Raven has spent her life as a forgotten omega, kept alive only by the ruthless will of Lady Morgana, who needs her to save her only son, Alpha Orion. A prophecy foretold that only a hybrid wolf from the mysterious Shadowclaw Clan could cure the madness that threatens to consume him. But the prophecy came at a terrible price-Orion's father led a massacre that destroyed Raven's entire clan, leaving her as the lone survivor. Raised as a tool to fulfill the prophecy, Raven grew into her role, never realizing that destiny would bind her to Orion in a way neither could escape. When she was revealed as his fated mate, joy quickly turned to despair. Trapped between his mother's expectations and his spiraling sanity, Orion rejected her, igniting a series of painful events that would alter both their lives forever. Now, with war looming and another Alpha vying for her heart, Raven must confront a tangled web of love, betrayal, and survival. As long-buried secrets rise to the surface, Orion's descent into madness threatens to destroy not only their bond but the future of the entire pack. Torn between the mate who rejected her and the Alpha who offers her a new beginning, Raven must make an impossible choice.
Chapter 1 1
Raven's POV
The moonlight filtered through the trees, bathing the courtyard in pale silver. Raven stood at the edge of the balcony, her fingers brushing against the cold stone railing. The wind rustled the leaves below, carrying with it the scent of pine and earth. A welcome relief from the stale air inside the castle. Yet, nothing could wash away the heaviness pressing down on her chest.
She closed her eyes, breathing in the cool night air, as her thoughts spiraled into a familiar darkness. The prophecy. Her purpose.
Her life had never been her own. Since the day Lady Morgana had taken her in-an orphaned child, the sole survivor of a massacre-she had lived only to fulfill a single task: to save Orion.
Orion.
Her heart stuttered at the thought of him. The man she was bound to by fate, yet the one person who could never truly be hers.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and she sighed, stepping away from the railing.
"Come in," she called softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
The door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside-a familiar, tall shape with broad shoulders and a tense posture. The expression on his face mirrored the frustration she felt deep within her soul.
It was Kieran, the castle's healer. A man who had always treated her with kindness, yet whose eyes now held the same burden she carried.
"Raven," Kieran began, his voice gruff. "Lady Morgana wishes to see you."
Raven nodded without a word. She knew why.
"Of course," she said, her tone flat, betraying none of the dread that welled up inside her.
Kieran hesitated, then stepped closer, his gaze searching hers. "Are you all right?"
She didn't meet his eyes, instead turning her gaze to the moonlight once more. "It's the same every time, Kieran. I know what's coming."
A long silence stretched between them. Raven knew he understood. They had both been witnesses to the unraveling of the prophecy. Neither of them had ever been allowed to forget what her purpose was.
"You don't have to do this alone," he finally said, his voice softer now, tinged with concern.
"I don't have a choice," she replied, her words brittle. "I never did."
Kieran's eyes softened, and for a moment, Raven could almost see the hesitation in his face. He wanted to protect her-she could feel it in his touch, in the way he always stood just a little too close. But he couldn't.
No one could.
"I'll walk with you," Kieran said.
Raven nodded, and together, they made their way down the stone corridor toward Lady Morgana's chambers. The castle was eerily quiet, save for the distant howls of wolves in the forest beyond the walls.
Lady Morgana's chambers were lavishly decorated, every inch of the room a testament to her wealth and influence. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting long shadows on the walls. Lady Morgana herself sat in her grand chair, her sharp eyes locking onto Raven the moment she entered.
"You've kept me waiting long enough," Lady Morgana said coldly, her tone carrying the weight of authority. "You know the significance of tonight, don't you?"
Raven felt her stomach tighten, but she didn't flinch. "Yes, Lady Morgana," she said, her voice steady.
"I've summoned you to make one thing clear," Lady Morgana continued, her gaze piercing. "The prophecy must be fulfilled. You must be ready to claim your mate. Do you understand?"
Raven swallowed hard. "Yes, my lady."
A cruel smile tugged at Lady Morgana's lips. "Good. Then you'll understand why I won't tolerate any more hesitation."
The weight of the words hung heavy in the air, like a dark cloud waiting to strike. Raven knew what Lady Morgana was implying. The bond between her and Orion had been foretold-an undeniable connection that would save him from the madness that plagued him. But it was never meant to be a bond born of love.
No, the prophecy had made sure of that.
Raven was nothing more than a tool. A means to an end.
Lady Morgana's gaze softened slightly, but the glint of command never left her eyes. "Orion will need you, Raven. And when the time comes, you will not fail him."
Raven nodded, swallowing back the bitter taste in her mouth. She had heard these words countless times before, but they never lost their sting.
"I will do my duty," she whispered.
Lady Morgana stood from her chair, her steps light and graceful as she approached Raven. "Good. You may go now."
Raven didn't hesitate this time. She turned on her heel and left the room, Kieran following silently behind her.
They didn't speak as they walked down the corridor, but the tension between them was palpable. Raven's mind raced with a thousand thoughts, but one word echoed through her mind louder than the rest: destiny.
No matter how she tried to deny it, Raven knew her path was already set.
Orion's POV
Orion paced in the dimly lit room, the shadows playing tricks on his mind. His thoughts were tangled, his senses dulled by the constant fog of madness that gnawed at the edges of his consciousness.
It had been weeks since he had seen Raven-since he had rejected her. The rejection had been a necessary choice, one made out of fear and duty. Lady Morgana's expectations had always loomed over him, suffocating him, dictating every decision he made.
But despite his best efforts to push her away, Orion couldn't escape the memory of Raven's face. The way her eyes had pleaded with him. He had seen the pain in her gaze, felt it in his own chest.
But he had no choice. The prophecy had been clear. His mother had made sure of that.
Orion's claws dug into the stone floor as he stopped in his tracks, his breath coming in shallow gasps. The madness inside him stirred, violent and untamed, a constant reminder of the destruction he was capable of.
He couldn't lose control-not again.
Yet, every time he thought of Raven, the pull between them was undeniable.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts, and Orion turned to face it.
"Enter," he commanded, his voice harsh and strained.
The door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside-a shadowed silhouette that carried the weight of both familiarity and unease.
It was Lady Morgana.
"You've been brooding again, I see," she said, her voice cold but not without amusement.
Orion said nothing.
"You'll have to face her soon," Lady Morgana continued, her eyes narrowing. "You know that, don't you?"
He nodded reluctantly, his throat tight.
"You will not fail me, Orion. This must be done-for both your sake and the pack's."
"I don't want her to be a part of this," he said, his voice raw with emotion.
Lady Morgana's eyes flashed dangerously. "You don't have a choice, my son. She is the key to your salvation, and you will claim her."
Chapter 1 1
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Chapter 2 2
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Chapter 3 3
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Chapter 4 4
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Chapter 5 5
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Chapter 6 6
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Chapter 7 7
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Chapter 8 8
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Chapter 9 9
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Chapter 10 10
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Chapter 11 11
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Chapter 12 12
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Chapter 13 13
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Chapter 14 14
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Chapter 15 15
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Chapter 16 16
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Chapter 17 17
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