Raven’s eyes lingered on her dearest Angel watching him as he left with Brandon. His breath taking pale hazel eyes glanced back at her only for a second before he disappeared from her view. She thought the life she had with Angel as a human was buried in the past. She thought he was lost to her forever. Somehow, He was able to find his way back to her. It’s different from what it was before. The time they spent apart had strengthened their connection. She was more in love with him now than she ever was before. She couldn’t help but feel that the feelings they shared for each other were mutual. Angel was just better at hiding it than she was.

“Come on,” Claire took Raven’s hand. “Let’s go clean up the mess your new boyfriend made.” Boyfriend, suppose Angel is her boyfriend now. Raven smiled at the thought. Though, knowing him, he wouldn’t deem it official till they went on a first date. A date with Angel, she wondered what that’d be like.

The two of them returned to the secret cave to clean up. Claire immediately started picking up the broken pieces of the wooden armor. She was using her knife to carve all that wood into sharp steaks. It made sense, if Claire came back to camp with something worthwhile. Perhaps, Lycan won’t be as pissed at her for leaving. She was already coming back with her but the steaks were just her insurance policy.

Raven’s eyes shifted over to the bent out of shape steel bed frame. The mattress was still intact. The sheets were all torn from her claws. She only had one pillow left and it rested on the floor. The other was nothing but a large pile of cotton on the floor. Her navy blue eyes would occasionally linger back over to the bed. She could still feel his gentle hands as they slowly ran up and down her body. The taste of his lips were like a sweet drug, so strong, each time he kissed her. She couldn’t help but crave more. Nothing could compare to the connection her and Angel shared, it was better than she’s dreamed of. It was here on this bed, Angel became so much more than her best friend. He became her...Everything.

“You really love him don’t you,” Claire accused. “It’s not hard to tell, you’re practically glowing.” -She is?!- Raven’s cheeks formed a slight blush. “Not to worry, I’m sure Lycan won’t notice. If he does ask, just say you got some extra sunlight or something.” Raven picked up the bed sheet off the floor and sniffed it. This sheet, it still smelled like him. She held it close to her nose taking in his sweet scent. “Though, I wouldn’t make it obvious so,” Claire snatched the blanket from her. “I’d hide your feelings for Angel until you see him again. Which means no smelling the bed sheets.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Raven agreed. Still, it was hard for her to shake him. She couldn’t take her eyes off the bed. The entire bed was covered in his scent. Most werewolves hate the smell of vampires, but she didn’t. Not as long as it was his scent. “Hey,” She called out, Claire began stuffing the bed sheets in a trash bag. “Don’t throw those away, they smell like Angel.”

“That’s exactly why I’m throwing them away, they skink.” Claire tossed the sheets in the trash bag. “You can enjoy his scent as much as you’d like but not in our secret cave. It’s bad enough you fucked him in it. We said no boys, that was the only rule we had and you broke it. Not just the rule, but the entire cave. I hope it was worth it.”

“It was,” Raven smirked. “The things he did to me,” She took a deep breath. “Let me tell you,” She paused. “He paid for this furniture.”

“Ew, I don’t need to know that,” Claire picked up Angel’s belt and started to throw it in the trash. The belt was cut and could no longer be used. Even so, it belonged to Angel and had his scent all over it. Raven quickly snatched it from her and put it in her dresser drawer. “Raven, it’s broken, he can’t even use it. It goes in the trash.”

“No, it doesn’t.” Raven argued. “If you’re throwing away the sheets then I get to keep the belt. I want something that smells like him. Is it so wrong for me to want that? I mean, he smells good.”

“He smells like a vampire.” Claire let out a sigh. “Fine, I’ll let you have the belt but that’s it.” She pointed at her. “Everything else that has his scent on it goes in the trash. Which means we need a new mattress.” She shook her head. “I’m never going to look at this place the same again.” She picked up the pile of cotton stuffing it in the trash bag.

While Claire was busy shoving cotton into the trash. Raven eye’s caught notice of her silver switchblade on the floor. She was going to use that to kill Lycan last night. He found out and attacked her with it instead. This time, she’d use a different approach.

“Let me help you with that,” Raven offered. She bent down to pick up cotton. While she was down there. She quickly picked up the switchblade and stashed it in her back pocket before Claire could see her do it. “All done, this cave is starting to look better.”

“Yeah,” Claire laughed. “After Angel wrecked it.” She rolled her eyes. “What’s this?” She picked up a piece of paper. That’s right, at the Lunar Ball, Raven ran into her brother, he wrote his number down for her. “Oh no, don’t tell me this is-,”

“A number I need you to save in your phone for emergencies.” Raven answered. “It’s our brother’s number.” Claire groaned. “Look, I know you two aren’t exactly close but could you at least try for me. I can’t save his number, Lycan checks my phone so please. Just add it for me,” Claire let out a sigh.

“Fine,” Claire saved their brother’s number into her phone. “So ugh,” She put her phone away. “What are you going to do about Lycan?” She asked. “Yesterday,” She brushed her brunette hair back with her hands. “You were willing to give up.” Claire picked up Raven’s dress from the ball. “Is that still the plan or did that change?”

“It changed,” Raven picked a clothes hanger off the floor. She took the dress from Claire and hung it on the dresser handle. “For a while, I was convinced that no matter what I did. Lycan was going to win. That may still be the case,” She put her hands on her hips. “Even so, that’s no reason to give up and just let him have me. If he wants to break me, that’s fine but I’m not going out without a fight.”

“What are you going to do?” Claire shrugged. “We tried going to Lord Grimm. That didn’t work.”

“There’s not much I can do,” Raven fluffed the pillow. “I can’t run,” She placed the pillow back on the bed. Before she could Claire threw it in the trash. She growled at her sister. That was Angel’s pillow. It still smelled like him.

