Ravenblood

Chapter 5

Monica

Before the bell tolls, you shall be history.

I jolted awake, slowly taking in my surroundings. I was still chained to the gates of the dungeon, and a gag wrapped around my lips.

I looked to the tiny window at the west side of the dungeon; the sun had risen over the horizon, filtering the world in golden light. That would make it an hour to eight. I contemplated how to retrieve the pin, lying across the room. I was six footsteps away from it, so it would take a lot of stretching to reach the targeted objects. And the chains that shackled me to the gates weren’t helping matters.

I had to try. No matter what, I just had to try and not die trying. Reaching for the pin again, I ignored the throbbing pain at my ankles as the chain bit into the skin, anchoring me in place. I willed my muscles to be flexible, stretching like a serpent to retrieve the tiny piece of freedom across me.

Almost. Almost.

The chains yanked me back, harder than before. Tears pricked as I took back farther from my formal position and far away from the pin. Frustrating mounting, I slammed my hands against the wall, took the metal b*****e, and tried to break it apart away from me. All my efforts were futile. I groaned miserably.

Again.

So it became a routine-a back and forth; Stretching to take the pin just to be dragged back by the chains, doing a pretty good job at what it was designed for. This went on for hours until a final push- the one powered by the rage flowing through my blood- the tips of my fingers touched the pin. I let out a laugh of relief as I took it and , ridiculously kissing the tiny treasure.

Now get to work.

I slid the tip of the pin into the lock, screwing it around until finally, I heard that satisfying click, signifying it had come off. I laughed, oddly grateful for the moments Veronica had forcefully confined me in a room, shaping my skills to break free. Now, I was reaping the fruit of my labor. I tiptoed to the gate, not wanting to alert the guards.

Minutes to six.

A surge of adrenaline burst through me as I ran as fast as I could- from the prison gates into the bouts of freedom. Fear chilled my blood as my feet raced me into the outskirts of the Royal house but I didn’t let it engulf me, instead, I let it increase my speed. I ran as my legs could take me, I was about to reach the gate when I slammed into a large body. I struggled to break from its grip. I would not be captured again, I would fig-

“Be still!” The voice boomed, seizing me to a stop. Not because of the authority that lay in it but for the familiarity.

I looked up, locking gazes with the dark-red eyes of Alpha Alexandro Caphile-my mate. The one who rejected me.

“You-“ I was startled.

“What. Are. You. Doing. Here?” He asked, his voice containing a certain chill that intensified my fear.

“He-The man-“ I stammered, then snarled, “I was taken by a man who keeps threatening to offer my blood to a god before the bell tolls, please help me” tears rolled

With a heavy sigh, he took my hand, guiding me back to the place I had just escaped from. I became hesitant

He looked back at me, confused at my hesitation. “If you need my help, you’re going to have to trust me, omega. Now, come with me.”

Reluctantly, I took his hand as he guided me back into the palace, halting his guards as they drew their swords. To do what? Kill me? I was the victim for heaven's sake.

I sat on the huge settee while he offered me a blanket for warmth.

He listened attentively as I gave details of my captivity- from being sold by my stepmother to my days spent at the dungeon.

“And this man, would you be able to recognize him if you saw him?” He asked.

“Yes,” I nodded.

Alexandro

I was supposed to be at the Royal house thirty minutes ago but because of the trembling beauty in front of me, I chose to delay. Until she calms down at least.

I wasn’t going to let her go. Or let anything happen to her.

“I have to be at my crowning,” I told her, “Till then, remain in this room. You’ll be safe with the guards.” When I saw the look of uncertainty on her face, I ran my fingers over her tears dotingly, “Relax. I won’t let anything bad happen to you”

“You care.” She said and I knew what she was referring to

“Of course I do.” I caressed her face, “I’m sor-“

“Xandro, the crowd and members of the Royal court await you. What is taking so long- '' Falcon, my Beta stopped in his tracks as soon his gaze landed on the girl. I didn’t miss the way his face paled after that.

A gasp escaped her lips as sprang to her feet, “You- He-The man-“

“What is she on about?” Falcon frowned.

I ignored him and faced her, “He is the one?”

“The…one- what are you talking about” His brow scrunched in a deeper frown.

“You are the man who bought me!” She cried out, “ And kept me in the dungeon for days!”

“What?! What the hell are you talking about?” He raged, “How dare you?! “

“Silence, Falcon!” I ordered.

“Silence? Silence?! Are you going to believe her words over mine? Me who has been by you for years to a feeble, bird-brained omega? Are you kidding me, Xandro? Come on” He was perplexed.

“Where have you been?” I asked quietly.

“What?”

