Chapter 30: Matching Scars
Raven's eyes faded in and out. She let out a yawn, reaching over to the side of the bed. The place next to her was empty. "Angel?" She sprung forward and took in her surroundings. The dresser, the broken armoire, this bed, she was back in the secret cave. She felt her neck only to feel a platinum chain around it. "Wait, this is-," Her fingers felt at the grooves of the ring forming an enraged wolf head. This ring, she recognized it. It belongs to Angel, this necklace, it was his. She took off the necklace and examined the ring. There was a name inscribed on the inside. Once she read it, she understood why this necklace was so important to him.
"Issac," Raven held the necklace to her chest. It was his name, the name that was erased when he became a vampire. This was all that was left of him. The last piece of his human life and he entrusted it to her. She wiped a tear from her eye. She wasn't going to let anything happen to this necklace. She wanted to wear it, always. But, she couldn't. If Lycan saw this around her neck, he'd ask questions. If any vampire saw it, they'd know it belongs to him. So, she had to put it somewhere safe. She walked to her dresser and put the necklace in the drawer.
"It's safe," Raven let out a sigh of relief. Wait a sec, how did she get here? Angel must have used a curse on her. He promised her. He wouldn't do that. Still, he gave her his necklace so she'd forgive him just this once. She grabbed her clothes and went to the stream to wash Angel's scent off her so Lycan wouldn't smell him. She put on a black tank top, distressed blue jeans, and a pair of black converse. She tied her hair up in a ponytail with a gray hair tie. As she was heading back to Nightshade. She noticed her sister on her way back as well. "So," Raven rushed to her side. "How was your vacation away from the guys?" She asked.
"I heard loud music and came running back." Claire answered. "Did you know that yesterday was Nightshade's birthday? I didn't know that, but yeah," She shrugged. "Turns out, you missed a birthday party."
"So," Raven rubbed her chin. "That explains why Lycan wanted a blowjob. He wanted me to blow out the candle. Whoops, my bad, granted, I probably wouldn't have done it anyway.What part of forced marriage does he not get? So, how was the party?"
"Insane," Claire replied. "I did not know werewolves could party like that. Like, did you know, we have a sister pack or is it more like a brother pack? I really don't know but we have a rival pack, it's called the Elemental Guard. It's lead by this guy Nikan and he spoke of this great Elder named Kami,"
"What," Raven grabbed her shoulders. "He knows Kami, like our Elder, that Kami, he knows that Kami. Oh bitch, where is he? I need to find this man now. We're looking for Kami, do you realize how huge of a deal this is? The Elders are the key to ending the war, where is Nikan? I need to meet Nikan now."
"He left early this morning," Claire answered. "They spent the night but left first thing in the morning. I know this because Jayson texted me. He wanted to know if Nikan could use my tent for the night since there wasn't enough space for everyone. I told him, he could but only if he agreed to stop calling me a bear trap. He slept outside."
"What's a bear trap?" Raven asked.
"It's a long story," Claire let out a sigh. "I'd rather not talk about it. Granted, I found my Alejandro by the way. There were some interesting guys there, the hottest one, Yule, for an ice user that guy is hot. Though," She blushed. "I might have done something really stupid."
"Oh no, not your first Alejandro. Of course, you did something stupid." Raven groaned. "Look, it's okay to see your Alejandro naked. It's not okay if he sees you. Unless, it is "The Alejandro" Because he doesn't care either way. So, what do you do?" She crossed her arms. "Did you follow him while he went outside to pee? Really Claire, do better. If you want to see a guy naked, do it while he's bathing. It's better, you get the full view."
"I walked in and watched him have sex with his wife." Claire confessed.
"Oh my god," Raven's jaw dropped. "That is never okay. Okay, he's married so obviously you're going to have to like, adore him from afar. It's okay to like him and think he's hot but if he or his wife catches you spying. You're dead." She added. "I can not believe you walked in on him with his wife. Why would you think that's okay?"
"I know, it was stupid and he probably hates me for it. I mean," Claire blushed. "I saw him in his underwear. His chest and abs were already mocking me. But to see him, in those tight black boxer briefs watching as they squeezed his beautiful sculpted ass in place and his bulge, I could almost see it. I knew it was stupid but as great as those boxers were. I needed to see him take them off and show me everything. I needed to see Yule naked, I was curious and damn it, I'm still curious. Like his hair is white so is pubic hair white. I want to know, is he huge or small, does hie shave his balls. I need to know these things. Also, I thought it'd be educational." She shrugged her shoulders. "I have never seen two people have sex before. So, I figured this is my chance to see Yule in action. Who could blame me? The guy is hot."
