The Flashback

  “What’s this?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “It’s a gift,” she said, her tone defensive. “Don’t make it weird.”

  He picked it up, turning it over in his hands, and then looked back at her. She was fidgeting with the strings of her hoodie, her cheeks slightly pink.

  “You got me… socks?”

  “You don’t wear them,” she pointed out, her voice sharp but her ears visibly reddening. “Your fancy shoes don’t make you invincible, you know. Blisters are a thing.”

  He barked out a laugh, the sound filling the quiet bar. “You’ve been worrying about my feet?”

  She scowled. “Don’t read too much into it. It’s just… practical.”

  Adolphus studied her, his laughter fading into a soft smile. She was always like this—prickly on the surface, but there was so much care beneath it. It wasn’t just the socks; it was her noticing that he never wore them, her deciding to fix that in her own way.

  “Thank you,” he said, his voice low and sincere.

  She glanced at him then, her green eyes wide with surprise. “You’re welcome.”

  He pulled the socks out of the package and held them up, inspecting the bright, clashing stripes. “Not exactly my usual style.”

  “That’s the point,” she said, smirking now. “You’re too boring. This will fix that.”

  Adolphus chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re something else, Seraphina.”

  She shrugged, but her smile lingered, small and satisfied.

  Back in his room, Adolphus held the socks tightly, the memory fading but the emotions lingering like an ache in his chest.

  She cared then, he thought, his throat tightening. She cared, and now all she has for me is hate.

  His hand trembled slightly as he set the socks back on the dresser, his gaze distant.

  “But I’ll fix it,” he murmured to the empty room. “I’ll fix everything. I swear it.”

  ###########

  Morning came fast.

  Adolphus stood in the large, sunlit chamber of his home, his arms crossed as he listened to his mother, Lady Elara, speak. 

  

  Her voice was soft, yet there was an underlying firmness to her tone, a quality that came naturally to the matriarch of the werewolf kingdom. 

  

  “Adolphus,” she began, her eyes meeting his with a gentle yet knowing gaze. “The women are going to the lake today to bathe and relax. I think it would be good for Seraphina to join us.”

  

  The mere mention of Seraphina’s name caused a flicker of emotion to pass across Adolphus’s face. 

  

  He was fiercely protective of her, yet that protectiveness was laced with a deep-seated mistrust. 

  She was human, after all, and a Hunter at that. Despite the growing bond between them, he couldn’t forget who she was or what she had been raised to do.

  

  “No,” Adolphus replied curtly, his voice leaving no room for argument. “She’s not to be trusted. Not yet.”

  

  Lady Elara sighed softly, shaking her head in a way that only a mother could when dealing with a stubborn son. “Adolphus, keeping her cooped up like this will only make things worse. She needs air, freedom, even if it’s just a little. It might help her adjust to our ways.”

  

  “She’s dangerous,” Adolphus insisted, his tone hardening. “I won’t risk it.”

  

  His mother studied him for a moment, her expression softening. “You’re the Alpha, and I respect your judgment. But you must also remember that she is a guest in our home, not a prisoner. Let her feel some semblance of normalcy, or she’ll never come to trust us.”

  

  Adolphus clenched his jaw, his mind racing. 

  He wanted to protect Seraphina, to keep her close where he could ensure her safety, but he knew his mother was right. 

  The more he tightened his grip, the more she would resist. 

  He took a deep breath, trying to balance his protective instincts with reason.

  

  “Fine,” he finally conceded, though his voice remained firm. “But I’ll follow and watch from the sides. She’s not leaving my sight.”

  

  A warm smile spread across Lady Elara’s face, her eyes crinkling with approval. “Of course, you’re the Alpha. You can do whatever you like.” She chuckled softly, shaking her head at his overprotectiveness. “But try to give her some space. Let her breathe a little.”

  

  Adolphus didn’t respond, only giving a brief nod. He knew his mother was right, but the thought of letting Seraphina out of his immediate control made his chest tighten with unease. 

  

  Still, he agreed, knowing that this was a step they needed to take.

  

  Satisfied, Lady Elara left the chamber, her footsteps light as she went to find Seraphina. 

  

  When she reached Seraphina’s room, she knocked gently on the door, waiting for a response. 

  After a moment, the door creaked open, and Seraphina appeared, her eyes wary and guarded.

  

  “Seraphina,” Lady Elara said warmly, her voice like a soothing balm. “We’re going to the lake to bathe and relax for a while. I thought you might like to join us.”

  

  Seraphina hesitated, her gaze flickering with uncertainty. 

  

  She had learned not to trust too easily in this strange world she was now a part of, but there was something about Lady Elara’s presence that made it difficult to refuse. 

  

  She wasn’t as harsh or demanding as the others, and for that, Seraphina found herself softening, if only slightly.

  

  “I... I suppose I could come,” Seraphina replied quietly, her voice tinged with reluctance. 

  

  She wasn’t entirely comfortable with the idea, but staying locked away felt even worse.

  

  Lady Elara smiled kindly, her eyes full of understanding. “Good. It will do you some good to get out for a bit. Just follow me, and we’ll be on our way.”

  

  As they walked together down the corridors of the grand estate, Seraphina couldn’t help but glance around, her eyes lingering on the ornate decorations that spoke of the werewolves’ long and storied history. 

  

  Despite everything, there was a part of her that was curious about this world, even if she couldn’t fully embrace it.

  

  When they reached the courtyard, Seraphina noticed Adolphus standing off to the side, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. 

  

  He nodded at her, his eyes sharp as they met hers, a silent reminder that he was watching, always watching.

  

  Lady Elara gave her son a knowing look, but said nothing as she led the group towards the path that would take them to the lake. 

  

  Seraphina followed, her steps slow and cautious, her heart pounding with a mix of trepidation and curiosity. 

  

  She didn’t know what awaited her at the lake, but she knew that, for now, she had no choice but to go along with it.

  

  As they walked through the woods, the sound of the wind rustling through the trees was almost calming, a stark contrast to the turmoil in Seraphina’s mind. 

  

  She was acutely aware of Adolphus’s presence behind her, his every movement sending a shiver down her spine. 

  

  It was a reminder that, even in this moment of supposed freedom, she was never truly free.