Chapter 24 Raven's POV Two Days Later I quickly got up , not waiting for the alarm clock to ring again . The piercing sound had barely started before i slammed my hand down to silence it . My body felt heavy , like I had dragged the weight of the world into my sleep and carried it back out again this morning I stood up and stretched , my limbs aching from the restless night . Today was the deadline Alpha than had given me . It was the day I was supposed to undo what he thought I did to his wolf or face the council Today was also my birthday . You'd think that would make it a special day . A day when I might wake up to cheerful greetings , maybe even a cake or a small surprise waiting on the table . But no . Like every other year , it felt like I didn't exist . No one remembered . No one cared . The few who did pretended not to , as if acknowledging me would taint Olivia's perfect image Olivia . Of course . always stole the spotlight . Her smile , her grace , her manipulative charm - it drew people in like moths to a flame . Even on the day I was born , she somehow managed to shine brighter . That's what it always felt like . A dull ache twisted inside my chest as I remembered how even as children , all eyes were always on her I was the shadow behind her light . Isighed and rubbed my hands over my face , trying to push the thoughts away . But they clung to me like spiderwebs , sticking to every part of me . Then it hit me Today was also my mother's memorial The lump that had been forming in my throat finally made itself known , and I bit the inside of my cheek hard to keep from sobbing . What a cursed day- three reasons to cry and not one to smile . I hadn't visited her grave in so long . I had promised myself would this year , that I'd find a way . But fate had its own cruel plans , wasn't allowed to leave the pack house . Not with everything going on . Not with Olivia spinning her webs and Alpha Ethan breathing down my neck . So I was left with only one choice . The garden . It was the closest thing to peace I could get . And there were flowers delicate , untouched , hidden in the corners where no one bothered to look . That would be my offering . My small , broken gesture . I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower . The water ran for : ra moment before heating up , steam curling around the glass door . I stripped out of my clothes slowly , like every movement took a bit more of my strength . When I stepped under the water , I let it wash over me like a blanket . The warmth didn't chase away the cold I felt inside . I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes . My thoughts dried - images of a woman with warm eyes , a soft smile , arms that had once held me as a baby . Just for some minutes before she gave up everything for me . I had only a few memories , blurry and fragile like worn photographs , but they were mine " I miss you , " I whispered , letting the words fall into the water . " I miss you so much . " The tears came freely now , mingling with the water running down my face . I didn't bother wiping them away . They had every right to be here . Today , of all days After a while , I turned off the water and stood there , dripping and hollow , I dried off and dressed in a pair of black pants and a hoodie ple , plain , just 1/2 Chapter 24 the way I liked it . I pulled the hood up over my head , not because of the cold , but herause i didn't want anyone to see ma I slipped out of the room and made my way through the hall , silent and unnoticed . No one asked where I was going . No one cared . Pirect The garden was quiet when Larived . The sun was barely up , the sky still holding on to the last hints of dawn . A few birds chirped somewhere in the distance , but the world felt muted , like it was holding its breath . I walked through the stone path until I found the corner . Hidden behind a tall hedge was a patch of white lilies . My mother's favorite flower , Or what my dad told me . I crouched down and gently plucked a few , careful not to damage their delicate petals . Then I sat down on the cold stone bench nearby and stared at the flowers in my hands . And I cried . Silent , aching sobs that shook my shoulders . I tried to hold them back , to be strong , but it was impossible . Everything hurt . My chest , my heart , my memories . I missed her so much , and there was no one I could talk to about it . No one who would understand " I'm sorry . " I whispered through the sobs . " I'm sorry I haven't come to see you . I wanted to . I really did . But everything's just been ... .. hard " I wiped my tears with the sleeve of my hoodie , but more just kept coming " I don't know if you can hear me , Mom , but ... thank you . Thank you for giving me life . For loving me , even if it was only for a short while I don't know why things had to be this way . I don't know why you had to go , or why I ended up with people who don't care about me . But I'm trying , I'm still here . And I'm trying . " My voice broke , and I covered my face with my hands . " I just wish you were here ." The wind picked up slightly , rustling the leaves in the trees around me . For a brief moment , I imagined it was her her presence wrapping around me like the breeze . Maybe it was foolish , but I held on to that thought like a K I placed the lilies on the stone edge beside me and closed my eyes . " I love you : Mom . Always . " I sat there , unable to move . If she were here , maybe my life wouldn't have turned out like this . She would probably be encouraging me . But guess I'm on my o own now - without a mother , a father , and the painful part - a mate . This made me sob harder until my eyes were red and swollen , Just then , strong hands tapped me on my shoulder jolting me out of my thoughts . I turned to see Alpha Ethan . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!