13SeraphinaThe silence was suffocating.I woke up with my heart hammering against my ribs, my breath uneven, my body already moving before my mind caught up. The room was dimly lit, unfamiliar. The scent of stone and something faintly metallic clung to the air. My pulse pounded in my ears as I reached for something—someone—only to be met with nothing.No presence. No warmth. No whisper of my wolf in the back of my mind.I gasped, shoving down the rising panic. My fingers dug into the sheets before I forced myself to move. The floor was cold beneath my bare feet as I pushed off the bed and made my way to the door. It didn’t budge. I rattled the handle harder, frustration building in my chest.Locked.I looked toward the window, my eyes scanning for an escape, but the glass was sealed tight. My fingers ran along the edges, trying to find a way to lift or unlock it. It wouldn’t budge. The window was as trapped as I was.The weight of the confinement settled over me, I swallowed hard, p
14KaelionShe was locked in the room next to mine. It wasn’t trust that made me keep her so close—it was necessity. I needed to watch her. Study her. Understand what exactly had led her here.Every night, I brought medicine. It was the only thing I could do for her, not that she appreciated it. Her wounds wouldn’t heal properly with her wolf suppressed, so I applied the salve myself. She fought me at first, of course. She always did. But I had the patience of a predator. I had all the time in the world to wait her out.Tonight was no different.When I entered the room, she was asleep. The dim light cast soft shadows across her face, highlighting sharp cheekbones and the slight furrow between her brows. Even in rest, she seemed ready for war.Beautiful.I froze.Had I just thought that?My jaw tightened. I shook off the thought, stepping closer, my movements careful. She shifted slightly, but didn’t wake. Her breathing was steady, her chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm. It was
15SeraphinaThe door clicked shut. I heard the lock turn. Again.I swallowed the frustration burning in my throat and let my head fall back against the pillow. My pulse was still uneven, my body still tense from his presence. From the way he looked at me.Kaelion.Even his name felt like a snare tightening around my throat.I turned onto my side, curling my fingers against the sheets. The room was quiet, but his scent lingered—cool, crisp, edged with something wild. He always smelled like the first bite of winter. Like the moment before a storm.I hated it.I hated how familiar it was becoming.I clenched my jaw.He thought he had me figured out. Thought he could read me like he read everyone else. But he was wrong.I wasn’t some puzzle for him to solve.And I sure as hell wasn’t going to let him win.My arm ached where he’d applied the salve, but the pain was dull now. Manageable. I pressed my palm over the bandage, exhaling slowly. My wolf should have healed this already. If she we
16SeraphinaFor a moment, neither of us moved.Dan followed his gaze, and his expression darkened slightly when he saw me standing there. He didn’t smirk this time. His mouth pressed into a thin line, and a flicker of irritation passed over his features before he masked it.“Well,” he said, voice flat. “Look who finally left her cage.”Something about his tone made it clear—he didn’t like me. But he didn’t step forward. Didn’t challenge me. Because Kaelion was right there.I ignored Dan and kept my gaze locked on Kaelion. He didn’t look surprised to see me. If anything, something unreadable flickered in his expression.“You’re supposed to be resting,” he said, voice calm but laced with quiet authority.I lifted my chin. “And you’re supposed to be keeping me locked up. Seems we’re both ignoring orders.”Dan exhaled sharply, almost like a scoff, but he didn’t add to the conversation. His fingers flexed at his sides, like he wanted to say something but knew better.Kaelion noticed.His
17I could feel the blood pounding in my ears as I moved down the hall, the sound of chaos intensifying with every step. What the hell was going on?My mind was still reeling from the moment I had just left behind. Her. Seraphina. Her defiance had set something off inside me, something dangerous, something I couldn’t quite control. She had stood there, unflinching, eyes locked on mine, as if daring me to act. I’d wanted to break her, bend her will to mine, to remind her who held the power here. But damn it, that moment… the way she held her ground. It had shaken me more than I cared to admit.The crash had interrupted us, and I couldn’t help but feel a sick sense of relief. It was the only thing that had pulled me away from her. From the almost kiss. The heat between us had been unbearable, and yet, I’d stepped back, obeying the instinct to address the immediate threat. A threat, I suspected, much more pressing than whatever was happening between Seraphina and me.I turned the corn
18SeraphinaDays passed and passed and one evening, he didn’t bring the salve. Instead, he stood at the doorway, arms crossed, watching me.I glared at him from where I sat on the bed. “Forget something?”“No.” He tilted his head slightly, as if studying me in a way I couldn’t quite decipher. “You need air.”I frowned. “What?”“You’re suffocating in here.” His gaze flickered to the window. “I’m taking you outside.”A sharp laugh left my lips before I could stop it. “Right. And if I try to run?”Kaelion’s expression didn’t change. “Then I’ll catch you.”Something in the way he said it sent a shiver down my spine. It wasn’t a threat. It was just a fact.I clenched my fists, heart pounding, but I didn’t argue. Maybe it was the exhaustion of being caged for so long, or maybe it was the simple, aching need to feel the wind against my skin again.So I stood.The first step outside was like breaking through the surface of a frozen lake.The air hit me hard—cool, fresh, carrying the crisp sc
