Chapter 3

The Next Morning

I walked down the stairs, trying to ignore the nausea twisting in my stomach. The faint aroma of coffee reached my nose, leading me to the dining room where the source of all my hidden longing sat.

Gabriel.

He looked flawless as always, seated at the long table in a gray suit that probably cost more than a semester of my tuition. His hair was neatly combed, not a single strand out of place. A tablet rested in his hands, and a cup of black coffee sat beside him.

When I entered, his eyes lifted briefly from the screen. His gaze was cold before returning to his reading. No "good morning." No questions about how I felt.

"I have a Pack meeting today. Don't plan on going anywhere," he said flatly.

I stayed quiet and sat across from him. I knew many in the Bloodfang Pack saw me as nothing more than the lucky orphan, the girl the Alpha took in out of pity. They didn't know the truth.

I was no one. Just the niece of a human foolish enough to defy the werewolf world. My uncle, if you could even call him that, was the man who killed Gabriel's mate, the Luna he was destined to spend eternity with.

I still remembered that night, even though I had been just a child. I had hidden behind a narrow door, peeking through the crack. I saw my uncle collapse in a pool of blood, eyes wide, body torn open by claws and fangs.

I didn't know who attacked him. All I knew was that Gabriel Draven had been there, a towering figure with sharp blue eyes, his body drenched in blood, his expression murderous.

When his gaze fell on me, my knees gave out. My breath hitched. I was certain it was the end of my life. I closed my eyes, waiting for death, but then something unthinkable happened.

He reached out his hand.

That large, bloodstained hand pulled me out of hiding. I cried, screamed, and kicked, but instead of killing me, he carried me away.

My life changed that night. I never understood why. Why he didn't end me right there. Why he took me into his home, gave me a new name, and forced me to live in his world.

I had been terrified of him then. But now, ironically, I wanted him.

My thoughts shattered when Selly emerged from the kitchen. Wearing a spotless apron tied neatly around her slim waist, she carried a plate of steaming pancakes. Her smile was sweet and fake, meant only for Gabriel.

"Good morning, darling," she whispered softly, setting the plate in front of him before leaning down to kiss his forehead. "Don't forget to eat. Your meeting will be long."

Gabriel didn't return the kiss, but he didn't push her away either. He just gave a small nod, still focused on his tablet.

Then Selly turned to me. "Oh, Sera, you're up. You must have a headache, right? How could you let yourself get drunk like that?"

I wanted to throw up, not from the hangover but from her presence.

Selly. Daddy's girlfriend. The future Luna of Bloodfang Pack. The woman I despised most in this world. She was beautiful, of course, perfect blonde hair, big eyes, always acting like the rightful lady of this house. She had been chasing the Luna position for years, and this relationship with Gabriel was her perfect strategy. I could see it. Everyone could. Everyone except Gabriel, or maybe he just didn't care.

I grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl, pretending not to hear her.

"I'm fine," I muttered.

"Beta Erick will pick you up at one," Gabriel said suddenly, still without looking at me. "He'll drive you to campus, wait until your classes end, and take you straight home."

He was serious. He had assigned a Beta as my personal escort. I felt like a prisoner being transferred to another cell.

"That's not necessary," I protested.

"Oh, that's a wonderful idea, darling," Selly chimed in, placing her delicate hand on his arm. "After what happened last night, better safe than sorry. Sera's still young and impulsive. She needs protection. You understand, don't you, Sera? We only want you to be safe."

We. The word stung worse than anything. She had inserted herself into our lives, acting like she belonged here, like she had any right to speak for him, for me.

I looked at Gabriel, hoping he would object, clarify, or say something. But he only shrugged those expensive shoulders and took another sip of coffee, unfazed.

I clenched my jaw, my fingers tightening around the apple. "Fine. I'll be at the library after class. I have research to do."

Gabriel finally looked up, his eyes narrowing. "Erick will wait outside. You have two hours. No more."

"Fine," I replied curtly.

I turned to leave, unable to stand Selly's sickly-sweet perfume or the sight of their fake domestic bliss.

"Sera," Gabriel called, stopping me at the doorway. I turned. He was standing now, adjusting his suit jacket. "Don't embarrass yourself. Or me."

That was the final blow. He didn't care about my feelings, only his reputation, or rather, his Pack's reputation.

I couldn't stay in that room another second. Watching Selly play the perfect wife while Gabriel tolerated her was torture. I dropped the crushed apple on the table and walked out without looking back.

I could feel Selly's triumphant gaze burning into me. She thought she had won. She thought sitting beside the Alpha gave her everything, even authority over me.

I turned once more and saw Gabriel heading out of the house. Without thinking, I followed.

He was walking toward the elevator, his pace brisk. My steps echoed against the polished marble floor as I rushed to catch up before the doors closed.

"Daddy! Wait!"

His hand froze just before pressing the button. He turned, brows furrowed. "Seraphina, not now. Daddy's running late."

Without warning, I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling his tall frame down to me. And with all the foolish courage I had left, I pressed my lips against his.

His lips were stiff, unresponsive. I could feel every muscle in his body tighten, ready to push me away. His scent, sandalwood and Gabriel, filled my senses, dizzying me. It was insane, it was wrong, but for one fleeting second, it felt like victory. I had done it.

My fingers clutched the shoulders of his expensive suit, desperate to hold him there, to make him kiss me back, to make him feel what I felt. But then his large hands gripped my arms, pried me off, and pushed me gently but firmly away.

"You don't know what you're doing." His voice was soft, like a parent scolding a child mid-tantrum.

The elevator chimed, doors sliding open. He looked at me, expression unreadable, before stepping inside.

"Go back to your room," he ordered, his tone cold, an Alpha commanding his ward.

"I'm an adult, and I want you. Selly isn't good for you, she's using you for your wealth," I said firmly.

His jaw tightened. For a moment, I thought he might yell. One of his hands gripped my arm, not harshly but with a strength that reminded me how easily he could overpower me. The other pressed the close button, holding the doors shut.

"You don't understand what you're saying," he murmured, his face only inches from mine. "You're my child."

"I'm not your blood, and you're not my real father," I shot back, voice rising.

His gaze sharpened, and in one swift motion, he dragged me into a nearby room and pushed me gently onto the bed. He stood by the door, closing it behind him.

I smiled faintly, then parted my thighs, heart pounding.

"Please, Daddy. I'm ready. I'm ready to be your Luna," I whispered.