Chapter 84 SPECIAL CHAPTER 3
Brienne woke up with a heavy feeling in her body. She carefully shifted her position and slowly sat up on the bed. Her back ached, and her stomach felt tight. She rubbed her belly gently as she looked around the room.
On the small table beside the bed was a tray of food. A folded note lay next to it. Brienne picked it up and smiled.
“Out for patrol, darling. I’ll be back.”
— Raven
She placed the note down and sighed softly, reaching for the food. Before she could stand, the door suddenly opened.
Raven stepped inside, his armor already removed, his hair slightly messy from the wind.
“I came back early,” he said with a smile. Brienne looked up, surprised.
“You did? How was the patrol?” she asked.
He walked to her at once and leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips, then another to her forehead.
“It’s fine. Nothing unusual in sight. Though Carter said there have been rogue sightings near the pack. How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Heavy,” she answered honestly. Raven nodded and held her hands.
“Come on,” he said softly. “Let me help you,” he added.
He carefully helped her stand. At seven months pregnant with twins, every movement felt slow and heavy for Brienne. Raven stayed close, one arm steady around her waist, making sure she didn’t strain herself.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered. Brienne leaned into him, grateful, her hand resting on her belly as the twins stirred inside.
”Your sons…” Brienne said softly as she felt another kick inside her.
”They won’t let you sleep?” Raven asked. Brienne nodded. Raven leaned closer and rested his head on Brienne’s tummy.
”Sons, I told you not to make things hard for your mother,” he said quietly.
Brienne closed her eyes as she felt more movement inside her.
”We are almost there, darling,” Raven said as he held both of her hands, giving her comfort. ”Three more months, and we will finally meet them,” he added.
Brienne opened her mouth to reply, but before she could speak, Raven suddenly went still. His eyes darkened as he received a mind link.
Carter.
”Alpha Raven,” Carter’s voice sounded tense in his head. ”Rogues just appeared at the border. We’re on pursuit,” he added.
Raven straightened at once. He looked at Brienne, worry clear on his face.
”I have to go,” he said softly. ”But I’ll be back soon. I promise,” he added.
He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, then to her belly, before turning toward the door, already preparing himself for what waited outside.
Raven quickly removed his clothes and let the change take over him. His bones shifted as his body grew larger. Sharp fangs formed, thick fur spread across his skin, and within seconds, he landed on all fours as a massive wolf.
Without wasting time, he rushed into the forest, moving fast toward where Carter and the rest of his warriors were waiting.
Raven soon caught up with them. He saw Carter already circling a group of rogues. The rogues bared their teeth, growling and snarling as they stood their ground.Raven stepped forward, his presence strong and commanding.
”Capture them,” he ordered through the pack link. ”Alive, if possible,” he added.
Carter nodded and shifted closer.
”Stand down!” Carter shouted. ”Surrender or face death!” he added.
For a brief moment, the forest fell silent. Then one of the rogues lunged forward.
”They’re attacking!” someone yelled.
Everything broke into chaos. The rogues charged without warning, claws swinging and teeth snapping. Raven and the warriors moved fast, blocking the attacks and fighting back. Leaves scattered, branches snapped, and growls echoed through the trees.
Raven knocked one rogue to the ground, pinning him, but another rushed in from the side. Carter fought back-to-back with Raven, defending the pack as more rogues joined the attack.
”This is their answer, Alpha. They won’t surrender!” Carter growled through the link. Raven hesitated for only a second before answering.
”Then we have no choice,” he said.
The fight turned deadly. Raven and Carter struck with force, ending the threat before the rogues could harm anyone else. One by one, the forest grew quiet again.
When it was over, Raven stood still, breathing hard. Carter shifted back to his human form nearby, bloodied but alive.
”It’s done,” Carter said quietly. Raven nodded, his thoughts already drifting back to Brienne and the unborn twins waiting safely at home.
”Let the other warriors clean this up. Have them hang and serve as a lesson and a warning. Crossing the line means death,” Raven said firmly. Carter shifted back into his human form and bowed his head.
”I understand, Alpha,” Carter replied.
Raven turned away. Instead of heading back to the packhouse, he went toward his parents’ home. He didn’t want Brienne to see him—or smell the blood of the rogues clinging to him.
When he arrived, he shifted back into his human form and rang the doorbell.
The door opened a few seconds later, revealing his father.
”Rogue attack,” Raven said simply. ”I don’t want Brienne to see me like this,” he added. Arthur nodded.
”Go inside and clean up. I also don’t want you to scare my grandsons,” he said lightly.
Raven chuckled and walked in, heading straight to the nearest bathroom.