“You got the belt remember,” Claire tied up the trash bag. Raven let out a defeated sigh. “You can’t run because Lycan will just send the entire pack to find and kill you. Abandoning the pack is frowned on by the werewolf code. I seriously doubt that they would let us off with a warning.” She added. “It’s a known fact, you leave the pack, you die.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Raven bit her lip. Still, there had to be some way to deal with her Lycan problem. This couldn’t be it, there had to be something she was missing. Perhaps, the werewolf handbook might have something. That would mean she’d actually have to read it and not skim through it this time. Unless, “Claire, what does the werewolf handbook say about Werewolf couples?”

“Why are you asking?” Claire crossed her arms. “Surely you read it right?” Raven shook her head. “I can’t believe this, that handbook is literally the code of which all Werewolves live by extremely important. You’re telling me you didn’t even take the time to read it.” She groaned. “We were tested on it, remember? Surely you read it then right?”

“No, I skimmed through it.” Raven shrugged. “We were given a practice test so I skimmed through to find the answers. That’s it, I knew what we were being tested on but that’s pretty much it. I even guessed on a few, it was multiple choice except for that one question. I bullshited my way through the answer.” She answered. “That’s why you scored higher than me.”

“Well that and I actually read the damn handbook.” Claire yelled. “Know what no,” She reached into her pocket and took out her werewolf handbook. “I’m not telling you the answer to that question. Instead, you’re going to read this and find out for yourself.” She handed the handbook to her. “You’re such a pain,” Claire’s cell phone started to vibrate in her jacket pocket. She took it out and unlocked it.

“Speaking of pain,” Claire rolled her eyes. “Thanks a lot, Brandon is officially texting me now. He’s so annoying.”

“Oh come on, how bad could it be?” Raven rushed over and checked Claire’s text messages. “Really?” She raised her brow. “The text literally says “hi”, how is that annoying?” She asked. “He’s just trying to make conversation, cut the guy some slack.” Claire’s phone vibrated again. “This one says “What are you doing?” see,” She showed Claire the message. “Harmless, now this is the part where you thank me for finding you a friend.”

“It’s nice that you can read text messages,” Claire took her phone back. “However when it comes to a book that literally explains everything pertaining to being a werewolf. You somehow can’t find the desire to read it.” She put her phone away.

“Wait, you aren’t going to text Brandon back,” Raven wondered. “He asked you a simple question. The nice thing to do would be to respond.” Claire glared at her. “Oh come on, you’re being too hard on him.” She scolded putting her hands on her hips.

“Oh I’m sorry, I’m being too hard on a vampire, forgive me.” Claire’s voice was shrouded in sarcasm. “That poor vampire, he’s just trying to be my friend. I don’t know,” She shrugged. “I was just under the impression that we are still at war with them.” She pointed out. “Just because you’re in love with a vampire doesn’t mean I want to be.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to be a bitch to him either.” Raven added. “Yet, here we are, text him back. For once could you just play nice.” She argued. “He was nice enough to give you his number so I could keep in touch with Angel. Plus, it’d help my cause if you two got along and stopped fighting with each other.”

“No, I’m not texting him back. Now we’re finished cleaning. I’d like to get back to camp before Lycan wakes up.” Claire started to leave but Raven refused. She wasn’t going anywhere until she texted Brandon back. “Fine, I’ll text him if it will shut you up about this.” Claire pulled out her phone, Raven watched as she unlocked her phone. Claire began typing her text to Brandon. “Drop dead,” Claire read aloud. “There, that should get my point across. Now, I texted him, can we go?”

“That’s not the kind of text I wanted you to send but okay.” Raven let out a defeated sigh. “Let’s not keep Lycan waiting.” The two sisters left the cave and moved the giant rock back in front of the entrance. While they were walking back to camp, to Raven’s amazement, Claire’s phone vibrated again. “I’ll be damned, he texted you back.”

“I thought I made it very clear, I wasn’t interested in being his friend.” Claire took out her phone and read Brandon’s reply. “Ew, gross,” Claire’s fingers began typing furiously. She had never seen her sister text so fast. Raven rushed over to her sister’s side. She glanced on Her sister’s phone screen and saw the reply. Once she read it, Raven’s lips formed a slight smirk.

“That’s mean, but I got to tell ya somethin’. You’re kinda cute when you’re angry. Dare I say, sexy even. ;-)” - Brandon

“Ew Gross, I wouldn’t touch you with a stick. Perhaps if it was a sharp steak to the heart. Then, I’d make an exception.” - Claire

“I think I got my point across now.” Claire went to put her phone away. Raven laughed once it started to vibrate again. “Are you serious, he can’t be that-,” Claire unlocked her phone and the two of them read his reply.

“I’d touch you with my steak, granted I think mine’s bigger.” - Brandon

“That’s it, he’s getting deleted.” Claire scrolled down to delete him. Raven took her phone before she could. “Hey, give it back, he’s being gross. He has to be deleted.” She couldn’t let her sister delete him. If she did that then She’d lose contact with Angel. “Give me back my phone, he asked for this.” She reached for her phone. Raven moved away from her. “Let me delete him.” Claire argued.

“I can’t let you do that,” Raven tucked Claire’s phone in her pocket. “Like it or not, I need him. If his number isn’t in your phone then,” She shrugged. “How am I supposed to keep in touch with Angel? He’s the only pipeline we’ve got. So, don’t delete him, just ignore him.” She held out her sister’s phone. “Promise you won’t delete him.”

“Fine, I won’t but I’m not texting Brandon anymore.” Claire took her phone back. “The camp shouldn’t be far now. We’d better hurry before Lycan wakes up and finds out we left.” The two of them made haste toward the Nightshade campsite.

