CHAPTER FIVE

The rest of the dinner passed in complete silence, my eyes buried in my plate and his gaze burning into me.

He was watching me like a hawk, and I could feel the heat of his hatred searing my skin.

When I couldn't take it anymore, I finally looked up. Sure enough, his eyes were still locked on me, his own food untouched.

His stare was enough to drown me, but I refused to stay silent.

"Okay, Kaelan," I said with a new resolve. I saw his demeanor shift instantly.

"It's Kael," he corrected, his voice flat.

I nodded. If he didn't want to be called by his full name, fine. I just needed to say my piece. "Look, Kael, I'm tired of this cat and mouse game."

"Already?" He tilted his head, a mockery of curiosity. "It's been less than twenty-four hours, and you're tired? What a shame."

"I don't want to play games with you," I said, trying to hold onto my courage. I waited for him to interrupt, but he remained silent. "I know I hurt you. It wasn't entirely my fault, and I'm sorry—"

"If you're about to apologize, don't," he cut in, rising from the table. "I'm not ready to listen to that shit."

"Are you leaving?" I asked, flabbergasted.

"Tara will get you ready for tomorrow. Sleep tight. I promise to haunt your dreams, dear wife," he said, and strode away without a backward glance.

"Tara will get me ready for what? What's tomorrow?" I called after him, but he was already gone. I sighed in frustration and stood up. I'd lost my appetite anyway.

·

It was late, and I didn't know how many hours had passed since my last conversation with Kaelan, but the mansion had fallen into an eerie silence.

I hadn't heard his voice, or Tara's. Eventually, boredom and restlessness drove me to explore the mansion myself, since I doubted he would ever give me a tour.

I walked downstairs, but the silence persisted. No voices, no movement.

Where did everyone go? It should be midnight, but still, there was supposed to be a feel of someone or something. This is an Alpha's palace, yet why does it feel like a lone wolf's den.

I cleared my throat, then tried humming a song, but only my own echo answered.

"Tara?" I called out. Still no response.

I checked the kitchen, but it was empty. I was almost convinced I was completely alone until the front door opened and I jolted.

I retraced my steps to see who had entered, expecting Tara or Kaelan. Instead, I froze when I saw a man staring back at me, his brows furrowed.

He was dressed in a black suit and seemed to be in his forties.

"Who are you?" he asked, curiosity etched on his face.

I pursed my lips, unsure how to answer. I'm Alpha Dmitri's daughter? But right now, I was just a hostage. Since I didn't know who he was, I gave the best reply I could think of.

"I should be asking you that."

I don't know what was funny about that, but the man burst out laughing. I arched a brow. "Did I say something funny?"

He stopped laughing and cleared his throat. "Not at all, miss. It's just amusing that you're asking me who I am in my son's house," he said, and I almost choked.

"Your son?"

Aside from the fact that this man looked too young to be Kaelan's father, the last time I checked, Kaelan's father was Alpha Pierre, and I remembered his face clearly. This was definitely not him. So, whose son was he talking about?

Just as I was about to question him further, Kaelan entered, and the atmosphere instantly turned colder.

Does Kaelan control the temperature with his presence? Why else was I suddenly covered in goosebumps?

He walked toward me, his eyes never leaving mine, and I shifted my weight nervously.

He reached my side and placed an arm over my shoulders. I froze. What is going on?

"Didn't get to do a proper introduction, Sebastian. This is Seraphina, my Luna. Seraphina, meet Sebastian."

"Tsk, you can't even do a proper introduction for your old man," Sebastian chuckled.

"Not so old, are you?" Kaelan teased. I just stared back and forth between them, feeling like a lost puppy.

"Forgive my manners, Luna," Sebastian said, bowing almost too deeply. I instinctively stepped back. "I'm Sebastian, the former Alpha of the Shadowcrest Pack."

He was a former Alpha of this pack? I had heard many rumors about the current Alpha, whom I now knew was Kaelan, but I'd also heard of Alpha Sebastian, the ex-Alpha who ruled with an iron fist.

"I guess you're all prepared for your inauguration tomorrow, my dear," he said, jolting me from my thoughts.

"Inauguration?"

"Yes, she is. I bet she can't wait for tomorrow," Kaelan cut in, giving me a smile that was full of unspoken threats.

"Play along, or I'll do something worse," his eyes seemed to say. So, I forced a small smile, even though I was completely lost.

"Er, yes. I'm prepared for tomorrow."

What the hell is tomorrow??

"Great. I thought Kaelan was never going to take a Luna. He proved me wrong again," Sebastian chuckled, patting Kaelan on the back before walking away.

The moment he was gone, Kaelan's demeanor shifted back to the hard, wicked one I was starting to get used to.

"What's happening tomorrow? Who was that man? He isn't Alpha Pierre?" I asked, all my questions tumbling out in a single breath.

"Tomorrow?" he said, his voice a low promise. "Tomorrow is the beginning of your doom, my dear."

I stiffened, slowly processing his words. "M...my doom?"

"Ten years ago, you rejected me in front of hundreds. Tomorrow, you will be married to me in front of thousands. And trust me, it will be one hell of a marriage."

My legs felt weak, but I struggled to gather my courage. I'd noticed that Kaelan preys on weakness, and I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.

"I don't know what your plan is, Kaelan, but it's not going to work."

"Oh, really?"

"I tried apologizing, but you gave me no room for it."

"And what if an apology isn't what I want? You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, Seraphina. I'm sure you've heard the stories. They don't call me Lucifer for nothing. I don't forgive. I return every single thing tenfold."

My voice failed me, my words stuck in my throat.

"I promised I would haunt you, dear wife. Did you think I was joking?"