I’ll be back

SERAPHINA 

HE obviously does not love my mother, to Alpha Thorne she was a perfect mate… a Luna to lead. A strong mate. And I? Was nothing but collateral fucking damage.

"She is in safe hands, Dad. I will have her checked into all her classes. SERAPHINA  is in very good hands," Silas spoke, smiling wider. His golden retriever mask was pulled on for our parents to see.

"Thank you, Silas. I just had to be certain you had her back. So kids, there will be no honeymoon. There is a pack meeting for Thorne and me tonight. We might be home late or take up a hotel," Mom explained. She ran her fingers through my hair with a smile. She loved me. But I could not stomach what she had done to me.

"Bye, Thorne," I greeted. He hummed a goodbye with a sincere smile. I shut the door. I could hear other voices and Silas opening a door as well. Soft footsteps pattered behind me. I refused breakfast because, moon help me, I was already damned before I sat a few inches away from a wolf who had dug a silver knife into my thigh. A wolf whose life I ruined.

"Having fun?" I asked. I stopped to shake it off. I did not know whose idea it was for me to transfer packs, but I would bet my life Silas had something to do with it. Judging by how he flaunted his smirk.

"Fun? You think this is fun?" he asked. He leaned closer. I staggered backward. His gold eyes locked on mine. Every wolf in the hall stared at us. I could not handle it anymore. I broke the gaze first and pushed on my feet.

"Have the real fun sitting in here. You acted all high and mighty in Mooncrest Pack. Well, little wolf, this is not Mooncrest. This is my fucking territory and you are in it now."

He did not speak another word. He stormed past me. Of course I knew his promises of keeping me in good hands were nothing but vile lies. My inner wolf growled at the thought.

Why had I even let it happen? The only good hands from  him would be the ones wrapped around my throat, dragging me to death. My heart sank. I realized every wolf had begun their usual gossip. Their whispers scraped against my ears like claws on stone.

I ignored them as best as I could. I tried asking for directions to my first class. But each wolf ignored my questions. They walked all over me. They shoved me sideways. They passed cold stares. Some of them curled their lips and showed their fangs. I had no idea what I did wrong. But for the moon's sake, I did not know it would be this bad.

Frustrated, I found my way to the restroom. I shut the door and let out an exhausted sigh. My inner wolf pressed against my ribs. She wanted to run back to our old pack territory. This was not going to work. I was not cut out for this shift.

"Seraphina?" a male voice called my name.

My heart slammed faster in my ribs. I flung the door open. Why was a wolf in the—

Oh no. No. No.

My eyes darted around. Then they landed on the wolf before me.

"Kelavra And you are Seraphina? Silas's new pack sister?"  Kelavra  asked. He grinned. His arms were crossed over his chest. Kelavra played on the pack's hunting team. I had seen him in lots of pictures with Silas. Of course I recognized him from my stalking days.

"I am sorry. I was not looking. I must have gotten too distracted when I walked into the male wolves' den. I am not such a loser or a nerd. I am just anxious," I apologized.

Kelavra laughed. His sound was true. He smiled back at me and linked his arm through mine.

"It is fine. Your brother might be cold-hearted, but he muttered something about you not knowing anywhere. He said your stupid ass was going to get lost. I took that as a cue. He wanted me to fetch you," Kelavra explained.

But oh. Only if he knew Silas. The liar. The manipulative bastard. The sick, twisted wolf Silas is. I bet he did not mean it like that. Poor Kelavra must have misunderstood. Or was this how easily every wolf fell for Silas's tricks? Were they so oblivious? I mean, if I had not seen him groveling on his knees once. If I had not seen silver cuffs and a blade hanging from his fingers. I would probably believe handsome Silas was sweet.

"Need help? Registering for classes must have been ordered by your stepfather. He is kind of a big shot. The Alpha King and all. But I will walk you to your class," Kelavra offered.

The silence between us felt short but peaceful as we both walked. He was calm. Lovely. Unlike Silas. Kelavra and his older brother Killian were both Silas's best friends. Except Kelavra had always been the calmer one. And now that I was up close, I could see he was really handsome. Not hot like Silas. But up there as well.

"I will let you have my number. That way you can text me if you need anything. And if you do not, I will text you myself, seraphina. I have your number anyway," he offered. He gave a charming smile and a wink. He blew a kiss before turning away.

A smile tugged at my lips. I pushed my way through the door. My heart thumped. I had not had a crush on any wolf in years. The first and only was Silas. Was it a bad thing that his friend had my mind racing like this? My inner wolf perked up with interest. I told her to be quiet.

The day went by fast. Lots of introductions were made. The class wolves seemed to ignore me. Although once or twice I heard low whispers about Kelavra walking me to class. Apparently he was a big shot. And true to his words, he texted me. He even walked me to the garage to find my cocky stepbrother.

"Pack run this weekend? A date at the den? Which sounds more comforting to you, seraphina?" Kelavra asked. We waited by the door for Silas. My mind bloomed. Kelavra had a way with words. His charm hung in full force. Or was I just baiting him so I could laugh in Silas's face?

