Chapter 1: Seraphina POV

Seraphina's POV

1 Day Prior

My mind was wrapped up in the thoughts about my husband, Alister as I walked into the large auditorium that we used for pack meetings. Here at the Shadow Pack, we are always accepting new members in attempts to grow our pack. It was one of the few things we did that made our pack different from others. Some of the surrounding packs thought of us as the “pack of misfits,” but that didn’t stop my father from being the welcoming man that he was.

Being the Alpha’s daughter of the Shadow pack had its perks but also downfalls. I looked down at the slender white gold band on my ring finger remembering the events of my wedding. I shook myself out of the memory, not wanting to reminisce on trialing times.

I searched the small crowd of pack members and guests for Alister. Thankfully I did not have to search for long. Alister King was a woman’s wet dream with his tousled dirty blonde hair, broad frame, and sharp features. Everything about him was pure masculinity. He had the wanting stares of all the women in the pack.

A sense of concern overwhelmed me when I saw Alister’s taut expression. The warrior he was speaking to walked off when he saw me walking towards my husband. His mood now was a sharp contrast to what it was this morning. This morning he had been unusually excited for today’s pack meeting.

"Darling, what’s wrong?" I questioned while placing a hand on his upper arm. He looked at me with a cold expression before softening his features.

"It's nothing that concerns you, Seraphina." He said dismissively before he looked past me and surveyed the crowd as if he were looking for someone. This was our life. We didn't have many interactions with each other as a husband and wife should. He usually spent most of his time in his study or helping our Gamma with training the warriors. I knew as the Beta of our pack that he would be busy. I was well versed in the lifestyle due to my father’s role.

"Alister, please, if something is going on with the pack, I have every right as the Alpha’s daughter and as your wife to know.”

Alister paused, before inching his face closer to mine. A tendril of his dirty blonde hair fell between his eyebrows. “There have been whispers on the border of a potential attack from one of our allies. That’s all the information I can share about it for now. I need to speak with your father first.” His tone left no room for questions.

I moved closer to him and gave him a stern expression, “We WILL be discussing this more after the meeting.” I responded with the same tenacity as he had.

Alister did not reply as he walked up onto the stage area and took his seat next to the podium where my father would be running the meeting from.

"Is everything alright?" Our Gamma, Andrew asked with a hint of concern. I had to crane my neck to see him properly due to his massive six-foot seven-inch frame.

"Hm? Yes, everything is fine."

"You seem distracted."

Andrew and I got along really well. We often spoke to each other and eventually became good friends when he took over the Gamma role in the pack. I spent a lot of time helping train with him and the warriors along with helping train the women of the pack. It was imperative to my father, Alpha Reynald, that everyone in the pack be able to have some skills in self-defense.

"I'm fine," I forced a smile. He did not look convinced but decided to let it go and take his seat next to mine.

My father stood on the podium and greeted everyone, "Good evening, everyone, just a few announcements today. Starting off, our new batch of warriors have completed their training and will be assigned new posts. Andrew will talk about this… However, there has been intel regarding a threat with a neighboring pack. It's nothing serious yet, but we are currently monitoring the situation. I will release more details once we have more information.” I tuned the rest of the announcements until I saw a beautiful blonde woman walk onto the stage next to my father.

“Everyone, I’d like to introduce Lyla Perry.”

Numerous gasps were heard as Lyla walked down the hall.

Her long blonde hair swayed to the rhythm of her hips as she strutted up to the podium. She reminded me of one of the Victoria's Secret runway models. Flecks of hazel glimmered in her eyes as the spotlight hit them. Her tight red dress accentuated her curves, especially her ample cleavage.

Alister's eyes were glued to Lyla as she bowed to my father. His eyes never left her as she made an introduction. “Alpha Reynald, it is an honor.”

My father bowed his head to her before continuing with the initiation. “Do you agree to follow the way of life, rules, and regulations of the Shadow pack?”

“I do.” She responded sweetly. For some reason her voice made me clench my teeth. Something about it rubbed me the wrong way.

“Do you solemnly swear not to be deceitful in any capacity to the Shadow Pack and it’s members.”

“I do.”

“Please read the following with your left hand raised.” My father gave her a piece of parchment.

“I, Lyla Perry, swear to honor the rules, way of life, and regulations as set forth by the Shadow Pack. I swear to act with integrity and honor. I understand that going against these vows are punishable by death or being deemed rogue.”

Jealousy dripped from me like venom. The way Alister stared at her made my blood boil. Not once did he ever look at me like that.

"Thank you, Alpha, for allowing me into your pack, I will work hard to make our pack stronger," She gave a warm smile, and everyone clapped.

"Very well. Welcome to the Shadow Pack."