Chapter 40 (Raziel) I materialized in front of Alpha Drake. He was sitting at the bar in his pack house. To say I was upset, was an extreme understatement. I was fucking furious. Knowing how much Alpha Drake cared for Rayne, even possibly loved her, I couldn't believe he would be a part of this goddamn shit. Our deal was for him to protect her, not give her to the god damn enemy. He was sitting alone at the bar, drinking brandy on the rocks. It seemed as if he expected me, but how could he not? Even despite knowing I was right behind him, he didn't turn around or say a word. He just kept drinking his brandy. "What the fuck did you do?!" I exclaimed as I slammed my hand down on the bar next to him making the liquid in his glass ripple. Much to my surprise he didn't even flinch. He just picked up his glass, took another long drink of brandy, and set it back down. He turned to me, and we locked eyes. While his face was solemn and void of emotion, I could see the emotions swimming in
Chapter 41 (Rayne) I tried to run as Raphael walked back towards me, but I wasn’t able to move a muscle. As hard as I tried, my legs didn't even budge. It was like I was frozen in place just waiting for his next command. This pissed me off to no end. He strolled up to me and took me in his arms. My mark exploded in approval, sending unwanted chills down my spine. It was like my body wasn’t my body. I tried to mind link Raziel and wasn’t able to. It was blocked, somehow. That sent a panic flooding through me. I have never not been able to reach him. I felt like I had been here with Raphael for weeks, but I know we just got here. Raphael laid his lips onto mine with a soft sort of hunger. I reciprocated easily, as if it was what I wanted. But I didn’t, I didn't want this. I didn't want him. He pulled away none the wiser. “What would you like to do, beautiful?” He purred. I want to leave, actually. My mind was perfectly intact right now, but my body was fuzzy. It was the opposite fe
Chapter 42 (Raziel) I was pacing in my brother's room trying to figure out what the hell to do. I was trying to figure out how I could find the gate and stop my devious brother from completing the mating ritual with the woman I loved, when suddenly, I felt it... Rayne was using magic! That meant the barrier was down, she was no longer hidden! I materialized to her in an instant, just in time to hear her ask The Shadows to remove the mark. I knew the price. It was a bond for a bond. A price that was too steep, especially if I were her intended mate. Even though the chances were so slim, it was a possibility I wasn't willing to give up. “No!!” I shouted, as I reached for her arm. But it was too late. “I accept.” She snarled. And before I could get to her, she was engulfed in Shadows. They were only on her for a second, but that was all it took before they took something from her that she could never get back... and then they started disappearing into nothing, and everything. I mater
Chapter 43 I placed my hand on the right side of Raynes face, she closed her eyes and let me do my work. Within seconds her beautiful face was marked. I stood back to admire my work. Fuck, she was so goddamn beautiful. Even an angry, dark, empty mess. My mark glittering along the side of her face just made her that much more beautiful. And she was all mine now. My mark was a gold crescent moon, adorned in filigree and vines that flowed around the crescent and down her neck. It was large on her face, much like Raphael’s mark, but different in many ways. It was glittering as she moved around in the sunlight, and I couldn't help but fall more in love with her knowing that someday that mark would be permanent. “Your will is done, darling.” I purred to her. I thought I saw a sparkle in her eye for a second, but it quickly returned to the darkness that I was starting to grow accustomed to. I knew what the mark did to her and how it affected her. Especially when I was around, so it didn'
Chapter 44 When Raphael marked me, it was as if he was just touching my face. I didn’t feel anything for him, I didn’t feel anything at all, really, except a slight tingling. Which was still there in the morning, and that is why I checked the mirror. That must be what happens when you are marked and there are no feelings there prior. The feelings take a little time to manifest. When Raziel marked me, it was as if every fiber of my being exploded into ecstasy! It was a feeling that I can't even explain. Something more, something deep down to my core. It felt like his mark ran straight through me, invading every inch of my soul. Like it touched my every nerve ending, every fiber of my entire being, linking me to him for eternity. I watched him step back after he was done and admire me. I had no idea what his mark actually looked like, but I was assuming it was similar to the crescent moon on his golden gate at his house. Raphael’s was the same as his silver gate, so I was just guessi
Chapter 45 Once morning came, my mind was reeling with my newfound abilities. I was going over all the practices in my head and I was ready to start the day training. I threw on a gold sports bra and black shorts with my gold combat boots. Then I headed to the bathroom and threw my hair into a high pony. Raziel, of course, was matching, with his black and gold suit. I loved that we always matched. It made me feel like we were actually a couple. I mean, we were actually a couple... but I don’t know, I just loved it. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me before we left, which made my mark explode with pleasure. It was literally everything I had to just walk out of this room with him, hand in hand, and all of our clothes intact. But I had other things on my mind as well. The Darkness. I hadn’t forgotten the meeting we had... or my dream, or whatever that was last night. I knew there would be a price, there had to be. But The Darkness was literally the only thing keeping me together
Chapter 46 (Raziel) I couldn’t help but worry about Rayne. Something was different about her ever since she lost her mate bond. There were times when she was perfectly fine. When she seemed normal, like her old self. Those were the times when nothing seemed different, and everything was ok. Then there were times when I could feel something, something dark. Like a darker energy trying to push its way through her. I didn’t know what it was. I had never encountered this before, but when making deals with The Shadows you never know what you will really get. I could only assume it had something to do with her losing her mate bond. That was my best guess, if I had to guess, of course. I tried my best to conceal my worry, but every time it threatened to take over, I could see it in her platinum eyes. She didn’t know, but they had black smoke looming in them when it was near. It flooded through her platinum orbs, slow and snake-like until it overwhelmed them. The sight always worried me.
