Lucien’s POV“Alpha,” the guards greeted, their voices steady but edged with exhaustion, as I stepped into one of the towers on the border. My body was soaked in blood, the metallic scent clinging to me like a shadow. Some of it belonged to my wounded men, some to the enemies we had slain. The battlefield had been relentless, and though we were gaining ground, the cost weighed heavily on my shoulders.“Report,” I said, my tone clipped. I was too tired for pleasantries.“We’ve pushed Damien’s men to the outskirts, Alpha. Their numbers are thinning, but they’re holding their ground,” one of the guards informed me, his expression grim.I nodded, wiping the sweat from my brow. “Good. But we’re not done yet. Finish them off. No one crosses our borders alive.”“Yes, Alpha.”I leaned against the cold stone wall, letting out a deep breath. Thorin, my wolf, stirred within me, his voice a low growl in my mind.“You fought well,” Thorin said.“You sure?” I replied, doubt creeping into my thought
Lucien’s POV“Then where is she?” I demanded, shaking him. “If anything happens to her, I’ll make you regret the day you were born.”“Alpha,” a voice interrupted from the doorway. I turned to see one of my scouts standing there, his expression grim. “We found tracks leading into the woods. They look fresh.”I released Ryder, letting him collapse to the floor. “Stay here,” I ordered him. “If you’ve done anything to harm her, you’ll pay with your life.”Turning to the scout, I said, “Lead the way.”The tracks were faint but clear enough to follow. My heart pounded as we moved deeper into the woods, the trees closing in around us. The thought of Seraphine out here alone, possibly hurt, filled me with a rage I could barely contain.“We’ll find her,” Thorin said, his voice steady in my mind. “She’s strong. She’ll survive.”“She has to,” I replied..****The woods were silent, apart from the crunch of leaves underfoot. My eyes shine to the lifeless bodies of our men scattered across the for
Seraphine’s POVI heard a loud voice shout, "Retreat!" It was the Alpha’s command. The sound of men running filled the woods. My heart felt a bit lighter, but my arm hurt so much. Blood was still dripping from the deep cut.I tried to walk, but my legs were weak. Everything around me looked blurry. Before I knew it, my knees gave out, and I fell. Everything went dark.When I woke up, I was leaning against a tree. The woods were quiet now, but I could still hear the men running far away. My chest rose and fell quickly as I tried to catch my breath. I held my hand over my wound to stop the bleeding.“Thank God,” I whispered. “The woods are safe now. I need to go back to the pack.”I pushed myself to stand, thinking of Lucien. But as soon as I moved, pain shot through my arm. I let out a loud cry without meaning to. Fear washed over me, and I quickly covered my mouth.“Who’s there?” a deep voice called out. My heart felt like it stopped.I looked around, shaking. A guard had stopped near
Seraphine’s POVI walked slowly through the woods, breathing hard. The packhouse was finally in sight, but the thought of Ryder’s men hiding around made my stomach feel sick. My arm hurt badly, but I had to keep moving."I can’t go through the front door," I said to myself, looking at the big entrance. That would be crazy. If Ryder’s men saw me, I’d be in big trouble. "The back... I’ll go in through the back."I stayed low, crawling next to the bushes that lined the packhouse. The torches lit up the night, but I stayed in the shadows. Every time a guard walked by, I held my breath and didn’t move."How’s your arm?" a voice suddenly asked, scaring me.I turned quickly and saw Ana, the young pack healer. She was crouched nearby, looking pale. She must have been helping the hurt wolves in the woods."Ana!" I whispered. "What are you doing here?""I could ask you the same thing," she said, her eyes staring at the bandage on my arm. "That looks really bad. You need help.""I can’t stop now
Seraphine’s POVI pressed myself tightly against the wall, my breathing shallow. "Thank God, it’s just a guard passing by," I whispered, relief flooding me as the door opened and the figure stepped out. It was only a guard, walking past without noticing me. I quickly slipped behind a tall curtain, making sure no one could see or hear me.Peeking out carefully, I glanced through the slightly open door. My eyes widened as I spotted two figures standing inside. It was Lucien and Ryder. My stomach dropped at the sight of them together."What could Ryder possibly be telling him?" I muttered under my breath. My annoyance bubbled up. I wanted to storm in and give Ryder a piece of my mind, but I forced myself to stay hidden. I had to hear what they were talking about.Lucien’s shirt was still stained with dried blood. He hadn’t even cleaned up after the fight. His face was hard, his jaw tight. Whatever they were discussing seemed serious."What are you saying, Ryder?" Lucien’s voice was sharp
Seraphine’s POVI clenched my fists tightly, staring at the empty space where Lucien had stood moments ago. His words echoed in my mind, cutting through me like a blade. “She must pay for betraying us.” Betray him? How dare he accuse me of betrayal after everything I had done for him, for the pack! It was Ryder’s lies that poisoned his mind, turning him against me. But I wasn’t going to let their schemes destroy my life. No, not this time.I knew staying here was dangerous. If I didn’t act quickly, they’d find me and drag me back in chains. Escape wasn’t just an option; it was my only choice. My heart raced as an idea began to take shape. It was risky, but if I pulled it off, it might just save my life.“If they think I’m dead,” I whispered to myself, my voice trembling but determined, “they’ll stop looking for me. Lucien will know what it’s like to lose someone he loves.”I glanced down at my blood-stained clothes, a grim reminder of the earlier fight. What had been a horrifying orde
