Chapter 121 Chapter-121

Chapter 121 Chapter-121
Raven's POV

I sat down heavily on the edge of the bed and buried my face in my hands as everything from the last few weeks crashed down on me. I sobbed into my palms, unable to stop.
Outside my window, fireworks exploded across the sky. I turned away from the window and squeezed my eyes shut. Trying to forget everything when I heard a knock on the door.
"Raven," Zayne's voice called through the door. "It's me. Open the door."
I stared at the wooden door without moving, holding my breath. A few moments later, another knock came.
"Raven, come on."
"I'm fine, Zayne," I called back. "I just need rest. Please."
The words sounded hollow.
Silence followed. Then another softer knock, hesitant, like he knew I was lying but didn't want to meet him or anyone right now. Eventually, his footsteps retreated down the hallway.
At some point, I stretched out across the mattress. My body felt heavy and numb. Sleep pulled me under.
Sometime during the night, I felt something warm brush against my cheek.
The touch was rough, almost calloused, yet careful. At first, I thought I was dreaming. Still half-asleep and annoyed, I weakly batted at the air and turned my face deeper into the pillow.
The touch disappeared. A few moments later, I felt it again, fingers moving slowly across my cheekbone and my scar, gentle and warm.
My eyes snapped open.
I sucked in a sharp breath and sat upright so quickly my heart began pounding. I looked around the room wildly, expecting to find someone standing beside my mattress.
There was no one.
The bedroom was dark and silent. No movement. No sign that anyone had been inside. I sat frozen for several seconds, staring into the shadows, trying to calm my racing heartbeat.
Had I imagined it? Was it only a dream?
I rubbed my eyes. As I tried to convince myself, my mind was playing tricks; my gaze dropped to the thick duvet covering my body.
I frowned.
I clearly remembered collapsing onto the mattress the night before without bothering to pull the blanket over myself. I had been so exhausted that I'd fallen asleep awkwardly near the edge of the bed.
Yet now, the heavy duvet was neatly pulled up to my shoulders, and I was lying comfortably in the centre of the mattress, tucked in as if someone had carefully moved me while I slept.
Who had covered me up while I slept? Zayne? Iris? Or someone else entirely?
A strange, familiar warmth stirred deep in my chest. The touch had felt oddly familiar, as if I had known it before, but I couldn't quite place why. Shaking my head, I pulled the blanket tighter around myself. 
Morning came. I lay staring at the ceiling, trying to gather enough energy to get up. The moment I became fully awake, everything from last night hit me. Part of me wanted to stay in bed all day. But hiding wouldn't solve anything. I had too much on my plate. Just an hour ago, I received an important message from the Werewolf Council. They were freezing the territory's assets and seizing control until the Alaric investigation wrapped up. Alaric owed massive amounts of money to various packs, and the Council was auditing everything to settle his debts.
I had to find a temporary place for our people while the Council tore the pack house apart. I had no idea how I was supposed to handle any of this. The pack house was their home, and now they had nowhere to go. Worse, I had no clue how I was going to arrange housing for everyone.
Maybe I could convince the Werewolf Council to give me a few more days, just enough time to figure something out.
With a tired sigh, I forced myself out of bed. After getting dressed, I made my way downstairs to the dining hall.
The moment I stepped inside, Iris's voice called my name.
"Raven!"
Iris jumped out of her chair and hurried toward me. Nolan followed, his expression tight with worry. Before I could say anything, Nolan wrapped his arms around me in a warm hug.
"Are you okay?" he asked, pulling back to study my face.
I forced a smile. I had to stay strong for my people. "Of course I am."
Nolan frowned immediately. His eyes searched mine. I knew he didn't buy the act. My smile didn't reach my eyes. Thankfully, neither he nor Iris pushed me for answers in front of the morning crowd.
"Come sit with us," Iris said gently, placing a hand on my arm.
I nodded. As I started walking toward their table, the rich scent of breakfast reminded me I hadn't eaten since yesterday. My stomach was empty.
"I'll grab some coffee first," I told them.
They nodded, and I headed toward the kitchen. Several maids were busy preparing food and carrying heavy trays to the dining area. I grabbed a clean cup and began pouring the hot coffee.
"What exactly do you think you're doing?"
I glanced over my shoulder at the sharp tone. Martha was standing in the doorway. The moment she stepped into the room, the maids immediately bowed their heads in fear and scurried away. 
I turned back toward the counter and picked up the milk carton, continuing to fix my drink as though she hadn't spoken.
"What does it look like? I'm making coffee," I answered calmly.
She took a slow step toward me, her heels clicking loudly against the tile.
"You shouldn't be in here."
I ignored her comment entirely and focused on making my coffee. Once I was done, I picked up the cup and finally looked at her again.
"Then it's a good thing I'm already done."
Several nearby maids exchanged nervous glances, their shocked expressions making it clear they couldn't believe I had spoken to Martha that way.
Martha stared at me as if she couldn't believe I'd just dismissed her so casually. Her smile vanished. Apparently, she wasn't used to people refusing to obey her.
"You…" she started, but I was already walking past her. I wasn't in the mood for this.
She followed me to the dining room and eyed me while I sat with Iris and Nolan.
"All the maids, stop what you're doing and come here!" she announced loudly, her voice sharp with command.
The maids came running from the kitchen to the dining hall, their faces confused and fearful as they waited to see what Martha wanted.