Chapter 47 I waited until Raziel left for his Coven meeting and then I got up and got ready for the day. I had big plans today. Oh, trust me, I had huge plans, actually. I was careful to make sure Raziel didn’t notice anything different. I couldn’t have him asking me any questions. I always had trouble lying to him. It would just be better if I didn’t even have to. I did one last mirror check before I materialized to Alpha Drake. He was sitting, alone, in his office, mulling over some papers. He was wearing only a pair of red gym shorts without a shirt. His hair was messy as if he had been running his hand through it recently. I couldn’t help but notice his perfectly olive colored skin was reflecting every muscle that rippled down his chest and arms in the glow from his desk lamp. He had a glass of brandy on his desk, but it looked like he hadn't touched it. The ball of ice in the middle was halfway melted. He looked up at me and we locked eyes. He didn't move a muscle, but I could
Chapter 61 My entire pack was here! Roman came in behind me yelling surprise and blowing into one of those little horn things that make an obnoxious noise. You know, the ones with the streamers on the end. I couldn’t help but laugh at his childlike nature. I could smell the burgers and plethora of other grilled foods and looking towards the smell there were Wolves cooking. Even though I swear we had just eaten, I definitely wanted to eat whatever it was they were making. There was an open bar on the other side of the arena that I spotted, which I was definitely going to partake in, and the whole arena was decorated in gold decorations. I noticed that everyone there was wearing something gold. Some, more than others, but most were wearing an accent of gold, all matching my dress perfectly. Raziel really went out of his way to plan this, and I smiled at the thought. I could hear electronic dance music, my favorite genre, playing in the background and Wolves were out dancing on the da
Chapter 60 When I woke up in the morning Raziel was not in bed, he wasn’t even home. That was strange... I’m turning 21 today, and for him to not be here when I woke up? He must be busy with whatever his surprise is. I jumped in the shower, and when I got out, I noticed an outfit picked out for me sitting on the chaise lounge at the foot of the bed. It was an extremely pretty gold dress, with a slit on one side up to my upper thigh. The top was backless with a higher neckline, and a strap that just went around my neck. It was glittery and gorgeous. I put my hair in beachy waves, as I knew Raziel liked it that way. It must be a brother thing. I thought, then laughed for thinking that and Wynter laughed too. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RAYNE!” She shouted. “Thank you!” I said. “I’m sorry about the mate bond... I know today would be a whole different type of day if things were a little different.” I said to her, surprised that I didn't feel the dull ache of the void when I talked about it. “I kn
Chapter 59 I was exhausted. Dying, and then being reincarnated by The Shadows, really took its toll. I can tell you though, my mind was racing. I had Wynter back! Although I was still upset at Raphael, the hatred I was feeling before was gone. I couldn’t help but think The Darkness made it worse. Like it made everything seem like a bigger deal. Just the simple presence of The Darkness made the feelings of anger, grief, despair, and fury all worse, in order to get me to act on them... it worked, too. It was like they made my pain worse, so when I finally got relief, it almost felt like I would never get anything like that anywhere else again. Almost as if it forced me to use it as comfort, and tricked me into thinking that was the only way. I was lost in thought when Raziel took me into his arms. I felt a pulse of lightning run through my body. How did that happen? I no longer bore his beautiful crescent moon mark. Raphael had shattered it from my face using The Darkness. Raziel fel
Chapter 58 (Rayne) I felt like I was floating. Strange... I thought. I swear I was just being hurtled through the ground, but this was a bit different. It was dark, pitch black. I was basically wandering around in the nothing. I could suddenly feel the icy chill to the bone of The Shadows, but I couldn't see or hear them. Was I dead? A pang of guilt flooded through me as I thought about Raziel, and all the pain I must have caused him. Even more so now, if I was dead. I couldn’t control The Darkness, but it was my own fault I let it in to begin with. I replayed the past few months in my mind and sighed out loud. I had been a complete and utter failure in so many ways. Allowing myself to be controlled by The Darkness, and even inviting it in... why the fuck would I do that? I felt so stupid for being so damn weak. I shivered and tried to rub my arms to keep them from getting any colder. It felt like The Shadows were surrounding me, but they were nowhere to be found. “Hello?” I said,