The moment the two of them arrived, the twins rushed over to them. “Where the hell have you been?” Jayson grabbed Raven by her shirt. “We spent all night looking for your sorry ass and thanks to you. We got our asses beat.” He glared at her. “You’re a real piece of work. You know that, I’m getting really fed up with your field trips.” He growled at her. “Do the pack rules mean nothing to you?” He yelled out in sheer anger.

“Jayson, I-,” Raven tried to give him some excuse as to why she left. Before she could he released her shirt causing her ass to hit the soft grass. “Look Jayson, I didn’t mean to get you guys in trouble. I was just-,”

“Just what,” Jayson bared his canines at her. “Disobeying pack rules again. You don’t get it do you?” He shook his head. “We’re in Nightshade together, all of us,” He reminded her. “It’s not just about you. When one of us breaks the rules, we all get punished for it. That’s the way it works, it’s always been that way. But of course,” He took a deep breath. “You don’t care about that do you? Save your bullshit excuse, I don’t wanna hear it.” He stormed off in anger. While he was leaving, Raven began to notice his wolf transformation starting to emerge. He was that angry with her that he couldn’t control it.

“Hey don’t take anything Jayson says to heart,” Jay reassured her. “He had a really rough night last night. We all sort of did. What matters now is that you’re back right?” He shrugged. “Though ugh, Lycan’s awake. So,” Raven cringed, she knew this wasn’t going to end well. Regardless, she still had to face him. “If I were you, I wouldn’t keep him waiting.” He pointed toward the cabin.

“I suppose you’re right,” Raven walked toward Lycan’s cabin.

“Wait,” Claire held up her hand to stop her. “I’m coming with you this time.” She went to walk forward but Jay grabbed her shoulder. “Jay, Lycan is bound to be pissed and if he hurts my sister. I want to be there to protect her.” She reasoned. “Let me go,”

“I can’t do that,” Jay took a deep breath. “If you go in there you’ll get hurt. I care about you Claire. I can’t stand the thought of you getting hurt. So please,” He ran his fingers through her hair. “Don’t go with her, come to my tent. I could really use your help anyway. You see at the ball, this girl saw us together. She kinda has a thing for me and-,” He rubbed the back of his neck. “When she saw us together, she got angry and now she won’t leave my tent. I told her it was just a one-time thing and-,” He groaned. “She’s not buying it. So, I really need you to set the record straight with her. She thinks we had sex.”

“She what,” Claire growled. “This is no doubt your doing, correct?” He shook his head. “Oh really, she came to that conclusion on her own.”

“I swear, honest,” Jay replied. “I wouldn’t have sex with you Claire.” She glared at him. Her eyes burned with anger. “I mean ugh,” He backed up, holding his hands up in surrender. “I would if you wanted me to. But, But, But, I wouldn’t lie about it especially not to her. Come on Claire, you got to bail me out. She’s my friend.”

“Claire,” Raven turned to face her. “Help him out. I can handle Lycan by myself. Besides, he has a point. If you come you’ll only get hurt. You might even make matters worse.” Claire nodded and went with Jay. Besides that, Claire would only try to stop her from what she had planned for Lycan. “This ends now,” She walked quickly toward the cabin.

Raven knew what Angel wanted her to do. He wanted her to pretend, pretend to love Lycan, pretend to be his canvas. If only for the sake of survival. But even so, She couldn’t live that lie, she couldn’t be Lycan’s canvas, his hands had no right to touch her. His body had no right to feel her. The only person who had that right was Angel. She was his canvas, only his body could have her. To let anyone else have that privilege. No, she’d never allow it. Lycan had to die, it was the only way. Slit his throat and be done with it.

“I’m here to see Lycan,” Raven spoke, her navy blue eyes locked onto the fearsome Beta. He lowered his head and stepped aside. While he was walking away, his red eyes glanced back at her. It was almost like for a moment, he wasn’t looking at her but at someone else. She had never seen such sadness in his eyes. Still, this is no time to get side tracked. The sooner she dealt with Lycan. The sooner she found freedom. She casually walked into the cabin where Lycan was waiting for her.

“Nice of you to finally return,” Lycan closed the grey curtains. “I had to cancel the wedding preparations seeing as my bride was.” He walked up to her. “Nowhere to be found.” Raven knew better than to make this a fair fight. If she wanted to kill Lycan, she had to play it smart. Lure him in with her femine charm then slit his throat, simple enough. A tactic that he would easily fall for.

“I’m sorry I took off Leader Lycan.” Raven stared into his dark brown eyes. “After the ball, I was just so nervous about the idea of marrying you. It’s such a big decision and I’m not sure you a prince would-,” She brought her lips close to his. “Consider a half blooded Werewolf like myself. I admit,” She traced his protruding collar bone with her finger. “I struggled with the idea of marrying you and bearing your child. But I’ve had a change of heart.”

“Change of heart, you?” Lycan hitched a laugh. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” His eyes watched as she caressed his neck. He pressed his lips softly against hers, pushing her against the wall. “Let’s have a guess shall we?” His hand reached in her pocket, Raven gasped trying to stop him. He knows but how? “It must be this knife?” He took out the silver edged switchblade in her pocket. “Yes, I suppose that would change your mind.”

“I will kill you,” Raven threatened. “One way or another but you won’t have me.” She couldn’t believe it. Lycan ran the sharp silver edge of the blade across the palm of his hand. The silver was burning his skin like acid but he showed no sign of pain. The wound was even healing right before her eyes. “It’s silver, you shouldn’t be able to-,” Lycan gave her back the switchblade, the blade was dull and useless after cutting his hand.

