn’t feel him like I used to. His voice, once a constant hum in the back of m
Raven POV Raven. Alpha Ansel seeks your presence.”“No.”After two hours —“Raven, Alpha Ansel requests you have lunch with him.”“No.”After four hours —“His Majesty demands your presence, or he said he would come and drag you himself,” the maid said, her cheek stained with pink like she’d been blushing for hours.“Argh! Get out!” I shouted, my voice ripping through the room.The door shut quickly, the sound echoing against the high ceilings. After my last outburst, my room was changed. Again.It was bigger. More luxurious and more suffocating.I didn’t know the reason for the sudden change in them, but it was both unnerving and annoying.I paced like a caged animal, my fingers brushing against the silk drapes, the carved gold headboard, and the velvet cushions stacked neatly on the bed. Everything screamed royalty.I wanted to rip it all apart.“Raven.”“What…” I spun around, ready to bite the maid’s head off — but stopped in my tracks.Ansel.He stood in the doorway, tall and immo
Raven POV I tried following the guards’ movements, mimicking their stances as best as I could.“Punch, punch…” I muttered, swinging my fists awkwardly through the air.“Duck, bend…”I tried to twist my body like the guard I’d been watching, but my foot caught on a loose stone, and before I could catch myself —Thud.“Ouch…” I groaned, landing hard on my butt in the dirt. I sat there, rubbing my sore hip, cursing myself for thinking this would be easy.Then, I heard a low, soft laugh.My head snapped up, my heart leaping into my throat, and my breath caught when I saw Rowan standing there, watching me.My mate.His dark hair fell into his eyes, and his usual brooding expression was softened by amusement. My wolf, Ara, whimpered with delight at the sight of him, pressing against my mind, tail wagging like a pup.I could feel the heat rushing to my face, blush spreading across my cheeks.“What the hell are you doing?” he asked, his voice sounding amused.It was the first time he’d spoke
Raven's POVI sat there for what felt like forever, the room thick with the scent of Rowan. My body still ached, but the emptiness he left behind hurt more. I swallowed down the lump in my throat, wiping at my eyes before sliding out of the bed. My legs felt shaky, but I steadied myself, grabbing my torn clothes and slipping them on as best as I could.I didn’t want to stay here. I didn’t want to breathe in the reminder of what just happened. Of how he touched me like he wanted me, only to leave like I was a mistake.I was about to walk out when I noticed a thick, leather-bound book sitting on Rowan’s desk, its pages slightly worn and edges frayed. The cover had strange symbols carved into it.I frowned, curiosity outweighing my need to escape. Slowly, I walked over to the desk, my fingers brushing over the markings.The book was partially open, and I tilted my head, peering at the handwriting inside. The ink was dark, almost like it had been written in blood, and the words made my h
Rowan POV I slammed the door to my room, my chest rising and falling with heavy breaths.How could I be so careless?I pressed my back against the wood, sliding down until I was crouched on the floor, my hands tangled in my hair. I could still feel Raven’s fingers brushing my skin, the shock in her eyes when she saw the marks.I never should’ve let her get that close.Lifting my shirt, I traced the scars again — those cursed lines that stretched like blackened veins across my torso. They pulsed, as if alive, as if reminding me they were part of me now. A stain I could never scrub clean.My wolf growled low in my head.She’s our mate. She should know.“No,” I muttered, slamming my fist against the floor. “She doesn’t need to know this.”I stood up, ripping my shirt off and throwing it aside. Looking at my reflection in the mirror on the wall, reflecting a body that no longer felt like my own. I used to take pride in my strength and my power as an Alpha. But now? All I saw was a broken
Raven "What!!! My hands trembled as I caught sight of the scene before me, my eyes stung with unshed tears. This must be a nightmare that I need to wake up from. Matt was saying the wedding vows with another woman. The man who once gazed at me with love now stood before another, his eyes shining with adoration. At that moment, I wanted to scream, to run away, but my legs had turned jelly, making my feet rooted to the spot. Matt was the Alpha of a neighbouring pack. We had been lovers since we were teenagers, and we'd officially dated for 5 years, but just last month, he announced that he would be marrying me. I couldn't help but smile when he proposed because Matt was the true definition of a good man, he was caring and very loving. What more could I want? I was happy that I was finally getting married to the man that I had loved for years, there was no better joy than that. He would marry me and make me his Luna and mate, or so I thought.I opened my eyes, hoping to wake from