Chapter 57 I watched in horror because I knew there was nothing I could do. Especially with The Darkness taking hold... they would literally be unstoppable together. Then, to my surprise, Rayne summoned her staff and slammed it into the ground, hard. It knocked me straight off my feet with a sound that was so loud it almost hurt my ears. It also sent Raphael flying across the arena away from her. Relief swept through me. “Good girl.” I said out loud, more to myself than anyone. Raphael came back and it looked like they were talking now. But then he turned our way, and I knew he was getting tired of the games. We locked eyes just as he sent two giant black fireballs hurtling our way. Alpha Drake dove out of the way and I materialized to the side, but Roman didn’t move. He was in shock, and there was no way I was getting to him in time. That’s when I saw Rayne materialize herself directly in front of him, taking the full brunt of both fireballs straight to her chest. My heart sank int
Chapter 56 He didn’t even really have his bearings back before I threw both fans at him, hoping to connect with flesh once again. He materialized out of the way, but only a second too late as one of my fans sliced into his calf muscle. I smirked, and watched my fans act like boomerangs and fling right back into my hands. The Darkness healed him once more. Suddenly, to my surprise Raphael made a closed fist and flung my fans straight out of my hands and to him. He then hit them with a black fireball in midair, shattering them where he stood. This action sent blades and pieces of gold flying through the air. Now he was upping his game. It’s about goddamn time, I thought, as I slammed my hand downwards and produced a black bull whip that was covered in black flames. I flung the whip at Raphael, wrapping the end around his throat and yanking him down into the ground with one solid movement. I freed my whip from his neck with a hard jerk and went to hit him with another round, but he ro
Chapter 55 As much as I didn’t want to see him, Raphael was honestly looking like a gorgeous dark God. I couldn't deny that I was attracted to him. It was impossible not to be. He had on a solid black suit with a silver suit vest and silver shoes. His dark hair was perfectly positioned on his head in a neat short cut. He never had a hair out of place. He had stubble on his chin, which made him look a little gruff. His silver eyes were solid black, as black as night. He was absolutely breathtaking in this form... but the second I saw him the rage just hit me. I also noticed a strange pull towards him, something that wasn’t there before. This was more of a sexual attraction, that was pissing me off and making my mark burn out of control. I could see that he was engulfed in The Darkness. It was writhing under his feet and flowing around him in waves, just like it had been when I let it in. But this time, it seemed as if my Darkness wanted to get to his Darkness. The pull was so strong
Chapter 54 Alpha Drake was in his office talking to Roman. He looked up and I could see a brief flash of fear followed by worry, snake through his ocean blue eyes. My smile seemed to calm his mind though. “Hi Alpha!” I said excitedly. I ran up to him and threw my arms around him. He stood there for a minute in shock. I had never done anything like that before, especially not in front of another Wolf from the pack. I was a little worried what his reaction might be knowing he was a ruthless killer and all. But then he slowly wrapped me in a bear hug, calming my worries. My mark was burning out of control, which had me wondering if it knew people’s feelings for me. I wondered if it burned worse when they were in proximity as a warning, or if it just didn’t like Alpha Drake. I pulled away and locked eyes with Roman. I could see his face light up, but also a look of worry washed across it. “Rayne!” He said, then he grabbed me and threw me into a huge bear hug, causing the same type of r
Chapter 53 (Rayne) As crazy as it sounds, I was really missing my pack and pack life. The regularity of it all. The training and dealing with Alpha Drake, even. The past few months I’ve spent here with Raziel were amazing, there was no doubt about that. I have learned so much about myself and my powers. Plus, our relationship has been growing and getting better every day. I can’t deny that things have been wonderful. It’s so funny to me to see Raziel and not feel fear around him. I remember when he used to scare the ever-living shit out of me, and I feel like that wasn’t really that long ago. I had a brief flashback of him killing Eric and his fangs dripping with Eric's blood. I recalled seeing Eric's lifeless body on the floor. Then I heard the words he spoke to me. ‘No one may take your innocence but me.’ A shudder ran through me causing cold chills to run down my spine. I guess there was still a little fear, but not for my own life, at least. My overall experience here has been