Seraphine’s POV"Funny, I was about to ask you the same thing," he replied, stepping into the room. His gaze landed on Ewan, who looked like he wanted to disappear into the floor. "You. Out. Now."Ewan bolted without a word, leaving me alone with Lucien. The door clicked shut, the sound ominous in the heavy silence that followed."Lucien, I can explain—""Explain?" he cut me off, his tone sharp and biting. "You were caught with the attic key, Seraphine. The attic key. And now, instead of laying low like I told you, you’re out here making things worse?"I opened my mouth but closed it again, unsure how to respond. His anger was like a storm, and I was right in the eye of it."Do you have any idea what you’ve done?" he demanded, stepping closer. "The Elders already suspect you, and now you’re practically handing them a reason to go after you!""I wasn’t… I mean, it’s not what it looks like," I stammered, taking a step back."Oh, really?" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Becaus
Lucien’s POVI stood at the Pack border with Ryder, my Beta, watching as the control wolves inspected the damage to the wall. The eastern border had been the site of increasing threats lately, and this latest incident was a stark escalation. Ryder crouched beside a shattered section of the barrier, his fingers brushing over the scorched ground. Pieces of debris—small fragments that looked like explosives—lay scattered nearby. My wolf, Torin, growled low in my mind, but I forced him to stay silent. I needed focus, not fury.“What is going on here?” I demanded, pacing along the damaged wall. “Why are we being attacked constantly?”Ryder stood and dusted his hands off, his expression grim. “Alpha, I have no idea,” he admitted, his voice low. “But this doesn’t look like some random attack. Look here.” He pointed to where the wall had collapsed. “See how strategically this section is targeted? It’s the lowest part of the wall, the weakest link. Whoever did this knew exactly where to strik
Lucien’s POVThe steady rhythm of hooves echoed against the dirt path as Ryder and I galloped toward the heart of the pack’s territory. The wind bit against my face, but the cold couldn’t distract me from the storm raging in my mind. My mate. My Luna. And yet, she seemed determined to defy every order, every warning, as if she were untouchable.Thorun, my wolf, growled in the back of my mind, his voice low and frustrated. *"You’re overthinking this. It’s simple: protect her. That’s your job as her mate.""Protect her?" I shot back silently, my jaw tightening. *"She’s the one putting herself in danger. If I keep shielding her, I’m enabling her recklessness."*"Recklessness? Or determination? She’s trying to uncover the truth about her parents, Lucien. Don’t act like you don’t understand."I clenched the reins, my fingers digging into the leather. Ryder rode beside me, his sharp gaze scanning the horizon, but I could feel his concern without looking.*"She’s defying the rules, Thorun.
Lucien’s POVThe man shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting toward his companions. “We… we weren’t attacking,” he stammered. “We were scouting.”“Scouting?” I repeated, my voice dangerously low. “For who?”The third prisoner, a younger man with fear etched into his features, blurted out, “It was Damien! He sent us! Please, we didn’t have a choice—”“Shut up!” the scarred man hissed, glaring at him.I grabbed the scarred man by the collar, hauling him to his feet. “Damien?” I growled. “What’s his plan? Why is he targeting us?”The man clenched his jaw, refusing to speak. Torin growled again, urging me to let him take control. "Let me out, Lucien. I’ll make him talk."“Not yet.” I tightened my grip on the prisoner, leaning closer. “I don’t have time for games. Talk, or I’ll make you regret ever stepping foot near my territory.”He spat at my feet. “You think you’re so powerful, Alpha. But Damien’s smarter than you. Stronger than you. You don’t stand a chance.”I dropped him, letting h
Seraphine’s POVAs I made my way toward my room, a faint unease crept over me. Something wasn’t right. My steps slowed a bit when I noticed the door slightly ajar. I frowned. I knew I had locked it before I left.“Who the hell is in my room?” I muttered under my breath. My mind raced through possibilities. Maybe one of the maids had been careless and left it open after cleaning. But even that didn’t sit well with me. My personal space wasn’t something I took lightly.I stormed toward the door, muttering under my breath, “I’ll have their heads for this.”As I pushed the door open, the sight before me made my blood run cold. Lucien. Sitting on my bed. And right next to him, spread out in plain view, were the books and journals I had taken from the attic.Shit.“Lucien,” I began, my voice sharp, but it cracked under the weight of my rising panic. “How did you—”Before I could finish, his eyes met mine. The rage in them made my heart skip a beat. But it wasn’t just anger. There was somet
Seraphine’s POV“Keep moving, Luna!” Ryder shouted as we sprinted through the dimly lit woods.My heart pounded in my chest, each beat loud enough to drown out the chaos around us.The distant clash of metal, the snarls of wolves, and the panicked shouts of the pack kept me in a panic mode.The smoke in the air stung my eyes, but it wasn’t enough to block the fiery glow from the eastern border. The pack was under attack, and Lucien was out there. Fighting.My throat tightened as I whispered a silent prayer for his safety. Whatever our differences, I needed him to come back to me.“Move faster!” Ryder urged, his voice sharp with urgency.He glanced over his shoulder. Four guards flanked us, their weapons drawn and their senses on high alert.“Why arent in the cellar yet?” I gasped, struggling to keep up.“We will soon be,” Ryder said grimly. “It’s the safest place right now. Alpha’s orders.”“But??” I said, my stomach twisting. “I can fight—”“No!” Ryder cut me off, his tone leaving no
