"My name is Daniel," he replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "And I am..... Nova's friend, well I am sorry I had to come again." He hesitated for a moment before stepping closer, his eyes studying her carefully, like he was looking for something he hadn’t found yet. "I understand you’ve had quite the journey."Seraphina’s heart skipped. This man—this Daniel—he looked like Luca. He resembled him so strongly that it was impossible for her not to feel a sense of déjà vu, a connection she couldn’t ignore. But Luca was the Alpha of the pack. What was this man’s role?Daniel took a step forward, lowering his voice, as if to shield them from any prying ears. "You should know, the pack doesn’t know you’re here, Seraphina," he said quietly. "Nova has kept your arrival a secret, and I think we should keep it that way—for now."Seraphina furrowed her brow. "Why?"Daniel’s lips quirked into a small smile. "Because... I don’t think anyone outside this room would understand,its so
Seraphina’s heart raced as she stepped deeper into the darkened forest, her breath shallow in the night air. The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie silver glow through the trees, their twisted branches reaching out like claws. She had been walking for hours, alone with nothing but the sound of her own footsteps to accompany her. The oppressive stillness of the forest seemed to weigh on her, thick and suffocating.She had no idea where she was going. All she knew was that she needed to keep moving, keep running. The wolves—those beasts—had been too close. She could still feel the echo of their presence, the cold breath of their gaze lingering on her skin. Their growls haunted her, their eyes predatory and calculating. What did they want with her? Why had they been so… fixated?Her mind raced with questions, each one sharper than the last, but the answers were elusive, always just out of reach. And the longer she stayed in this unfamiliar forest, the more her fear grew. The wood
___It felt like an eternity before they finally emerged from the dense trees, and Seraphina found herself standing at the edge of a small clearing. There, nestled between the towering trees, was a modest cabin. Its simple wood frame stood in stark contrast to the dark, oppressive forest around it. There was something about the cabin that felt different, almost… peaceful.The man stopped just in front of the cabin, and for the first time, he released her arm. His grip had been unyielding, but now, he stepped back and studied her with those dark, calculating eyes.“Stay here,” he ordered in a low voice, before turning and disappearing inside the cabin without another word.Seraphina stood frozen for a moment, her mind still reeling. What was happening? Who was this man? She had no answers, only confusion—and a growing sense of dread. She looked around, but the forest was quiet now. The wolves were gone. For the moment, at least.She wasn’t sure how long she stood there, her thoughts sw
As they reached the mansion, Luca led the way inside, offering Seraphina a glass of water. He motioned for his loyal maids to clean her up, but his eyes never strayed far from her.“Are you alright?” Luca asked, his voice low, his concern genuine.“I’m fine,” Seraphina replied, her voice shaking slightly. “Just… a little shaken.”Nova, standing off to the side, observed the exchange. Her eyes flicked between Seraphina and Luca, and Seraphina could feel the tension rising.“You two seem pretty close,” Nova commented, her tone teasing but edged with something darker.Seraphina hesitated, unsure how to respond. The air around them seemed to thrum with an invisible energy. She was painfully aware of Nova’s gaze, sharp, calculating. There was something lurking behind it.Edward, who had been standing silently by the door, stepped forward. “What’s your point, Nova?” he asked, his voice smooth, but there was a bite to it.Nova’s lips curled into a small smile. “No point,” she said, though he
Luca flinched at the rawness of her question. His heart twisted in his chest, but he had no answer. No way to explain how he felt."How could you even love someone you’ve only known for a few weeks?" Nova's voice was cold, almost mocking, though there was an undercurrent of pain that betrayed her outward composure.Luca's breath caught in his throat. His eyes met hers, finally, and in that moment, everything seemed to stand still. "She’s my mate, Nova," he said softly, his voice carrying a weight of truth that sent a shiver through him. "I could smell her. From the moment I met her, I knew. She’s mine."Nova’s face twisted into an expression of disbelief, and then, something colder—a cruel chuckle escaped her lips. "Are you telling me," she said, her voice laced with mockery, "that Seraphina is your mate?"Luca nodded, his expression heavy with regret and acceptance. "Yes," he murmured. "I can’t love you, Nova. I cherish you... so much, as my Beta nothing else, But I don't want to hur
—The moon hung heavy in the sky, causing a pale light over the dense woods that stretched endlessly in all directions. It was the perfect night for a hunt. The air was sharp, biting with the chill of late autumn, but it did little to deter the pack. It had been days since Seraphina and Nova had talked, Nova was angry because Luca choosed Seraphina all of a sudden.All of a sudden Luca senses were on edge, his heightened awareness attuned to every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig beneath an unseen foot. His wolf's instincts were fully awake, prowling beneath the surface of his skin, impatient to reach the mansion back.“Why are we even out here in the first place?” Seraphina asked “To hunt for myself” Luca said Seraphina's eyes widened, she prolly doesn't understand what that meant.“Hunt? For yourself?” She asked Luca smiled.“Have you always been hunting for years?” She asked and then glared at Luca, her hands at her waist “Wait, what do you even mean hunt? Animals? And who
