Chapter 004. A Visitor

Saeris’s world narrowed to the silver heels glinting in Vaelen’s hand and heat crept up her neck. How the hell did he even…

He held them like a joke and a trophy, like they meant nothing—and everything. The long, tapered fingers of a male who had likely torn out throats with the same precision he now used to toy with her.

Flynn stiffened beside Gemma, jaw working. Anyone else might have mistaken it for concern, for composure. But Saeris had once known that look too well. It was the same one he wore when he was about to assert what he thought was his.

Only now, she wasn’t sure anymore.

Vaelen descended another step, his tall, robed form gliding with the unbothered grace of a male who feared nothing.

Flynn recovered with a forced smirk. “She must’ve caused trouble,” he said lightly. “I—”

“We’ve had the pleasure.” His voice was a silken caress. Damn her mind. The way he said it suggested far more intimacy than their brief encounters warranted.

How was she supposed to explain that the male had watched her run barefoot through moonlit woods? That he’d sniffed her … spoken to her. That she’d lied to him?

Still holding her shoes aloft, Vaelen’s gaze slid over her. “I believe they cost quite a bit. Shame to lose something so precious… again.” It was such a petty thing to say. And yet, laced with that voice, it sounded like a threat, or a flirtation. Whatever.

“Saeris.” Flynn frowned.

That earned a brow arc from Vaelen. “Is that your name?” Lips curved. “Strange… you introduced yourself as someone else entirely.”

Heat bloomed across her cheeks. Gods, please.

“That—you must’ve misheard,” she said too quickly, voice catching in her throat. “May I… may I have them now?”

She stepped forward, desperate to leave. Her fingers twitched with the need to snatch the heels from his hand and run. But Vaelen only raised them higher, just out of reach.

And Mother, the bastard was enjoying it.

His head dipped low, voice for her ears alone. “Here I was, thinking I’d come to gloat… but you look like you could use saving. Again.” Like she owed him for that night.

Heat scorched her from within. If the goddess was merciful, she would burn this entire packhouse to the ground before she let him string her along another minute.

Only that didn't happen. Instead, Beta Frost appeared, practically glowing with self-importance, the confidence of a man who believed himself indispensable, only to falter at the sight of the male by Saeris’ side.

Saeris saw it, the way he swallowed whatever clipped greeting had been rehearsed. And with a bow so low it nearly looked like worship, said, “Your Majesty.”

Vaelen didn't acknowledge.

The Beta’s eyes flicked to her next, still halfway up the stairs, her heels dangling from the King’s fingers. From this angle, it looked as though the Beta bowed to her, and despite everything, something fluttered in her chest. A twisted, fleeting flicker of satisfaction.

She stamped it out immediately.

There was no time for petty pride now, not when this entire encounter was already beginning to taste like ash on her tongue.

Two more wolves appeared behind the Beta. Pack eyes.

Saeris took that as a cue to leave.

She snatched the heels from Vaelen’s hand, not even glancing at him. Not bowing to Frost. Not meeting Flynn’s gaze or Gemma’s questionable look. She had what she came for. All she needed now was to restore her scent, to regain Sirius again. Needed to find a way that could work. A small, fragile part of her heart believed, hoped, that her mate would return to her when that happened.

Outside, she gulped in a breath. And another.

It was pathetic, how hard her lungs worked, how sharp her ribs ached beneath the pressure of keeping calm. If only she could throw her head back and scream.

So focused was she on steadying herself, she didn’t see the male until she nearly walked into him.

“Saeris.”

She blinked up and found Wade. Flynn’s old friend and the pack’s Delta’s grandson. His expression was gentle, full of pity that made her really want to scream.

"Don't," she warned, stepping around him. "I don't need your sympathy."

“Saeris, wait.” He went after her. If this were at the training ground, she wouldn’t dare walk away from him, luckily it wasn’t, and Wade knew that. When he caught up to her, he held her wrist, and she whirled.