“Here’s the thing,” Lycan chuckled to himself. “I have a high tolerance toward silver courtesy of my dear father. So even if you were to slit my throat, it would not kill me. In fact, the blade will become dull leaving a small mark at best.” He opened his dresser, taking out cleaning cloth. “Stab me in the heart,” He began wiping the blood off his hand. The wound was now completely healed. This shouldn’t be possible, werewolves are weak to silver. How is he able to heal, it even stuns their healing. “Good luck getting there.” He threw the cleaning cloth on the floor. “Slit my wrist, well,” He laughed. “At least you tried. If it were that easy then the vampire’s would have already killed me.”

“No,” Raven shook her head. “There’s no way, there’s just no way a werewolf can have that high of a pain tolerance to silver. No, it’s our weakness, it’s always been our weakness, it should work.” She didn’t understand. How was she going to kill Lycan if he didn’t have any weaknesses? His weakness to silver was her only chance and it’s gone.

“I think now you’re starting to understand your role here,” Lycan brought his lips to her ear. “Did you ever stop to think why my brother Alejandro or even the twins never bothered to stop your foolish plan to kill me? The answer is simple,” He brushed her hair back whispering into her ear. “You’re not the first woman who’s tried.” Raven gasped, the switchblade in her hand fell to the floor. “I can assure you, she was a lot stronger than you are.”

“Lycan, I-,” Raven felt his hand grab her throat and force her head against the wall. “Please, I’ll behave, I swear, I’ll do whatever-,” Lycan’s grip grew tighter on her throat. He began choking the life out of her.

“Oh, you’re damn right you will.” Lycan’s canines bared. “I tried being nice, I tried giving you a choice, I tried doing this my father’s way. But now,” He threw her on the bed and unfastened his spiked belt. “I’m asserting my dominance as the Alpha and you will obey my every command. Starting with baring my child.”

“Like hell I will,” Raven drew her claws and tried to tackle him. He caught her in mid air effortlessly and threw her back on the bed. He tried to climb on top and pin her but she rolled out the way. “I will never bear your child.” She picked the knife up, stabbing his arms with the dull blade forcing the cut. “Leave me the fuck alone, you asshole.” He backhanded her, knocking her clear across the room. She crashed into the dresser hitting the floor. She raced to the door but he blocked her path.

“Not this time, Raven,” Lycan struck her with another backhand knocking her to the floor. “This time, you will obey me even if I have to force the issue.” He drew his foot back and kicked her into the dresser. “You skipped out on our wedding, made a mockery of me, my father, and you continue to break the pack rules.” He picked her up off the floor, grabbing her by her shirt. “So now I’m left with no choice,” He tore her shirt off, Raven kicked him directly in his pride forcing him to arch forward grasping his jewels.

“I don’t care, you won’t have me.” Raven ripped the lamp from the wall and struck him with it. The glass shattered all over the floor, she wrapped the cord around his neck choking him. “I’m not going to sit here and take this bullshit anymore.” Lycan’s claws cut the cord, he grabbed a handful of her hair flipping her over his back. She tried to get back up before she could, she felt the dull edge of her switchblade enter her leg. The silver burned her skin like acid, her healing stopped as the wound got deeper and deeper. She tried to force herself to move but it hurt so much all she could do was scream.

“Maybe now,” Lycan took a deep breath. “You’ll listen.” He twisted the blade lodging deeper into her skin. “That looks deep, maybe, we should call the medic.” He shouted. Lycan roughly kicked her in the stomach knocking the wind out of her. Before he could withdraw his foot, Raven jammed her claws deep into his leg, ripping at his flesh. “Fuck,” He yelled as he tried to pry his leg free of her sharp claws...

“This way,” Jay opened the entrance of his tent for Claire. She walked inside. Once she did, she took notice of the slender built woman in his tent. Her hair was dyed orange with yellow highlights. It reminded her of flames. She was dressed in a black jacket with flaming skulls on the sleeves. The jacket was unzipped revealing a red tank top and distressed faded blue jeans. She wore red converse shoes, her ears were pierced with gold studs. “Claire, I’d like you to meet Alexis or Alex as I like to call her.”

“Nice to meet you ugh,” Claire held her hand out. Alexis swatted her hand aside. “Look I don’t have a lot of time so,” She shrugged. “I’m just going to cut to the chase.” She cleared her throat. “Jay and I, we aren’t-,”

“Sure you’re not,” Alexis’s voice filled with sarcasm. “I just happened to see you guys kissing, dancing, having a great time. So either you two are a couple or I’m seeing things because last I checked. My vision’s fine.” She crossed her arms. “So let me cut to the chase, if I catch you near my man again.” Her hands ignited in flames. She can create fire and wield it. That’s a nice ability. Too bad, Claire’s not intimidated by it. “I’ll burn you alive.”

“Your man,” Claire scoffed. “Okay see, Jay last I checked doesn’t belong to anyone. So he’s fair game not that I want him but he is.” She pointed out. “So if he chooses to hang out with me that’s his decision. He is his own person and you can’t control what he does.” She glared at Alex. “He’s a grown ass man so let him do what the fuck he wants.”

“Okay clearly this was a bad idea.” Jay got in between them. Claire continued exchanging glares with Alexis. “Ladies, let’s not start a fight. See, Claire isn’t my girlfriend she said so herself. So let’s just-,” He ducked a fireball, it flew past Claire. The blast hit several trees creating a huge forest fire. “Alex, let’s not burn down the forest.” He faked a laugh. “Claire, maybe you should cooldown, there’s no need to start a fight. “

“Shut up Jay,” Alexis pushed him aside. “Excuse me, what the fuck did you just-,” Claire heard a loud crash coming from Lycan’s cabin. Raven’s in danger. She doesn’t have time to deal with this right now. It’s time to shut this wolf up and go. “Hello, I’m talking to you or do you even know how to-,” Claire pulled out her knife and threw it at her. The silver blade struck her hand and jammed into a tree. “You bitch!” She screamed trying to pull out the knife. The silver kept burning creating an even deeper gash.