Seraphine’s POV“Fucking open your eyes!!,” a voice shouted, followed by the shock of cold water splashing over my face.I gasped, my eyes snapping open as my head jerked up. Pain was all in the back of my skull, sharp and unrelenting. My arms strained as I tried to move, but they were tied tightly behind me.“What’s happening?” I muttered, my voice harsh, panic clawing at my chest. My surroundings looked as though it was spining as I glanced around. My back was pressed against a rough tree trunk, the bark digging into my skin.“Who the hell are you?” I demanded, my voice sharper now, eyes darting to the figures standing before me.They were cloaked in shadows, their faces hidden by black masks. Five, maybe six men walked around me, their bodies tense and ready.One of them chuckled darkly, stepping closer. “You ask too many questions, Luna,” he said, his voice mocking.My heart skipped a beat. Damien’s men. That was my first thought. These weren’t strangers; they were enemies.“You m
Seraphine’s POV“Move it,” one of the guards barked, shoving me forward. My arms were still tied tightly behind my back, and every step I took sent a fresh wave of pain through my shoulders. The ropes cut into my skin, leaving them raw and burning.“Please, just listen to me,” I begged, stumbling over a tree root. “You don’t have to do this! Ryder is lying to all of you!”“Shut up, Luna,” the guard growled, his voice laced with venom. “You think we don’t know what you’ve done? The pack’s misfortunes started the moment you arrived. Ryder is right. You’re nothing but a curse.”“A curse?” I spat, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation. “Do you even hear yourself? What has Ryder promised you? Power? Status? He’s manipulating all of you!”Another guard stepped forward, his face twisted in a sneer. “Enough talk. Ryder’ll deal with you soon enough.” He grabbed my arm roughly, dragging me deeper into the woods.The air grew thicker with smoke, and I struggled to see through th
Lucien’s POV“Alpha. Alpha!”The voice echoed, dragging me out of the chaos in my mind. I blinked, disoriented, my gaze snapping toward the source. It was Mira, the Royal Nurse, standing at the foot of my bed. Her expression was calm, but her eyes held a mix of concern and frustration.“You need to eat, Alpha,” she said, her voice gentle but firm. “And take your medication.”I let out a harsh breath, turning my head away to stare at the wall. “I’m not hungry.”Mira didn’t move. “You haven’t eaten all day. If you continue like this, your body will collapse. Again.”Her words sent a pang of irritation through me. I didn’t need the reminder of how I’d slumped over during the courtroom meeting three days ago. In front of my pack leaders, no less. The embarrassment still burned, but it was nothing compared to the weight crushing me from all sides.“I’ll eat later,” I muttered, my voice clipped.“No, Alpha.” Mira stepped closer, her tone soft but unyielding. “You’ve been saying that for day
Seraphina’s POVblinked, trying to steady my breathing as I took in my surroundings. Everything felt surreal, like I had stepped into another world. The trees, the sky, the ground – all of it looked familiar yet utterly alien. The colors were too vivid, the air too still, and an unnatural glow seemed to emanate from everything. A strange energy thrummed around me, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.“What is going on?” I whispered to myself, panic rising in my chest. My voice echoed back, unnaturally loud in the eerie silence.“Lucas?” I called, spinning around. “Derek?”Nothing. No sign of them. No sound except the faint hum in the air. My heart pounded in my chest as dread crept over me. “Where are you?” I shouted, my voice trembling.Then came the pain. A sharp, searing ache coursed through my body, forcing me to my knees. My hands clawed at the ground, which felt soft and warm, almost alive. The pain wasn’t physical but something deeper, like it was ripping throu
Seraphina’s POVLucas went quiet for a moment, his jaw tight, his eyes flickering with emotions I couldn’t quite read. Finally, he sighed. “I didn’t mean to piss you off, Seraphina. Okay? I’m sorry.”I crossed my arms, still fuming but softened slightly by his apology. “You’re always stirring up something, Lucas.”“I know, but don’t worry,” he said with an almost maddening confidence. “All of this will be solved. You’ll see.”“How?” I asked, skepticism thick in my tone.“Just follow me,” he said simply, gesturing for me to walk with him.With a deep sigh, I nodded. “Fine.”Derek and Lucas led the way deeper into the woods. I followed them, my boots crunching against the forest floor as the towering trees closed in around us. The air grew cooler, the sunlight dimming as the dense canopy blocked it out. My heart thudded louder with every step, a mixture of curiosity and unease swirling in my chest.“Where are we even going?” I asked.“You’ll see,” Lucas replied without turning, his voic