”Was that Raven, my love?” Cecil asked as she came out of the upstairs room.
”Yes,” Arthur answered. ”He’s showering. Have you contacted Ravena?” he asked.
Ravena was with Raeya on a short vacation for two days, with Brienne and Raven’s permission.
”Yes,” Cecil said as she stood beside her husband. ”She said she just finished talking to Brienne.” She paused, then frowned slightly.
”Was it really too much, the things we bought for our grandsons?” Cecil asked. Arthur chuckled softly.
”Maybe we did go overboard,” he admitted. ”But Brienne is a good daughter. She understands we only want to give love—to her and to our grandchildren,” he added.
A few moments later, footsteps echoed down the hallway. Raven appeared, freshly showered and fully dressed, his hair still damp. He looked calmer now. Cecil immediately walked over to him.
”Is Brienne upset?” she asked gently. Raven shook his head.
”No, Mom. She’s not mad. Not upset either,” he said.
”Then what is it?” Cecil asked.
”She just doesn’t want the twins to be spoiled plus we still have three months 'till she's due,” Raven said with a small smile. ”She wants them to grow up grounded,” he added. Cecil relaxed and smiled.
”That sounds just like her.” Raven nodded.
”She’s doing great. All of them are,” he said. ”But I know Brienne’s having a hard time with the twins,” Raven added quietly. Cecil’s face softened with worry.
”Have you talked to Sam about this? Is there any way we can help her?” Cecil asked.
”I asked Sam,” Raven replied. ”He gave me some tips for Brienne’s pregnancy.” He paused, then sighed.
”I have to go back to her.”
Arthur nodded and placed a hand on Raven’s shoulder.
”Go. I’ll keep an eye on the pack so you can take some time off,” he said. Raven nodded in thanks and headed out of the house.
He returned to the packhouse not long after. The place was quiet. As soon as he reached their room, he stopped.
Brienne was sitting on the bed, her back turned to the door. Her shoulders were shaking. She was crying silently.
”Brienne darling?” Raven asked at once, fear rising in his chest. He walked closer. ”What happened?” he said. She wiped her face quickly and shook her head.
”It’s nothing,” she said softly.
Raven wasn’t convinced. He sat beside her and gently pulled her into his arms. The moment he held her, Brienne broke down. Her quiet tears turned into sobs as she clung to him.
”I’m so tired,” she cried. ”Everything feels heavy. My body, my heart… I’m just so tired, Raven,” she said.
Raven held her tighter, his chest aching with guilt. He kissed her hair again and again, wishing he could take all her pain away.
In that moment, Raven hated himself. He wanted to hurt himself for putting Brienne through this—through the danger, the fear, the weight of carrying twins while he fought battles she never asked for.
”I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice breaking.
Brienne shook her head against his chest, still crying, while Raven stayed there, holding her, determined not to let her face this alone.
”Three more months, my darling,” he whispered as he rubbed her belly gently.
That day, Raven spent hours taking care of Brienne. He gave her soft massages and did everything he could to ease the strain on her body from carrying the twins.
When morning came, Brienne felt a little refreshed. She slowly sat up and reached for her phone. The first thing she did was dial her sister-in-law’s number.
When Ravena answered, Brienne’s heart filled with happiness.
”Where’s Raeya, Ven? Is she sleeping?” Brienne asked softly.
Beside her, Raven stirred and slowly woke up, listening quietly.
”Hi, sis,” Ravena replied. ”She’s right beside me, and she just woke up,” she added.
A moment later, Raeya’s cheerful voice filled the call.
”Good morning, Mommy!” Raeya said happily. Brienne smiled wide.
”Good morning, my love,” she replied.
Raven sat up on the bed and leaned closer, listening as Brienne talked to their daughter.
”Are you behaving?” Brienne asked gently. ”Remember, be careful with strangers. Don’t go anywhere on your own, okay? Stay with Auntie Ravena,” she added.
”Yes, Mommy,” Raeya answered right away. Brienne relaxed a little.
”How’s your vacation so far?” Brienne asked. Raeya giggled.
”It’s the best!” she said excitedly. ”I hope when I come back, we can come here again—but this time with you, Daddy, and my little brothers,” she added. Brienne’s smile softened. She rubbed her belly slowly while Raven squeezed her hand.
”Soon,” she said gently. ”Very soon,” she added.
”I love you, Mommy,” Raeya said.
”I love you too, my darling,” Brienne replied. ”Give the phone back to Auntie now, okay?” she said. Raeya agreed and passed the phone back.
”Thank you, Ven,” Brienne said warmly.
”Always,” Ravena replied with a smile.
Brienne ended the call and leaned back against Raven, comforted, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days.