Chapter 97

RAVEN

I went back to the pack house. Or rather, after everything that happened, I felt drawn towards the place. What if there was something else we were missing?

My evil brother was back. It would take more than just manpower to bring him back, and I was determined to find something, anything that could help. I stood in front of the gates that once led to my home and took a deep breath. The last time I was here, Terek was dead and Orion gone. Not exactly my favorite memories of the place. Maya was coming, I thought. She had something to do, but the important fact was that I wouldn't be alone.

My mind told me that I should wait for her, but I pushed open the gate nonetheless and stepped inside.

It was just as I had remembered it. The front lawn was as neat as I remembered it. I walked on, not knowing where I was really heading, but it was like my mind knew where to go. And instead of going inside the house and looking upstairs, maybe for more of Lysander's books, I found myself in the garden instead.

Fresh tulips bloomed along the same patch where roses grew. There was a statue of the moon goddess, which served as a water fountain, although someone had turned it off.

The water fountain, I remembered, was my favorite place to hang out with Kael—free from the pack responsibilities and expectations as leaders. It was amazing how much we would share with each other at times like that. Even now, I could almost see him there, the sun casting a faint silhouette of a man behind the statue. I stopped dead, realizing that I couldn't have imagined that.

Someone was there.

My hands went to the knife strapped to my pocket. I knew that was a bad idea. I walked carefully, standing a few centimeters from the fountain itself.

"Show yourself," I called out, bracing myself for an attack if need be.

There was a soft chuckle, then a man walked into view, dressed in a red coat that reached his boots. He had no weapon, but I stumbled back from him in shock. Silver streaks lined his dark hair, and his eyes flickered with a dark flame.

Darian... or whatever he had turned himself into, stood in front of me.

"It took you long enough to finally show up, although I didn't expect you to come alone. It makes things significantly easier," he commented, his voice smooth, not at all like he was sealed off in a realm filled with demons and evil that was not to be named.

Almost like we had an appointment and I didn't keep to time.

"What are you doing here?" I spat, finally finding my voice back. I glared at him, all the hate and rage that I felt reflected in my gaze. If only looks could kill, I thought.

He took a step forward. The flowers died around his feet. I stepped backward, terrified.

"Now, don't act like you weren't expecting me," he scoffed. "Coming back to this abandoned mansion, what were you expecting?"

"I came here for Lysander's books, not you." Somehow, I managed to stand my ground.

"Oh," he tilted his head to one side. "Our dearest mother. I'm hurt, little sister. After all we have been through, one would think that you would hurry to check up on your big brother after hearing of his return."

I spat. "You're not my brother, and she's not your mother!"

Darian didn't look phased. "Denial. Well, I really thought that we passed this stage. And yet, here you are, like a lonely siblings reunion."

He kept on advancing, the ghost of a smile on his face.

I swished my knife in the air, letting him know I was armed, but that didn't stop him.

"Tell me, would you tell Kael of our little meeting? No? It does seem too personal to share, doesn't it now?"

"What do you want?" I asked, hating the way my voice broke. He didn't deserve to have that effect on me. He was a monster, and still is.

"I don't want war, little sister," he stopped a few steps in front of me, his voice almost gentle.

I glanced up at the sky, the word "surrender" spelled across the clouds that took a misty green hue.

"Yeah, right," I scoffed, unmoved.

"Trust me, I've learnt my lessons. As the guardian of the bridge, I keep the demons away. Don't for one moment think that is an easy task," he said.

"You brought that upon yourself," I reminded him. "And it's a fitting punishment if you ask me. If you're tired and prefer death, then you don't have to create a war to achieve that."

"The war," Darian began, his voice rising, "is not mine. Have you heard of the dark prophesy?"

I stared at him blankly. "The dark what now?"

He smirked. "Clearly, mother never told you enough."

"Shut up! Just shut up with your lies," I yelled, rushing at him with my knife. "Don't for one moment think that I'm going to listen to you and your lies."

He moved fast, holding my hand and twisting the knife out before I had the chance to bring it down on him.

"No, but you're going to listen to me because you don't have a choice." The faux kindness was gone from his eyes, his true nature, I thought, jerking my hand out of his grip.

"Don't try to make yourself the victim. You are the cause of this, and you enjoy it."

"Maybe a little," he smirked, not even trying to hide it this time.

I glared at him, wishing to end him. I let out a growl, my fangs snapping out. Maybe I couldn't kill him with a dagger, but my wolf would love to have a go at him. Even now, I could already feel the beast letting loose.

Darian stepped back, clearly, he hadn't anticipated me shifting.

"You make everything so complicated, Raven," he snarled. "I'll tell you this for free. Your son is the key to everything. How much are you willing to sacrifice before you see it?"

Before I could lunge at him, his image flickered like blinking lights, and he was gone.

I stared in shock. Just like that....

"Raven, Raven!"

I turned around to see Maya running towards me.

She stopped, panting heavily. "Thank goodness, I thought something happened to you."

I glanced back to the fountain.

Darian was here a minute ago. I couldn't have imagined him. Only his presence could command such intense rage from me, but now, he was gone, just like that. Who would believe me?

The withered patch of flowers were the only indication that anything had even happened.

Maya looked at me concerned. "What's going on, Raven? Why are your claws out?"

I glanced down at my hands. My claws were indeed out. I retracted them and shoved my hands into my pocket.

"Nothing, I thought I was under attack," I muttered lamely.

I couldn't help but feel helpless. Darian was here, the enemy that everyone was searching for, and I hadn't even been able to put a dent on him. How was that for being Luna?

He didn't want to fight, I thought. He didn't want this war.

I shook my head, knowing very well that I couldn't trust him. There was something in it for him, otherwise he wouldn't speak to me in that well-practiced gentleness.

Maya was still looking at me with deep concern, following closely, glancing around occasionally as we made our way out of the mansion.

I knew I owed her an explanation, but I didn't trust myself to speak, not when I didn't know what to think yet.

We made the journey back to the strongholds in silence. Once we were inside, however, Maya spun to face me, having just about enough.

"So are you going to tell me anything?" she demanded. "You looked like you saw a ghost, for crying out loud, Raven."

"Have..." I paused, hesitating. "Have you heard of the dark prophesy?"

Maya frowned but actually looked cautious now. "What is it with prophesies? All the ones I've heard are all dark if you ask me, so about how dark are we talking about?"

I stopped with a sigh. "A really dark one that involves Darian."

Maya looked at me closely. "You saw him, didn't you?"

I nodded. "He said something about a dark prophesy and that he didn't want the war. But he's lying. He has to be lying."

I left Maya and rushed up the stairs to the barracks. I had to find Kael... He would know what to do, I thought.

I met Kael just as he stepped out of the meeting room, tiredness written on his tall frame.

"Raven," he looked up, seeing me.

"Kael, we don't have much time," I said. I knew they had a meeting with the Russian alpha, discussing the way forward and battle strategies, and from the look on his face, I knew that hadn't gone too well.