“Alex,” Jay gasped. “Claire, what the, did you just-,” He glanced over at the knife then back at Claire.

“Sorry Jay but I got to go,” Claire rushed out of his tent. She could hear Alexis screaming as Jay continued to help her pull out the knife. She started walking toward Lycan’s cabin. Her hands balled into tight fists. She wasn’t about to let Lycan hurt her sister anymore. She’s going to put an end to this right here and right now.

“Claire no,” Jay rushed over to her. When did he-? Claire looked over and saw Alex wrapping her hand with a bandage, “Listen to me please,” He grabbed her by her shoulders. “You can’t go in there.”

“Like hell I can’t,” Claire took her knife from Jay’s hand. She started to walk past him but he got in her way again. “Jay, move it, I’m not going to let him hurt my-,” She heard a loud scream coming from her sister. “Damn it Jay, if you don’t get out of my way. I swear I’ll-,” Jay dropped to his knees clenching her pants.

“Please, Claire, I’m begging you.” Jay lowered his head. “If you go in there, I can’t protect you. Lycan will kill you. I know what he’s doing to your sister is wrong. I wish I could stop it but I can’t,” His eyes started to fill with tears. “I can’t, I’m so sorry Claire but I can’t.” She watched as the tears fled his eyes. “The only thing I can do is protect you by not letting you go inside so please, please, Claire. Don’t make me lose anyone else.”

“Listen to him Claire,” Jayson walked up to her. “You go in there, Lycan will kill you. Raven disobeyed the pack rules for the last time. She asked for this. The best you can do is let it happen.” He reasoned. “Don’t be stupid,” He warned. “You know as well as I do that this was bound to happen.”

“Take your pack rules and shove it.” Claire made Jay let go of her. “She’s family and we have our own rules. One of them being if one of us is in danger. We help them.” She went to walk past but Jayson blocked her path. “She’s my sister, what would you do if it were Jay in there suffering huh?”

“I’d-,” Jayson stood there in silence unable to answer.

“Exactly you’d protect him.” Claire pointed out. “Now let me do that for my sister.” Jayson still wouldn’t move.

“By protecting you, I am protecting him.” Jayson argued. “That’s why I can’t let you go. Besides, even if I were to let you go in there.” He pointed back at the cabin. “What could you do huh, Lycan is stronger than both you and your sister. Even if you were to kill him, we’d have to kill you for killing our Alpha. Don’t put us in that situation Claire, it’ll only get you killed.” He reasoned. “I’m sorry Claire but you don’t have a choice.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” Claire glared into his eyes. “She’s my sister, I don’t care if it’s a losing fight. I will protect her. I won’t just stand here and do nothing.” She pushed Jayson aside but Jay grabbed her arm.

“Not again, Claire, please not again.” Jay begged. Tears began to run down his eyes onto the grass beneath him. “I don’t wanna go through that pain again. I don’t want to see another J-,” Before he could finish, Jayson punched him. The impact was so great it knocked him on his ass.

“Don’t you dare say her name,” Jayson balled his hand into a fist. -Her?- Claire didn’t understand. Who is this woman that the twins swore not to talk about? At the Lunar Ball, She was sure they were hiding something from her. She never thought that it would be a person. Somehow she felt that this person could be what connected the twins to.

Claire glanced over at Alejandro. He didn’t even bother to stop Jayson from hitting Jay. It was like he wanted Jayson to hit his brother. In order to shut him up, so that’s it, this mystery person is the dark secret within Nightshade. The question is, who is she and what happened to her that was so horrible. The pack decided to erase her name from their lips.

“I’m sorry,” Jay held his hands up in surrender. “I’m just trying to-,” Jayson hit him again, busting his lip. “Jayson, I didn’t mean to. It was just,” Jayson growled, baring his sharp canines at him. He was fighting to control his anger.

“I told you to shut up about it.” Jayson yelled. He punched Jay in the jaw knocking out one of his canines. “It’s none of their damn business.” He growled. “You fuck up again. I’ll kill you, you hear me. Now get the fuck out of here Jay.” Jayson pointed at Jay’s tent. He scurried off like a frightened dog to his tent. This is her chance, Claire ran past him to the cabin. “Damn it, Claire,” He tried to catch her.

“Don’t worry Raven I’m,” Claire felt her stomach clash with a powerful fist. She arched over her vision fading. “No, I have to protect my-,” She tried to fight it. However, the person who stopped her was none other than Alejandro. The powerful Beta. She couldn’t hope to withstand even a light punch from him. While her vision was fading fast. She watched as his lips began to move miming the words: I’m sorry. Her body became motionless and she collapsed into Jayson’s arms unconscious...

“I’ve had enough of your disobedience,” Lycan grabbed a handful of Raven’s hair. She kept trying to get free as he dragged her by hair. Her body was scraped across the wooden floor. She clawed at his hand trying to make him release her. When he finally let go, his hand was covered in blood. He struck her with a brutal punch. “This time,” Raven fell to the floor, her lip bleeding. “I will show no mercy,” He picked her up and threw her into his dresser. The impact was so great it caused her body to break it. He went to grab her jeans and pull them off her. Raven responded by kicking him directly in the face. “You bitch,” Lycan clinched his nose and blood flowed down it.