"No, Claire, just no," Raven let out a sigh. "It is never, I repeat never okay to walk in on your crush having sex. As hot as he is, you just can't do that. especially if he's married. He may never forgive you for that. You ruined what was supposed to be a romantic moment with his wife. You realize this, yes, Yule might try to kill you. His wife might try to kill you. If you're going to do it, if you must do it, you better be hiding in the closet surrounded by pillows." Claire lowered her head. "It's great that you found a guy you think is super hot. But next time you have the urge to spy on him, call me, let me help you. I'm your sister." She placed her hands on her chest. "If there's any girl you know who knows how to see a guy naked and not get caught. It's me, I'm the motherfucking expert."
"I know, I should have told you, but he was so hot. I was so caught up in how hot he was, my body just moved on its own. " Claire explained. "You don't understand, Yule is hot, hotter than Alejandro." Raven gasped and slapped her sister in the face.
"Nobody is hotter than Alejandro." Raven scolded. "You take that shit back, Alejandro is the king of hotness. His skin could melt your tongue, his huge balls could choke you out. The man is fucking hot, you understand, do you understand, and do I need to remind you of his huge-," Claire covered her ears. "Exactly, he takes off his pants and it's over. You're a survivor at that point and you better hold on for dear life because it might kill you. Yule may be the beautiful snowman but Alejandro is the fucking ice sculpture."
"I still think Yule's hotter," Claire shrugged.
"Well you're wrong, but it's okay." Raven kept walking beside her sister. "So what else happened at the party? Or were you just too busy staring at Yule's you know what trying to see how big he is. You dirty girl," She elbowed her sister.
"Well," Claire rubbed her chin. "I got to meet Nikan's sons, there's Terrain who tried to shove his tongue in my mouth. There's Serge who's dirty mind seems to get the better of him. I told you about Yule which leaves, Xavier," She let out a sigh. "He was hot until he started calling me a bear trap. Which I'm not, I only tried to have sex with him because I was mad at Jay."
"Wait, you tried to have sex with a werewolf. I can't believe this," Raven laughed. "My sister was actually going to let a guy touch her in her no, no, square. That's so cute, , my sister is all grown and playing with the boys now. So, how was your first sexual adventure. Tell me all about it," Claire blushed.
"I mean, I tried," Claire put her hands in her pockets. "But in the end, he wouldn't sleep with me." She confessed. "I got him naked and we messed around and we were really close to doing it. Only for him to say," She let out a sigh. "I was like a child and that I was ignorant. That just pissed me off, not like I needed to be pissed off any further, Jay pretty much had that covered. Besides, he had a small dick anyway."
"Did he really?" Raven asked.
"No, I was just mad at him." Claire admitted. "I even told his father about his small dick and he ignored me. Then, I told Jay what I did, he ignored me too. He was too busy fucking Alexis to care. So much for caring about me." She rolled her eyes. "I should have known he was a liar. It was some act, telling how he was in love with me. Such a liar, if he really loved me at all, he would've waited. No, instead he chose her so fuck him."
"Can I just be your big sister here and tell you that maybe Jay did care about you." Raven glanced over at her. "The guy dressed up and spent most of the Lunar Ball dancing with you and when the moon's effects started to take their toll. Instead of trying to have sex with you like his body wanted and craved so badly, it made it hard for him to be near you. He chose to run to the bushes and put ice on the problem so he didn't do anything he'd regret. That doesn't sound like a guy who never cared about you. Jay loved you, I could see that much."
"Whatever, It doesn't matter anyway, I moved on from Jay." Claire fixed her hair. "I'm ugh, dating Brandon now, we met in town and we sort of hit it off."
"Oh really, here, I thought, dating vampires was a bad idea." Raven smirked. "I mean you scold me for dating Angel all the time and look at you dating a vampire. Though, I knew that you two would date each other. So, I'm really not surprised."
"There's no way you could have thought, I'd actually date Brandon. The guy got on my nerves." Claire explained. "I flat out hated him." Raven laughed.
"There's a fine line between love and hate." Raven replied. "Do you think Angel doesn't get on my nerves? Like, there's no guy in the history of men that could get on my nerves more than Angel. As a human he would do things to piss me off just for the sake of pissing me off. The guy liked to make me upset. Sometimes." She smirked."He'd manage to do it without even realizing he's doing it and he still does it. Like okay here's the perfect example. Our date, he wouldn't let me pay for the food and he took me to a restaurant called DeDe's.
"He didn't," Claire started laughing.