—The wind howled through the trees, sweeping the fallen leaves into chaotic spirals beneath the towering trunks. The full moon hung high above, casting a cold, silver light on the forest floor, illuminating the tense faces of Seraphina and Luca. There was an electric charge in the air, as if nature itself held its breath, waiting for the inevitable clash.Luca’s senses were razor-sharp, his every instinct attuned to the world around him. His pulse raced with a dangerous rhythm, his wolf stirring beneath his skin, hungry for action. The pack was closing in. He could smell them could hear their ragged breathing, their growls, the soft thud of paws against the ground as they crept closer, surrounding them.“Are they following us?” Seraphina whispered, her voice barely a murmur against the wind, but the tension in her tone was clear. Her eyes scanned the darkness, seeking out the shadows that moved between the trees.Luca’s jaw tightened. He inhaled sharply, the sharp, metallic scent of
__Seraphina woke up in the mansion, Nova sitting next to her, she looked around, her eyes searching for Luca.The air inside the mansion was heavy, the silence deafening as Seraphina stood at the doorway of the room, staring at Nova, who was seated in a chair, her posture tense and rigid. The warmth of the fire crackling in the heart seemed at odds with the coldness that had settled between them.“Looking for Luca? He’s not here,” Nova said, her voice sharp, laced with bitterness. “He’s in his room, taking care of himself.”Seraphina’s heart skipped a beat. Luca. The sentence hung in the air, thick with meaning, but Seraphina could barely process it. The tension between her and Nova was palpable, like the storm that had been brewing in the skies for days before it finally broke.“Is he alright?” Seraphina’s voice was quiet, hesitant, as though she were afraid to ask. Nova’s anger was almost palpable, and Seraphina didn’t want to make things worse.“Thanks to you, he’s injured.” Nova’s
The wind howled through the dense forest, rustling the trees as dawn broke over the horizon. The sky bled shades of orange and pink, casting a golden glow over the dewdrops clinging to the grass.Seraphina sat by the riverbank, her knees drawn to her chest, watching the water ripple against the stones. Her fingers absently traced the curve of her stomach, a slow, steady smile forming on her lips.She had felt it—faint but unmistakable.Life.Her pup.Their pup.Kael’s scent drifted toward her before she heard his footsteps. He was cautious, quiet, still not used to approaching her without expecting a fight. But this was different.She turned before he could speak, her golden eyes locking onto his.Kael froze. “You’re smiling.” His voice was wary, laced with disbelief.Seraphina exhaled a soft laugh, shaking her head. “That’s a normal thing, you know.”Kael arched a brow. “Not for you.”Her smile widened. “Maybe that’s changing.”Something in his expression shifted—uncertainty melting
The forest was alive with whispers.The wind rustled through the trees, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant rain. My breath came fast, my pulse still erratic from our escape. Every step sent a sharp ache through my ribs, but I didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop.Kael moved beside me, his presence steady, his gaze sharp. He didn’t speak, but I could feel the weight of his thoughts pressing between us.We had escaped Varian. For now. But that didn’t mean we were safe.I glanced at Kael, his face half-lit by the rising sun. His jaw was tight, his movements tense. He wasn’t used to running—at least, not like this.“We need to find shelter,” he said finally, breaking the silence.I frowned. “Shelter? You realize we don’t have the luxury of stopping, right?”“You’re injured.”“I’m fine.”He shot me a look. “You were half-conscious five minutes ago.”I rolled my eyes. “I was dramatic five minutes ago.”Kael exhaled sharply, muttering something under his breath. “Stubborn.”I smirked. “You j
The first thing I noticed was the cold.It seeped into my bones, numbing the pain in my side where Kael’s blade had struck. My wrists ached from the silver shackles, burning against my skin. My head throbbed from whatever magic had knocked me out.But I was alive.Unfortunate for them.I cracked my eyes open, blinking against the dim torchlight. The stone walls around me were damp, lined with old runes that pulsed faintly. A prison.Footsteps echoed.I turned my head, forcing myself to stay still as the cell door creaked open.Kael stepped inside first. Behind him, Varian followed, moving like a king surveying his kingdom. His sharp, golden eyes locked onto me, filled with something dangerous.“You don’t look as dead as I expected,” Varian mused.I bared my teeth. “Disappointed?”Kael exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose like he had a headache. “Can we skip the part where you antagonize the person who holds your life in his hands?”I grinned. “Where’s the fun in that?”Varian chuckl