Seraphina’s POVLucas had insisted I come with him, claiming he had a plan to help me reconnect with my wolf. I had agreed, though doubt clung to me like a second skin. As we ventured deeper into the woods, the air grew cooler, the scent of pine and damp earth more pronounced.“You’re awfully quiet back there,” Lucas said, glancing over his shoulder.“Just thinking,” I replied, pulling my jacket tighter around me. “This place feels… different.”“It’s meant to,” Lucas said cryptically, his lips curving into a slight smile. “You’ll see soon enough.”Derek scoffed from behind me. “You sure you know what you’re doing, Lucas?”Lucas shot him a look. “Trust me for once, will you? Just keep your eyes peeled.”I sighed, my gaze shifting to the trees around us. “Where exactly are we going?”Lucas slowed his pace until he was walking beside me. “To a place I think might help you. But first, let’s talk about something that’s been on my mind.”I raised an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”He hesitated,
Seraphina’s POVI couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, the same haunting images returned. Lucien, with his cold, calculating gaze. Ryder, his twisted smirk as if he knew something I didn’t. They loomed over me in my nightmares, their shadows stretching endlessly. They weren’t just haunting my dreams—they were stalking me, taunting me, reminding me of what could come if I faltered.I sat up with a start, my breath shallow and quick. The room was dark, save for the faint sliver of moonlight creeping in through the curtains. I felt trapped, suffocated by the four walls of the cabin.With a heavy sigh, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood. The cool wooden floor beneath my feet grounded me, but it wasn’t enough. I needed air. I needed to feel something other than this overwhelming dread.Wrapping a blanket around my shoulders, I stepped outside. The night greeted me with a gentle breeze, cool against my skin. The trees swayed softly in the wind, their rustling leaves
Seraphina’s POVI’ve been indoors for so long, I thought I’d go mad. The walls of Derek’s cabin felt like they were closing in on me. My guards hovered like shadows, always watching, always waiting. I couldn’t even step outside to breathe without them following close behind.I needed peace. I needed to feel the sun on my skin, the wind in my hair. But most of all, I needed to clear my mind. Derek and Lucas had made it clear they wanted revenge. They wanted blood for what Lucien’s pack had done to my family. But that path felt so wrong to me. How could I strike at the man I… the man I loved? Even if he’d kept the truth about my parents’ death from me. Even if my heart was breaking every time I thought about it.I sat by the window, staring out into the forest, trying to muster the courage to step outside.The sound of the door creaking open broke my thoughts. Lucas walked in, carrying a rabbit in one hand and a proud smile on his face.“Hey, look who finally left her nest,” Lucas said
Lucien’s POVThe throne room was cold, and not just because of the temperature. It was empty, barren of the life it once held. Lucien sat on the high-backed chair in the center, his eyes fixed on the crackling fire in the hearth. Its warmth couldn’t reach him—nothing could.He clenched his jaw, his fingers digging into the armrests of his seat. The memories of Seraphine haunted him, invading his mind at every quiet moment. Her laugh, her fiery spirit, the way she challenged him when no one else dared. Gone. All gone."Alpha," a voice called softly from the doorway. It was Ryder, his Beta. Lucien didn’t move, didn’t even acknowledge the man’s presence until Ryder cleared his throat awkwardly."What is it?" Lucien’s voice was sharp, cold enough to cut.Ryder hesitated. "The scouts have returned. There’s no sign of… her." His words trailed off as if he feared finishing the sentence.Lucien’s hands tightened into fists. "Dismissed," he growled.Ryder lingered for a moment as if he wanted
Seraphina’s POVHear me out now," Derek said, his tone low but firm. He looked straight at me, and for the first time, I noticed the tension in his eyes. "And hear me carefully.""Okay? Sure," I said hesitantly, unsure of what was coming.He glanced around the room, as if making sure we were truly alone. "When I went to the woods," he began, his voice quieter now, "I found out they were looking for you. Badly. They’re relentless, Seraphine. And the only way I could think of handling it was to make it look like you’re dead.""What?!" My voice shot up instinctively, but Derek was quick to hush me, placing a finger to his lips."Shhh," he hissed. "Don’t raise your voice."I glared at him, my heart racing. "You told them I was dead?""No," he clarified quickly. "I didn’t say anything to them. I took some of the clothes you bled in the day you came to my hut. I wrapped those clothes with more blood and left them where Lucien and his men would find them. Made it look like you were… ripped a
Seraphina’s POVAs I was still lost in my thoughts, Derek came inside with his usual goofy grin plastered across his face."Oh ye princess of the land!" he said jokingly, bowing dramatically. I couldn't help but laugh at his antics."Oh yeah? Princess guard of the land!" I shot back, grinning.He chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. "Careful now, Princess. I might just make sure you get kidnapped since I'm your guard."I burst into laughter, shaking my head. "You're so silly, Derek.""Silly? Silly is what keeps you entertained," he said, winking. "Now, tell me, how have you been?""Not good," I admitted, the weight of everything catching up to me. "Where have you been anyway?"He shrugged casually. "Taking care of something.""What was that?" I asked, narrowing my eyes suspiciously."Nothing important," he said evasively, the mischief dancing in his eyes.I groaned in frustration. "Derek! Stop being so cryptic! Just tell me."But he refused to answer, shaking his head with a teasi