"I do not know. I do not want any trouble with Silas and—" I started.

"What trouble?" the devil asked. He stepped up to us with a frown on his face. His gold eyes dropped between Kelavra and me. He did not seem pleased by it. That only stoked the fire in me. I wanted to keep resisting as far as I could go before he snapped.

"I am asking her to a pack run this weekend," Kelavra said again. He did not wait for my answer. I nodded. I agreed just to spite Silas more.

"Seriously, kel? She is not even up to your standard. And if she goes around saying yes to every wolf who asks her out on the first day they meet, I think she is a slut," Silas barked angrily. He opened the door to his side of the car.

"I think she is smart. Why stall if you are into someone?" Kelavra asked. He placed a friendly kiss on my cheek. Then he helped me into the car and sat me down.

"This is bullshit. You are both just horny and end up— ugh. Moon, she is my pack sister. Cannot you do any better? She wears glasses. Round ones." Silas sneered. His wolf flashed in his eyes for a second.

"Well, it turns me on," Kelavra admitted. He was not shy. He did not break eye contact with me.

But of course Silas Thorne could not handle the spotlight being taken from him for even a second. He slammed the door to my side. He ignited the engine. He drove away faster than my mind could wrap around it.

"What was that for?" I asked.

He ignored me. He decided on a call. He glanced down at his phone. Then he looked back at me.

"Say a word and I will fucking kill you," he spoke. Then he picked up the call. His threat was directed at me. He held the phone to his ear and began speaking. The words were coded crap but I heard gambling. A race. A hunting tournament. He was trying so hard to keep his voice low as if his betting sounded unimportant. But the strain in his tone made it obvious.

He said nothing more until he pulled over at the pack garage. He tossed the keys on the counter. He turned to change his clothes. His hands trembled as he yanked at his phone. It was locked of course. But I had known this wolf for over four years before the fallout. And with his narcissistic attitude, I knew his habits. I had watched him for years.

I typed his hunting jersey number as the passcode. The phone unlocked.

The last thread of messages was a number I did not know. Then: "Bet confirmed. 50k on Shadowfang Pack. Pickup at 2AM." Another thread had a photo of cash and a white packet. Moon powder. My breath disappeared. I took a picture. My hands shook. I dialed Alpha Thorne before I could change my mind.

If I went to the pack elders, it could spark a scandal that would tear the whole family apart. Thorne had power. He could bury this. Or he could ruin Silas. I chose bury.

I stormed up the stairs. I banged the door and locked it. I panted heavily. My inner wolf growled with anxiety.

He was insane. His godlike complex would ruin him. He had everything and now wanted to die? To be involved in illegal pack business? Why?

My mind raced faster. After what seemed like hours, I heard another car pulling up in the driveway.

His father's voice filled the hallway. I went out to the front door. Silas stood there. His gaze was pinned to the ground.

"Everything, Silas? I gave you everything. I did my best while your deadbeat mother is half across the territory pimping herself around. But moon powder? Illegal betting? You had enough in high school and now you went into the underground deals too? Do you know what would happen if this was found out? Are you fucking nuts?" Thorne yelled again.

My heart slammed hard against my ribs. This was not how it was supposed to happen. His father was not meant to talk him out of it. Not kick him like this.

"Thorne, he is young. He probably wanted the adrenaline. Come on, be gentle on the boy," my mother soothed. She stepped forward before Silas could react. She tried to hide Thorne's gaze from him.

Finally Silas noticed me. I saw the hurt, the betrayal, and the hatred all at once mark his features. A low growl rumbled from his chest. His claws extended.

"You are right. He is young. And now I will have to spend thousands to clear his tail from that underground betting ring. I will spend lots of money scratching and scraping off his existence from that place. And the moon powder in his system? Oh, he is going to the rehab pack," Thorne snapped.

"Dad." Silas finally spoke. His voice was worse than his demeanor. In one single word, I could hear the pain, the panic, and the haunt in his voice. His wolf whimpered under his skin.

"You should be thankful. I am letting you hold my last name because of her. Why cannot you be like her daughter? Look at seraphina for the moon's sake. Take a sheet from her book and act like it. You are leaving now. And just so you know, it is the military rehab pack. The ones meant for Alpha heirs like you. So get down now. I am driving you to the territory line myself."

In that moment, I saw him crack. I saw him. Tired. Lips split. His wolf cowering. I saw Silas for what he really was. A boy. A pup. Just like me. A pup whose life would always be dictated by his Alpha. A pup who just wanted his parents' approval.

His father stormed past Silas to the bedroom to pick up something. My mother chased after him. I stood fixed. I tried to hold the tears back. His image blurred with each step he took toward me. He walked like a wounded wolf. He stopped when he was finally an inch away from me.

"I underestimated you, little wolf . You are the devil yourself. And when I return, I will be your hell. You ratted me out, did you not? Could not stand my presence. You just had to ruin my life again. I swear it by the moon herself, seraphina. I will return. And you will die by my claws."