Chapter 15: Seraphina’s Move

The next morning, I officially accepted the Council’s investigation assignment. Elder Marcus seemed pleased, giving me detailed files on Alpha Victor Kane and his territory.

“Be careful,” he warned. “Kane has friends in high places. Don’t go in alone, and document everything you find.”

“I will. Thank you for trusting me with this.”

After the meeting, I returned to find Maya pacing our room anxiously.

“What’s wrong?” I asked immediately.

“Seraphina came by while you were gone. She left this.” Maya held out a sealed envelope.

I opened it carefully. Inside was a single card with elegant handwriting.

“Meet me in the garden at noon. Alone. If you care about your pack’s future, you’ll come. Seraphina.”

“That sounds like a threat,” Dax said, reading over my shoulder.

“It is a threat.” I checked the time. Eleven thirty. “But I need to know what she wants.”

“Then I’m coming with you,” Maya insisted.

“She said alone.”

“I don’t care what she said. You’re not meeting that viper by yourself.” Maya’s expression was fierce. “I’ll stay hidden nearby. Just in case.”

I couldn’t argue with that logic. At eleven fifty, we made our way to the garden. It was beautiful, with fountains and flowering trees. Private corners are perfect for secret meetings.

Seraphina was waiting by a fountain, looking perfect as always. Her expression was cold and calculated.

“You came. Good.” She gestured for me to sit on a nearby bench.

“What do you want?” I remained standing.

“To make you an offer.” She smiled, but it was predatory. “You leave Kaden alone. Stop confusing him with your presence. In return, I’ll support Crescent Ridge’s alliance applications. My family has a significant influence. We could help your little pack gain status.”

“I’m not interested in your help. Or your deals.”

“No? How noble.” Her eyes hardened. “Let me be more direct then. Stay away from my husband, or I’ll destroy your pack.”

“Is that a threat?”

“It’s a promise.” Seraphina stood, moving closer. “I have resources you can’t imagine. Allies who owe me favours. One word from me, and Crescent Ridge will face territorial challenges, trade blockades, and isolation from other packs.”

“You’d hurt innocent wolves just because you’re insecure about your marriage?”

“I’m not insecure. I’m protective of what’s mine.” Her voice dropped to a hiss. “Kaden is mine. This alliance is mine. I worked too hard to secure it to let some rejected omega ruin everything.”

“Then maybe you should focus on being a better wife instead of threatening me.” I let silver light flicker in my eyes. “I didn’t ask Kaden to look for me. I left and built my own life. Whatever problems exist in your marriage aren’t my fault.”

“You’re still in his head. In his heart.” Seraphina’s perfect mask cracked, showing rage underneath. “He looks at you like you’re the sun and I’m just shadows. Do you know how humiliating that is?”

For a brief moment, I almost felt sorry for her. Almost.

“That’s between you and him. Not me.” I turned to leave.

“I’m not finished.” She grabbed my arm.

I reacted on instinct. Silver power flared, sending her stumbling backwards. She hit the fountain edge, water splashing over her expensive dress.

“Don’t touch me,” I said quietly but firmly. “And don’t threaten my pack again. Because unlike Kaden, I don’t have to be diplomatic with you. If you come after my wolves, I’ll come after you. And you won’t like what happens.”

Seraphina’s face twisted with fury. “You’ll regret this.”

“I doubt it.” I walked away, my heart pounding.

Maya emerged from behind a tree. “That was amazing. Did you see her face?”

“I probably just made an enemy for life.” But I couldn’t bring myself to care. Seraphina needed to understand I wasn’t afraid of her.

We headed back inside, only to run into Kaden in the hallway. He looked terrible. Like he hadn’t slept in days.

“Aria, I need to warn you.” He glanced around to make sure no one was listening. “Seraphina is planning something. I overheard her on the phone this morning. She mentioned your pack, which sounded threatening.”

“I know. She just tried to intimidate me in the garden.” I kept my voice neutral. “I handled it.”