19SeraphinaKiera.The name curled in the air like a snake.She smiled at Kaelion, her red hair catching the last rays of the sun, giving her the illusion of fire and blood. The sight of it made something tighten in my chest. Not fear. Not jealousy. Just… something sharp.“It’s been too long,” she said, her voice carrying that easy, practiced familiarity.“Not that long,” Kaelion replied, but there was a faint ghost of a smirk on his lips. The kind he never gave me.I watched as she stepped closer, the fluidity in her movements almost deliberate. Her hand, light as a feather, brushed against his arm—a touch that lingered just long enough to be noticed. Just long enough for her to know I’d see it.“And still, you’ve been keeping secrets,” she mused, her gaze flickering toward me for the first time. She didn’t sneer, didn’t glare outright, but there was something in her eyes—a quiet satisfaction, the kind you get from knowing you’re untouchable.Kaelion’s expression remained unreadable
20Seraphina Kaelion and Kiera continued speaking, their conversation flowing seamlessly. Strategy, formations, orders—I barely had to listen to know they were perfectly in sync. It was infuriating. The way they moved together, the way he actually smirked at something she said, the way she leaned just a little too close when pointing at the map he had rolled out on the table.I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms. I had no reason to be angry. No reason to feel this… annoyance twisting inside me like a thorn.I wasn’t jealous.I wasn’t.Still, I didn’t want to be here any longer, watching them fit into each other’s world like I was nothing more than an outsider.So I turned on my heel and left.Kaelion didn’t stop me.*****By the time night fell, I was back in my room, sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at the flickering candlelight. My wounds ached, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to be alone.The door creaked open.I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.
30Seraphina’s POVThe sun was just beginning to rise when the trembling finally stopped. My breaths came in slow, uneven waves, my body aching from the battle between my instincts and the remnants of that unnatural power still humming beneath my skin.And I was barely clothed.The remnants of my shift had left my clothes shredded, torn beyond repair. Cool morning air brushed against my exposed skin, making me shiver. I curled my arms around myself, trying to cover what little I could.Kaelion had never left my side.I felt his presence beside me, steady and unwavering, even when I couldn’t bring myself to look at him. He had every reason to fear me. I’d nearly—No. I didn’t want to think about it.“Come on,” he murmured, his voice quieter now, almost gentle. “There’s somewhere I want to take you.”I hesitated. My legs felt weak, my mind still fogged over from whatever had taken hold of me, but something in his tone made me follow. He didn’t force me, didn’t push—he simply waited, lik
Ron coughed, blood spattering the wooden floor as Dylan Grenville pressed him hard against the tavern wall. His suit was torn, face swollen from the hits, and the cold steel of Dylan’s gaze was more suffocating than the grip around his collar.“You’re making a mistake,” Ron rasped, spitting blood to the side. “You think I’m the end of the line? You’ve just made an enemy you can’t handle. My boss—he’s Goliath. You hear me? Goliath. The man who eats corpses for breakfast.”That name echoed like a thunderclap.Chairs scraped.A drunk at the bar nearly dropped his mug. “Did… did he say Goliath?”A bald man near the hearth froze mid-laugh. “No damn way. You mean that Goliath?”From the shadows, someone muttered, “The one who blew up an entire casino over a poker insult?”The barmaid behind the counter dropped a glass, shards scattering. “I heard he skinned a man just for calling him ‘big guy.’”A grizzled patron in a tattered coat leaned over his shot. “Burned down three blocks just ‘cause
30Seraphina’s POVThe sun was just beginning to rise when the trembling finally stopped. My breaths came in slow, uneven waves, my body aching from the battle between my instincts and the remnants of that unnatural power still humming beneath my skin.And I was barely clothed.The remnants of my shift had left my clothes shredded, torn beyond repair. Cool morning air brushed against my exposed skin, making me shiver. I curled my arms around myself, trying to cover what little I could.Kaelion had never left my side.I felt his presence beside me, steady and unwavering, even when I couldn’t bring myself to look at him. He had every reason to fear me. I’d nearly—No. I didn’t want to think about it.“Come on,” he murmured, his voice quieter now, almost gentle. “There’s somewhere I want to take you.”I hesitated. My legs felt weak, my mind still fogged over from whatever had taken hold of me, but something in his tone made me follow. He didn’t force me, didn’t push—he simply waited, lik
