Chapter Five: Revived Scars
1273 Words
RAVEN POV
I was asleep–or trying to be. It wasn't exactly restful, with all my old memories still battling it out in my head.
But it was something, the most I’d had since waking up in this goofed situation, stuck in Raven Craslow’s gorgeous but cursed body.
Then the noise started.
At first, it was just a faint bumping sound. Then came footsteps – lots of them, fast. Whispers in the hall. Dishes clanking. A peal of laughter.
My eyes flew open. The silky curtains above me swayed in the breeze from the open balcony. Outside, the night looked like a painting of silver mist and stars. Inside, though? Pure chaos.
I sat up, still sleepy, pulling the heavy velvet blanket around my shoulders and heading for the door.
What I saw made me stop short.
Maids. Dozens of them, rushing around the castle halls like ants after you kick their hill. Their shoes squeaked on the marble floors as they hauled flowers, silver plates, and piles of clothes.
Some were cleaning the huge crystal lights. Others were spreading fancy clothes on long tables in the dining room. One maid was lighting a candelabra that was the size of a small tree. Another was carrying a basket of spices toward the kitchen.
And it was midnight.
“What is going on?” I mumbled, stepping forward.
No one answered. Not even a quick look.
I walked up to one of them, a girl who looked maybe twenty, arranging lilies in a big glass vase.
“Hey, what's happening?” I asked, a little louder.
She dropped a flower. Looked away, flustered. “Sorry, Luna, busy now.” And she hurried off.
I just stood there. “Seriously?”
Down the stairs, the main entrance was shining with golden lights, and the big iron doors were wide open. People were bringing in cases of wine, and strange fruits, and huge boxes wrapped in fancy fabric.
The bare walls now had red and gold banners hanging on them. The whole place looked like a fairytale wedding in progress...except it was way past midnight, and I seemed to be the only one confused about it.
They're pretending I don't exist, again.
I told myself not to think about it, but that feeling of not belonging still hurts.
A few nights ago, I tried to make an effort. I'd brought a tray of tea to those same maids, trying to be friendly.
“Does anyone want to take a break?” I’d asked. “We could talk, play cards, something.”
They were not pleased.
“Just leave us alone, Luna,” One of them muttered.
Another chuckled. “We’re not your friends.”
I stood there feeling stupid, with the tea tray shaking in my hands.
They didn’t see me as their proper Luna. Just a washed-up celebrity. Or worse, a fake.
Raven was feared, not liked. And now, they probably think I'm weak. I took a breath. I'll take it.
But tonight, I didn't have patience for their rudeness.
I went down the side hallway, toward the old garden that Raven’s family had turned into a herb area. If anyone would actually talk to me, it'd be Elna.
Sure enough, I found her near the lavender and wolfsbane, wearing a shawl and pulling weeds like it was totally normal to do at this time.
“Elna!” I called out, rubbing the cold from my arms.
She turned, startled. “Luna! What are you doing out here?”
“What’s with all the commotion? Why is the whole castle lit up like it's some kind of festival?”
Elna stood up, wiping her hands on her apron. “Didn’t anyone tell you?”
“No.” They ignored me. Surprise.
She frowned. “Sorry about that. The Alpha told everyone to get everything ready.”
“Ready for what?”
Elna sighed. “His closest friend is coming to visit. Another Alpha.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Who?”
“I don’t know the name, just that he and his pack will be here by morning.”
I crossed my arms. “All this... for a friend?”
Elna looked away. “You know what Lord Ragnar is like.”
Ridiculous, I thought. Totally ridiculous.
He pretty much had the whole castle decorated like it was some kind of royal event – for a buddy? Who was he trying to impress?
I went back to my room, glaring at the flickering candles. I wanted to sleep, but it was impossible with all the noise: maids running around, cooks shouting, and the smell of food coming through the vents.
It was already 3 am.
When I finally started to drift off, the last thing I heard was the clink of a wine bottle.
Then – SMACK.
A slap.
I shot up, my heart racing.
My cheek stung, hot.
Before I could even think, I heard his voice.
“Don’t act weak now, Raven.”
Ragnar.
I turned, confused. “What are you–”
He shoved a piece of paper in my hand, and his voice was harsh.
“You’ll do these five things today. Mess up any of them, and Elna dies.”
I stared at him.
“You can't be serious..”
He raised his hand, and I flinched before I could stop myself.
His voice dropped, sounding dangerous. “One: Be quiet unless someone speaks to you. Two: Nod to everything you’re asked. Three: Admit you’re my Luna. Four: Say I'm the best Alpha ever. Five: Keep my guest entertained the way he wants.
My heart sank like a stone. “And if I don’t do it?”
He leaned in, his breath icy cold. “Then Elna will be dead before dinner.”
He didn’t wait for me to say anything.
The door slammed.
***
By morning, the castle was shining golden.
The gates opened with a big show.
A line of black cars drove through the stone path. They had a sign on the hood - a silver claw.
The BloodFang Pack. It's a group.
The name made me shiver. It sounded familiar.
Each car looked expensive – fancy rims, dark windows, and a feeling of strength that you could sense before they stopped.
Hot men in black suits with wolf pins stepped out first. Then others carried gifts - jewels, scrolls, weapons wrapped in material.
The main car door opened.
Ragnar went to greet them.
“Welcome, Alpha,” he said, his voice loud. “It’s been so long.”
The visiting Alpha stepped out. A tall figure with a commanding presence.
I turned to look – casually.
Then I stopped breathing.
The tray in my hand almost fell.
My world spun.
There he was.
Lucas.
Not someone who looked a lot like him. I was so sure it was Lucas.
The same person from my past life – his stature, his eyes, his mouth - stood there like he’d been pulled out of my worst dreams and made real.
Everything came back to me at once. The betrayal. The baby. The blood. My death.
He can’t know…
I barely heard Ragnar’s voice.
“Raven,” he said, “Meet our guest. Alpha Lucas of the BloodFang Pack.”
Lucas turned and looked straight at me.
And smiled.
Then he held out his hand.
A pleasure.
I didn’t move.
I just stood there.
My lips moved – but no words came out.
My knees gave way.
Everyone looked at me.
I stood there, unable to react.
The man who killed me... was here.
TO BE CONTINUED
- Writer