“You don’t understand. She’s dangerous. More than you realise.” Kaden’s worry was genuine. “Since we married, I’ve learned things about her. Cruel things. How she treats lower-ranked wolves. The deals she makes behind my back.”

“Then why are you still married to her?”

“Because it’s complicated. The alliance between our packs is bound by the marriage. Breaking it would cause political chaos. Could even start a war between territories.” He ran his hands through his hair in frustration. “I’m trapped, Aria. I made a choice based on lies and manipulation, and now I’m stuck living with the consequences.”

Part of me wanted to feel sympathy. But a larger part remembered my own pain. My own consequences from his choice.

“That’s not my problem anymore.” The words came out colder than intended. “You made your bed. Now you have to sleep in it.”

“I know. I know I don’t deserve your sympathy or help.” He looked at me with such desperate sadness. “But please, be careful around her. She’s capable of terrible things.”

“I can take care of myself now. I’m not the weak girl you knew.”

“I know that. Trust me, I see how strong you’ve become.” A ghost of a smile crossed his face. “You’re incredible, Aria. Everything I knew you could be if given the chance.”

“Don’t.” I backed away from the emotion in his voice. “Don’t act proud of me. You don’t get to take credit for this. I became strong despite you, not because of you.”

The words hit him like physical blows. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologising. It doesn’t change anything.” I started to move past him.

“Does anything change it? Is there anything I can do to earn even a chance at forgiveness?”

I stopped, considering the question seriously. “I don’t know. Maybe with time. Maybe never. Right now, I’m too angry. Too hurt. And too busy building my own life to worry about yours.”

“Fair enough.” He stepped aside to let me pass. “For what it’s worth, I am proud of you. Even if I don’t have the right to be.”

I walked away without responding. What could I say? That part of me still loved him? Seeing him hurt made me hurt too. That I wished things had been different?

All of that was true. But none of it mattered.

Back in my room, I collapsed on the bed, exhausted from all the emotional turmoil.

“You okay?” Maya asked gently.

“I will be. Eventually.” I stared at the ceiling. “This Summit can’t end soon enough.”

“Just two more days. Then we can go home to Crescent Ridge and leave all this drama behind.”

Home. When had I started thinking of Crescent Ridge as home? Somewhere between taking over the pack and learning to lead them, I supposed. Those wolves had become my family. That territory, my place.

“Maya?” I said quietly.

“Yeah?”

“Thank you. For leaving Shadowpine with me. For believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.” Emotion made my voice thick. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”

“You would have found a way. You’re stronger than you think.” She squeezed my hand. “But I’m glad I was here for the journey anyway.”

A knock on the door interrupted the moment. Dax entered looking concerned.

“Alpha, we have a problem. Some of the other Alphas are questioning your legitimacy. Saying you’re too young, too inexperienced. There’s talk of challenging your position as Alpha of Crescent Ridge.”

My peaceful moment evaporated. “Who’s saying this?”

“Alpha Victor Kane, mostly. The one you’re supposed to investigate.” Dax’s expression was grim. “Seems like he found out about the Council’s assignment and is trying to discredit you first.”

Of course he was. I should have expected this.

“What do we do?” Maya asked.

I stood, straightening my shoulders. “We show them exactly why I deserve to be Alpha. If Victor wants a public challenge, he’ll get one.”

“Are you sure?” Dax looked worried. “He’s older, more experienced. Much larger than you.”

“I’ve beaten larger opponents before.” I thought of my silver wolf form, the power flowing through me. “Besides, sometimes the best way to silence doubters is to prove them wrong in a way they can’t deny.”

“This could get dangerous,” Maya warned.

“Everything worth doing is dangerous.” I headed for the door. “Come on. Let’s go find Alpha Kane and accept his challenge.”

Because if he wanted to test me, I’d show him exactly what a Silver Moon Alpha could do.

And maybe everyone else at this Summit would finally understand I wasn’t just some lucky girl playing at leadership.

I was the real thing.

And I was done apologising for it.