28Kaelion’s POVI didn’t trust this woman.Luna was too smooth, too sweet, her words like honey laced with poison. And the way she kept smiling at Seraphina, like she actually cared, made my skin crawl.I watched her closely as she raised her glass to her lips, sipping her wine slowly, her eyes flicking between me and Seraphina. She was playing a game, and I hated not knowing the rules.When the food arrived, I didn’t hesitate.I reached for Seraphina’s plate, pulling it toward me. She didn’t protest, just watched as I picked up her fork and cut into the meat.Slowly, I brought the piece to my mouth and chewed.Luna let out a soft chuckle, tilting her head. “My, how protective,” she mused, swirling the wine in her glass.I didn’t answer. I was too focused on the taste.Nothing seemed off. No bitterness. No strange aftertaste. But that didn’t mean anything. If Luna wanted to harm Seraphina, she wouldn’t be so obvious.After a moment, I placed the plate back in front of her.Seraphina
28Kaelion’s POVI didn’t trust this woman.Luna was too smooth, too sweet, her words like honey laced with poison. And the way she kept smiling at Seraphina, like she actually cared, made my skin crawl.I watched her closely as she raised her glass to her lips, sipping her wine slowly, her eyes flicking between me and Seraphina. She was playing a game, and I hated not knowing the rules.When the food arrived, I didn’t hesitate.I reached for Seraphina’s plate, pulling it toward me. She didn’t protest, just watched as I picked up her fork and cut into the meat.Slowly, I brought the piece to my mouth and chewed.Luna let out a soft chuckle, tilting her head. “My, how protective,” she mused, swirling the wine in her glass.I didn’t answer. I was too focused on the taste.Nothing seemed off. No bitterness. No strange aftertaste. But that didn’t mean anything. If Luna wanted to harm Seraphina, she wouldn’t be so obvious.After a moment, I placed the plate back in front of her.Seraphina
28Kaelion’s POVI didn’t trust this woman.Luna was too smooth, too sweet, her words like honey laced with poison. And the way she kept smiling at Seraphina, like she actually cared, made my skin crawl.I watched her closely as she raised her glass to her lips, sipping her wine slowly, her eyes flicking between me and Seraphina. She was playing a game, and I hated not knowing the rules.When the food arrived, I didn’t hesitate.I reached for Seraphina’s plate, pulling it toward me. She didn’t protest, just watched as I picked up her fork and cut into the meat.Slowly, I brought the piece to my mouth and chewed.Luna let out a soft chuckle, tilting her head. “My, how protective,” she mused, swirling the wine in her glass.I didn’t answer. I was too focused on the taste.Nothing seemed off. No bitterness. No strange aftertaste. But that didn’t mean anything. If Luna wanted to harm Seraphina, she wouldn’t be so obvious.After a moment, I placed the plate back in front of her.Seraphina
28 Kaelion’s POV I didn’t trust this woman. Luna was too smooth, too sweet, her words like honey laced with poison. And the way she kept smiling at Seraphina, like she actually cared, made my skin crawl. I watched her closely as she raised her glass to her lips, sipping her wine slowly, her eyes flicking between me and Seraphina. She was playing a game, and I hated not knowing the rules. When the food arrived, I didn’t hesitate. I reached for Seraphina’s plate, pulling it toward me. She didn’t protest, just watched as I picked up her fork and cut into the meat. Slowly, I brought the piece to my mouth and chewed. Luna let out a soft chuckle, tilting her head. “My, how protective,” she mused, swirling the wine in her glass. I didn’t answer. I was too focused on the taste. Nothing seemed off. No bitterness. No strange aftertaste. But that didn’t mean anything. If Luna wanted to harm Seraphina, she wouldn’t be so obvious. After a moment, I placed the plate back in front of her.
Chapter 31 Seraphina’s POV “You’re joining me in training.” I stared at Kaelion like he’d just grown another head. “Training?” My voice came out higher than I expected. “But… I—I’m not ready.” He didn’t flinch. His tone was matter-of-fact, as if this was just another morning. “You need control. You want answers. Training is where we start.” “But I don’t even know how to throw a punch,” I mumbled. “You’ll learn.” His eyes softened slightly. “I’ll teach you myself.” The words shouldn’t have meant so much, but they did. My heart gave a traitorous little thump. Kaelion—Alpha heir, warrior—was offering to help me. Not because he had to. But because he wanted to. “Okay,” I said, barely above a whisper. “I’ll come.” He gave a short nod, the corner of his lips twitching just slightly. “Good. Sunrise. Don’t be late.” I showed up the next morning barely awake, still stiff from yesterday’s chaos, but determined. My new clothes were simple and functional: dark leggings, a fitt
Chapter 31 Seraphina’s POV “You’re joining me in training.” I stared at Kaelion like he’d just grown another head. “Training?” My voice came out higher than I expected. “But… I—I’m not ready.” He didn’t flinch. His tone was matter-of-fact, as if this was just another morning. “You need control. You want answers. Training is where we start.” “But I don’t even know how to throw a punch,” I mumbled. “You’ll learn.” His eyes softened slightly. “I’ll teach you myself.” The words shouldn’t have meant so much, but they did. My heart gave a traitorous little thump. Kaelion—Alpha heir, warrior—was offering to help me. Not because he had to. But because he wanted to. “Okay,” I said, barely above a whisper. “I’ll come.” He gave a short nod, the corner of his lips twitching just slightly. “Good. Sunrise. Don’t be late.” I showed up the next morning barely awake, still stiff from yesterday’s chaos, but determined. My new clothes were simple and functional: dark leggings, a fitted top, an