“Leave me alone,” Raven tried to stand up, he grabbed her legs causing her to fall and climbed on top of her. “Get off me,” She kept slashing at him with her claws. “I will not bear your child.” Lycan struck her again with his fist and ripped her jeans off her body. Raven shook off the hit, cringing as his warm lips pecked her neck. “I said, get off me,” She tugged at his hair, making him stop. He screamed, taking her hand out his hair.

“You want it rough,” Lycan growled. “I’ll show you rough.” He threw her over to the edge of the bed. He forced Raven to bend over the bed, refusing to let her up. “I tried doing this the right way but you’ve left me no choice.” Raven tried to move but couldn’t. He tore her panties off and unzipped his pants. “If you won’t submit to me as your Alpha then it’s my duty to enforce the issue.”

“Let go of me,” Raven kept trying to get back up but couldn’t. Lycan had one hand pushing her head against the mattress. “Lycan, please,” She could hear his pants dropping to the floor, boxers too. “I’ll listen, please don’t do this.”

“You’re damn right you’ll listen.” Lycan kicked his pants aside. “Because I’m tired of these games, Raven. From now on, if you don’t listen. I’ll just-,” He brought his lips to her ear. “Do it anyway. I’ll break you even if it’s the last thing I do.” Raven cringed as she felt Lycan’s warmness push its way inside, forcing entry. She could feel his hips thrusting into her, it made her sick. She hated him. Words couldn’t express how much she hated him. He had no right to feel her, she belonged to Angel. He would pay dearly for this. “Oh yes,”

“I’m sorry Angel,” Raven rested her head against the mattress. She never wanted to betray Angel like this. To let another man have her. It wasn’t her fault, she tried, she never meant to hurt him. “Forgive me,” She closed her eyes to drown out Lycan’s actions. To hopefully forget what he had done to her.

“Ah, yes,” Lycan lightly kissed her neck. Raven eyes slowly opened. She found herself laying on her back. “See, that wasn’t so bad now was it?” He got out of bed, picking his pants up off the floor. “I’m going to get some fresh air when I get back. We’ll discuss the wedding.” He walked out of the cabin, slamming the door.

Raven tried to climb out of bed but her legs felt weak. The second she tried to stand. She fell clinging to the wall using it as leverage. These torturous aches that were left inside her. Lycan had done this to her. He was nowhere near as gentle and nurturing as Angel was with her body. Lycan treated her as some object he could abuse. She wasn’t even sure she could. Raven fell on her knees trying to fight the constant aches. Once she was able to stand, she walked into Lycan’s bathroom staring at her reflection in the mirror.

Raven’s heart began to shatter. She could no longer recognize the woman in the mirror. In fact, she hated the woman in the mirror. She wasn’t the strong woman that she claimed to be anymore. She felt weak, powerless, less than nothing. She tried to fight it but tears started to run down her face. Not just of sadness but anger too, she was furious with herself for not being strong enough to stop it. Out of that anger, she punched the mirror, shattering her reflection. The glass broke. The shards were scattered all over the floor. She curled up in a ball in the corner letting tears stream down her face. Lycan had succeeded, he broke her. She was no longer herself, she couldn’t even begin to pick up the pieces. The bruises on her body were starting to heal, the aches were gone but she would never forget.

“Raven,” Claire ran into the bathroom. “Are you okay?” She wrapped her arms around her. “Let’s have a look,” Her navy blue eyes began checking her for any bruises. Raven stood there saying nothing. Her eyes lingered on the broken pieces of glass that scattered the floor. Her whole body was shaking as she tried to pick up pieces of her broken self. “I’m going to go ahead and get started on the treatment,” She took out a first aid kit. “You’ve got a couple of bruises so I’ll start there.” She began unpacking the med kit, getting it ready for use. “Sister, you’re shaking,” She felt her arm. “I need you to talk to me, what did Lycan do to you?”

“It’s nothing, I’m fine,” Raven wiped the tears from her eyes. “I just need some time and,” She was trying her best to put on a strong front so Claire wouldn’t worry. She used to be so good at it. So good at being strong but it wasn’t working. She couldn’t just pretend to be okay this time. She couldn’t even though she wanted to. “He just-,” She forced a swallow. “He-,” She fell into her sister’s arms crying.

“No,” Claire wrapped her arms around her. “This is all my fault, I should’ve been there. I had no idea Lycan was going to-,” Raven couldn’t control herself. The tears wouldn’t stop. The pain wouldn’t go away. “That’s it,” She took out her phone. “I mean I had suspicions that Lycan was going to rape you but now that I know that’s what he did. He’s going to pay,” She began typing fast on her cell phone.

“What are you doing?” Raven wiped her eyes.

“I’m texting Brandon and our brother.” Claire answered. “They need to know what happened. I can assure you that when they find out. Lycan is so dead.” She continued typing the text . “We might not be able to kill him but I’m sure Angel and our brother can.” Raven could tell that anger had gotten the best of her sister. She was determined to do something about Lycan. But, she couldn’t allow Angel or Ziek to get involved in this.

“No,” Raven snatched the phone from her. “You can not tell Angel or our brother about this.” Claire tried to get the phone back. “Think about it, if you tell them, they’ll act out of anger. Yes they might kill Lycan but at what cost. If Angel deals with it. Our secret would be blown and we’d both be killed.” She handed Claire back the phone. “Don’t send that text, I’m fine,” She took a deep breath. “I can handle this, just don’t drag Angel or our brother into it.”

“Fine,” Claire deleted the text. “Let’s get you cleaned up,” She dabbed at Raven’s busted lip with a wet cloth. She took out stitches and began stitching the wound on Raven’s leg shut. The needle was cloaked in some of Claire’s blood speeding up the healing process. “There,” She bit the thread with her canines.