Raven POVAs they reached me, my legs trembled beneath me, struggling to hold my weight My breath caught in my throat as the tallest of them towered over me, his broad frame radiating intensity.His eyes blazed with anger, the lines around his mouth forming a scowl"Who are you?" He growled, his voice low and menacing. I froze, as though paralyzed, my mind struggling to catch upHe grasped my chin, his touch firm but sending a jolt of fear in me.He tilted my face upwards, forcing me to meet his gaze"I said, who are you?" He barked, his breath hot against my ear."Ansel, ease up," One of them said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "She's scared.”I flinched, my thoughts returning, "I'm Raven.," I stuttered. “I'm not afraid of you guys,” I lied, my voice trembling.His eyes lingered on me before shifting to his brothers, who flanked him. Their unified steps sent a shiver down my spineTheir eyes narrowed, piercing me with intensity. “Wedding dress!” They chorused. “Are you running
Rowan POV I slammed the door to my room, my chest rising and falling with heavy breaths.How could I be so careless?I pressed my back against the wood, sliding down until I was crouched on the floor, my hands tangled in my hair. I could still feel Raven’s fingers brushing my skin, the shock in her eyes when she saw the marks.I never should’ve let her get that close.Lifting my shirt, I traced the scars again — those cursed lines that stretched like blackened veins across my torso. They pulsed, as if alive, as if reminding me they were part of me now. A stain I could never scrub clean.My wolf growled low in my head.She’s our mate. She should know.“No,” I muttered, slamming my fist against the floor. “She doesn’t need to know this.”I stood up, ripping my shirt off and throwing it aside. Looking at my reflection in the mirror on the wall, reflecting a body that no longer felt like my own. I used to take pride in my strength and my power as an Alpha. But now? All I saw was a broken
Raven's POVI sat there for what felt like forever, the room thick with the scent of Rowan. My body still ached, but the emptiness he left behind hurt more. I swallowed down the lump in my throat, wiping at my eyes before sliding out of the bed. My legs felt shaky, but I steadied myself, grabbing my torn clothes and slipping them on as best as I could.I didn’t want to stay here. I didn’t want to breathe in the reminder of what just happened. Of how he touched me like he wanted me, only to leave like I was a mistake.I was about to walk out when I noticed a thick, leather-bound book sitting on Rowan’s desk, its pages slightly worn and edges frayed. The cover had strange symbols carved into it.I frowned, curiosity outweighing my need to escape. Slowly, I walked over to the desk, my fingers brushing over the markings.The book was partially open, and I tilted my head, peering at the handwriting inside. The ink was dark, almost like it had been written in blood, and the words made my h
Raven POV I tried following the guards’ movements, mimicking their stances as best as I could.“Punch, punch…” I muttered, swinging my fists awkwardly through the air.“Duck, bend…”I tried to twist my body like the guard I’d been watching, but my foot caught on a loose stone, and before I could catch myself —Thud.“Ouch…” I groaned, landing hard on my butt in the dirt. I sat there, rubbing my sore hip, cursing myself for thinking this would be easy.Then, I heard a low, soft laugh.My head snapped up, my heart leaping into my throat, and my breath caught when I saw Rowan standing there, watching me.My mate.His dark hair fell into his eyes, and his usual brooding expression was softened by amusement. My wolf, Ara, whimpered with delight at the sight of him, pressing against my mind, tail wagging like a pup.I could feel the heat rushing to my face, blush spreading across my cheeks.“What the hell are you doing?” he asked, his voice sounding amused.It was the first time he’d spoke
Raven POV Raven. Alpha Ansel seeks your presence.”“No.”After two hours —“Raven, Alpha Ansel requests you have lunch with him.”“No.”After four hours —“His Majesty demands your presence, or he said he would come and drag you himself,” the maid said, her cheek stained with pink like she’d been blushing for hours.“Argh! Get out!” I shouted, my voice ripping through the room.The door shut quickly, the sound echoing against the high ceilings. After my last outburst, my room was changed. Again.It was bigger. More luxurious and more suffocating.I didn’t know the reason for the sudden change in them, but it was both unnerving and annoying.I paced like a caged animal, my fingers brushing against the silk drapes, the carved gold headboard, and the velvet cushions stacked neatly on the bed. Everything screamed royalty.I wanted to rip it all apart.“Raven.”“What…” I spun around, ready to bite the maid’s head off — but stopped in my tracks.Ansel.He stood in the doorway, tall and immo
