Seraphina's POVLucas guided me carefully through the dense woods surrounding the pack territory. The tension in the air was thick, each sound making my heart race. Derek trailed behind us, his eyes darting around, scanning for any signs of danger.“Are you sure about this?” I whispered to Lucas, clutching his arm. “What if they catch us?”“They won’t,” Lucas said firmly, his voice low but confident. “I’ve lived here my entire life. I know every corner, every hidden path. Trust me.”Derek gave a small grunt from behind. “Let’s hope your plan works, because I’m not exactly looking forward to a fight with your brothers.”Lucas smirked but didn’t reply. Instead, he pointed toward a narrow trail ahead. “This way. Stay close.”The path was overgrown, branches scratching at my arms as we moved deeper into the forest. The moonlight barely pierced through the thick canopy, casting eerie shadows around us.“What if someone’s patrolling?” I asked, my voice shaking slightly.“They won’t come thi
Seraphina’s POV“Samuel, Torrin, step outside and give us a moment,” he ordered.Without a word, the two men filed out, their footsteps fading into the silence. The wooden panel clicked shut, sealing us in. Now, it was just Lucas, Derek, and me.Lucas turned to me, his voice low but firm. “Say it again, Seraphina.”I squared my shoulders, my heart racing. “I said I went through Lucien’s library in his pack, and I found something. His ancestors were the ones who killed my parents.”For a moment, there was only silence. Then Lucas’s brows furrowed deeply. “Are you sure about what you’re saying?”I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling up. “Do I look like I’m joking, Lucas? I’m not a child. I wouldn’t come here and make something like this up!”Derek shifted uneasily, his gaze flicking between us. “Wait, Lucien’s family? The Moonbane Pack? They’re responsible?”“Yes,” I replied, my voice sharper than I intended. “I found records, detailed accounts, in journals passed down through gener
Lucien’s POVI was pacing the room like a trapped animal, my patience worn thin. Ryder, my Beta, stood in front of me, looking both frustrated and scared. The others shifted nervously, avoiding my eyes. My wolf was close to breaking free, demanding I act.“Sir, we couldn’t find her,” one of the warriors finally said, his voice shaking.I stopped in my tracks, turning sharply toward him. “What?!” My voice was a low, dangerous growl. “How can you say you couldn’t find someone who was taken right under your watch?”The warrior flinched but stayed quiet, staring at the floor. The room fell silent except for the sound of my breathing.Ryder stepped forward carefully. “Alpha,” he said calmly, “I think Seraphine might be dea—”I spun on him so fast that he stumbled back. “Say that again, and I swear I’ll rip your tongue out,” I snarled, my voice dripping with venom.Ryder raised his hands in surrender, bowing his head. “I’m sorry, Alpha. I spoke out of turn.”I exhaled sharply, trying to con
Lucien’s POVI woke up with a start, drenched in sweat. "A dream!" I gasped, sitting upright. My heart pounded like a war drum, my breaths coming in short, sharp bursts.Ryder barged into the room, his expression tense. "Alpha, are you alright?""A dream," I repeated, running a hand through my hair. "Just a dream."He studied me for a moment before stepping closer. "It’s been a week now, Lucien. You’re not yourself.""How can I be?" I snapped, swinging my legs off the bed. "Every night, I see her. The blood, her remains. It’s like she’s blaming me."Ryder hesitated. "Alpha, no one blames you.""I do!" I shouted, standing. "If I’d given her the attention, the love she needed, she wouldn’t have run off in the middle of a fight with Damien’s men.""You didn’t drive her away," Ryder said firmly. "She made her choices.""And I made mine," I retorted. "Choices that left her vulnerable."Ryder sighed. "Sitting here, tormenting yourself, won’t change anything.""Do you think I don’t know that
Seraphine’s POVLucas and I walked through the dense forest, the silence between us thick and suffocating. The only sounds were the crunching leaves under our feet and the occasional rustle of branches above. I couldn’t shake the weight of his words back at the house—the accusations, the secrets. But now, his focus was on something else entirely: taking me to the shrine of the Beauty Goddess.“What’s this shrine like?” I asked, breaking the silence.Lucas didn’t look at me. “You’ll see soon enough. It’s... unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.”“That’s vague,” I muttered, crossing my arms as I tried to keep up with his quick pace.Lucas stopped abruptly, turning to me with a look of warning. “Seraphine, this isn’t some casual visit. The goddess doesn’t appear lightly, and her shrine... it’s sacred. You need to approach this with an open mind and respect.”I rolled my eyes but nodded. “Fine, fine. Respect. Got it.”The forest began to thin, revealing an open clearing bathed in soft,