The door to the cabin opened, Raven heard large footprints coming closer to her. The bathroom door opened, Alejandro stood at the doorway. He had some clothes for her in his hand. Raven took the clothes from him. “Thanks,” He replied with a nod and left. His eyes as they looked at her. They were filled with such sadness. As he was leaving. She noticed Claire sending harsh glares toward him. Did something happen between them?

“What’s the deal,” Raven unfolded the clothes and began putting on the black lace bra. “Alejandro has never done anything to anyone.” She stepped into the black lace panties slipping them on. “Did you guys have a fight?”

“I tried to stop Lycan but Alejandro punched me in the stomach and-.” Claire took a deep breath. “I think you get the picture.” Raven understood, one punch from Alejandro was more than enough to knock anyone out. “Also,” Claire closed the bathroom door and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I think the twins are hiding something from us.”

“Interesting,” Raven quickly put on the red tank top and distressed blue jeans. “This secret of theirs any idea as to what it could be?” She began fixing her hair. Claire didn’t answer. “Have you tried asking Jay about it, using a little,” She smirked. “Persuasion.” She hinted.

“I don’t think that’ll work this time,” Claire admitted. “Jay almost let it slip but Jayson stopped him.” She began treating Raven’s bruises. “I’ve never seen him so angry at his brother before.” She added. “If that wasn’t enough,” She turned on the water and wiped Raven’s eyes to hide the fact she had been crying. “Alejandro didn’t even bother to stop Jayson from hurting his brother.”

“I take it even, he doesn’t want us to know.” Raven helped Claire pack up her med kit.

This secret of theirs, Raven couldn’t help but feel like there was a connection. This one secret connected her, Alejandro and The twins. Not only that Lycan played a part too. He said that she wasn’t the only woman who tried to kill him. Which meant there was another, the question is who is she and what happened to her?

“I think it’s a person,” Claire added. “Earlier, Jay was about to say a name but,” She shrugged. “That’s pretty much all I got.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Raven walked into Lycan’s bedroom pulling back the curtain. Night had befallen the campsite. Outside, the twins were racing to the stream to take a bath. Perhaps this time, she would brave a bath with the twins. “I’m going to get cleaned up, if Lycan comes back to discuss the wedding. Tell him, I’ll be right back.”

“But um, it’s the twin’s bathtime,” Claire added.

“I know,” Raven smirked and left the cabin.

The twins might be able to keep secrets from Claire but they weren’t going to be able to hide things from her. She’d get them to talk one way or another. She gathered her bath supplies from her tent and followed Jay and Jayson to the stream. She hid behind some bushes listening in on their conversation.

“You’re such an idiot.” Jayson flicked Jay’s nose. “I can’t believe you almost told Claire about the thing.” Jay rubbed his nose. “We agreed as a pack to bury it, so. Don’t bring it up again. What’s done is done, got it?”

“I understand it’s just,” Jay shrugged. “I just feel like it’d be easier if they knew. I mean come on, Raven is literally going through the-,” He stopped in mid sentence. Why did he stop? Raven moved the bush aside to take a look before she could. She felt a warm hand touch her shoulder. She jumped and turned around. -This person is, it’s…-

“Alejandro,” Raven gasped. “You scared me.” She placed her hand on her chest. “I was not prepared for that. We should get you a bell.” She joked. “I was just here to take a bath. I know the twins are here and I was thinking,” She shrugged. “I might risk it.” She faked a laugh. “It could help us bond together as a pack.”

Alejandro started to rub his chin. She could tell he was giving this situation some deep thought. Which could only mean he knew she was up to something. Still even if she were. What was he going to-. Alejandro shrugged his broad shoulders and with a snap of a button his pants wrinkled at his ankles. He threw them aside and slid off his boxers right in front of her like it was no big deal. Except it was. A very big deal.

Once Raven’s navy blue eyes got a glimpse of the sculpted flesh of their powerful Beta fully unclothed. She couldn’t help herself. Her sight took a deadly turn to his fully exposed pride. She couldn’t believe the size of his, she had never seen one so...big. She forced a nervous swallow as the Beta walked slowly past her.

. “Holy shit,” Jayson exclaimed. “Make room bro,” He pushed Jay aside. “Alejandro’s going to join us.” He kept pushing Jay aside. “This never happens.” Raven let out a deep sigh. It never happens because he normally bathes alone. That is unless someone tries to get his boys to talk about something he doesn’t want them to talk about. Now, he can keep an eye on them and make sure the secret doesn’t get out.

“Well played,” Raven smirked. However, she wasn’t going to be defeated that easily. She’d get them to talk even with Alejandro present. She took off her jeans and her tank top and came out of the bushes in her white lace undergarments. “Hey boys, mind if I-,” She unhooked her bra showing off her breasts. Jayson’s mouth unhinged and his cheeks turned dark red at the mere sight of them. “Join you,” She twirled her bra on finger and threw it at Jayson’s face.

“Best day of my life,” Jayson yelled. “Heck yeah, you can join us.” He started pushing Alejandro over. “Move man, Raven has to bathe next to me.” Alejandro growled and flicked his nose making it bleed. “Ou, what was that for?” He covered his nose.

“That’s what you get for pushing.” Jay splashed Jayson in the face. “Don’t worry dad,” He placed his hand on his shoulder. “I got your-,” Jayson jumped at Jay tackling him. “Get off me,” He kept punching Jayson’s ribs trying to escape a headlock. “Dad, Dad, get him off me, get him off me, he’s hurting me.” He screamed.

Alejandro let out a deep sigh. He grabbed Jayson picking him up and set him by his right side close to the corner. He then moved Jay to his left side and then motioned Raven to bathe next to Jay. She took off her panties and joined them taking her place by Jay. She figured he was less likely to mess with her seeing as he has a crush on her sister.