"He did," Raven countered. "Our waitress was wearing this tight shirt with DeDe's written on the front and it made her breasts look bigger. Even she said something about Angel taking me on a date there. I was so upset, then, he told me he almost had sex with a vampire named Selene. The guy was on his way to being murdered But. I didn't kill him why because as much as he annoys the fuck out of me. I love him, it's those moments where I realize just how much I do love him. So, I feel like for a relationship to really work. He's got to get on your nerves at least a little. Otherwise, it gets boring. Which is why I knew you'd end up with Brandon."
"I guess that does make sense," Claire agreed. "I do admit, Brandon getting on my nerves is a bonus because it's a damn good distraction. Nobody can piss me off like Brandon can, Jay's close but Brandon wins hands down. Because he's such an idoit. I would never have to sit down with Jay and ask him why he decided to break a wall. Jay would never do that but Brandon would do it just because he's Brandon. I feel like, I need to date Brandon in order to keep him doing stupid things like fight an Alejandro."
"That would be stupid," Raven agreed. "You don't fight the mountain sized werewolf, you run from it. If it's bigger than you and it can step on you. Common sense would tell you to run like hell and hope you don't die. But Brandon doesn't have that mentality so he'll probably try to fight it with a tree. He'll be like, I got this and squish, dead." Claire busted out laughing.
"Yeah, he'll die without me." Claire wiped a tear from her eye. "You know just once I'd like to see Alejandro turn into his werewolf form. I'd have him stand next to a mountain just to see if he's really the same height as a mountain. Because, there's just no way he's that-,"
The two of them stopped at the Nightshade campsite. The second Raven got there, her heart raced out of control. "No, this can't be happening." The platinum blonde hair, the crystal blue eyes, of all the people who could be at their campsite. Why was it her? She gulped as Liley stood across from Lycan. They were talking, but about what? Did she tell him that she saw Raven with Angel? Is the secret out, does Lycan know? No that can't be it, if Lycan knew she'd be dead. She had to know what they were talking about. So, Raven used her heightened sense of hearing to listen in on their conversation.
"What brings you here, I wonder?" Lycan crossed his arms. "I thought, I told you if you ever show up at my campsite. I'd rip out your throat and feed it to the wolves. So give me one good reason, I shouldn't kill you."
"Oh, Lycan, must you always have a temper?" Liley put her hands on her hips. "Trust me, I'd rather not be here either. This campsite reeks of that foul wolf smell. Not to mention, I had to walk here and get my boots dirty. So, let's just get right to it, the sooner I'm out of this disgusting forest, the better. It's probably covered in fleas like you."
"Don't forget, you're in my campsite." Lycan glared at her. Jay, Jayson, Alexis and Alejandro all gathered standing behind their Alpha. Alexis was wearing a blue dress shirt,fully buttoned. This shirt, wasn't it the same shirt that Jay wore during the Lunar Ball. So it's true, Jay and Alexis did hook up at the party. The proof was in Jay's back pocket. He had pair of her flame panties hanging out of it. It was like Alexis wanted Claire to know she had sex with Jay. Claire growled at her and she grinned. "Tread carefully, Liley," Lycan drew his claws. "Your next insult will get you killed."
"I forget my manners," Liley smiled. "So, let's get right to it. Your wife is pregnant." Raven stood there in shock. She's what? No, that's a lie. She wouldn't be, there's no way. She couldn't be, could she?
"So, I'm expecting a child." Lycan replied. "Not surprising, I've had unprotected sex with her on occasion. Our honeymoon for example. So, if that's the reason you've come, I'd say it's a wasted trip. I would have figured it out on my own."
"It's not yours," Liley grinned. "That is why I'm here." She brought her lips to Lycan's ear.
"You're lying," Lycan growled at her. "Raven is many things but she would never betray us. If she's pregnant, the child is mine. Not one of some blood sucking bastard." Once he said that, Jay stepped forward to speak.
"You're saying Raven, Our Raven," Jay stressed. "Had sexual relations with a vampire. That's absurd, she'd never. Leader Lycan, you can't tell me you believe a word of this."He busted out laughing. "There's just no way,"
"Raven would never do that," Lycan agreed. "She knows the risks. She's my wife and though we may have our differences. She'd never be foolish enough to lay with a vampire. So, take your false accusations elsewhere.
"Then I guess," Liley reached into her pocket. "You wouldn't mind proving it." She held up a pregnancy test in front of him.
"She's lying, I'm not pregnant," Raven saw flashes of Angel and her together. "There's no way, I could be-," She shut her eyes seeing Lycan on top of her. "This can't be happening, I'm not, I swear, I'm not. She's wrong, she's wrong." She kept taking deep breaths to calm herself.
"Sister," Claire placed her hand on Raven's shoulder. "Is everything alright? You're shaking," She pointed out.
"Raven," Lycan called out.
