Ravenblood

Chapter 4

Her eyes mirrored the depths of the ocean, its color, the clearest color of the summer sky-sweet and sensational. I was drawn into it, lost within the depths of her ocean eyes. Not just her eyes but her whole appearance; Her auburn hair was wild like cackling flames, but flowed with the serenity of the wind as it blew it in different directions, framing a face that caught fall a thousand at her feet.

She was beautiful. Too beautiful to be true.

She moved with liquid beauty, every step taken with so much elegance and purity as a bride would a groom. Her white sundress flapped behind her as she approached me until finally stood in my sight.

My hands touched the delicate features of her face- tracing the lines and softness that morphed into the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. She laughed at the way I caressed her skin, the sound of it enticing him to the very core.

“What is your name?” I asked this angel.

“Your mate” She looked at me, “Your chosen, Alpha. Now, claim me.

I jerked up from my sleep.

It had become a routine now; sleep and dream of doting on the strange girl when in reality, it was a different chapter.

One that starts with a rejection. By me.

I didn’t mean to be a brat but I can’t afford to jeopardize all that I have worked hard to achieve.

Striving over my father’s will to disinherit from the throne-the flimsy reason being that I was an illegitimate child as If I were who w****d himself out - to ascend the throne as his flimsy legal heir didn’t have the guts to head a Kingdom.

The highest in the continent.

Woe betide them all. As weak as an omega.

The one whom you rendered to abject humiliation.

I grunted angrily, shaking my head in an attempt to get rid of her in my head.

This is the tenth I have dreamt of this girl, in her captivating beauty- different places, different times.

And the remaining hours of the day? I spent thinking about her.

Even in her disarrayed state, she looked like an angel.

A beauty to behold with full pink lips that I want to kiss all day.

Alright, that’s enough.

Monica

My stay at the bawdy house was short-lived. before I was sold to a man to keep his bed warm. From a daughter of a noble family to a slave and now a p********e “Nice” I thought to myself as I prepared myself to be taken away as ordered by Phillp; owner of the brothel. I just feel indifferent at this point, this is my fate so I will just accept it. No need to fight. “Hurry up! He doesn't have all day to wait for you” Phillips yells as he bangs the door of my room.

“Spare me a minute please” I answered nervously

I have never been with a man before

The fact that my first time has to be this way makes my anxiety hit the roof. A wave of sadness hits me, knowing that this is my reality.

A black carriage was waiting for me as I reached the outside the tavern.

“Are you the one that I am to be with tonight? ” I asked

“Yes, come on in Monica” a deep voice answered from the carriage

As I climbed to enter the carriage, my heart started beating loudly and rapidly; “I am taken away by a strange man” All I could think of was the worst but I didn't have a choice.

I could barely see the face of the man as he wore a hat that almost covered his face. But I could see his chiseled jawline “Good evening sir”

No answer.

Well, so much for being courteous, I guess. We traveled far. I mean, five days away, I couldn't even ask questions; I had no right to do so. All I could do was wonder and worry. We crossed bridges of the Cannon River and trodden the path of numerous forests. To say I was terrified, was an understatement but I did not have the right to ask any questions.

Suddenly the carriage stops, and the black hat man alights from the carriage.

“Welcome to Edengar,” he said

Wait what! I am in Edengar.

I have heard of the impossible being achieved, and arriving at Edengar wasn’t among them.

The carriage came to a stop, arousing a new wave of curiosity in me, mentally asking myself what was to happen next.

Then the strange man helped me out of the carriage to a view in front of me that exceeded my expectations.

I fashioned a cottage, a single or two-story house made of wood, a tenement, or even a row house. What I had not expected was to stand in front of the palace of Edengar- The highest royal house in Carvidol.

The one ruled by Alpha Xandro- my mate.

What was I doing here?

“Come on” He patted my back.

I glared at him, not moving a single inch.

“Either you come in willingly or hassled by the guards, your choice girl,” He said coldly, keeping his canary eyes on me and daring me to rebel.

I moved reluctantly, pausing in between my footsteps until he shoved me into the palace.

We got a room I assumed was his chambers, settled me on his bed, and started undressing. A sense of panic surged through me as I guessed his next action, thinking of the horrid way he would take me- r**e me.

“Relax, I do not plan to lay with you” He smirked,

“Do not speak unless spoken to” He wore another robe, with a symbol; boldly written “B”, stylized and hand-drawn with lines thick and geometric, with sharp angles, symbolizing strength and speed.

He was Falcon-A Beta, secondhand to the king.

“Remain in this place until I return from my daily duties” He chuckled, “You have no other choice but to do so, after all”

The meaning of his words made sense as soon as I heard the click of the door, indicating that he had sealed It, imprisoning me.

From frying pan to fire.

Wonderful.