“Man,” Jayson began scrubbing his skin. “I wanted to bathe next to Raven.” He growled at Jay. “Dad, this isn’t fair how come Jay gets to-,” Alejandro growled at him baring his sharp canines at him. “But,” He snarled at him, Jayson let out a deep sigh. “Fine, it’s not like it matters. She belongs to Lycan anyway.”

“I don’t belong to Lycan,” Raven corrected him. “I’m not his prize.” She lowered her head into the water soaking her beautiful black hair in water. “I have no intention of being his. More importantly, I’ve always wondered something.” She glared at Jayson, Jay and Alejandro. “Did the three of you know what was going on?” They didn’t answer. “I’ll ask again, did you guys know what Lycan was going to do to me?” There was a long silence. “So you knew, you knew he was going to rape me and you chose to do nothing about it.” She rolled her eyes and started to leave the stream.

“Raven, please,” Jay grabbed her hand, she jerked her hand away. “It’s not that simple, it’s not that we didn’t want to do anything. It’s that we couldn’t.” He lowered his head. “If I could’ve done something, don’t you think I would have. Your Claire’s sister,” He forced a swallow. “She means the world to me if I could do anything to help her protect her sister. I would do it in a heartbeat just so Claire wouldn’t have to. You don’t understand,” She watched as tears dripped from his eyes. He was trying to fight them but couldn’t.

“I understand that you guys stood there and did nothing.” Raven ran her finger across her eye. Damn it, the tears were starting to fall. She thought she was over this, over the pain Lycan caused her in that Cabin. It was still there like a dagger in her heart. “You guys didn’t do a damn thing. The way I see it, it’s just as much your fault as it is his. At least Claire tried.” She wiped more tears from her eyes. “How long?” She asked. Once again, they wouldn’t answer her. “How long have you known about Lycan’s intentions?”

“Since that day, he first laid his eyes on you at the campsite.” Jayson answered. “I could never forget that look,” He closed his eyes. “Raven, you don’t get it, you have no idea what it’s like being raised on the pack rules. It’s all we know,” he confessed. “We were raised to follow them even as kids.”

“The Alpha’s order is absolute.” Jay spoke as if he were reading straight from the Werewolf handbook. “Anyone who goes against his command has to be dealt with. Breaking even one command is punishable by death.” He explained. “We exist to serve him nothing more nothing less. That is the code we are bound by.”

“So what,” Jayson challenged. “You just expect us to throw away everything we’ve ever known just to save you.” He forced a swallow. “No thanks, I know what happens when you break code.” He lowered his head. “We grew up knowing what that was like and how bad it can get. Believe me,” His eyes started to water. “You do not want to be on the other end of that stick. It’ll pierce your heart like a knife cutting deeper than any blade. It’ll make you wish you were dead and hate yourself for even existing. So yeah,” He hitched a small laugh. “I’m sorry I didn’t jump in and save your ass.” He got out of the water and walked away.

Raven stood there watching as Jayson left. This wasn’t like him, he normally jumped at the idea of bathing with her. He wouldn’t pass it up for anything. He was really beating himself up over not helping her. So much that he couldn’t stand to look at her. In fact, both him and Jay were struggling with what happened. She knew then if they could have done something, they would have.

“Okay fine so your hands were tied.” Raven reasoned. “Still if you want to help I need something.” Her navy blue eyes shifted to Alejandro. “I’m not stupid, I saw your eyes when I walked into that Cabin. Moments before Lycan did what he did.” She stood across from the Beta. “It was like you were looking through me and at someone else. Which tells me, this has happened before to another woman. So, who is she?” She asked.

It didn’t surprise her that the Beta had no response. He never talks but still. She knew there was something between him and this woman. Something that made him see that woman when he looked at her. Something that broke his heart to the point. He could no longer speak. This woman’s story was the key to her freedom and she needed to know it.

“Nothing, nothing at all,” Raven took a deep breath. “I need to know something, anything, about this woman.” She glanced over at Jay. “She survived this somehow she got free of Lycan and I need to know how she did it. Even if she didn’t, there’s got to be something from her story that will help me. Please,” She grabbed Alejandro’s arm. “Give me something, I can’t deal with Lycan anymore. I need a way out so please help me.” She begged.

“Sorry but,” Jay let out a sigh. “Her story is not one that needs to be told.” He lowered his head. “You won’t like the ending.” He said softly. He went to touch her shoulder, she smacked his hand and got out of the water. Raven quickly put her clothes on and left. She was upset, the twins were no help at all. Figures, not like she could count on them for-.

“Wait,” Jay grabbed her shoulder making her face him. He was wearing nothing but a pair of blue boxers. His hair was soaking wet as was the rest of his body. He was in such a hurry, he didn’t even bother to dry off. “I’m glad you left the stream now,” He pulled her in for a hug. He slowly brought his lips to her ear. “I can help you.” He whispered. “I want your story to be different from hers. I was too young to do anything about it back then.” Raven noticed Alejandro’s scent getting closer. “I was afraid but this time, it has to be different.” Jay forced a swallow. “Raven, listen carefully, there’s not much time.” She nodded. “Two words,” He held up two fingers. “Marry Lycan.” Alejandro grabbed Jay’s shoulder and pointed to the tent. He winked at Raven and left.

“What?” Raven went to pursue Jay but stopped when Alejandro glared at her. It was like he knew Jay had told her something, he shouldn’t have. Even so, Raven didn’t understand. Why would Jay want her to marry Lycan? What good would that do? It’s what Lycan wants. Still, Jay risked getting in trouble by the Beta to tell her that. So he had to have a good reason for telling her. She just had to trust him.