Chapter 28

Raven

I found a tree stump near the edge of the forest and plopped down on it, my burning hand clenched into a fist in my lap. Neil’s words still stung, like a knife twisting in my belly.

One night of pleasure. Was that really all I was worth to these men? Like a single-use item, to be had and discarded once they were finished with me?

Gritting my teeth, I shut my eyes against the sudden onslaught of tears that threatened to come. Uninvited, memories of a day three years ago flooded back into my mind…

…

The afterparty was already in full swing by the time I stepped inside. Music thudded against the exposed brick walls of the converted warehouse, industrial chandeliers overhead casting everything in a golden glow.

“There she is!” a familiar voice called out to me, causing me to turn. “The star of the night!”

I couldn’t help but grin at the sight of the famous designer, Marcus, pushing his way toward me. He threw his arms around me and hugged me tight, swaying back and forth for a moment before he pulled back and pressed a glass into my hand.

“To Raven!” he called out, one arm draped around my shoulders as he turned to face the crowd. “The freshest face in fashion!”

Cheers erupted at the sight of us together, glasses raised, and I felt a warmth flood through me.

It had been my first major show—Marcus’s looks had spent the night strutting up and down the runway, cameras flashing and models posing. Each piece had been more stunning than the last.

But it had been the last look that had caught everyone’s attention: a golden gossamer gown that had sparkled under the lights, the unknown model who was wearing it—me—looking like an angel at the end of the runway.

I never thought that this show would be my breaking moment. But I supposed that was how it always went in this world; one moment you’re a nobody, and the next you’re on the covers of magazines and being toasted at parties.

“You’re going places, darling,” Marcus said now, kissing each of my cheeks. “Mark my words.”

I smiled, honestly just relieved that the show was over and that I could relax a bit.

That was when I saw him.

Nathan.

I didn’t even need to be introduced to know who he was. His face had been plastered everywhere that season, a name on everyone’s lips, the handsome young actor that everyone wanted to know.

He caught my eye and smiled—just a small, knowing smile that sent a ripple through my body.

Before I could look away, he was already moving toward me, champagne in hand, his sandy hair tousled just enough to look effortless. He was even more striking up close—sharp jawline, warm brown eyes that crinkled when he smiled. The kind of smile that made you feel like you were the only person in the room.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked.

“Please,” I said, managing to sound more composed than I felt as I accepted the fresh glass of champagne he held out to me.

We found a quieter spot away from the crowd, the noise fading into the background. I expected him to talk about himself—that was what people like him usually did—but instead, he asked me questions. Real ones. As if he actually wanted to know me.

“What made you get into modeling?” he asked, leaning in close enough that I could smell the faint trace of cologne clinging to his skin. I thought I might swoon then and there.

I hesitated, unsure of how much to say. People didn’t usually give a shit about my past, my future, or my personality in this business. All that mattered was my face and my body. But the way he was looking at me… It made me feel comfortable enough to open up, even if only a little.

“It wasn’t my first choice,” I finally admitted, feeling a strange sense of vulnerability as the words left my mouth. “I studied herbology in college.”

His brows lifted. “Herbology? Really?” There was no hint of condescension in his voice, only curiosity. “That’s fascinating. Tell me more.”

I wasn’t sure why I opened up to him that night. Maybe it was the champagne, maybe it was his charming smile, or maybe it was the way he listened so intently, like what I had to say actually mattered.

I found myself explaining it all to him—my passion, my interests, my business ideas. I wanted to become a successful model, yes, but I also wanted to start my own business. A natural fragrance business. Not just perfume, but balms, oils, candles, tinctures.

Nathan listened intently the entire time I spoke, his hand slowly inching toward mine. His eyes never left my gaze, and he never lost interest.

We spent the entire night like that, just… talking. Neither of us even moved from the table we’d settled at. Before I knew it, we were planning a date; he was handing me his business card, his fingers brushing mine and lingering before we hesitantly pulled away.

That was when it all began. The rest had been history, and I was the fool who bought into his lies.

I wished I never met him.

…

Suddenly, the sound of a scream tearing through the air yanked me back to the present. I shot to my feet, my heart pounding as I scanned the horizon. More shouts echoed from the direction of the village.

And then I saw it: smoke. Dark plumes rising above the treetops.

Without thinking, I ran toward the chaos, my legs moving faster than my thoughts. The closer I got, the more real it became—the smell of burning wood thick in the air, the crackle of flames licking up the side of a building.

The village was under attack.

I skidded to a halt just outside the fray, my breath catching in my throat as I took in the scene in front of me. Guards were rushing back and forth, wielding spears and shouting. Somewhere in the smoke, I saw wolf forms, heard snarling and the unmistakable sound of terrified villagers shrieking.

Rogues. These were rogues that were attacking.

That was when I saw him—Neil. His shirt was gone, his skin streaked with blood and sweat as he raced past me, not even noticing my presence. Before I could call out to him, he was leaping into the fray, hurling a spear toward one of the wolf shapes in the smoke. I heard a sickening crunch and a howl as the spear hit its target.

He slowed, turning and reaching for a nearby discarded spear next to a guard who was laying limp on the ground. Only then did he see me, his blue eyes widening.

“Raven, go—”

Before he could finish, the sound of a scream pierced through the air. We both turned to see a woman raging against the grips of two nearby guards. She fell to her knees, trying and failing to run back into a burning hut that she had only just come out of.

“No!” she cried, tears streaking down her soot-covered cheeks. “My baby is still in there!”

Like lightning, Neil was gone.

The last I saw of him was his blood-soaked frame disappearing into that burning building.