“Thank goodness.” A relieved sigh left him. “I just… I only wanted to check up on you,” he said with an unreadable expression, and Saeris tried not to focus on the few eyes on them.

“Did the Alpha send you?”

He fumbled for words, then said, “No.”

Of course not.

What had she expected? A single gods-damned apology?

Saeris didn’t let it show, didn’t let the ache hollow her out where he could see. She only lifted her chin, as if she hadn’t just been carved open in that hallway.

“The Alpha has a lot going on,” Wade tried.

She almost laughed. Almost.

That hadn’t been the face of a male who ‘has a lot going on’. She’d seen him from his window last night, seen him look at her that way.

The conversation could end there, and part of her was tempted to call it for what it was, an excuse, a shame the man who even wronged her didn’t offer one himself, but then Wade made himself say, “I’ve been waiting since you entered the pack house. Just in case you… lashed out again. Like last night.”

It wasn't a slur.

The breath she let out was steady. Cool. “I’m fine.”

Lie. And if Sirius had been here, she would’ve snarled at the betrayal in her voice.

“I’m here if you need me.”

Saeris’s eyes dropped to where his calloused fingers still held her wrist. He let go at once. His eyes widened slightly, like he’d just realized what he’d done. And Saeris could swear she saw a flash of amber glow cross his irises. She was too empty to even consider what she’d seen.

No. Surely it wasn't because of her.

“Sorry,” he said heavily. “I didn’t mean—”

“It’s fine. Thanks. I’ll go now.”

Wade didn’t push. He didn’t ask the next question, didn’t follow her as she turned away.

✦✦✦

“Shit,” Saeris hissed.

The shattered glass glittered at her feet.

She knelt, careful to avoid the shards that could slice her fingers open, though she wasn’t entirely convinced she’d mind the sting. Halfway through cleaning up, a knock rapped against the front door.

“Saeris? You in there?”

“Coming,” she called back, brushing her hair behind her ear, pretending she hadn’t just stood frozen, pretending the breaking glass hadn’t nearly made her cry. Because she didn’t cry anymore, not in front of anyone.

By the time she opened the door, Ianthe was already scanning her hands, her honey-brown eyes roaming over her. She always had the prettiest eyes, soft, like honey and firelight. But now Saeris knew why they’d looked different last night.

“I’m fine,” Saeris said before the question could come. “Just dropped a glass.”

Those honey-brown eyes didn’t look convinced, but she stepped inside anyway, glancing once over her shoulder before closing the door behind her. That one look put Saeris immediately on alert.

“You went to the packhouse,” Ianthe said. Not a question.

“I did.”

A pause. Then, Ianthe shook her head. “You don’t need to go back there.”

That was Ianthe. Always a sword and a shield, especially when Saeris was too tired to lift her own.

“Where were you coming from?” Saeris asked, if only to change the subject.

“The sparring grounds,” she said, frowning. “Something happened.” That tone. That quiet fury wrapped in disbelief.

“What is it?”

“It’s Evan and his friends. The bastards who cornered you.” She’d gone to them? It was something Ianthe would do, probably to avenge her, but that look didn't say that, so Saeris waited. “They were found dead,” Ianthe rumored. “In the eastern woods.”

No.

“In the lake.”

No.

“Their necks were broken.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “All three of them.” She made a twisting motion with her fingers. The visual sent a sick twist down Saeris’s spine.

The lake. Flynn’s lake. She tried to breathe, tried to stop the warmth that bloomed in her chest…satisfaction? before it curdled into something else. Horror. Horror that she even felt that warmth. But… they’d tried to harm her. They would’ve. And now… someone had made sure they never would again.

Ianthe was watching her now.

“Saeris,” she called her back. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“N-no.”

Lie.

But the gods must’ve heard her desperation for an escape, because another knock came on the front door.

Both women jumped.

“I’ll get it,” Saeris said, eager for the interruption. She wiped her hands on her loose, ash-gray trousers and strode for the door.

She opened it and forgot how to breathe. Because it was him.