"She's wrong, she's wrong," Raven repeated these words in her head as she walked toward Lycan. "Yes dear, what is it?" She kissed his cheek. "Is something wrong?" She went to hold his hand but, He moved it away.
"Liley seems to think you're pregnant." Lycan explained. "I told her we were trying for a child but she claims it's not mine. She thinks you slept with a vampire. Now please, explain to her, that is not the truth. That you would never betray us in such a way. Especially, if that means you're courting some vampire."
"Of course, I would never do that," Raven answered. "The contract forbids vampires and werewolves from being together. Why would I pursue that knowing it'd get me killed? Lycan is my husband. I would never do anything to jeopardize that. We may have had our falling outs but I still chose to marry him. So, your claims are false. Besides," She laughed. "I'm not pregnant, so there's no need for a test. I'd know if I was pregnant."
"Right, I suppose you would know wouldn't you?" Liley tilted her head. "But see," She brought her lips to Raven's ear. "A predator knows when it's becoming the prey. So, as you can see, this test really is a matter of," Raven gulped. "Life or death." She moved her lips away. "So, if she's not pregnant then I suppose this test will prove to be negative right? So, why not take it anyway, so I can be on my way. It's just a test after all." She held out the pregnancy test to Raven.
"Raven, take the test." Lycan ordered.
"Wait," Claire walked up to them. "As the Medic of Nightshade, I demand to know why Liley insists on a pregnancy test. If Raven was pregnant, she'd be required to tell me. It's my job as the Medic to look out for her during pregnancy. If there is to be a test, I will be the one to administer it, not Liley."
"Claire, enough," Raven spoke. Liley had her. If she chose not to take the test. Lycan would be suspicious. If she did, it could clear her name or condemn her to death. Besides, if she was pregnant. If Liley's right, it'd be Lycan's child. Werewolf pregnancies are more common than Hybrid births. Angel's chances were low. If put to a race, Lycan's seed would get there faster. So, it had to be Lycan's. "I'll take the test and prove I'm not a traitor." She snatched the test from Liley and glared into her eyes.
"Medic, go with her," Lycan ordered. "Make sure the test is done correctly." Claire nodded and went to follow Raven but he stopped her. "If you try to tamper with the test in any way, I'll kill you," He flashed her his claws. "Jay won't be able to save you this time. So don't do anything stupid." He put away his claws. Claire nodded and followed Raven to the bushes deep within the forest.
"This is stupid," Claire chuckled. "Even if you are pregnant, Lycan's the father. Angel wore protection. He told me that himself. So, clearly, this isn't going to-,"
"Angel didn't wear protection," Raven confessed. "If he told you that, it was because he was scared. So please don't be mad at him."
"How could I not be?" Claire yelled. "He lied to me. He told me. He was safe, and he lied to my face. Now because of what he did," She wiped a tear from her eye. "You could be pregnant with his child and if that happens, if that happens, you're as good as dead. He killed you, you understand this right? He's a murderer."
"He didn't kill me," Raven argued, "I'm not dead yet. There's just a chance that if I'm pregnant, he could be the father. That's all, there's also an even bigger chance that Lycan is the father. So, it could go either way. There's also a chance I'm not pregnant at all."
"But if it's Angel's," Claire forced a swallow. "You will die giving birth to it. So, he might as well take a knife and kill you. Because that's what he did. You're going to die for something he did. This is his fault."
"No, it's our fault," Raven countered. "I could have stopped him. He tried to protect me from him. I was the one who pushed him. I took my clothes off for him that night. I climbed on top of him, I started it and he finished it and it was the best night of my life. I refuse to let him take the full blame for this. So even if Angel's the father, I'd gladly bear his child. Even knowing, it could kill me. I told him, I'd die for him, and I meant it. I love him, that's all there is to it."
"You'd carry his child knowing the risks," Claire shook her head. "This is stupid, you're going to die. This child will kill you, there's no, might kill you. It will. You understand that and you'd still-," She balled her hands into tight fists.
"Yes," Raven answered. "I was going to die if Lycan found out about Angel anyway. I was going to die before allowing Angel to die in the war. So regardless, I was going to die, but now, I get to die knowing that I got to bear Angel's first child. He wants to be a father and now, he can be. If I can give him that, then, I'm going to. He'll be a great father." She smiled. "The thing is, he can't know because he finds out. He'll stop me."
"He should know, it's going to kill you." Claire argued.
"Promise me that if it is," Raven forced a swallow. "You won't tell him. This is what I want for him. He'd die for me many times over." She closed her eyes. In her dream, she saw Angel die to Lycan to give her the life of her dreams. He willingly ran his heart into Lycan's blade for her. He's proven it. He'd die for her. So now, it was her turn to do the same for him. "I need you to promise me that you won't tell him."
