Seraphine’s POVI hurried back to my room, my heart pounding like a war drum.“Damn!” I whispered harshly to myself, slamming the door shut behind me. Leaning against it, I took a shaky breath, trying to calm down.“That was so close,” I muttered, staring blankly at the ceiling.I had gone to Lucien’s office to drop off the attic key. I figured he’d still be out with his hunting pack, and I could slip in and out without anyone noticing. But when I opened that door and saw him sitting there…“Fuck!” I groaned, pushing off the door and rushing into the bathroom.The cold water hit my face like a shockwave, but it did little to settle my nerves. I grabbed the edges of the sink, staring at my reflection. My damp hair clung to my cheeks, and my eyes were wide with panic.“Did he notice how much I was shaking?” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Did he see when I hid the attic key behind my back?”The memory replayed in my mind. I had shoved the key into my pocket so quickly I wasn’t su
Lucien’s POVI just stood there in the garden, staring after her, my heart pounding in my chest. What the hell had just happened? My fists clenched as her words echoed in my head."I don’t owe you an explanation!""Maybe you don’t deserve to."Did Seraphine just walk out on me? My mate? Is she mad?!“I told you,” Thorin, my wolf, growled. “Something’s off with her. You need to stay sharp, Lucien.”“Just shut it!” I snapped, my voice trembling with anger.A few maids were passing by the garden and froze, their eyes wide with concern. “Anything the matter, Alpha?” one of them asked timidly.“Get out!” I barked, my voice like a whip. They scurried away without another word, leaving me alone with my boiling frustration.Thorin growled low in my mind. “You’re making a mistake, Lucien. You should be watching her, not standing here sulking.”“Enough,” I muttered under my breath as I stormed toward the main house.“I’m serious,” Thorin persisted. “She’s hiding something, and Damien knows more
Lucien’s POVRyder was waiting for me outside the hall. “How did it go?” he asked.I shook my head. “They’re meddling where they shouldn’t.”He frowned. “What did they say?”“They think Seraphine’s behavior is tied to Damien,” I said bitterly. “As if I didn’t already have enough to deal with.”Ryder’s expression darkened. “Do you think they’re right?”“I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice strained. “But I can’t let this spiral out of control. If they keep questioning her loyalty, it’ll only make things worse.”“What do you want to do?” Ryder asked.I paused, considering my options. “Keep watching Damien. If he steps foot on our land, I want to know immediately. And keep an eye on Seraphine, but discreetly. I don’t want her feeling like she’s under surveillance.”“Understood,” Ryder said with a nod.“And Ryder…”“Yes, Alpha?”“Find out what the pack is saying,” I added. “If these rumors are spreading, I want to know who started them.”“Of course,” Ryder said before heading off.I stood
Lucien’s POV“Next case!” I shouted, my voice booming through the courtroom. The sound of my command lingered in the air as I sat back heavily on my throne in the court room.I had been under a lot of pressure these past few days, trying to keep everything together. My mind was constantly occupied with Seraphine, the rumors, and the endless list of issues that kept piling up. I hadn’t had the time to really focus on the cases as they came, so today, I decided I’d be present. It was time to clear up the backlog. The pack depended on me to handle the cases, and the elders couldn’t do much without my presence.The room fell silent for a moment before the next case was brought in.As usual, Seraphine’s seat remained empty. I glanced at the spot where she normally sat, a sharp pang of frustration cutting through me. It had been weeks since she’d been down here in the courtroom with me. She always had an excuse—usually about how she didn’t want to judge a pack that would never accept her. I
Seraphine’s POVIt had been over three weeks since Lucien returned, and I’d made it my personal mission to give him as much attitude as humanly possible. I avoided his gaze, gave him short answers, and walked out of rooms whenever he entered.Surprisingly, he’d given me space, which was odd for Lucien. He wasn’t the type to back off easily, especially when he knew something was up.But there was something else nagging at me—something that had been keeping me on edge. The attic key.It had been weeks since I took it from his drawer, and I hadn’t figured out how to return it without raising suspicion. Every time I thought about sneaking it back, my nerves got the better of me. What if he already knew it was missing? What if he was waiting for me to confess?The thought sent a shiver down my spine as I sat at the dining table, poking at my breakfast. Across the table, Lucien sat in his usual spot, his broad shoulders hunched slightly as he skimmed through a stack of pack papers. He was ea
Seraphine’s POVA bright idea then came to my head. Nice. This will perfectly work. I thought, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.I hurriedly pushed back my chair, leaving my half-eaten breakfast behind. "Clear the dishes," I instructed the maid nearby, my tone brisk as I made my way out of the dining room.I darted upstairs to my room, closing the door firmly behind me. The attic key felt like a heavy secret in my pocket. But today, I was finally going to get rid of it."The best time to sneak into his office and drop this key is when he’s in the throne room with his elders," I muttered to myself, pacing the length of my room. "And they’re scheduled to meet at noon today."I glanced at the clock on my bedside table. It was 9:30 a.m. I had just enough time to figure out the details. If I timed it right, Lucien’s guards would all be with him, leaving his office unguarded. Perfect."What could possibly go wrong?" I asked myself with a grin, flopping onto my bed. My fingers
