Chapter 5 Chapter-5

Raven's POV

I have no idea what happened to me or why I agreed to be with them. So many negative thoughts are running through my mind, but still, I followed them.

I’m sitting in an SUV with the two Lycan kings on either side of me. One is doing something on his phone, while the other is eyeing me, as if observing my every move and reading my mind. I feel tense, goosebumps covering my skin. I’m staring straight ahead to avoid his gaze, but it’s burning into me.

“Magnus, stop staring at her like that,” Zayne says gently, glancing at his brother.

“I’m making sure she’s not planning anything,” Magnus replies, his tone flat and unapologetic. “We don’t know her yet.”

I shift uncomfortably, pretending I didn’t hear them.

Their territory spreads out below us like something from a dream, buildings clustered in organized rows, their architecture far more structured than my pack’s.

“Wow,” I whisper before I can stop myself.

Zayne’s face brightens with what looks like genuine pleasure. “You like it?”

“Yeah...” I admit, still staring. “My pack has nothing like this.”

“Of course it doesn’t.” Magnus’s voice drips with arrogance. “We’re Lycan kings, not some weak struggling pack.”

My jaw clenches. I imagine my fist connecting with Magnus’ perfect, sharp jawline, watching that smug expression crumble. But I swallow the impulse, pressing my lips together until they hurt.

“Oh, did I upset you, little Luna?” he said. “I can feel your anger from here. How cute.”

He said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

The car stops, and both Alphas open their doors for me. I’m confused about which one to follow, but I’ll go with Magnus. They both stand beside me as we walk, each taking one of my hands. The three of us move forward together.

“Relax, Raven.” Zayne’s breath tickles my ear, sending an unwanted shiver down my spine. “You’re safe here.”

“As long as you follow the rules,” Magnus adds from my other side, his voice cutting through any comfort Zayne tried to offer.

Arrogant Lycan.

I want to believe in Zayne, but my heart isn’t accepting it.

A man is already waiting for us at the entrance.

“Everything is ready, Kings,” he says, bowing before leaving.

“This way,” Zayne says, and I follow. We head inside their office. They sit in their chairs while I take the seat across from them.

“So, as you agreed, there are some rules you have to follow here so we can maintain our relationship smoothly,” Magnus begins, his tone business-like and cold.

I nod. I can’t wrap my head around how any of this will work.

“You will never tell anyone about our contract,” Magnus states firmly, his eyes boring into mine with suspicion.

I nod quickly. The last thing I want is anyone knowing I’m sleeping with the Lycan kings for revenge.

“You will give us an heir, and in return, we’ll give you anything you ask for.    You will never date anyone. You’ll stand by our side as our queen when necessary, but you will never interfere in our pack matters,” Magnus continues, listing out the rules like commands.

That sounds easy enough. I never involve myself in anyone’s business other than my own anyway.

“I won’t interfere in your affairs,” I say, trying to sound more confident. “I’ll only be with you when we... when we’re...” My cheeks flame. “When we become intimate.”

Magnus’s lip curls slightly. “You can say sex, Raven. We are adults.”

My entire body burns with embarrassment. I’ve never discussed such things so bluntly, especially not with men.

Zayne shoots his brother a warning look before turning to me with sympathy. “It’s okay. Take your time getting comfortable with everything.”

“She needs to understand what she signed up for,” Magnus says dismissively.

“And you can’t refuse us when we want to have sex—only when you’re unwell or genuinely not in the mood.”

I have no idea how to react to that, but I nod.

“We’ll live separately until you and your mate are divorced,” Magnus adds. “After our official marriage ceremony, we can move  together in the royal quarters.”

Zayne cleared his throat “There’s one more thing you should know before you sign. In public, we’ll have to act like a real couple. That means we might hold you, touch you, or kiss you, so no one doubts our relationship.”

My heart skipped. “K-kiss me? In front of everyone?”

Magnus didn’t hesitate. “If it’s necessary.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I just nodded once. “O-okay.”

He slides papers across the desk. I pick them up with shaking hands, scanning the formal language that essentially sells me to these men in exchange for their power. My chest tightens as I read each clause that binds me to them.

Then Alaric’s face flashes in my mind—his lips on Seraphina’s, his hands in her hair, both of them laughing at my pain. The pen feels heavy in my hand, but I press it to paper and sign my name in quick, angry strokes.

“Good job, Raven. You finally belong to us now,” Magnus said softly in a deep, smooth voice.

A knock sounds, and the same man from earlier enters.

“Hi, my name is Kale. You must be Lady Raven,” he says, his voice warm and welcoming, the first genuine friendliness I’ve encountered since arriving.

“Yeah, that’s me.”

“I’ll take you to your room,” Kale offers, gesturing toward the door.

“Thank you.” I stand so quickly I nearly knock over my chair.

The room Kale leads me to is surprisingly pleasant. Not too large, not too small, with a queen-size bed covered in soft gray linens. A window overlooks the mountains, and there’s a small sitting area with a comfortable-looking chair. It’s minimal, clean just the way I like.

“I hope you like it,” Kale says, watching me take it in.

“Yeah, it’s nice.” Much nicer than I expected.

Kale clears his throat. “Some maids will come shortly to assist you with your bath.”

I shake my head immediately. “I can bathe myself. I don’t need help.”

“It’s the rule,” he says gently but firmly. “The kings want you cared for properly.”

“Fine,” I mutter, because fighting it seems pointless.

Kale excuses himself, leaving me alone with my spiraling thoughts. I sink onto the bed, the mattress far softer than anything I’ve ever slept on.

A knock pulls me from my thoughts. Three young women enter with towels and scented bottles.

“Hello, miss. We’re here to help with your bath,” one says.

They prepare the bathroom while I sit tensely on the bed. When they call me in, steam fills the room, and my heartbeat jumps.

“Ma’am, do you allow us to peel your dress?” one asks gently.

Embarrassment burns my cheeks. I hesitate, then whisper, “Yeah.”

Two steps closer, one moving behind me, another reaching for my zipper, carefully and slowly, when a deep voice cuts through the air.

“Well, well, my little rebel.”

I turn slowly, and Magnus is standing at the doorway, arms folded, leaning against the frame like he has all the time in the world. His eyes drag over me, sharp and unblinking.