"Okay," Claire lowered her head. "I won't tell him, but I still think you should. If it's going to kill you. I think he should have a right to decide whether or not. He's willing to lose you for it. Either way, if you take that test." She pointed at the pregnancy test. "It'll confirm whose child it is and if it's Angel's. Lycan will have you killed. So, give it here." She held her hand out. "I'll take the test for you. I'm a virgin so it should test negative. If you give that to Lycan, it should get them off your trail. So, let me take it for you."
Raven's eyes lingered on the test. This one test would tell her if she's pregnant and if she is. She'd know if the child is a werewolf created from Lycan's seed or a hybrid created from Angel's seed. This would be her only chance to find out, if the birthing occurred obviously if it was Angel's she'd die. That'd be the only way she'd know for sure. Unless, she found out now. If she found out now. They might be able to find a way for her to birth Angel's child without dying. Early diagnosis, it was her best chance at survival.
"No, I won't let you put your life at risk for me." Raven hugged her sister. "I won't bring myself to regret sleeping with Angel either. So whatever becomes of this, I'll face it gladly. But the time for running is over. Besides," She forced a smile. "This may be my only chance to see who the father is,"
"But, if you do this now and it's-," Claire bit her lip. "There's no key, we have no way of knowing what the child is. Liley will have to tell us, it's a trap, you won't get very far. This is not the time, just let me take the test for you. It's your best chance at survival."
"No, this is," Raven smirked. "It might be a trap but it's also my best chance. If it's Angel's I have a fighting chance. We'll know and if we know, you can help me deal with the pregnancy and we'll find the Elders and-," Claire started to argue but she stopped her. "Surely. They'll know something. I need to do this, Liley might not realize it but she gave me the ultimate tool to survive this. Claire, you're a medic, you know the key to surviving is early diagnosis. If we know what's going on. We have some ideas on how to deal with it. The longer we have to plan, the better, right?"
"Usually, but this is dangerous." Claire argued. "Lycan will kill you. If this child isn't his and he finds out you cheated on him with a vampire." She let out a deep sigh to calm herself. "But, either way," She spoke in a calm voice. "Yes, the sooner we know, the better." She admitted. "Okay, I can't be here for this. I can't knowingly stand here and watch you take a test that could result in you being killed. It's like a literal death sentence. So," She shrugged. "I'll find out why they do." She walked away leaving her to take the test.
"Here it goes," Raven took the test. Once she was finished. The color changed to some kind of gray. She wasn't sure what that meant but she was going to find out either way. She walked back to the campsite. "Here," She handed Liley the test.
"As I thought," Liley glanced at the test. "Traitor," She threw the test aside. Raven's eyes widened as Claire took out her knife. She was about to stab Liley, Jay went to rush in to stop her before he could save her. Liley struck Claire with a palm strike. The impact left a crack in Claire's sternum cutting off her ability to breathe. She fell to the floor holding her chest. Jay rushed to her side trying to help her. "Now as I was saying," Jay growled at her. "I wouldn't if I were you," She smirked. "I'd hate to have to put more dogs down." Lycan glared at her. "Oh right, she was your medic, my apologies, here," She threw Jay a potion. "It'll help her bones heal quicker, don't say I've never done anything nice for you. Now as I was saying," She cleared her throat.
"Lycan," Liley gestured to Raven. "If you will please," Before Raven could do anything. She was grabbed by the back of the neck and forced to her knees. Lycan's hand was holding her down. Liley took out a pair of silver chains with spikes. "The contract states that hybrids are forbidden." Raven bared canines as the spikes went into her skin burning her. "Any werewolf or vampire caught trying to conceive such a beast is to be killed on sight." Lycan tightened the chains on her wrists. "Luckily for you," Liley crouched down, getting eye level with her. "I need to kill the vampire as well. So be a dear, point me in the direction of the man who was responsible for this."
"Go to hell," Raven spit in her face.
"Well, that wasn't very nice." Liley wiped the spit from her cheek. "Very well, let's just focus on killing the beast growing inside her." Beast? Raven growled, she had the nerve to call her child with Angel a beast. She's going to kill this bitch. "Lycan, let's bring this matter to your father, it's time he's been made aware of his whore's actions."
"Lycan, release me, I'm your wife." Raven reminded him. "You can't just treat me like a prisoner."
