SeraphinaI started feeling bad again. The way Alexander acted showed he wasn't expecting this, and he hated it.“Yoohoo! Alexander boy, long time no see.”Three huge men dragged their chairs to our table. Alexander stiffened in his seat. I stared at the table, sensing these men were powerful without needing to ask."Alexander, boy. Haven't seen you here in weeks," the biggest one taunted, slapping Alexander on the back. Alexander didn't seem like the joking type. His face was usually cold and serious."I had no reason to be," Alexander replied with a half-smile, trying to keep him at arm's length. Something in his eyes told me to stay calm, that everything was fine, or that I'd be fine no matter what. "Why are you here on a Saturday night with nothing better to do?""Of course, you're the business," a man replied. Should I ask to go to the bathroom? Should I avoid sudden moves? I was in Alexander's world, one I knew little about. I’m pretty sure these men had a past deal with Alexan
Seraphina stood by the window, gazing out at the horizon as she began to talk to a butterfly, as if it was listening to her, her voice barely above a whisper."There are individuals who have a burning desire for power in this world," she mused, her tone carrying a hint of contempt. "It significantly undermines their strength and greatly diminishes their prospects for leading a fulfilling life. I saw it firsthand. The girls who prioritised sleeping with Xandriel were clueless about the consequences they'd face. They had no fucking clue what power really meant."She shook her head, remembering the foolishness of those girls. "I was taken aback by his interest in me, and I've mentioned it before. It had an unusual, almost surreal quality to it."Her reflection stared back at her from the glass, eyes filled with memories. "I had no understanding of love until I crossed paths with Alexander. I had no parents, siblings, or any relatives. It wasn't until I arrived here that I had any. Trust
Seraphina"I thought I told you," Xandriel's voice cut through the air like a knife, making me shiver. My whole body shook. He grinned and tilted his head, staring at my scared face. I could tell he loved seeing me afraid. "Wait for me to start eating before you do. This is my house.""Yes, sir. I'm sorry," I stammered, my voice shaking as his grip on my throat tightened. It was hard to breathe, and panic filled me. I tried to stay calm, knowing that showing more fear would only make him happier."Actually, you are not," he paused and then said with confidence, "But you will be." Xandriel let go of me, and I fell to the ground, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. My body felt weak and tired. I took deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart.He made himself a plate of food, acting like nothing had happened. Then, he suddenly flipped the table, and the rest of the food crashed to the floor. The sound of breaking dishes echoed in the room.The dogs quickly ran over and started eati
Seraphina“The back of your legs, all the way down,” Alexander said, stopping to help me stand while he stayed on his knees. “They’re bleeding. How did this happen? What on earth happened?” Once he was up, I looked at him. My body was shaking uncontrollably, like I was having seizures. I couldn’t find my voice—my mouth just wouldn’t work. “You didn’t just stumble upon that place by accident, Seraphina.”Fear gripped me tight, like a vice around my chest. I was sweating and feeling super anxious. My mind was spinning, trying to make sense of everything.“Sorry, I lost my balance,” I said, but it felt wrong and awkward. He probably thought something worse was going on. The truth was way too complicated to explain, even to myself. “I felt some pain in that area.” I could tell he didn’t buy it. I tried to silently plead with him, hoping he could see the urgency and desperation in my eyes.“If you’re hurting yourself because—” His words threw me off. Did he really think I’d hurt myself? Af
Seraphina “Let’s get it done. It’ll be fun. Tonight, Alexander has some business meetings. How about we go to the mall and have dinner there? I know a great sushi place!” Margo’s excitement was contagious, and her eyes sparkled with determination.“Sure,” I replied, though my voice shook a little. The idea of being in a crowded place made my heart race. Last night’s run-in with those strangers still haunted me, but I tried to hide my fear. I wanted to seem brave, but the truth was, I was scared.I’d never been to a mall before. The girls in my old pack talked about it a lot—a huge place with lots of little shops. They made it sound so exciting and freeing. But I was never allowed to go. Xandriel’s rules kept me trapped, a prisoner in my own life.As we drove to the mall, anxiety twisted in my stomach. The car’s gentle hum was the only thing keeping me calm. Alexander’s house had become my safe haven since I left my pack. But the mall? It felt like stepping into the unknown, a place w
SeraphinaI tried to shift the conversation, my voice soft as I said, “No, I’m fine,” mustering a half-smile. I couldn’t help but watch, feeling a mix of guilt and unease, as the cashier meticulously folded each item into the bags. Pajamas, shorts, t-shirts, and pants—simple essentials now bundled with a price tag that made my stomach turn.“652 dollars and 80 cents,” the cashier stated matter-of-factly, handing Margo a sleek black credit card. My heart sank. How could she be so nonchalant about spending such a staggering amount? And most of it was for me, a thought that weighed heavily on my conscience.“Are you crazy? Six hundred dollars?” I blurted out, unable to contain my worry. Margo’s carefree demeanor only heightened my concern as she continued to add more items to our already overflowing cart. What seemed like a shopping spree to her felt like financial recklessness to me.“Have a wonderful day!” The cashier’s cheery farewell felt surreal, especially as she added a satin bow
Seraphina“Excuse me?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at the person I was helping, who clearly wasn’t hiding their sarcasm.I couldn’t miss the sleek black SUV tailing us, smoothly maneuvering around every corner like it was the king of the road, skipping stop signs and lights.“Why the heck would Xandriel let you hit the mall solo?” I shot back, thinking about Xandriel—someone I knew well but never quite figured out.“He convinced the girls to grab stuff for the new place. Ricci and Kade were with us at first, but they got bored,” Talia explained. “I slipped away when no one was looking.”“Talia, ever wonder what Ricci and Kade actually do?” Her story was getting sketchier, and I wasn’t buying it. “Ricci is Xandriel’s right-hand guy, looking after the female wards. He doesn’t really leave pack land unless it’s important.” A chill settled in my gut, making me uneasy in my seat.“I don’t know much about Ricci. Kade mentioned Xandriel had some jobs for us in exchange for supplies. You know
SeraphinaMy response came out sharp, a hiss escaping my lips. "Forget your apology." The words carried not just frustration towards Talia, but a deeper resentment towards Xandriel and the looming threat of his return."Um, excuse me, but I'm a bit disoriented. I'm not familiar with this location. Can you please tell me where we are?" My voice faltered slightly, betraying the unease gnawing at me."Devil's Pond," Talia answered, her tone apologetic yet tinged with a loyalty that seemed to tether her more to Xandriel's commands than to any solidarity with me."Well, isn't that just typical." I took a deep breath, attempting to quell the rising tide of frustration. Being brought back here was a cruel twist of fate, sparking a surge of defiance as I mentally strategized potential escape routes. Despite my lack of swimming skills, the thought of being taken to an island in the middle of a lake rankled me. "Oh, for goodness sake.""I advise against using her name disrespectfully, Seraphina