Shadows of Power

Desmond paced around his chamber, each step echoing his increasing anger.

The audacity of his half-brother, Eugene, to return unannounced and challenge his authority was infuriating.

Worse still, Eugene had intervened in the execution of that insufferable Omega, Becca, and had the gall to claim her as his mate.

The mere thought made Desmond's blood boil.

The distant hum of engines interrupted his seething thoughts.

He moved to the window and saw a convoy of sleek black vehicles approaching the estate.

Luna Seraphina had returned from her spa retreat.

Her presence was both a comfort and a complication; while she was his mate, her temper was as bad as his own.

The driver swiftly opened the door, and Seraphina emerged, exuding an aura of dominance and elegance.

Without wasting time, she began issuing commands to the staff.

"Careful with those bags! If anything is damaged, consider your employment terminated," she snapped, her icy blue eyes scanning the maids running to collect her numerous shopping bags. "These items are worth more than your miserable lives."

The servants nodded hastily, their faces pale as they hurried to fulfill her demands.

Desmond approached her, his expression somber.

Sensing his presence, Seraphina turned to him, a perfectly arched brow raised in inquiry.

"Desmond," she began, her tone laced with impatience, "I assume you've dealt with that wretched girl as you promised?"

He exhaled slowly, the weight of the situation pressing heavily upon him.

"There's been... a complication."

Her eyes narrowed.

Once inside the lavish sitting room, Seraphina turned to face him, arms crossed.

"Explain."

Desmond ran a hand through his dark hair.

"Eugene has returned."

Seraphina's eyes widened in shock before narrowing with suspicion.

"Your half-brother? I thought he was on a mission infiltrating the rival pack."

"He was. But he's back now, and he interrupted Becca's execution."

Seraphina's lips curled in disdain.

"Why would he concern himself with that pathetic Omega?"

Desmond's jaw tightened.

"He claimed her as his mate."

For a moment, silence hung heavy in the room. Then, Seraphina's cold laughter echoed off the walls.

"You're joking."

"I wish I were," Desmond replied, his anger visible.

Seraphina's amusement vanished, replaced by a storm of fury.

"This is unacceptable," she hissed. "You are the Alpha. Your authority is absolute."

Desmond's gaze dropped.

"With Eugene's return, the council will likely reinstate him as the rightful Alpha King."

Seraphina stopped abruptly, her eyes blazing.

"So, you intend to just hand over your throne? Allow that... that usurper to take everything we've built?"

Desmond clenched his fists.

"I have no choice. The council's decision is binding."

Seraphina stepped closer, her voice a venomous whisper.

"And what of me? Do you expect me to stand by while that little wench, Becca, takes my place as Luna? To watch her sit on my throne, and command my servants?"

Desmond remained silent, the weight of her words pressing upon him.

"No," Seraphina spat, her face a mask of cold rage. "I won't allow it."

"What do you propose?" Desmond asked, though he already sensed her answer.

Her eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.

"If you won't act, then I will. I'll kill them both with my own two hands."

Desmond’s mouth curled in a grin as Luna Seraphina’s fury ignited like wildfire.

Seraphina threw off her fur coat without sparing a glance at the trembling maid who rushed to pick it up.

"How dare he return without warning,” she hissed. “And worse, how dare he interfere with our plans.”

Desmond’s voice was bitter.

“He was always the favorite. Even Father whispered about Eugene becoming the true Alpha King.”

“And look where that loyalty got him,” Seraphina said coldly. “Dead.”

“You should’ve killed that little whore the moment she spoke,” Seraphina sneered. “Instead, you let her live and played with her. And now? You’ve handed her right to Eugene.”

“I didn’t hand her to anyone!” Desmond snapped, his tone rising. “She was ours to punish. But Eugene showed up.”

Seraphina’s lip curled in disdain.

“Kill him. Kill Becca. Kill anyone who threatens your throne.”

She turned sharply, her gaze falling on a maid still fumbling with one of her designer bags.

“You!” she barked. “You think I don’t see how you’re creasing the fabric? That bag cost more than your family’s entire bloodline. Get out. Now!”

The maid scurried away, trembling.

Desmond sighed.

“Seraphina—”

“Don’t ‘Seraphina’ me,” she snapped. “I will not let some wild, pathetic Omega become me. She will not touch my throne. I have built too much, sacrificed too much, to be replaced by some whimpering, rejected piece of trash Eugene found in a pit.”

Desmond rubbed his temple, weary.

“She’s just a girl. She has no army. No allies. She’s nothing.”

“She’s his mate!” Seraphina exploded. “And that makes her everything. You know what happens when an Alpha King finds his true mate. The council will crown her Luna Queen the moment she agrees.”

“She won’t agree,” Desmond muttered.

Seraphina blinked.

“What?”

“She’s resisting him. I heard it. She’s already told him she wants nothing to do with him.”

A slow smile spread across Seraphina’s face.

“Oh. That’s interesting.”

“Don’t get too excited,” Desmond said flatly. “He’ll win her over. He’s Eugene. He always gets what he wants.”

Seraphina’s smile turned wicked.

“Then we’ll make sure he doesn’t.”

Desmond frowned.

“What do you mean?”

She moved to the bar and poured herself a glass of wine.

“We plant doubt. We make her believe Eugene is just like you. That he’s a monster in a pretty coat.”

“I’m not a monster,” Desmond growled.

She laughed softly.

“Darling, you crucified a girl in front of the entire pack. Don’t pretend you care about the moral high ground now.”

His jaw clenched.

“I’ll deal with Becca,” Seraphina said after a moment. “If she’s so scared of being hurt again, we’ll feed that fear. Let it grow like rot in her bones.”

Desmond’s brow furrowed.

“And Eugene?”

Seraphina sipped her wine.

“He’s harder to crack. But not impossible. Every Alpha has a weakness. His... is her.”

Desmond paced again, agitated.

“This is dangerous, Seraphina. If we’re caught—”

“We won’t be,” she interrupted, stepping close. Her voice was silky and commanding. “You want to rule, Desmond? Then act like a ruler. Eliminate threats before they become wars.”

He looked into her eyes and saw no trace of mercy. No hesitation. Only cold, calculating ambition.

The door opened, and one of the guards entered hesitantly.

“Alpha, Luna... the council has requested a meeting. They want to speak with Alpha Eugene. Tonight.”

Desmond’s eyes darkened.

“Of course they do,” Seraphina said sweetly. “Tell them we’ll be there.”

When the guard left, she turned to Desmond with a malicious glint in her eye.

“Let’s see how long your noble brother can play king... before the game swallows him whole.”