"Oh now," Lycan grinned. "You want to be my wife. Tell me," He kept tightening the spikes, sinking them deeper into her skin. "When did you decide to marry me? Was it before or after?" He tugged at her black hair pulling her head back. "You let a vampire stick his dick inside you." He released her hair. "I trusted you, I honestly believed you were innocent, But then to find out," He laughed. "I was wrong, that my own wife would betray me like this. Liley's right," He brought his lips to her ear. "You are a whore." He forced her to stand, the spikes in the chain cutting at her wrists. "Come, let's have a look at our Beta." He dragged her over to Alejandro. "Show her," He ordered.
Alejandro turned his back to her and moved his long red hair to the side. Raven's eyes widened. His entire back was covered in scars. It had to have been done by some kind of whip with silver blades. Or maybe swords or daggers, there were so many. The amount of punishment he's received, it was horrible. Were these scars from war?
"Memorize those scars well," Lycan brushed her hair back. "Because soon," He brought his lips to her ear. "You'll have them too." He whispered.
"What?" Raven turned to face him. "You did that to him?" Lycan nodded. "You monster, he was your friend. How could-," Lycan struck her in the mouth with a backhand. The impact, so great, she fell to the floor. She fought to get back up but couldn't.
"You will not speak to me ever again." Lycan removed his wedding ring and threw it on the ground beside her. "Just like Alejandro, you're going to be silent, if you talk, I'll hit you again and next time. You'll choke on your teeth. Now on your feet, bitch." Raven kept trying to get up but couldn't. "I said," He grabbed a handful of hair and pulled. "On your feet." He lifted her up by her hair and set her on her back on her feet.
"Fuck you," Raven glared at him. Lycan struck her again. She fell to the floor, spitting up blood. "So is this how you intend to treat your wife?" She glanced up at him. "Yes, the almighty Prince Lycan, if only your dick was as big as your ego." He forced her to stand on her feet, the spikes cutting her wrists.
"Insult me as much as you'd like," Lycan caressed her cheek. "The fact of the matter is, I still claimed you. It was right there in my cabin where I bent you over and fucked you like the whore you are." Raven growled at him. "The sad part is," He smirked. "For as long as you fought me for it. I thought you'd feel better but sadly, I've had better sex with servants. Maybe, you're just poorly trained." Raven fought with the chains. She'd give anything just to slap the shit out of him. "At least with my servants, they'll suck if they need to."
"I've heard enough," Liley walked up to him. "Can we please get on with it? I'm a very busy woman and there's a vampire who needs killing. The sooner we get this matter dealt with, the better. Or are you enjoying my company?"
"Hardly," Lycan pushed Raven forward. She took one glance back at the Nightshade campsite. Somehow, she knew, after what she did, they'd never forgive her. It didn't hurt to betray Lycan, but it hurt to betray Alejandro and the twins. Losing them was going to be the hardest part about leaving Nightshade. She was no longer their princess, no longer their Omega, in their eyes she was nothing but a traitor. Jay stood there trying to fight back tears, Jayson was refusing to even look at her. They were wounded by her, it was a wound, so deep, they'd never be able to forget it.
"I'm sorry," Raven closed her eyes as a tear fell from her cheek. Lycan pushed her further into the forest. While they were walking to Luminous castle, she kept her head down. She was listening to Liley discussing with Lycan on how they were going to kill her child. She was referring to it as a disease but it wasn't a disease. It was a child, her child. With each step she took toward the castle. Raven could feel the life of her and Angel's child fading. She wanted to protect it but how. She couldn't run, Lycan would stop her. She couldn't fight them, after seeing what Liley did to her sister. It was clear, Liley alone was enough to defeat her, she was stronger, faster, and far more superior. Angel was right, she was a force to be feared, apparently, she and Angel weren't the only ones who felt that way.
Once the castle doors opened. The werewolf's inside started to scatter at the sight of her. Women were hiding their children. Among those children was a little girl with white hair, out of the children who were terrified and running for their life. She was the only one not afraid, instead, she was clinging to the leg of a man who had to be her father.
"I'm here to see Lord Grimm," Liley glared into the man's eyes. "Would you kindly escort me inside." The man glared back at her and tightened his hand into a fist. "I didn't come here for a fight, can't a girl simply visit a castle in peace."
"Honey," The man spoke. His wife walked over to him. "Take our little snowflake to her room. I'll handle this."
"But Yule," She tried to argue. "She's-," Raven's eyes lingered on Yule. So this is the guy her sister has been fantasizing about. She had to admit, the white hair, the navy blue eyes, his soft lips, all tied together with an agile physique. He wasn't hotter than Alejandro but he was pretty damn close. So maybe, Claire is her sister after all.
"I know," Yule kissed her forehead. "I'll be careful, just get our daughter to safety."
"But Daddy," The little girl hugged his leg. "You promised."
