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
Seraphina’s POV“Hope you slept well,” a deep voice said, pulling me from the edges of sleep. My eyes fluttered open, and there was Lucas, standing beside me with a cup of coffee in his hand.I sat up slowly, blinking to adjust to the morning light. “Thank you,” I murmured, taking the warm cup he offered. “I didn’t even realize when I fell asleep.” I glanced around, noticing the couch I’d curled up on. “Guess the couch won out last night.”Lucas leaned against the table, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “It’s fine. You needed the rest.”I sipped the coffee, savoring its warmth. My eyes wandered around the room again. It still amazed me how someone of royal blood, an heir to such power, lived in a place like this. The small, run-down cabin felt so far removed from the life he was supposed to have.As if reading my mind, Lucas chuckled. “You’re wondering why I’m living in this dump instead of some grand estate, aren’t you?”I raised an eyebrow. “Maybe. It just seems... unusual for som
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
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
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 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
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
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