Seraphine's POVI heard a shout, startling me awake.“Who are you?!” someone bellowed. My eyes snapped open. I didn’t even realize I’d fallen asleep. My body felt heavy, my legs numb from trekking endlessly. Squinting against the early dawn light, I saw a figure standing a few feet away, clutching a spear.“I… I mean no harm,” I stammered, raising my hands in surrender.“Answer me!” the man barked, stepping closer. His face was rough, scarred, and his clothes looked like they’d seen better days.“I’m just passing through,” I said quickly. “I’m not here to cause trouble.”He didn’t lower the spear. Instead, his eyes narrowed, scanning me from head to toe. “You look like you’ve been in a fight. Blood everywhere. Explain yourself.”“It’s not my blood,” I replied, my voice steady despite the panic bubbling inside me. “I was attacked. Barely escaped.”“Attacked by who?” His voice carried suspicion.“Damien’s men,” I said, hoping the truth would earn his sympathy. “They… they won’t stop hun
Seraphine’s POV“Hey... you up?” A gentle tap on my shoulder shook me awake.I gasped and jolted upright with force, my heart racing. My hand shot out, grabbing the wrist of whoever had touched me.“Chill out,” Darek said, his voice calm but firm.Realizing it was him, I immediately let go, my face flushing with embarrassment. “Sorry,” I mumbled, rubbing the back of my neck. “I thought Ryder or his men were here.”“You’ve been through a lot,” Darek replied, shrugging it off. “It’s fine. Just try not to break my hand next time.”I gave him a weak smile. “Thanks for saving me earlier. I… I owe you.”“It’s nothing. You needed help,” he said simply, leaning against the wall. “Those guys are crazy. Bad news. You’re lucky I was here.”“Have you eaten anything?” he asked, his tone shifting to one of concern.I shook my head. “No, I haven’t. But I don’t want to be a bother. You’ve already done so much.”“You’re not a bother,” he said, waving off my concern. “Stay here. I’ll get you something.
Chapter 136 Seraphine’s POV The wolf hesitated. “Minutes. Maybe less.” “Shit.” Damien ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every movement. He turned to his men, barking out orders. “Double the perimeter. Get everyone ready. We hold our ground.” I watched him for a moment before speaking. “You have no idea who they are?” Damien exhaled sharply. “If I did, I wouldn’t be standing here wasting time.” Lucien chuckled. “Well, this is a nice change. Damien, the all-knowing, actually clueless for once. Feels good, doesn’t it?” Damien snapped his gaze to him, his teeth clenched. “Do you ever shut up?” Lucien grinned. “Not when I’m enjoying myself.” I ignored them, my mind racing. This wasn’t right. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I came here to kill Damien, to end this war once and for all. But now? Now it felt like something much bigger was coming. Something we weren’t prepared for. I took a deep breath, trying to push down the unease creeping up my spine. “If we don’t
Lucien’s POV The silence that followed Seraphina’s retreat was deafening. I could still feel her claws against my skin, the ghost of her grip lingering like a brand. My throat burned where she had nearly ended me, but it wasn’t the pain that rattled me—it was the look in her eyes before she let go. Damn her. I sat up slowly, wincing as my ribs protested the movement. The battlefield stretched out around me, chaos still raging in the distance, but for the first time, I wasn’t focused on the war. I was focused on her. She had every reason to kill me. Hell, she wanted to. But she didn’t. Why? I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a bitter chuckle. I already knew the answer. She might have convinced herself she hated me, that she wanted me dead, but the bond between us told another story. Seraphina still felt it. Even after everything. A sudden snarl snapped me out of my thoughts, and I barely had time to roll out of the way before claws slashed through the space where I’d bee
Seraphine's POVI stood there, my breath ragged, my heart hammering against my ribs. The blood, the smoke, the chaos around us—it all faded into the background. It was just him and me now.Lucien.His name tore from my throat before I could stop myself."Lucien!" I shouted, my voice shaking with rage.His head snapped up. His golden eyes locked onto mine, burning through the darkness. A slow smirk pulled at his lips, even with the blood dripping from his temple. "Seraphina," he called back, voice deep, mocking. "You finally came. Took you long enough."I clenched my fists. "I would’ve come sooner if I knew you'd still be breathing."He chuckled low, shaking his head. "You always were impatient."I took a step forward, my grip tightening on my dagger. "I’m not here for Damien. I don’t give a damn about this war. You think I’m fighting for him? You think I care who wins?" I let out a bitter laugh. "I came here for you, Lucien."His smirk didn’t waver. "Is that so?""You killed my parent
