เข้าสู่ระบบSERENEEverything and everyone froze.Azriel turned, slowly, back at Roman. “Is this a mistake?” he asked, voice chilling.Even I gaped in astonishment. Had Roman gone mad? Had he stayed too long in the dungeon?Agnar glanced at me, an inquiry in the subtle arch of his eyebrow. I shook my head — imperceptibly.Elizabeth was frozen, too. “I haven't ever been in that man's house in my life.”But Roman was still pointing, still throwing his accusations, and it seemed Azriel had had enough.His hand drifted toward his waistband, where a weapon no doubt waited, but before he could pull it free, the king's voice rang out, loud and clear“I believe that the accused is suffering from a little blindness. Most likely as a result of being isolated in a place where there is little to no light. Mister Roman, what is the name of this person you are pointing at?”“Serene,” Roman spat out vehemently. “Serene Willows! Agnar's mate. She killed that maid! She killed my child!”The crowd gave a collectiv
SERENEHe stumbled repeatedly as he walked across the platform to stand at the booth of the accused.I waited and watched. Alpha Azriel stood up, scroll in hand, and headed towards the centre of the platform, his golden hair catching the rays of the morning sun.He was the right hand of the king, and also the Judicator.“Let all bear witness!” His words rolled across the platform like thunder. “Today, judgment is called upon Roman St. Cloud, accused of spilling innocent blood within his own house. By decree of the King, truth shall be tested, and justice carried out!”From his place in his booth, Roman mumbled, “I didn’t do it.”Azriel ignored him as if he hadn't spoken and went on smoothly, “Today, a verdict will be carried out, and we will all see where the fate of Roman St Cloud lies. Bring on the witnesses!”I held my breath unconsciously as Daphne and a few of the guards were brought on. She had on a long skirt and a long-sleeved blouse, and her hair was packed together in a bun
Serene“Shit!” I cursed under my breath as I realized that the zip on my dress had gotten stuck. I tried taking off the dress but it was impossible. It had become too tight.“Ugh,” I groaned again, straining as hard as I could to try and get to the zip. But it didn't budge.As I continued my struggles in front of the mirror, the door opened and Agnar stepped in.He paused when he saw me in the dress. “I apologize. I had no idea you were getting dressed already.”“It's no problem. Please come in.”He stepped in and closed the door gently behind him.“Can you please help me with the zip?” I asked, “It's stuck and I don't know what to do.”“Sure.”He dropped something on the bed and made his way towards me. I drew in a sharp breath, trying to stay still as his fingers brushed against my back. His scent invaded my space completely —aftershave, cologne, rain, and something darker that was entirely him. My pulse thudded in my throat, louder than the sound of his breath behind me, and for
SereneI opened my eyes slowly and blinked at the intensity of the light above me. I looked around. I was in bed, and my clothes had been changed. I was now putting on nightwear. "I took the liberty of changing you into something more conducive." The voice came. “I hope you don't mind.”"Oh." It was Agnar and he stood a few feet away from the bed. “No, I don't. Thank you.”He was holding a mug of what I knew was tea, and dressed in sleepwear, too. He moved further towards the bed."You fell asleep before we were done greeting the Alpha King."I blinked again. "Oh."I remembered being in and out of sleep during the rest of our journey here. I had managed to hold on until the arrival of the Alpha King whom we needed to pay homage to. His entrance was the last thing I remembered. "Here," he said, helping me sit up. "Some tea to get you warmed up." I accepted it gratefully as I sat up in bed. "Thank you." The nightwear did something to him. He looked gentle, less of the cocky, witty
Serene's PovI kept my eyes on the world outside the window as we drove, watching people go about their daily activities.Everything was alive. Children darted between shops, chasing each other around. Sellers called out cheerfully to passing customers, their voices strong and confident. Shops lined the streets with their doors propped open. The people moved with ease that was hard to miss—well-fed, decently dressed, their eyes unafraid to meet mine when the car passed. Some even smiled.“Hey, look! It's the Alpha. Hi, Agnar!”Agnar waved back at the girl, slowing the car to a cruise. “Hey, Summer!” He spotted a giggling boy running away from his mother and yelled, “Theo, stop running from your mother!” His mother stopped just as the boy did, grabbing him by the collar. “Thanks, Alpha.”“You’re welcome, Mel. A few minutes, Serene, I need to get something.”“Okay.” The moment Agnar stepped out, a wave of scents rushed in—fresh flowers, warm sugar, and cinnamon. The pastry shop was c
Serene's PovDressed, I made my way to his room, ignoring the nervous tightening of my stomach.“Well, there's an angel,” Sebastian said as he saw me approach. “Agnar, you dog. I'll take your ungratefulness and present you with your surprise anyway. Ready?”Agnar's voice filtered out from the open room. “I can only assume every last one of you in this house has gone stark, raving mad. And since madness deserves no courtesy, you’ll forgive me if I don’t waste my breath on replies you’ve not earned—”He trailed off when he saw me. “Serene?”“See?” asked Sebastian before taking his leave.Agnar kept staring at me, his expression unreadable, as though he were trying to place me in a memory. My palms itched at my sides, but I forced them still.“Are you the surprise they’ve been talking about?” he asked finally, his tone caught between disbelief and curiosity.I still stood at the threshold when I replied, my throat dry. “Yes... I believe so.”His eyes roamed my face from where he sat, as







