67

67
Raven’s P.O.V.

The days that followed were carefully calculated. I moved through each one with a single-minded purpose, keeping myself restrained yet purposeful in every encounter I had with Carden. I didn’t need to put my plan into full action just yet; all I had to do was plant the seeds, let him see my quiet withdrawal, and notice the “changes” I wanted him to wonder about.

Each morning, I let myself look slightly more fatigued. I was careful about my words, dropping vague hints about not feeling well or needing rest. I could see that Carden’s concern was genuine. His glances were longer, his questions more frequent, and he kept asking if I was alright. He wasn’t entirely mine yet, but his attention was starting to shift in my direction, and I knew it was only a matter of time before he wouldn’t be able to look away.

One evening, as the pack house settled into the quiet calm of night, I found myself alone in the dining hall with Elara. She was sitting across from me, her gaze perceptive as always, and I knew that she had noticed the changes in my demeanor. Elara had always been sharp; nothing escaped her watchful eyes.

“You seem more distant lately, Raven,” she commented, her voice gentle but probing. “Is everything alright?”

I met her gaze, forcing a small, weary smile. “I’m fine,” I replied, keeping my tone light. “Just… a lot on my mind, I suppose. The stress has been getting to me.”

Elara tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly. “The pressure on the pack is certainly high with Kane still out there. But something tells me this is about more than just pack matters.”

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. Elara’s intuition was sharp, and if I played this wrong, she would see right through me. But if I could make her believe, make her think that something had truly changed, she might even be able to help me without realizing it.

“I… I suppose you’re right,” I admitted softly, my gaze dropping to my hands. “It’s just… everything with Carden. Sometimes I wonder if I’m really enough for him.”

Elara’s expression softened, and she reached out, placing a reassuring hand on mine. “You’ve been by his side through everything, Raven. He knows your worth.”

I nodded, my smile faltering. “I know he cares for me. But there are moments when it feels like he’s holding back, like there’s something between us that he won’t let go of. I don’t know if it’s just his sense of duty or… or something else.”

Elara’s gaze grew thoughtful, and I could see her considering my words. “Carden has always been one to carry the weight of his responsibilities. But you have to trust that if he’s with you, it’s because he sees something in you that he needs.”

I looked up at her, my eyes wide with the vulnerability I knew she would recognize. “I want to be everything for him. I want to be the one he turns to, the one he can’t live without.”

Elara’s hand tightened around mine, her expression filled with empathy. “And you can be, Raven. But love isn’t just about what we want; it’s about what we’re willing to give. Sometimes, patience is the greatest gift we can offer.”

I nodded, letting her words sink in, even though my patience had all but worn thin. I couldn’t wait forever, not when I was so close to achieving what I wanted. But I knew how to play the part. Elara’s wisdom was a tool, one I could use to further my plans if I wielded it carefully.

“Thank you, Elara,” I said softly, giving her a grateful smile. “You always know what to say.”

She returned my smile, her expression warm. “Remember, Raven, Carden is a man who values loyalty and strength. Show him that you are both, and he’ll see you as the partner he needs.”

I thanked her once more, and as I left the dining hall, a sense of satisfaction settled over me. Elara’s words had confirmed what I already knew: I needed to show Carden that I was unwavering, loyal to a fault. I needed to be the only person he could count on, the only one he trusted. And if I played my cards right, that was exactly what I would become.

\---

Over the next few days, I continued to let my demeanor shift subtly, enough that others noticed without raising too much suspicion. I allowed myself to appear more fatigued, quieter, almost as if I was weighed down by something I couldn’t quite put into words.

Carden’s concern grew with each passing day, and I could see the tension in his eyes whenever he looked at me. He was starting to see me differently, starting to worry about me in a way that went beyond casual care. It was exactly what I needed.

One afternoon, as we finished a particularly grueling training session, he caught up with me, his brow furrowed with worry. “Raven, are you sure you’re alright?” he asked, his voice soft. “You’ve seemed off lately. If something’s wrong, you can tell me.”

I smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face as I looked up at him. “I’m fine, really. Just a bit under the weather.”

He frowned, not entirely convinced. “If there’s anything you need, just let me know. You don’t have to carry everything on your own.”

His words made my heart race, and I felt a surge of satisfaction knowing that he was beginning to see me as someone he wanted to take care of, someone he was responsible for. It was a small victory, but it was enough to reassure me that my plan was working.

“I appreciate that, Carden,” I said softly, allowing a hint of vulnerability to seep into my voice. “Sometimes it feels like you’re the only one who really understands.”

He gave me a gentle smile, his hand resting on my shoulder. “You’re strong, Raven. But even the strongest people need support. I’m here for you.”

I looked up at him, letting my gratitude show in my eyes. “Thank you, Carden. That means more to me than you know.”

His gaze held mine for a moment longer, and I could feel the connection between us strengthening. He was starting to see me as someone he could rely on, someone he cared about in a way that went beyond simple loyalty. And if I continued to play my role carefully, that connection would only grow.

\---

That night, as I lay in bed, my thoughts racing, I allowed myself to imagine what it would be like if Carden were truly mine. If he looked at me the way he looked at Aria, if he cared for me with the same intensity and devotion. It was a dream, one I had been holding onto for so long that it felt like part of me.

I had watched him with Aria, seen the way his eyes softened whenever she was near. It was a look he had never given me, one that made my stomach twist with envy every time I saw it. But I was done waiting for things to change on their own. If Carden wouldn’t give me that look willingly, then I would find a way to make him need me in a way he couldn’t ignore.

I considered Elara’s words again, her advice to show Carden patience and loyalty. But patience had its limits, and I was already running out of time. Kane’s silence had stretched on far too long, and I couldn’t depend on him to change my fate. I had to take control, to create the circumstances that would force Carden to choose me once and for all.

As I lay there, the idea that had been lurking in the back of my mind took a more concrete shape. Pretending to be pregnant was a risky move, one that could backfire if I wasn’t careful. But the thought of Carden feeling that he had no choice but to be with me, to protect me, filled me with a strange sense of satisfaction. It was a way to cement my place in his life, to make him see that I was more than just an option.

If he believed that we were expecting a child, he would have to commit to me fully. It would eliminate any doubts, any lingering feelings he had for Aria. He would be mine, bound to me by a responsibility he couldn’t walk away from.

The thought was both thrilling and terrifying, and I could feel my pulse quicken at the prospect of putting my plan into motion. But I couldn’t act too quickly. I had to be patient, to wait for the perfect moment when Carden’s attention was fully on me, when he was vulnerable enough to believe that this was real.

For now, I would continue to play the part, to let him see me as someone who needed him, someone who depended on him. And when the time was right, I would take the next step, planting the idea that would change everything.

As I closed my eyes, a sense of calm settled over me. The path ahead was uncertain, but I was determined to see it through. Carden would be mine, no matter the cost.

In the end, I would be the one standing by his side, the one he relied on, the one he couldn’t live without. And Aria? She would fade into the background, just as I had so many times before.

This was my chance to claim the future I deserved, and I wasn’t going to let anything—or anyone—stand in my way.