Our Broken Howls
Seraphina Rowe never wanted a mate. She wanted freedom, a job in the city, her own apartment, and a life far away from the endless traditions of wolf society. But when her father’s sudden illness forces her back to her hometown, she is caught in an ancient custom she can’t refuse: the Marriage Lottery.
Every year, unmated wolves from allied towns are bound into arranged unions chosen by the Elders, meant to keep peace among families. Seraphina’s name was never supposed to be drawn. But when it is, she finds herself betrothed to Kaelen Ardyn, the boy who once humiliated her at school, the arrogant son of a respected family, the wolf who made it clear he would never want her.
Kaelen rejects her on the night of the ceremony, in front of the entire community. Shattered and desperate, Sera leaves the town, carrying his child in secret. For three years she raises her daughter in silence, building a small, quiet life far from the suffocating traditions of her kind.
But fate has its claws. When the Marriage Lottery is threatened by rebellion and the wolves demand accountability for the “failed bond,” Seraphina is summoned back. This time, Kaelen is not allowed to reject her again, he must claim her, or their families will pay the price. Trapped in a marriage neither of them wanted, bound by a child Kaelen doesn’t yet know exists, they must navigate lies, jealousy, betrayal, and the dangerous pull of a bond that refuses to break.
And when Kaelen discovers her secret, the rejection that once shattered her may turn into his greatest regret or their only chance at salvation.
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Chapter: Extended version of Message On The WallSera POVLyra shows me a picture on her phone. The word UNWORTHY is gouged into the wooden door in letters six inches tall. Deep cuts that went all the way through the wood.I feel something inside me crack. The bakery is all Mom has left since Dad got sick. It's her safe place, her pride. And someone violated it. Someone wanted to hurt me so they hurt her instead."When?" My voice sounds strange, distant."Sometime this afternoon. Mrs. Patterson across the street heard glass breaking around two."Glass breaking. They didn't just vandalize the door. They broke in."Did they take anything?""That's the weird part. Nothing's missing. They just trashed the place and carved up the door. Like they wanted to send a message."I'm already walking toward my car when Kaelen steps out of the house. "What's going on?""Someone vandalized my mother's bakery," I say without stopping. "I need to—""I'll come with you.""No.""Sera—""I said no." I turn on him. "This is family business. Pack business
Last Updated: 2025-09-17
Chapter: The House with Glass EarsSera POVIt was six in the morning. The rays of the sunlight were already piercing through the curtains, and laying golden lines on the floor and on my breast. I opened my eyes and blocked the rays from entering my eyes when suddenly I froze. My heart was beating like I was being chased by wild beasts, as I made out a very faint thrum from downstairs. My chest felt very uncomfortable with the rhythmic vibration. It was very clear that Kaelen was moving around downstairs. I was very conscious, heart hammering in my head and for a second, I could only listen. It felt like I was begging and trying to empty my head and body of the sound, as if I could just deaden my body, as if I could just disappear and no one would find me in the house.That is when it struck me, the scent of the dark coffee, intoxicatingly dark. I feel my stomach aching. I went down the steps and entered the kitchen and saw a coffee cup before me in the kitchen counter. It was like a lifeline, I haven't eaten since la
Last Updated: 2025-09-17
Chapter: Thirty Days With The MateSera POVDad’s hand scrabbles at the side of his chair until I drop to my knees beside him. His skin looked pale, and his hands trembled. I could feel his pulse fluttering weak under my palm as I held his hand.“I’m sorry,” he whispers, voice rattling like there’s broken glass in his lungs. “This is my fault…”“No. Stop.” I said but my voice was broken. “You didn’t do this. They did.”“If I hadn’t signed that clause…”“Dad.” I pressed his hands tightly into mine, I could feel the warmth and fear in them. “You were just trying to save us. This isn’t on you. I’ll handle it.”Mom’s standing right behind me, tears streaking her face, lips pressed together so hard they’re now white. She can’t even speak. She just folds her arms around herself like if she lets go, she’ll shatter.My chest feels like it’s caving in.I stood up and turned to Elder Morrison. “Fine. I’ll do it.” My voice was hoarse, but it didn’t shake. “I will stay for thirty days. Whatever it takes.”Elder Morrison shuts the
Last Updated: 2025-09-17
Chapter: The Rejection Protocol Seraphina POVThe moon hall was silent after the names were mentioned. The silence stretches across the face of the pack members which makes the wall so dense and tight. I could hear my heart beating loud and heavy. The wooden chair I sat on bit into my thighs so painfully that it made my thigh go numb. I sat staring at the back of Kaelen’s head, shiny black hair under the bright light, his stillness, eyes didn't even twitch. The Elder council man, Elder Morrison clears his throat to break the silence. His thick voice carries the weight of authority, echoing and bouncing off the stone walls. I flinched at his voice. “The binding terms are as follows. Both parties will undergo a three-day preparation period, followed by the ceremonial bonding under the next full moon.”Three days to prepare? How could they even think of going against the Moongoddess herself. Three days until I’m tied to him like a dog on a chain.He continues. “During this time, both families will negotiate the terms
Last Updated: 2025-09-17
Chapter: The Drumbeat Of Duty Sera POVThe hospital smells like bleach and something worse. I sat on this stupid plastic chair for hours, watching Dad fighting for every breath as if that's the last he has got left. Perhaps it does. His chest goes up and down, again, jerky and irregularly. Every time I look at him, I am afraid that it will be the last.He held my hands and muttered, "You don't need to stay."Yes, okay. His fingers are pressing on me now, so he can hold himself together, as if he was drowning and I am a rope. "Hush," I say, cruelly. "I'm not leaving."We both know that this is a lie. The pile of bills on the table otherwise says. They are just sitting there, this ugly pile of paper, numbers that I can't see without feeling ill. I spent three years in Portland, killing myself with dual shifts, saving every penny and trying to buy myself freedom. And now? Back here in Revenwood, with a bank account that is bleeding out, and nothing to show for it.Mom comes in with coffee that smells as if it was scr
Last Updated: 2025-09-17
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