Seraphina’s POVI stepped out of Alfred's opulent villa, the weight of his proposal pressing heavily on my mind. The card with Alfred's number felt like a burning brand in my pocket. He had given me time to think, promising me the money to fulfill my dream if I agreed to pretend to be his cousin. Despite the promise of seeing my dream come true, doubt gnawed at me. I couldn't possibly go through with it, could I?The evening air was cool and brisk as I made my way back to Caroline's home. I had been staying with Caroline ever since my release from prison, a safe haven amidst the chaos of my life. Caroline had always been my rock, and tonight, I needed my friend more than ever.As I approached the modest house, my heart raced with anticipation. I had gone through so much in the past month and couldn't wait to share everything with Caroline. I knocked on the front door, and Caroline unlocked it a moment later. She wore a baggy T-shirt and shorts, and her hair was a mess. Her eye
Seraphina’s POVAlfred's black limousine roared up the winding drive of his secluded villa, its headlights slicing through the thickening dusk. I sat in the back seat with Caroline, our faces pale and eyes wide with fear. The events of the evening replayed in my mind like a horror movie on repeat.When the car finally stopped, Alfred turned off the engine and stepped out, motioning for us to follow. His villa loomed before us, a sprawling mansion bathed in the warm glow of exterior lights. It seemed like a fortress, a place of safety, yet the anxiety clinging to my chest wouldn’t let me fully appreciate it.Inside, the spacious, elegantly decorated interior did little to soothe our nerves. Caroline clung to my arm, her trembling fingers betraying her fear. Alfred led us to a comfortable sitting room, where we collapsed onto a plush sofa.“You’re safe here,” Alfred said, his tone softer than usual, though still holding an edge of authority. “No one can harm you now.”Tryi
Seraphina's POVThe next few days were a whirlwind of activity. I found myself immersed in the history of the Vanderwood family, studying every detail Alfred provided. The mansion became a library of secrets and legacies, and I devoured every bit of information like I was cramming for an exam. Alfred was a constant presence, guiding me through the intricate web of his family’s past and prepping me on how to interact with his father. There could be no slip-ups.Garfield Vanderwood was once an influential figure, the former Alpha King, but is now in a fragile state due to illness. Alfred’s descriptions painted a picture of a proud, dignified man who was as cunning as he was fierce. His presence kept balance among the packs, and they would remain in line as long as he was alive. The way Alfred talks about Garfield Vanderwood shows that he genuinely admires him as a mentor and as a father. I can't fathom how much it must hurt to see someone you cherish being slowly devoured by illnes
*Alfred*Seraphina Lovelace was a curveball I would never have seen coming. These days, I've found myself too busy to even meet anyone on the outside of the rigors of royal life. When I wasn’t taking care of Father or worrying about his condition, I was trying to track down the traitors who’d set me up for the attack that brought me to Archeron’s basement. When I’d first met her, I’d been skeptical, expecting more of the same betrayal I’d faced before. If my own bodyguards —wolves who’d been allied to my family for years —could be turned on a dime, then I had no reason to expect a complete stranger to show me any kind of allegiance. Yet she’d taken care of me when I was at my most vulnerable. It was painful to admit that a man in my position needed help. I was the new Alpha King, the heir to a dynasty built on power and strength, and I should’ve been able to win against lower wolves. But I hadn’t expected them to use the filthy tactics they did to lower my guard.
*Seraphina*“You seriously expect me to hire a jailbird? What do you take this company for, Miss Lovelace? A joke?” I clenched my fists as the interviewer’s cruel words replayed again and again in my head as I walked out of the building. It’d been awful. Humiliating. I knew from before that it wouldn’t be easy to try and find a decent job after my stint in prison. As though my lack of degree wasn’t enough, people made so many assumptions about my character and morals. This interviewer had been no exception, echoing a version of James’s words to me the day I was released. I had to bite my tongue to keep from retaliating, bite my lip to keep from crying in front of the man who’d essentially laughed me out of his office. Archeron had been an ideal situation, a hole-in-the-wall pub whose patronage and staff could never dream of throwing stones at someone with a criminal record. But that didn’t represent the bigger world. And trying to find a half-decent job with my backgroun
*Seraphina*“Uncle Garfield!” The young man who’d saved Alfred back at the bar climbed out of the driver’s seat and came running toward Alfred and Garfield before apparently remembering his place and slowing down. “I mean, my lord.”The older man laughed with endearment before waving the guy over. The newcomer bent down to hug Garfield, a show of such casual affection that it surprised me that the royals were capable of it in the first place. It made me realize just how little I still knew about this family despite my hours of study. Alfred looked amused, and I was lost until he finally introduced us.“Seraphina, this is Elliot. Son of Beta Williams and the royal pain in my ass since we were kids,” said Alfred, though there was a warmth in his words. Elliot laughed, clapping a hand on Alfred’s shoulder good-naturedly. “That’s his way of saying I’m the one that makes all of his good decisions for him,” he said. Then he turned to look at me. “I’m sorry, my idiotic best frien
Seraphina’s POVThe purr of Alfred’s car was a soothing rhythm as we drove back to Caroline’s house. I stared out the window, trying to process the whirlwind of the past few days. The trees blurred into green streaks against the sky, and my thoughts spun faster than the car’s wheels. How did I end up here, living in the Vanderwood House, pretending to be Alfred’s cousin? It felt surreal, like a dream teetering on the edge of reality.When we arrived at Caroline’s place, the familiar scent of lavender greeted me. Caroline stood in the doorway, her eyes widening in surprise. "Seraphina! What’s going on?" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of excitement and confusion.I stepped out of the car and walked toward her, my heart pounding. “I’m moving into the Vanderwood House,” I said, trying to sound casual. “Just came to pack up my things.”Caroline’s face lit up with a smile. “OMG!! That’s incredible! I’m so happy for you!” She pulled me into a tight hug. “This is amazing, Seraphi
Seraphina’s POVI took a deep breath, bracing myself. “I… I guess I got a bit carried away,” I admitted, trying to keep my tone light.Alfred’s eyes narrowed. “This is excessive, Seraphina. You don’t need all of this.”I felt a flush of embarrassment creeping up my neck. “I know, but... it was my first time. I didn’t realize how much I was getting.”Elliot stepped in, his tone soothing. “Alfred, it’s not a big deal. She was just having some fun. It’s not every day you get to experience this kind of luxury.”Alfred raised a hand, stopping Elliot from speaking any further. The look on his face was stern and cold. Elliot’s eyes widened a bit before he collected himself, and with a bow, he left the two of us alone in the living room.The lingering excitement from my extravagant shopping trip quickly evaporated as Alfred’s expression grew darker. His earlier irritation had turned into a stormy silence that made the air feel heavy. I tried to ignore it, but I could feel his