Seraphine's POVIn no time, I was at the borders of Lucien's pack. Just as I predicted, some of Damien's forces were still here, waging war. The air was thick with smoke, the scent of burning wood and blood mixing into something sickening. My eyes watered as I tried to see through the haze, but it was near impossible. The war had turned everything into a living nightmare. The pack walls—what was left of them—stood in jagged, crumbling ruins. Stones lay scattered like broken bones, pieces of wood charred black, barely holding onto their original form. The once-proud gates that had stood tall and strong were now reduced to splinters, torn apart by the endless battle.I swallowed hard, my throat dry. Was this the same pack I had once called home? The same pack where I had walked as a Luna? It was a skeleton of its former self, a ghost town caught in the middle of destruction. Bodies lay sprawled across the ground, warriors from both sides fallen where they fought. The walls, once meant t
Seraphine's POV131I moved quickly through the camp, my head low, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. The voices, the clatter of weapons, the scent of burning wood—all of it blurred together in my mind. My heart pounded, my mind racing."None of this is my business," I muttered under my breath. "I need to leave. I need to get back to my mission.""Lucien is the only thing that matters." Fiona's voice was sharp in my head, her growl vibrating through my bones. "These people? They’re just collateral damage."I swallowed hard, my steps slowing. Fiona was right. My hatred for Lucien burned hotter than anything else. The people here—his pack, his warriors, even the children—they weren’t my concern."I understand," I whispered. "I do. But…"I stopped, my fingers digging into my palms. My chest felt tight. My body was telling me to turn around, to leave, to find Lucien and finish what I started. But my heart—the part of me I had buried deep inside—hesitated."Don’t tell me you’re feel
Seraphine's POVThe night was colder than I remembered, the wind sharp against my skin as I moved through the thick bushes. Every step I took was slow and careful, my ears sharp for any movement. I had been walking for hours, maybe even days—I couldn't tell anymore. My body was exhausted, but I had no choice. I had to get to Lucien’s pack.I finally caught sight of the tracks, the ones I knew too well. My breath hitched as I stopped and stared at them."I know this place," I muttered, my fingers brushing against the rough bark of a tree beside me."You should. This is where Ryder tried to kill us," Fiona growled in my head, her voice full of anger. "The bastard thought we wouldn’t survive."I swallowed hard, memories rushing back like a flood. The cold grip of fear, the feeling of betrayal, the pain—everything came back at once. I clenched my fists, shaking my head."That was the past," I whispered. "Right now, I have something more important to do."The ground was uneven, covered in
Seraphine's POVA sharp pain shot through my skull as something hard slammed into my face. My body hit the ground with a thud, my already injured side screaming in agony. My vision blurred for a second before I forced my eyes open, blinking rapidly to clear them."Hey... Who the hell is this?" A rough voice growled above me.I barely had time to register what was happening before another kick landed on my ribs, forcing a strangled gasp from my throat. The pain was sharp, burning, and I curled in on myself, trying to breathe.Shit. Rogues.I forced my body to stay still, heart pounding as I looked up. There were three of them, all looking down at me like I was nothing more than a piece of meat. Their clothes were torn, covered in dirt, their faces rough with scars. Their eyes glowed dimly under the moonlight, their wolves just beneath the surface, ready to rip me apart."What do you have on you?" The tallest one demanded, crouching down and grabbing my arm roughly."N-nothing," I cough
Seraphine's POVI waited for the perfect time to make my escape. I knew it had to be just right. If I made one wrong move, Kieran would wake up, and I wouldn’t get another chance.I waited for 3 a.m.Even as I peeked outside the tent, I saw him. He was sitting by the fire, his back straight, his arms crossed over his chest like he was forcing himself to stay awake. His eyes fluttered shut for a second, then snapped open again. He shifted, rubbing his face, trying to shake off the exhaustion.But he was losing the battle.I stayed at the mouth of the tent, watching him. The fire cast flickering shadows over his face, making the bags under his eyes look even darker. He was really trying. Trying so damn hard.For me.My chest tightened.This was the guy who saved me. When Lucien and Ryder tried to kill me weeks ago, he was the one who pulled me out of that mess, the one who stood in front of me when I couldn’t even stand for myself. And now I was sneaking away like a coward.I tried to j
Seraphine's POVI couldn’t wait anymore. I needed to fight. I wanted Lucien dead, and that was exactly what I was going to do. Kieran wouldn’t allow it, I knew that. He always tried to hold me back, always said it was too dangerous. But I didn’t care. I was going to sneak out tonight, no matter what. I had already made up my mind.These thoughts ran through my head even as we made our way back from hunting. The sun was still high, though the afternoon had started to fade into evening. The forest around us was quiet except for the distant calls of birds and the rustling of leaves in the wind. I should have been paying attention, but my mind was elsewhere. My grip tightened around the bow slung over my shoulder.“Seraphina?” Kieran’s voice cut through my thoughts.I blinked, realizing I had been staring blankly ahead, lost in my own head. I turned my gaze to him, but I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. If I opened my mouth, he’d know. He always knew when something was off with me.He fro