“You weren’t there at the mating ceremony. For three days, I haven’t seen your presence in this palace and you were absent from the meetings for the preparations of the royal court. So where. were. you” I asked again.

“I- Goodness” He ran his hands through his hair, trying to tame his anger, “I was at the settlement in Edengar, to resolve their famine issue. I was your delegate seeing you were busy in the affairs of the coronation for god’s sake. I didn’t come until this morning, what is the meaning of this?!”

“You were at Vale?” I asked.

“Yes,” He spat.

“And you didn’t arrive until this morning?”

“Yes! You should be dealing with her rather than asking these bloody questions.” He spat.

“Funny. I went to Vale yesterday to request you and I was told you weren’t there. Only to come back,” My face darkened “To find leaving the dungeon at night”

I knew I had him right where I needed him when blood drained from his face.

“I’m going to ask you again, Falcon and I expect the truth. Where have you been?”

His eyes snapped between me and Monica crazily then in a fast move, he aimed at Monica, smiling maniacally as the dagger pierced her skin.

Her sharp cry willed my bones to snap, transitioning from human to wolf. Rage shrouded me as I lunged at him with unbridled violence. I slammed his head against the ceramic floors, ready to rip his throat out, but he hurled me across the room with matching violence.

We snarled and gnarled, driven by the primal urge to m**m and kill. One of us was going to die and hearing Monica whimper in pain, I would ensure it was him.

But it seemed I wasn’t done as the guards that I had entrusted to Monica in their care, surrounded me like a predator to its prey.

They are against me too?

“Not only them. But us”

My eyes snapped to the members of the Royal court. My Royal court. The ones whom I thought were loyal were against me.

“We won’t have a product of your father’s h******y ascend the throne,” A member said, “Once this girl’s potent blood ensures Falcon’s legitimacy to ascend the throne, your head shall have the pike as its new body. Take the girl.”

I snarled, surging at them but pain erupted as claws swiped at my back. I howled in pain

“No!” Monica cried as she was bundled by the guards.

A woman emerged from them, fixing her cold eyes on me. “You’re going to pay for doing that to my brother. Dearly”

Monica

“Veronica?” I looked at her in disbelief, “You-how could you?”

“Because I can” She smiled then slapped me with her switch, “Now be f*****g quiet, and you, take her” she ordered the guards.

Bleeding heavily, I was led to the guillotine in the dungeon- to my death. Alexandro must have been murdered by now.

Smiles plastered on their faces as they witnessed my downfall. Falcon held the blade, whispering to my ears, “Close your eyes, girl. This will be swift.

And I did, thinking of the happy times I spent in this world even though it was short-lived. The blade came down, poised to decapitate in a clean move. But I was taken out before it had the chance.

Alexandro. He had saved me.

My eyes darted to his captors- torn apart in their pool of blood. It happened so fast; a pack of wolves tore the perpetrators apart, heads flew, and bodies dropped like flies. It was a cold war.

“It’s okay, you’re safe. You’re safe” With his soothing words, I surrounded into the realm of unconsciousness

Same time the bell tolled.

Alexandro

Each of them was secured to the pillory at the bottom of the frame, their necks held in position below the blade.

“Falcon” I growled, “Why?”

“All…my life,” Falcon coughs out blood, “I have always been second. Beta to the king, I was pronounced. If Alphas had immaculate strength, were quick-witted and vigilant. One might question the need for a Beta. So I had to step up, and aim higher- becoming king. While the throne was restricted to the heir, I believed that with the help of a god, anyone could ascend. If offering raven blood was the price for such assistance, then yes, I would willingly pay it!” He spat.

“And my mate was the one for that? I raged

“Oh please, don’t act like you care. You rejected her!”

“The punishment for treason is death, you know that? I will see to it that you’re given a brutal one.” I signaled the guards.

The blades came down at one and Falcon and his acquaintances were history.

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

Monica

Since Alexandro and I united, all we’ve done is share soft kisses and tender caresses. On this special night, we finally consummated our love. He dropped me on the bed, taking his time studying every inch of my body with lustful eyes. Then he swooped down on me, devouring my lips with every ounce of hunger and raw lust that coursed through his veins. He pulled me closer to his touch, deepening the kiss as I moaned against his lips, “ You’re beautiful. Every inch of you is beautiful.”

Then, he slid inside me slowly.

I went mad with need, raking my fingers down his back and wrapping my legs around his hips.

I let all the decorum out the window as he took me. He grunted as his pace turned fast and the bed rocked along with us. The night was quiet and the only sound that existed was our panting, moans, groans, and joining bodies. And when we finally reached that peak of pleasure, he groaned and I moaned- staking our mark on each other. Finalizing the claim.

Under the glowing moonlight, we found solace in each other’s arms.