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
Alexander I leaned back in my chair, loosening my tie as he made himself at home. He sipped whiskey from my crystal glass, the ice clinking softly, and took occasional drags from his cigarette, filling the air with smoke. I had hoped that with Seraphina's return, the tension and anger I felt toward Xandriel would finally fade away.But nope, it didn't happen like that.Seraphina was hard to connect with, always seeming deliberately provocative. I could tell she had her defenses up, like she was shielding something deeper. Her fear of me, and men in general, was obvious. I kept trying to figure out why she acted this way, not sure if I really wanted to know the full story.I feel the immense pain, stress, and suffering she must be going through. Even though she's often angry at me, I react the same way. I struggle to break this cycle, haunted by my own disappointment. I'm determined to ease her suffering and bring her some peace.She thinks her actions frustrate or anger me. It's not
Seraphina"Sorry, Seraphina, but I can't do that," he said, his eyes barely flicking in my direction. He mentioned that he’s married now. A sharp pang of disappointment twisted in my chest. I couldn't shake the thought of Xandriel torturing Alden. The image haunted me, making my stomach churn. Alden had to look out for his partner, who happened to be a woman.He let out a weary sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, same here. I should probably go back to him."Alden interrupted with a hesitant, "You—," as if he had more to say but couldn't find the words. Maybe Xandriel had toughened him up since I left. If Talia had mentioned to Xandriel that Alden was assisting us, he wouldn't be able to lend me a hand at the moment. "Just head out through this side door and you'll find yourself in the garden," he said, his voice wavering. I noticed the dark circles under his eyes, the way his shoulders slumped. He looked older, worn out, the years and stress having taken their toll on him."Ju
Seraphina"Come on, you can do it," Margo urged. I was so close to reaching our destination, but my muscles felt like they were on the verge of giving out. The thought of giving up on myself was overwhelming. "Hey, can you please?" The fear of what might be lurking beneath us in that dark lake gnawed at me. I couldn’t feel the ground below, and the uncertainty sent shivers down my spine.When we finally reached the shore, my legs felt like jelly. Every step was a struggle, and I was sure I might collapse at any moment. But Margo, ever determined, led us through another stretch of woods. I had no idea where we were or how far we were from any place with a phone or shelter.If we didn’t find somewhere to stay soon, I was certain I’d freeze to death.Against all odds, we made it through the woods. My legs were heavy as lead, and my head pounded from the effort of breathing in the cold air. I should be used to running by now—it’s second nature. But this time, each step was a battle, each