Raven's POV

Jaxon was not by my side when I woke that night.

After stretching my hands above my head, I turned to snuggle closer to my mate, but I met a cold and empty side where he was supposed to be sleeping.

"Jax?" I called out sleepily. I glanced around and realised that it was still dark outside, possibly midnight. Jaxon had been absent during dinner, and I'd had to endure a meal with his mother giving me covert glances and quickly looking away when I caught her.

I had assumed that he was just tied up with some council meeting, or speaking with Liam. But afterwards, when we...