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
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
Seraphine’s POV“Do you ever cook for him, Seraphine?” Elena asked, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.I sipped my tea slowly, buying time. “Cook? For Lucien?” I shrugged. “Not really my thing.”She raised an eyebrow. “You’re Luna now. It wouldn’t hurt to surprise your mate with something homemade every now and then. I mean, you already have him wrapped around your finger. Imagine how much tighter the knot would be with your cooking skills.”I chuckled, though the idea unsettled me. “I don’t think he’d care. He’s busy with pack matters most of the time.”Elena leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “You don’t have to want to. But everyone’s watching you, Seraphine. They want proof that you’re a perfect Luna—devoted, loving, and all that. Baking cookies might just silence those whispers about you not being ‘worthy.’”Her words hit a nerve. I hated that she was right. The pack already saw me as an outsider—a wolfless Luna with no bloodline to back up my title. I haven't
Seraphina’s POV“Pass me the cookies on the pan,” I said to the maid, brushing flour off my hands. It was about time I finally gave in to Evelyn’s advice and tried baking something simple, like cookies.The maid handed me the tray, her head bowed slightly. I gave her a small nod before taking it and placing the cookies on the cooling rack. They looked good—soft, golden, and slightly crisp around the edges.“Not bad,” I murmured, more to myself than anyone else.As I set down the last cookie, I paused. The faint sound of howling reached my ears, low and distant at first. Then it grew louder, sharper, echoing through the packhouse.My fingers froze mid-air, and the sweet aroma of chocolate and vanilla suddenly felt cloying. My heart skipped a beat. Something was wrong.“What’s that?” I muttered to myself, wiping my hands on my apron. The howls weren’t celebratory or routine. They were urgent—filled with pain and anger.The kitchen door burst open Evelyn, her face pale and stricken, stu
Lucien’s POVThe night was unusually quiet, save for the distant howls of the patrol wolves.I stood on the balcony of my office, the cool breeze rustling the papers on my desk behind me.The view of the dense forest beyond the packhouse usually calmed me, but tonight, my thoughts were a storm I couldn’t quiet.Seraphine.I gripped the balcony railing, her name a weight on my mind. My mate—my Luna. She was standing beside me, yet she felt miles away.“Lucien,” came a knock on the door.I turned to see Beta stepping in, his expression grim. “It’s the warriors,” he began, his voice cautious. “They’re talking about Luna Seraphine’s.”“Again?” I asked, my voice colder than intended.Beta nodded. “While they were all training for tomorrow’s hunt, they were saying they would not serve a Luna who isn't their blood”“And what do you think?” I asked, folding my arms as I fixed him with a hard stare.He hesitated. “She’s not like us, Alpha. She’s... different. Wolf-less. It’s hard for us to tr
Seraphine’s POVI opened the doors to Lucien’s office and paused.He didn’t notice me standing there. He was staring at his desk, a soft smile tugging at his lips. Whatever he was thinking about, it seemed to pull him far away from this room.“Lucien!” I called.He flinched, his head snapping up as though I’d dragged him back to reality.I stood at the door, my arms crossed. “You’ve been up here all evening,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him. “Aren’t you going to rest?”He leaned back in his chair, watching me with that calm, assessing look he always wore. “Couldn’t sleep.”I hesitated, then took a few steps into the room. The moonlight streaming through the balcony doors cast a soft glow on his face, making him look almost... peaceful. It was a rare sight. “Neither could I,” I admitted quietly.His gaze softened. “What’s keeping you up?”I shrugged, trying to sound casual. “Just wanted to surprise you.”He raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “Really? You’ve never been a good l
Lucien’s POVA sharp knock on the door startled me awake. My eyes blinked open, the lingering warmth of the dying fire casting dim, flickering light across the room. I sat up with a groan, running a hand through my disheveled hair.“Who is it?” I asked, my voice gravelly from sleep.“It’s me, Ryder,” came the familiar voice from the other side of the door.I sighed, rolling my shoulders to loosen the tension. “Come in.”The door opened, and Ryder stepped inside, his expression a mixture of hesitance and apology. “Sorry to disturb your rest, Alpha,” he said, bowing his head respectfully.“It’s fine,” I replied, waving him off. “Seems I overslept anyway.”Ryder’s brow arched, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. “You? Oversleep? That’s new.”I chuckled softly, leaning back against the headboard. “Yeah, tell me about it. Seraphine made me something last night. Sweet, perfect… exactly what I didn’t know I needed.”Ryder crossed his arms, his lips curling into a knowing smirk. “The Lun
Seraphine’s POVI woke before the sun, my heart already pounding in my chest.The room was quiet, save for the faint murmur of voices drifting through the closed door. I recognized one immediately—Lucien’s deep, commanding tone, steady even in casual conversation. Ryder’s lighter voice answered, though I couldn’t make out the words.I stayed still, listening.“I’m ready,” Lucien said after a moment, his voice firm. “We’ll deal with this quickly and return by dusk.”It was time.I had spent the night ensuring that Lucien was too distracted to notice anything amiss.I’d cooked for him, doted on him, and given him the kind of s*x that left us both breathless and tangled in each other. It wasn’t just to show affection—it was a strategy.I needed him to trust me completely.He wouldn’t suspect a thing, even if he come back from hunting and find out that someone has been to the attic, I thought as I lay there, waiting for him to leave.When I finally heard the sound of boots in the hallway
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