**********************************

I was in the middle of nowhere, trapped in the eerie night where the only sound that echoed was the sound of my beating heart. I tried to speak but no words came out, my vision was clouded by the darkness, not a single in sight.

Where am I?

Suddenly fear clung to me like a shroud as the unsettling chorus of unknown voices chanted “Ravenblood! Ravenbloods”

My legs moved before my body, willing to sprint as fast as I could away from those voices but the chorus intensified, causing chaos in my head.

Before I knew it, I was falling into oblivion, descending into hell.

Flames engulfed my surroundings, so hot it sizzled my skin. Screams tore out from my throat but no sound came out, everything stilled to perfect silence.

Then a chilling figure emerged, seizing my neck in a vice-like grip, prophesying; “Time will come when the weakest with the most potent shall quench my hunger and that moment is nigh. He sank his claws into my neck and tore out my throat.

A scream capable of shattering window panes wrenched from my lips as I jerked awake. The condescending nightmare echoed in my brain, the horrid image of my throat being ripped outplayed with my sanity. A week has gone by and I'm still in the royal palace. Ever since I got to the palace, I have been having serious nightmares that make me afraid of sleeping the next night. They felt so real and horrid. My whole body trembles each time I wake up from an episode of a nightmare. Sleeping became a torment instead of a relaxing activity.

On this fateful night, I saw the figure dressed in black apparel, I knew I was wrong. At first, I paid no mind to it, thinking it was my mind playing tricks on me but when the light flickered in the chambers flickered and the dark figure appeared again, I realized that my recovery was short-lived. The faint sounds of the thunderstorm echoed in the halls as I walked through it, following the path of the ghost. The sound of the door creaking sent shivers down my spine. It opened slowly, revealing a huge library, stacked with thousands of books. With a shaky breath, I stepped into the library, looking at the huge structure and a thousand books. The sound of books shuffling snapped my head towards its direction. Books stacked neatly on top of each other, descended to the floor by unknown forces until a book, adorned in a shimmering blue cover, remained on the desk. Blood drained from my face at the startling sight in the mirror: a red painting adorned with the ominous words, "The moment draws nigh." Next to it stood a dark figure, distinct from the ones in my dreams—a feminine silhouette.

I jumped as a heavy hand touched my shoulder.

“Whoa, it’s me” Falcon raised his hand in surrender, “Are you okay?”

“There was-“ I gasped as everything reverted to its normal size; books stacked neatly and the mirror as clear as crystal.

“I thought I saw something,” I said.

“Have you been taking the potion?” He asked.

I nodded, keeping my eyes on the desk.

“Maybe it’s all in your head. Go get some rest”

But it wasn’t all in my head and I definitely couldn’t get some rest.

Because the nightmare that night was more horrendous than the others. This time I was butchered and fed to an ugly-looking creature.

I screamed from my sleep and wept

“What is happening to me, I cannot get a good sleep no more” I weeped

I felt a sharp pain in my neck, I hurried to the mirror to see another scar on the right side of my neck; “another one” I signed. Each time I get those nightmares, I wake up with bruises.

I need answers, perhaps there is something in those books that can help me out. So I headed to the library. The library of Edengar. It is the biggest library on the continent and has been in Edengar for centuries. Each written book in this library is connected with the history of Carvidol.

Maybe if I search thoroughly I would be able to find solutions to my problems. Falcon was not with me that night, according to him, he had night duties to attend to.

Hours passed, and nothing about the dreams was nowhere to be found.

Frustrated, I threw the books in despair.

“What am I supposed to be looking for?” I huffed.

Sighing heavily, I gazed at the huge, mahogany desk in the center of the library. The trance. Solutions. Feminine figure. Scattered books except one.

The blue book!

I rushed to the desk, scattering the books until the blue novel came into view. Opening the book, I began reading the first chapter. “Deeds of the Past: Carvidol’s Edition.”

It read;

“A long time ago, before werewolves became an entity and the night sky was an artwork of stars that bloomed within it, was a goddess; a celestial being whose image and power were enchanted with the elements of a natural satellite called a moon.

She was called Luna, the moon goddess.

It was said that in the midnight hours, goodness roamed the world, seeking a place to craft her ethereal beings. A unique race created under the mystical glow of the moon. A long time she sought for a perfect stance- could have taken decades, centuries, even. Until one night basked in transcending light, she encountered a land full of noble wolves, their howls shook the earth from its core, and their snarls, wild and untamed.

It pleased her.

So then, she gathered moonbeams and shadows, weaving them into a spell that was infused by the essence of the moon itself. In the heart of this mysterious forest, she bestowed her magic unto them, saying;

“ As pale and feeble as the mortals in form but inside, shall lay your unhinged animal. This, I declare unto my creations, collide into an entity!” All of sudden, the wolves were engulfed in luminous light, soon, they felt the moon’s energy, coursing through their veins and connecting them to the goddess. Then the moon glowed usually radiant, so bright it could block one’s vision. That’s when the howls grew louder, accompanied by the sound of bones snapping rapidly, unnerving. A while later, the howls seized to a stop, and thousands of naked humans lay beneath, confused about their new appearance. She smiled, a wave of satisfaction washing over her.