Lucien’s POVI stood in the silence of my office, staring at the attic key in my hand. My fingers tightened around it as Thorin, my wolf, growled in my mind.You see? I told you, Thorin said, his voice filled with triumph. She’s been hiding something.Like what the fuck?! I thought, my shock barely contained. How did she even—?Calm down, Thorin interrupted, his tone shifting to something more soothing. Maybe she found it on the floor. Or…No! I snapped, cutting him off. Don’t defend her. This key was in my fucking drawer, Thorin. My locked drawer. Only the Pack’s crest can open it. So how the hell did she get it?Thorin fell silent for a moment, but I could feel his unease. He didn’t have an answer, and neither did I. My mind raced with possibilities, none of them good. I took a deep breath, trying to steady the storm of emotions building inside me.“She’s lying about something,” I muttered aloud, my voice cold and sharp in the empty room. “And I’m going to find out what.”My thought
Lucien’s POVI was about to leave the courtroom when a voice stopped me in my tracks.“Alpha, a word?”I turned, already irritated. It was Elder Maric, one of the pack’s senior advisors. He stood near the doorway, his posture rigid and his expression unreadable.“What is it?” I barked, my annoyance evident.“We, the Elders, have something important to discuss with you,” Maric said, his tone careful but insistent.I clenched my fists, trying to rein in my temper. “Make it quick. As you can see, I’m not in a good mood.”“It won’t take long,” he promised.With a frustrated sigh, I strode back to my seat, sitting heavily. “Fine. What is it?”Maric hesitated, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. His hesitation only fueled my irritation. “Spit it out, Maric. Speak now, or let it go.”He nodded, his gaze briefly flicking to the other Elders before returning to me. “Alpha, we have reason to believe…” He paused again, searching for the right words. “When you left for your recent hunt, yo
Lucas's POVThe problem at hand is getting out of control. Alpha Damien is getting ground faster than I expected. I can feel the stress in the room as my leaders gather around the table in the strategy room. They’re all looking to me for answers, for some sort of plan that will turn this war in our favor. But all I can think about is the Luna—her words, her betrayal, and the chaos she’s brought into my life.“All I want right now is to make sure my pack is safe and that everything works out just fine,” I said, pacing around the room. “We need to win this war. No matter what.”“Alpha, may I speak freely?” one of the leaders, Marcus, asked, standing up.I waved a hand. “Go ahead.”Marcus cleared his throat, looking at the others before locking eyes with me. “The major reason we’re losing is because the soldiers believe the Luna is back. They’re saying she’ll bring bad luck.”My chest tightened. I slammed my fist on the table, making the leaders jump. “We are not here to discuss supersti
Lucas's POV"Get the army ready. We have a war to fight."That was my final order to the Twins before I left for the priestess’s house. I needed to ensure Seraphina would remain asleep for another year. My claim to the throne had to be secured, and she was the only real threat standing in my way.Arriving at the priestess’s dwelling, I was met by her servants, their faces blank and unreadable. They bowed slightly, stepping aside as I approached the grand entrance."I need to see the priestess," I said, my voice steady but firm.One of the servants hesitated before responding. "She is in her chambers, my lord. She will be called. Please wait here."I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to stay calm. I had no time to wait. But I knew better than to push the priestess’s patience. So, I sat down, my fingers tapping against the armrest of the wooden chair.Minutes passed. Too many. The anticipation was suffocating. I was so close to my goal, yet everything still felt fragile. If Seraphina woke
Lucas’s POVThe fight between Alpha Damien and Alpha Lucien has been going just as planned," I said, sipping my wine in my house. "Now, the right time for me to strike is near.""Uncle... strike what?"I turned to see the Twin Alphas standing in my doorway. Their sharp eyes studied me as if trying to understand my words."Ah, nothing," I said quickly, waving a hand. "Just talking to myself."They traded looks, clearly unconvinced, but didn’t push further."Alright," one of them said. "We actually came here to tell you that the other agents you sent are here. They’d like to see you."I nodded. "Good. I’ll be downstairs in a minute."They paused for a second before finally leaving, slamming the door behind them. I smirked, stirring the wine in my glass as I leaned back into my chair.Over a year ago, I had Seraphina taken to a healer, and she had been asleep ever since. That made it the best moment for me to take everything that was rightfully mine. Without her around, my plans were mov