"I know, snowflake," Yule lightly patted her on the head. "But something came up. We'll play later, I promise." He held out his pinky, she locked pinkies with him and left with her mother. "I'll take you to him, this way," He walked up the stairs. He entered the throne room and kneeled before Lord Grimm. "Lord Grimm, you have a visitor."
"Hello, if it isn't the werewolf king himself." Liley walked in. "I come bearing gifts," Lycan threw Raven on the floor and made her kneel before him. "This wolf has broken the contract," She gestured to Raven. "She's bearing a Hybrid child." Lord Grimm crushed his glass with his bare hand. "I know this must anger you. But imagine how I feel," She placed her hand on her chest. "I had to walk all the way from my luxurious mansion to deal with your screw up. My shoes got dirty and I almost broke a nail on my way here. So, I'm very annoyed and if I'm annoyed guess who else is annoyed."
"My apologies Liley, I mean not to drag you here to deal with such matters." Lord Grimm bowed his head. "Please let's just keep this matter between us, I'll handle it, I assure you." Liley smirked.
"Very well," Liley let out a sigh. "I'll allow you to handle it but under my supervision. So, we've found the treacherous wolf. But it takes two to," She began walking around Raven. "Make a hybrid. So I'll need to make a visit to your brother. We've found the female, now we need the responsible male. So, Lord Grimm, you're a king. Where should we begin our search? I can't just round up every male vampire can I? We need to narrow it down."
"Raven, any ideas?" Lord Grimm rose to his feet. "You'd save us the search if you just told us. Who he is. So," He grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled. "What's the name of the vampire that fucked you?" He wanted her to sell out Angel so he could kill him. Like she'd ever, she wouldn't let him lay one finger on him. "The name?" He pulled harder, she let out a scream as he pulled her hair.
"Go to hell," Raven bared her canines at him. He slammed her face into the ground. While she was on the ground. He kicked her, forcing her to turn over. He put his foot on her throat, choking her. She kept trying to lift it but couldn't.
"Tell me, the name," Lord Grimm bared his canines at her.
"His name is," Raven smirked. "None of your fucking business." He grabbed her throat and lifted her into the air. "Go ahead, kill me and you'll never know who it is." He threw her, causing her body to roll across the ground.
"Lord Grimm, if I may,"
"Nikan, now is not the time,"
"Nikan," Raven forced herself to look in his direction. This man had long brown hair that was tied in a braided ponytail. He had a sleeve of tattoos on his arm, each one representing an element and a name. He was older, he had a muscular frame. This man, this one man was her key to finding the Werewolf Elder. She had to take this chance and hope he'd tell her something. Anything, that would help her find the Elder. "You know of Kami,"
"The Werewolf Elder, we all know of Kami," Liley laughed. "It's the wolf that I have put on a huge festival for in order to please the humans. If I hear one more tale about that damn wolf, I'm going to vomit." She rolled her eyes.
"You will respect our Elder," Nikan glared at her. "This wolf is curious to know of our Elder, it's our duty as werewolves to educate her. For if it wasn't for Kami's existence we would not be here. So you wish to know about Kami,"
"Nikan, this is not the time for-," Lord Grimm's words were cut when Nikan walked up to Raven. "Nikan, she's a traitor, she fucked a vampire, she doesn't deserve to know about my mother." Mother, so, Kami's a girl, she owes Jay money.
"Kami's a girl," Raven gasped.
"Yes, child, Kami is a woman. A man would not," Nikan unzipped his pants and lowered his boxers for her. Lord Grimm and Liley turned the heads."Leave an Elder mark, here," He pointed at his lower abdomen. There was a marking of a wolf paw resting dangerously close to his privates. He zipped up his pants. "Kami gave me that mark when I decided to leave her pack and join Lord Grimm. It was a parting gift." He walked forward. "What is it you wish to know about our Elder?"
"Do you know where she is?" Raven asked.
"I do not," Nikan answered. "If you're seeking her aide, she will not help you. She has long since abandoned us to our ways. She couldn't bear what we werewolves have become and chose to leave us all behind. Search all you'd like but you will not find her."
"So there's nothing I can do," Raven lowered her head. Abandoned by their own Elder, to think the werewolves have fallen so low. Their own Elder would want nothing to do with them. She'd leave them to die. Yet somehow, Lord Grimm, their king, Kami's son is okay with that.
"I'm sorry," Nikan lowered his head. "If you felt that Kami was to be your salvation."
"So, now that we've established that Kami is a terrible leader." Liley put her hands on her hips. "Can we proceed?"