Lucien’s POVI sat at the head of the long, polished table in the council hall, my fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest of my chair. The air was thick with tension, the kind that settled deep in your chest and refused to let go. The elders were gathered, their expressions grim and serious, as always.“Sooo,” Elder Garret began, clearing his throat dramatically, “we actually called this meeting today to talk about a serious matter.”I bit back the urge to roll my eyes. They had called at least five meetings in the past few days alone, each one more tedious than the last. My patience was wearing thin.“What exactly do they want this time?” I muttered under my breath, loud enough for Ryder, my Beta, to hear. He stood beside me, his posture stiff and professional, but the slight smirk tugging at his lips told me he’d heard me.Garret’s voice broke through my thoughts again. “Alpha Lucien, we know these past weeks have been difficult for you. Losing Luna Seraphine was a tragedy
Seraphine’s POV“No! I can’t,” I shouted, slamming my hands against the table. The anger in my voice made the walls feel like they were closing in. “I won’t stoop to that level.”Lucas stood across from me, his face twisted in frustration. He held a crumpled letter in his hand, shaking it at me as if it were the ultimate proof I needed.“What other proof do you want, Seraphine?” he snapped. His voice echoed through the room, heavy with fury and exhaustion.I glared at him, the air between us crackling with tension. “I want justice, Lucas. Real justice. Not this... this vendetta you’re trying to drag me into!”“This isn’t a vendetta,” he hissed, stepping closer. “It’s survival. It’s the only way.”I shook my head, my heart pounding. “There’s always another way.”His laugh was bitter, almost mocking. “Is there? Then tell me, Seraphine, what do we do when the law fails us? Hmm? What do we do when those in power turn a blind eye?”He shoved the letter into my hands. “Read it again. Go on.
Lucien’s POVMy chest was still heaving from the run, my body trembling with exhaustion. Thorin had retreated into the recesses of my mind, silent for the first time in hours.Yet the ache in my heart refused to fade.I rubbed my hands over my face, trying to push back the tears that threatened to spill again. “Seraphine,” I whispered, her name a prayer on my lips. “What would you have done?”The forest was quiet, unnervingly so. No rustling leaves, no chirping crickets—just an eerie silence that made the hairs on my arms stand on end.And then I felt it.The distinct sensation of being watched.I froze, my instincts kicking in instantly. My eyes scanned the dark woods, my heightened senses on full alert. The air around me felt different, charged, like a storm waiting to break.“Who’s there?” I growled, my voice cutting through the silence like a blade.There was no answer, only the oppressive stillness.I stood, every muscle in my body tense, ready to fight. My eyes darted between th
Seraphine's POVDamien leaned casually on the stone railing of the balcony, the cool night air brushing against his face. Anastasia stood beside him, her grip on the railing tight, her body tense.“Well?” Damien asked, breaking the silence. “What are we going to do now? He’s losing it in there.”Anastasia sighed, her knuckles whitening. “What do you mean, ‘we’? This is your mess too, Damien. Don’t put it all on me.”Damien chuckled darkly. “Oh, don’t play innocent. You’ve been just as involved in this as I have. Don’t pretend you weren’t hoping for this chaos.”She turned sharply to face him, her eyes blazing. “Hoping for chaos? Do you think I wanted him to hate me? To accuse me of betraying him? Everything I’ve done has been to protect him!”Damien raised an eyebrow, his smirk fading slightly. “Protect him? Is that what you call it? Because from where I’m standing, you’ve done a fantastic job of making him mistrust everyone around him.”Anastasia glared at him, her voice rising. “You
Seraphine's POVOne of the maids caught Isabelle’s comment and chuckled. “It’s real, ma’am. And you should eat before it gets cold.”Isabelle smiled sheepishly. “You’re right. Thank you again.”The maids excused themselves, leaving her alone with the meal. She approached the table and sat down, her eyes sweeping over the array of dishes. Roasted chicken, fresh bread, a variety of vegetables, and even a small cake for dessert were neatly arranged. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she took her first bite.Just as she was finishing her meal, a knock sounded at the door—firmer and more deliberate this time. Her heart skipped a beat.“Who is it?” she called, her voice slightly unsteady.“It’s Dante,” came the reply, his deep voice unmistakable.Isabelle quickly wiped her mouth and stood, smoothing down her clothes. “Come in.”The door opened, and Dante stepped inside, his commanding presence filling the room. His gaze flicked to the table and then to her. “I see you’ve eaten. G
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