Ryder's POVI walked outside angrily, still fuming. I did everything right for the pack. I made sure Seraphina was out. I made sure she was gone, yet she survived. And now she was back? Talking all kinds of nonsense to Lucien? Trying to ruin everything I had built? No. I wouldn’t allow it.“She should be dead,” I muttered, my fists clenching as I walked to my guards. “She was supposed to be dead.”As I approached, my guards straightened and bowed. “Beta Ryder.”“I have a job for you,” I said without hesitation. “Tell me about the guards around Seraphina’s cell.”One of them, Jax, stepped forward. “Her prison is heavily guarded, Beta. The Alpha ordered extra men to watch her. No one goes in or out without permission.”I cursed under my breath. Of course, Lucien would do that. “How many?”“Four inside, four outside. Two more at the entrance to the dungeon.”Ten guards. That was more than I expected. “Who’s leading them?”“Hale.”I gritted my teeth. Hale was one of Lucien’s most loyal me
Lucien’s POVI walked back into my study room, angrily, even as I was lost in thought on everything that Seraphina told me earlier. Was she actually right? That Ryder was behind her attempted death? Nah... It can't be true. She can't be serious, I said to myself, even as I was so angry, trying to suppress my anger.The door creaked open, and Ryder stepped in, his usual smug look in place. "Alpha," he said, nodding at me. "Our men are winning in the war at the southern part of the pack. We have the rogues cornered. Just a little more force and—"I didn't let him finish.Grabbing him by the collar, I slammed him against the wall, my fingers tightening around his shirt. His eyes widened in shock. "What the hell, Lucien?!"I growled lowly. "You tell me, Ryder. Tell me why Seraphina is saying you were behind her attempted death! Tell me why she would look me in the eye and swear that my own Beta—my so-called right-hand man—is a traitor!"He scoffed, his lips curling into an amused smirk ev
Seraphina’s POV"Ryder," I spat, the name hanging in the air like a poison. "Your so-called right-hand man is the one who wanted me dead.""What?!" Lucien's eyes flared with surprise, his hands shaking as he stepped toward me. "You're lying!"The slap came too quickly for me to brace myself. My head snapped to the side, and the sting burst through my skin. Blood rushed into my mouth, and I tasted iron on my tongue.I wiped my mouth slowly, a slow smile twisting up the corner of my lips. "I don't lie, Lucien. Not about things that matter.""You think you can turn me against my Beta?" His voice was low, angry, each word holding the weight of a threat. His jaw clenched as if holding back a monster, his whole body shaking with repressed anger.I laughed bitterly, tasting the metallic taste of blood again. "What makes you think I give a damn about your Beta?"He advanced, looming over me, his shadow swallowing the dim light in the cell. "You’d better stop lying, Seraphina. If you think you
Seraphina’s POVGuess the loneliness has started kicking in.Night was falling, and I could still hear the clash of Damien and Lucien's men outside. The distant sound of swords clashing and men grunting filled the cold air, a cruel reminder that the war was far from over. I shifted slightly, my chains clanking against the stone floor, the silver still burning my skin. My body was screaming in pain, but my mind? It was sharper than ever.At this point, I didn’t even know if I had made the wrong choice coming here all alone, against the Priestess’s will. But what choice did I have? I needed my revenge, and I needed it fast."You didn’t," a voice in my head said.Ava.I scowled. "Don’t start.""You should have waited," she said, her voice calm but firm."Waited for what?" I snapped, biting down the anger rising in my chest. "For Lucien to get stronger? For Damien to finish what he started? You saw what he did to us, Ava! And where were you? Where were you when I was almost killed?" My vo
Seraphina’s POVFucking get up...The voice was faraway, almost unreal. It repeated in my head, pulling me from the darkness. My body felt heavy, my limbs like dead weight. I tried to open my eyes, but they refused to follow. My head pounded, a dull ache spreading through my brain.Then—cold. Ice-cold water crashed against my skin, pulling me back into awareness. A sharp gasp ripped from my throat as my body jerked awake. My eyes flew open, and I saw them. Four guards stood around me, their faces emotionless, their eyes void of compassion. What the hell! I struggled, but something was wrong. My body refused to move the way it should. I reached for my wolf, calling to her, demanding her strength— But there was nothing. Silence. Panic crawled up my spine. My dog had never abandoned me. Not once. But now, she was gone—silent, inaccessible. I tried to move again. My arms didn’t budge. My legs felt stiff. What the fuck? I forced myself to look down and saw them. Chains. Thick, huge
Lucien’s POVAdvance! We must make sure they all are reduced to ash!!!I yelled, my voice echoing through the chaos of war. My sword struck against an enemy’s blade, sparks flying as I forced him back. My body moved on instinct, cutting down every fool who dared stand before me. Blood sprayed my armor, sweat dripped down my face, but I didn’t stop. We had to win. Then, suddenly, my wolf stirred. It wasn’t the normal fight rage. No. This was different. It was something I hadn’t felt in a long time. A strange feeling spread through me. What is this? I gritted my teeth, shaking my head, but it only got stronger. A pull deep in my gut. My heartbeat pounded faster. My wolf growled, restless. And then I looked up. And I fucking saw her. Seraphine. She stood there, eyes locked on me, her blade dripping with blood. The chaos of war raged around us, but in that moment, it felt like it was just the two of us. She was living. “You…” My voice came out rough, filled with disbelief and s