"She was not a terrible leader," Nikan argued. "We abandoned her first. That is why she left." He glanced over at Lord Grimm. He glared at Nikan. "So, if I may add to the subject of finding the vampire responsible. It's clear, she has no intention of telling us. So we must search for the vampire ourselves. So to narrow down the options. We'd need to consider a time where it would be possible for a male vampire to court her. Might I suggest looking into all of the male vampires who went missing during the Lunar Ball. They would have to disappear in order to have sex with her. Doing it at the ball runs the risk of being caught."
"Excellent idea," Liley smiled. "I'll have Lord Alexander gather all the men who managed to disappear before the ball was over. Our guy will be among them and we will have Raven point them out. If she points out the right one," She brought her lips to Raven's ear. "If I were you my dear, I'd point out the right guy. Otherwise, things will get a lot worse. You see, this is only the beginning of your torment." She smirked. "Granted, if you don't, I'll get the pleasure of killing him myself so consider this a mercy killing. For if I do it, I'll take my sweet time drinking every last drop of his delicious blood. He really is a treat." She licked her lips.
Raven refused, she'd never sell out Angel. They could bring him out in front of her. She still wouldn't point him out. She loves him and she wasn't going to betray him. They could threaten her, beat her half to death and she still wouldn't sell him out. She'd die first. The second Liley tried to drink from Angel's neck. Raven would rip out her throat. Superior or not, she wasn't going to harm him.
"Now if you'll excuse me," Liley fixed her hair. "I need to go pay Lord Alexander a visit. While I'm gone, try to get the name of the vampire. She'll talk," She glared at Raven. "You'll just have to beat it out of her." She walked out of the castle.
"Son," Lord Grimm shifted his gaze to Lycan. "Take this traitor to her cell." Lycan forced Raven to her feet. The sharp silver spikes drew blood from her wrists. She fought the pain as she was escorted to the lower levels of the castle. It was dark, she couldn't see much of anything. The only source of light they had was a torch Lycan was holding. They walked down the staircase and at the end was a door. Behind that door, Raven could smell blood and lots of it. Not just blood, death, what is this place?
They walked past several empty cells. In some there were vampires chained to the wall. Their bodies had claw marks all over them. Some were being starved, others had blood dripping out of their mouth and their teeth on the floor. They had the look of desperation on their face as if they were just waiting for death to claim them. It was horrifying, this whole time, they've been torturing vampires for intel.
Lycan stopped at an empty cell that was away from the others. "Here we are," He placed the torch in the holder on the wall. He took a key out of his pocket and opened the cell door. "Enjoy your new home," He removed the chains on her wrists and threw her onto the floor. Her face collided with the cold stone flooring.
On the floor, Raven's eyes widened. Was that werewolf teeth? She could see the bloody canines on the floor. They were plucking their teeth from their mouths as a form of torture. To think, he'd do that to his own kind. Wait, was he going to do that to her?
"Lycan, wait," Raven rushed to the door but he slammed it shut. She was locked inside like a prisoner. "Please," She grabbed the cell bars. Once she did, the bars spiked and stabbed her hands with silver spikes. She screamed as blood dripped from her hands. These cells, they're built to contain werewolves. "You can't do this, I'm your wife. You can't do this to me, Lycan, please, I'm begging you. You don't need to-,"
"Here's the papers you requested my lord," A servant handed Lycan a clipboard. She handed him a pen and he signed the papers. He then slid the clipboard underneath the cell. These papers. They were divorce papers.
"You were my wife," Lycan smirked. "Now you're just a prisoner." The servant handed her a ripped up gown. "Take off your clothes," Raven glared at him. "I said take them off," He reached from behind the bars and pulled her hair. The spikes emerged as he brought her face closer to them. Raven kept trying to pull away but couldn't. The spike was about to go through the side of her face.
"Okay, Okay," Raven replied, he released her hair. She took off her shirt and handed it to him.
"Empty your pockets," Lycan ordered. She took out her phone and placed it in his hand. "Pants, shoes," She removed her pants and shoes. She gave them to him. "Now, get dressed," He threw her the torn up white gown. She caught it. She slipped on the gown keeping her back facing him.
"You should be flattered." Lycan added. "You and Alejandro get to share the same prison cell." Raven adjusted the gown to her figure. "I told you," She turned around. "You two were going to have matching scars." Lycan crushed her phone in his hand. "I meant every word." The pieces of her phone fell to the floor. "So enjoy hell, Raven." He walked upstairs leaving her in her prison.
Raven had no idea how long she'd be trapped here or if anyone was going to be able to help her. She wasn't even sure Angel would be able to find her here. As she sat there in her cell, tears formed in her eyes. She's pregnant, Angel's the father, and if she didn't get out of this cell. That child, she so craved, was going to die. Lycan was going to make sure of it.