Luna called them werewolves; guardians of the night. So the history of werewolves was made; creatures who could shift between their lupine forms to a human guise. Pleased with her creation, she granted them the ability to harness the moon’s power in the form of strength and agility, wisdom and knowledge. In the celestial realm where the moon goddess reigned, she decided to bestow her werewolf kin with a sense of unity and purpose. To achieve this, she divided the lunar into continents governed by unique essences; Valencia, Carvidol, Eldridge, Eldoria, and Mar.

Within this extraterrestrial arrangement, Luna established a hierarchical structure to maintain balance and order. They were categorized as; Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omega- ranks differentiated by responsibilities and significance.

Now in Carvidol, a land saturated in the mystical aura of the moon, five packs flourished under this continent; Edengar, Cardery, Archar, and Orja were the pillars of Carvidol, each pack representing a distinct facet of the werewolf culture.

Everything was good and serene on the continent.

However there was a certain rule that came with a warning; The trinities embellished in the Cave of Mystery- Ravenblood, Phoenix Stone, and the Furnace of Flames. These sacred elements were the life strings of the werewolf packs. A decree was made by Luna Stater that they remain untouched by the hands of any, for they held the delicate balance that sustained Cravidol. Once invaded, lives would be lost.

That was when the problem ensued.

The legends of Ravenblood’s immaculate strength became a tantalizing whisper that echoed through the discontented hearts of the Omegas. Dissatisfied by their status, a group of them dared to invade the cave of wonders where the potent blood lay.

Under the shroud of darkness, they ventured into the night and snuck into the Cave of Wonders where the trinities were safeguarded. Ignoring the consequences of their actions, these omegas eloped with the vessel of the raven’s blood.

As the stolen vessel was consumed, the moon goddess sensed the breach in the sacred balance. Anguish and fury erupted within her, shaking the very foundations of Carvidol. The wrath unleashed was a tempest of celestial force that came in from catastrophic storms, fires, and quakes that ravaged Cravidol.

The blood that coursed through the rebellious omega granted them power beyond imagination. But at what cost? The lives of innocent souls?

The consequences of their actions unfold in cruel irony. The blood that flowed through their vein was supposed for unimaginable strength rendering them weak and vulnerable.

Shunned by their fellow werewolves, the condemned Omegas became outcasts within their packs. The ravenbloods, they were nicknamed; tainted by the disobedience of those who had dared to defy the sacred decree, bore an enduring mark that signified their weakness.

They became a stigma”.

End of Chapter 1

So that was the reason for the mark on my neck.

flipping pages of the book until the drawing at the back caught my attention.

I opened the page, revealing the painting of the horrid creature that haunted my dreams.

“This” I tapped on the image, “This is the exact image of the thing haunting my dreams.” the note under the image read.

“Crestfallen by the state of their condition, a group of Omega sought a solution from Odin-god of wrath. He had a messenger, Harld- an interface between the people and Odin. He informed them that a way out of their misery was to produce one of their kind to satisfy Odin’s hunger.”

So they agreed and finalized the deal.

“Perhaps it’s the reason for my dreams. Maybe I am the next sacrifice to this god” I said as I felt a surge of hurt.

I quickly closed the book and ran back to the room. I met Falcon as soon as I opened the door; “where have you been Monica” he asked

“ umm… um… I am… I took a straw ” I stammered

“Oh I see, you shouldn't be doing that, without my orders have you forgotten so soon? He answered looking at me intensely

“I'm sorry, it won't happen again” I apologized

“ it better don't, I hate disobedient people,” he said as he proceeded to leave the room.

“Wait, I have a question ”

He nods permitting me to proceed

“Since we got here, you have not been with me, I guess that was what I was paid for. since you brought me from the bawdy house” I asked.

He looks at me for a moment and laughs hysterically.

“Well, that is because I have a better use of you, you are an omega with a raven's blood remember “ he looks at me mischievously. My heart sank, my body became cold.

“what… what… do you mean, sir? I started retracing my steps away from him.

“You cannot escape your destiny dear, you are going to be sacrificed to the Odin god”.

“you have no idea how long I have been waiting for this moment, the power, the fame, the wealth, the throne. all of these and more, I can achieve by shedding your precious blood” he said as he kept coming towards me.

I was trembling and sobbing silently, my knees became weak.

No. No.No.

“Take her to the dungeon ” he ordered

Two hefty men seized me, gagged my mouth, covered me in a sac, and dragged me like a thief to the dungeon.

“Before the bell tolls, you shall be history”

These were his last words to me as he left me in the darkness of the dungeon.

Alone.