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
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