Rowan’s POVThe moonlight shone through the tall windows of my room. The world outside was quiet, but inside, my mind roared with noise.I sat at my desk, an untouched candle flickering beside me, the flame swaying like a heartbeat. The ink on my fingers had dried hours ago, but I kept writing, the pages before me a mess of tangled words — confessions I could never speak aloud.I had decided, there was no need to fight for the crown.The goddess had cursed me from the moment I drew breath. The second son. The shadow trailed behind his brothers. The reminder of what Father lost the night we were born.My hand shook as I wrote, the quill scraping harshly against the parchment.The curse is already eating me alive.I could feel it — like a slow rot beneath my skin. Ever since Father died, it had grown heavier, an invisible chain dragging me toward an inevitable end. My wolf, Rome, was quieter by the day. I couldn’t feel him like I used to. His voice, once a constant hum in the back of m
Ansel’s POVI paced my room like a caged animal, my boots scraping against the marble floors with every sharp turn. The glow of the fire threw shadows along the walls, but the heat didn’t touch the ice spreading through my chest.“I will never be yours. Not in this life. Not in any life.”Raven’s words gnawed at me like a dull blade, not because they hurt — but because they defied me.She didn’t matter. Not to me. Not to anyone. She was just a complication, a stubborn obstacle standing in the way of what was mine.The crown. The throne. The power.I dragged a hand through my hair, breathing heavily as my pulse thundered in my ears.Everything I’d trained for, everything I’d bled for, hinged on that pathetic girl’s choice. The council’s decree echoed in my mind like a curse.The first brother to fully bond with his mate will be crowned king.I should already be king. I was the eldest, even though we were triplets. The strongest. I deserved the throne. And now? Now I had to play this si
Asher’s POVI stood outside Raven’s door, the sound of shattering glass echoing through the hallway.Another crash. Then another.My wolf, Jax, whimpered inside me, pacing anxiously. Every sound of destruction was a knife to our chest — because we all knew why she was doing it.She hated us.And she had every reason to.I clenched my fists, leaning against the wall. Rowan sat on a nearby chair, rubbing his hands over his face. He hadn’t said a word since we brought her back like he was carrying the weight of something none of us could understand.Ansel stood rigid near the door, arms crossed, jaw tight. His eyes darkened as he listened to her tear the room apart.“She’s being dramatic,” he muttered, voice dripping with bitterness.I snapped my head toward him, fury boiling beneath my skin.“She’s destroying a room, Ansel. Why can’t you just try to be civil with her?.”He glared at me, but I didn’t care.“She shouldn’t even be here if she doesn’t want to be,” he spat, voice low but ven
Raven POV We kept walking until I stood before my mates, their faces shadowed with exhaustion. Yet even in their distress, they looked… as good as ever. While I dragged myself through life feeling like a corpse that forgot to die.The throne room was deathly quiet.Ansel sat on the centre throne like it was his birthright, his golden eyes gleaming as he watched me approach. Asher leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, fingers laced tightly together like he was barely holding himself together.Rowan…Rowan didn’t even look at me.His gaze stayed fixed on the floor, his shoulders slumped in a way that made my chest ache. But I forced myself to bury that feeling — to shove it down until it disappeared.They didn’t care when I begged.Didn’t care when I screamed for help.I owed them nothing.The guards stopped, and I stood there, swallowing the burning knot in my throat.“Why am I here?” My voice cracked, but I didn’t care. Let them hear my brokenness. Let them feel the weight of wha
Raven’s POVThe palace was suffocating.Days passed in a blur, each one stretching longer than the last. I barely left my room, only slipping out when I was sure no one would see me.Not that it mattered.No one was looking for me.They hadn’t left.They were still here. Somewhere in this massive place, grieving their father, dealing with politics, handling whatever chaos came with the death of a king.I told myself that was why they hadn’t come.They were busy. Distracted.But deep down, I knew the truth.They’d forgotten me.Not once in the endless stretch of days did any of them come to check on me, not even to make sure I was alive.It shouldn’t have hurt.But it did.The bond throbbed like an infected wound, the connection still pulsing beneath my skin — a constant reminder that no matter how much they hated me, I was still theirs.“Ara,” I whispered, curling my knees to my chest as I sat on the cold floor. “Are you still there?”My wolf had been quiet for days, her presence fain