---Seraphina’s POVThe corridor was cold, damp, and far too quiet. My breath came in short bursts, my body screaming in protest with every step. But I moved, ignoring the sharp throb in my side. Mara was right behind me, her footsteps light but hurried.Kael led the way, moving like a shadow—quick, precise, eerily calm. He knew exactly where we were going. That should have reassured me. It didn’t.Mara leaned in, her voice barely a whisper. “Tell me again why we’re not stabbing him and running?”Kael didn’t even bother looking back. “Because I have the keys, and you don’t.”Mara made a face. “Smug bastard.”“Yeah,” I muttered. “That’s his whole thing.”Kael suddenly halted, pressing a hand to my stomach to stop me. Pain flared through my ribs, sharp enough to make me suck in a breath. He glanced at me—too quickly, too full of something dangerously close to concern—before shifting his attention forward.“Guards,” he murmured.Mara tensed. “How many?”“Two. Armed.”I exhaled through my
SeraphinaPain.That was the first thing I registered when I surfaced from the darkness. A deep, burning agony in my side, pulsing with every shallow breath I took. It was a constant, throbbing ache, reminding me that I was still alive. Unfortunately.The second thing was voices. Low, distant murmurs threading through my hazy thoughts.“…should have been more careful.”“I got the shot in, didn’t I?”“You nearly killed her.”“She’ll live.”Their words floated around me, barely registering through the fog of pain and exhaustion. My head lolled to the side, and I forced my eyes open, blinking against the dim torchlight. The room was blurry at first—just dark stone walls, shadows flickering across the damp floor.I shifted, or tried to. Something heavy and cold bit into my wrists and ankles. Chains.Well, that wasn’t good.I exhaled sharply, my throat dry and raw. “If you’re done talking about me like I’m not here, maybe one of you could be polite enough to tell me where the hell I am?”T
---“You’re bleeding.”I blinked, my vision still swimming from the exhaustion. Luca’s face hovered in front of mine, his brows furrowed.“It’s not my blood,” I muttered, wiping at my forehead and smearing more of the crimson mess across my skin.Mara snorted. “Yeah, that’s comforting.”Luca didn’t look amused. “You need to rest.”“I need to get out of here,” I shot back. “Then I’ll rest.”His jaw clenched. “Seraphina—”“Don’t start.” I pushed past him, ignoring the way my limbs screamed in protest. The Raven Clan was still behind us, and standing around debating my health wasn’t going to keep us alive.We moved in silence, our steps quick but cautious as we wove through the thick forest. The sounds of pursuit had faded, but that meant nothing. The Raven Clan didn’t make mistakes. If they weren’t right on our heels, it was because they wanted us to think we were safe.And I wasn’t about to fall for it.“Do you think they’ve given up?” Mara asked quietly.I scoffed. “Have they ever giv
She walked with them as they stepped outside. Seraphina’s vision blurred as the adrenaline that had fueled her through the fight began to drain from her body. The cool night air was a shock to her system, and the faint scent of damp earth and smoke filled her lungs. The battle had ended, but her own war was far from over.Luca didn’t slow down. His grip on her was firm, and though she was barely conscious, she could feel his resolve. He wasn’t going to let her fall behind, not now, not when they were so close to freedom. He kept moving, his warriors at his side, sweeping the area as they made their way toward the hidden exit from the compound.“I’m sorry, Luna,” Mara’s voice came from beside them, soft but filled with concern. “We didn’t—”“Don’t apologize,” Seraphina cut her off, her voice hoarse. “You did your part. All of you did.”Luca’s pace quickened. The sound of pursuit wasn’t far behind, but he was determined to get them out of the Raven Clan's grasp. The distant echoes of th
“We need to move,” she said, her tone urgent. She looked at the wounded scouts. “Can you fight?”One of the scouts, a woman named Mara, nodded, her face grim but resolute. “We’ll follow your lead, Luna.”Seraphina nodded once, then turned to the rest of her team. “We’re heading for the exit. Keep your eyes open. The Raven Clan won’t just let us walk out of here.”They moved quickly through the hallways, but the further they went, the more the tension in the air thickened. The sound of distant shouting reached their ears—someone had discovered the break-in."Stay close!" Seraphina commanded, her voice firm. “We’re not out of this yet.”Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the corridors, followed by the rapid pounding of feet. More guards were coming.Seraphina’s warriors formed a defensive line in front of her, weapons drawn, ready for the fight. She could feel the pressure mounting, but she refused to let it show. Not now. Not when they were so close.“Luna, we can’t keep them at bay
Luca’s eyes narrowed as he weighed the situation. "We can't just rush in blindly, Seraphina. The mountains are treacherous, and if the Raven Clan has set up defenses—""We don’t have time for caution," Seraphina interrupted, her voice low and sharp. "Those scouts are counting on us. Every minute we waste, they’re one step closer to death."Luca clenched his jaw but didn’t argue. He understood the urgency just as well as she did. “Fine,” he said. “We’ll go in prepared. But we need reinforcements. And a strategy.”“I’ll lead a smaller group,” Seraphina suggested, her eyes flashing with determination. “We’ll move quickly, hit them hard. You stay back with the main force. If anything goes wrong, we’ll need you to coordinate the backup.”Luca hesitated for a moment, clearly torn. But in the end, he nodded. “I don’t like it, but I know you won’t back down.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, his grip firm, his gaze unwavering. “Just come back to me.”Seraphina looked up at him, her expressio