Second Chance, First Love

You

PRESENT

RAGNA

I lifted the kohl pencil with trembling fingers, trying to remember how I used to line my eyes before so I wouldn’t do it the same way. I changed my hair color from a deep auburn to a natural midnight black, letting out an exhale as I stared at myself in the mirror. My face was nothing like it used to be before, even without the makeup, yet the fear of being recognized haunted me.

I struggled all night after Mariette left. i couldn't sleep, thinking of the fact that Raven and i would meet again

“I don’t think this is a good idea, Papa.” I had pleaded with dad just an hour ago, desperation creeping into my voice. “The riverside needs inspection. Salvatore can meet with the Alpha while I go out to see the....”

“Ragna....” His voice was firm, brooking no argument. “Alpha Magnus and Alpha Raven are one of the greatest guests any Alpha could get. We had no idea why he is coming but it seems like a positive one and i want you to be here to witness it.”

I gripped the vanity table and my knuckles turned white with strain. I lowered my head, fear gripping my spirit. I wished I could see or foretell what would happen, perhaps the damage that would happen but my gift died with my old body that night.

What if... just what if Raven recognizes me? What if he recognized something in my face, my mannerism or even my voice? What if he knew who I truly was?

“Miss Ragna?” Mariette’s voice drifted through the door. “The Alpha seeks your presence. The guest is here.”

My blood turned ice inside my veins. Raven was here. I had mixed feelings as my eyes widened in shock. How on earth was I supposed to deal with this? I took in a deep breath and stepped out of the room. Each step down the staircase felt like walking into my own doom. My hands trembled against the banister as I descended.

Through the open doorway of the dining room, I could hear male voices but none sounded like Raven’s. I pushed forward until I got to the dining table itself and time stopped. My heart forgot how to breath and air rushed out from my lungs in a silent gasp that left me dizzy and aching.

Raven sat at the table with such commanding aura. The years had been kind to him but cruel to me. it had been indefinitely kind to him. His dark hair still fell in that careless wave across his forehead and his jaw still held that stubborn set that I had always traced its sharp lines with my fingertips.

A thousand memories crashed over me on that spot, causing me to stagger backward. Stolen kisses in the garden with just the moon as our light, promises of forever, the feeling of being cherished, protected and loved beyond reasonable doubts.

“Ragna.”

Mother’s voice cut through the haze of memory like a blade, sharp with concern and barely concealed embarrassment. I realized I’d been standing frozen on the stairs like some lovesick fool, staring at a man who was supposed to be a stranger to me. A man who had ended my life without mercy.

I still remember that night like it was yesterday. I remembered being locked up in prison after I had been caught with the Luna’s body. I remembered how he had believed Cassandra’s words over mine. She was in love with him and she made it obvious. Perhaps, I was too blinded to see the moments they shared together.

I had been so in love that I turned a blind eye to the late night I had seen them spend together. He claimed they were just childhood friends but I should have known there was more to it.

My heart was such a fool for rekindling those feelings even after remembering he had ordered I be brutally murdered, without listening to my own side of the story though he had professed his promise of never letting me go just hours ago.

I scoffed as I gathered myself and hurried down the remaining steps, my heels clicking against the floor with urgency. “I am so sorry. I was just... the dress caught on something.” I lied before settling on the chair farthest from Raven.

“Good morning, Alphas. Welcome to our pack.” I greeted the two Alphas; Raven and his father. While his father waved in acknowledgement of me, Raven simply nodded like what I had said was nothing. My older brother; Salvatore was already at the table, sitting right beside father.

“This is my beautiful daughter, Ragna. She is a great warrior. She just returned from learning archery....” Father went on and on about my achievement and while his father seemed impressed, Raven looked bored, sitting so carelessly like he didn't wish to be here.

A part of me, a pathetic hope part waited for some spark, at least of the mate bond but there was nothing. Not even when our eyes met. There was no electric jolt, no magnetic pull, no connection. Just emptiness. I guess it was all gone. He truly didn’t know me anymore.

The woman he’d once claimed to love beyond life itself was sitting three feet away from him and he felt nothing. So much for true love.

“Alpha Magnus here, was just telling us about the new trade agreements.” My father spoke with enthusiasm and I nodded absently, not really hearing the words. All I wanted to do was leave this place as it was quite choking and disturbing.

Worse than not recognizing me, Raven was also ignoring me. His jaw was clenched with what looked like displeasure and not once did his gaze drift in my direction. The conversation continued and after what seemed like forever, it finally ended.

My legs carried me even before I could think, away from them and I headed to the garden. I couldn’t hold back for a minute. I had barely gotten to the garden when it crossed my mind. What if father tries to show them the heirloom weapon in the garden pavilion?

He loved to show it off to every Alpha who visited us. The heirloom weapon was one that was with Lycanhide. it was made from the hide of the last Lycan that was killed in battle by our forefathers before they went into extinction.

It was more like a subtle way of father telling them ‘Don’t test me. My bloodline ended the Lycan clan’.

I started to turn away immediately, my feet moving faster than my racing heart. I had to go somewhere else. Perhaps, my room, the library just somewhere far from....

I suddenly felt a firm arm wrap around my arm, stopping me mid-stride. My brows furrowed in anger, wondering who dared held me like that until I spun around, ready to scold, but the words died in my throat.

It was him.

Those eyes.... those beautiful eyes that always stared at me with compassion, stared right into my eyes like he was reading my existence and then, his lips parted slowly.

“It’s... you.”