Silver Bullets

~SERIS

​Soft music wove through the grand hall, crystal chandeliers casting golden light over silk gowns and polished marble. Every wolf in attendance held a champagne flute; the air was thick with conversation and gossip.

​“You really outdid yourself, Seris,” Lenore gushed, gesturing at the great hall's decorations. “This place is a dream.”

​The other women in lovely gowns murmured in agreement, transfixed by the venue's floral arrangements.

​I tipped my flute, a smile curling my lips. “Thank—”

​Rielle cut me off, fracturing the moment as she stepped into the fold. “The celebration is for my ex-fiancé.”

​The mood shifted, my stomach clenching.

​“Sylus was the one who killed Alpha Thorne and rid us of Darkpine’s endless raids, and you are here praising the woman he was forced to marry to appease the Goddess’s sense of humor.”

​The air turned stifling as Rielle went on and on.

​I didn't flinch. As the wife of the heir, I had to be a statue of grace. I was the Luna-in-waiting, and I knew exactly what she wanted: a scene. She wanted me to snap and fall to her level. So I stared impassively at her while the women looked awkwardly between us.

​“You’re a talented florist, Seris, I’ll give you that. But this pack doesn’t need a decorator. We need an heir.” Her eyes gleamed with malice as she stared down at my flat belly. “A year of marriage, and your womb is as quiet as your wolf. Is it the curse? Or does Sylus simply find your bed too... tainted to visit? I doubt you even slept in the same bed.”

​That could not be further from the truth. My body and core still hummed pleasurably from just last night alone. Our sex life was active, though he still blindfolded me every time.

​"Maybe he will need to take a mistress for the sake of the pack."

​At that I winced, but someone cut in.

​"Funny how everyone forgets." Lily's voice was light as she appeared at my side. "The night Sylus married Seris was the same night he killed Alpha Thorne."

​The women shifted. Despite Lily being an omega, she had the balls of an Alpha and had been my closest friend over the first year of my marriage.

​Rielle's eyes narrowed. "So?"

​"So the Goddess bound him to his mate hours before the biggest battle of his life." Lily's smile was pure sunshine. "And he won. Maybe She knew exactly what She was doing."

​She linked her arm through mine.

​"As for heirs, Rielle—how long have you been searching for your mate now? Three years?" Lily tilted her head. "I'm sure the Goddess has a plan for you too. Though at this rate, you might want to pray harder."

​Rielle's face flushed red. “That is because the pack runt stole my fiancé!” she hissed, before suddenly spilling her drink on me.

​Before the shock could even fully sink in, a familiar presence pressed against me. A husky voice sliced through the moment.

​"What is going on here?"

​Sylus's hand found my waist, possessively firm. His hard eyes pinned Rielle where she stood. The other women bowed immediately, scattering like startled birds; Lily flashed me a wink as she followed suit.

​Rielle's flush deepened, but she held her ground. "Sylus, I was just—"

​"Spilling champagne on my wife?" His voice was steel. "How clumsy."

​The hall had gone quiet. Wolves turned to watch.

​"It was an accident," Rielle said quickly.

​"Of course it was." Sylus's thumb traced a slow circle against my hip—a touch that looked casual but felt anything but. "Just as it would be an accident if you found yourself barred from future pack functions.”

​Rielle paled. "I didn't mean—"

​"You meant exactly what you did." His eyes never left hers. "And if I ever hear you question my wife's place again, accident or not, you'll find yourself to blame.”

​The threat hung in the air.

​Rielle bowed stiffly. "My apologies, Seris.”

​"Leave," Sylus ordered.

​She fled.

​Only then did his attention shift to me, his expression unreadable. "Are you alright?"

​I nodded, too stunned to speak. I could never get used to the way he acted in public with me. He defended me passionately in public but remained cold in private.

​His hand lingered at my waist for just a moment longer. Then he released me and stepped away, the warmth gone as quickly as it had appeared. "Clean yourself up," he said quietly. "The Alpha is about to give his speech."

​I obliged, making my way to the restroom, my head still spinning. I shut the door behind me, but a sudden movement made my heart seize. Strong arms wrapped around me, horror flooding my veins as a wet cloth was slammed onto my face—covering my nose and mouth.

​I struggled, writhing against the assault. Xena! But my body went slack, my lids drooping as it all went dark.

​Cold marble bit into my cheek.

​I woke slowly, head pounding. The balcony stretched before me, unfamiliar in the dim light. How did I get here?

​I pushed myself up, confused. A strange smell clung to my skin—something that made my wolf recoil. I stumbled toward the door and pulled it open. Sylus stood there, his face a mask of unease.

​He pulled me into his hard chest the moment he spotted me, his head dipping so his face found the crook of my neck.

​“I was worried,” he growled. “Where were you?” He took a deep inhale of my skin and stiffened.

​He pulled away sharply, his expression dark as his gaze raked over me, his nostrils flaring. “Where were you, Seris?” A threatening edge had crept into his voice.

​I blinked. “In the restroom.”

​He arched a brow, hazel eyes subtly glowing amber. My blood ran cold.

​“Then what are you doing on the balcony?” he countered.

​My mind froze. “I—”

​I flinched as gunshots pierced the air. Sylus drew close once more, his tuxedo ripping as fur burst from his skin. It came from the great hall, I realized.

​Before Sylus could leap into action, hurried footfalls filled the corridor as guards ran toward us, their faces ashen with shock.

​The first one reached us, panting. “Alpha Zander has been assassinated. Silver bullets to the head.”