Raven Moon

Chapter 10 –

The Mark of the Exiled

The scent of damp earth and pine filled the air as Rogue sat near the fire, absently running his fingers over the jagged scar on his forearm—a cruel reminder of the night everything changed. The flames cast flickering shadows against the cave walls, but even here, deep in the forest, he could feel the weight of their judgment.

He was never meant to survive.

Raven sat across from him, her eyes reflecting the firelight, searching his face for answers. "Tell me," she murmured. "Tell me why your name is a curse on their lips."

Rogue let out a slow breath, his expression unreadable. "Because I was supposed to be one of them."

Raven frowned. "One of Conner's family?"

He scoffed. "Once. A lifetime ago."

She leaned forward, hanging onto his every word. Rogue rarely spoke of his past, and when he did, it was always laced with bitterness. Tonight, though, there was something else in his voice. A quiet kind of rage.

"My family was bound to theirs, sworn to serve and protect the bloodline. Generations of loyalty, unquestioned obedience." His jaw clenched. "Until me."

Raven swallowed. "What happened?"

Rogue's lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile. "I refused to be a pawn."

The fire crackled between them, the silence stretching. When he finally spoke again, his voice was low, controlled, but Raven could hear the raw emotion beneath it.

"Their power isn't just wealth or influence, Raven. It's something older, something darker. The Hawthorne bloodline is built on secrets, on rituals they pretend don't exist. And when I found out the truth, I was given a choice—submit or be erased."

A chill ran down her spine. "Erased?"

Rogue turned his arm slightly, letting the firelight catch the scar. It wasn't just a wound—it was a brand. A sigil carved into his flesh.

"They marked me an exile," he said, voice devoid of emotion. "To them, I am nothing. A ghost. And if I ever step too close again, they will finish what they started."

Raven's pulse quickened. Conner had never spoken of this—never even hinted at it. She thought of the way he had looked at Rogue, not just with rivalry but with something deeper.

Fear.

"They're afraid of you," she realized.

A humorless chuckle escaped Rogue's lips. "They should be."

Raven's breath caught. "What did you do?"

For a long moment, he didn't answer. Then, slowly, he met her gaze, the green-and-purple flecks in his eyes burning with something wild, something unyielding.

"I broke their chains," he said simply. "And I won't let them put them on me again."

The wind howled outside, rustling the trees, carrying the whispers of something far older than either of them. Raven shivered, but it wasn't from the cold.

She had wanted the truth. Now, she had it.

And it changed everything.

It changed how Raven saw Rogue beautifully mysterious her longing grew for him to protect him and want has strong arms, Rogue coukd feel and smell a change in Raven but said nothing.

Raven stood up walked over to Rogue my I sit my you, Rogue looked up and took her hand pulling her to him, to kiss her.

Rogue pulled away and look into Ravens eyes, can I ask you something Raven nodded, if you chose me will you turn vampire? I am half vampire and I do not age and I want to with me for eternity if you will have me, Raven leaned in to kiss him to quiet his words, he sensed Raven was not ready for that desision yet. Rogue leaned in to kiss her back, wrapping his arms around Ravens waist to pull her closer, that night in the woods Raven gave her self to Rogue, his touch was magic on her skin she never wanted this to end.

They fell asleep in each others arms, Raven awoke to Rogue having a bad dream and him muttering. Run Run Chloe it's your blood they want. Confused Raven woke Rogue with a kiss, are you ok?

Rogue throught sleepy eyes said yes why do you ask? You were dreaming and it seemed bad. You mentioned a Chloe with wide eyes Rogue got up and dressed and changed the subject would you like some coffee?