Vivian's PovThe cramped apartment felt like a prison, its peeling wallpaper and stained carpets a far cry from the luxury I'd grown accustomed to at the pack house. I sat on the threadbare couch, my hands clenched into fists as rage coursed through my veins like molten lava.How dare she? How dare Serena think she had the right to banish me from a place where my son lived, where I had every right to be? The sheer audacity of it was breathtaking. A stepdaughter and a nobody who'd crawled out of the gutter, ordering me around like I was some common servant. It was taboo, shameful, an insult that cut deeper than any physical wound.And Damien... my own son had stood there and watched it happen. Worse than that, he'd supported her decision, choosing that worthless girl over his own mother. The betrayal stung more than I cared to admit. After everything I'd done for him, all the sacrifices I'd made, he couldn't even be bothered to look at my face when I'd pleaded with him.The sound of fo
Serena's Pov The weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders like a lead blanket as I watched Alpha Celeste's imposing figure disappear through the mansion's front entrance. Every instinct I possessed screamed at me to go to her, to explain Damien's absence and try to salvage what could quickly become a diplomatic disaster. But before I could take a single step toward the main hall, Alpha Magnus appeared in the doorway, his expression grim."Absolutely not," he said firmly, reading my intentions before I could voice them. "You will not meet with Alpha Celeste.""But she's here to see Damien," I protested, frustration bleeding into my voice. "Someone needs to explain why he's not available. I could tell her about the Northern Territories situation, make her understand that his absence isn't a slight against her or her pack."Magnus shook his head, his steel-gray eyes hard with determination. "You're not ready for that kind of political maneuvering, girl. Alpha Celeste is one of
Serena's Pov The first few days after Damien's departure passed in a strange sort of bliss that I hadn't expected. Aunt Meredith—as I'd taken to calling her—had a way of making everything feel lighter, more manageable. She moved through the mansion like she belonged there, bringing warmth and life to rooms that had always felt cold and imposing.But it was during one of our quiet evening conversations that she dropped a bombshell that shattered everything I thought I knew about my past."Your mother didn't die in that car accident, Serena," she said quietly, her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of tea. "She's very much alive."The words hit me like a physical blow, and I felt the cup slip from my nerveless fingers, shattering against the floor. "What?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.Meredith's expression was gentle but firm. "Your mother, Isabella, was a singer, a celebrity, actually. She had the most beautiful voice I'd ever heard, and she was on the verge of internationa
Damien's Pov The sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting silver patterns across Serena's bare skin as she lay beside me, her breathing finally evening out after our latest passionate encounter. I couldn't help but drink in the sight of her—the way her dark hair fanned across the pillow, the gentle curve of her waist, the soft rise and fall of her chest. Even in sleep, she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.I leaned closer, inhaling deeply. Her scent was intoxicating with a unique blend of jasmine and something wild that was purely her own. It was stronger now, more complex, and I found myself wondering if the subtle changes I'd been detecting lately meant what I hoped they meant. She stirred at my touch, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she turned toward me. Even half-asleep, her body responded to mine, arching slightly as my hands began their familiar exploration of her curves. The silk of her skin beneath my palms was like a drug, and I felt myself hardening again
Serena's Pov The days following our visit to the witch's hospital passed in a strange sort of limbo. Damien and I had made a silent agreement to pretend Lily didn't exist while we gathered the evidence we needed to expose her lies. It was harder than I'd expected, watching her float around the mansion with that smug smile, her hand constantly resting on her supposedly pregnant belly like some sort of shield against criticism.But I had to admit, there were unexpected bright spots in this whole mess. Alpha Magnus, Damien's father had completely surprised me with his sudden change in attitude. The man who had once looked at me with barely concealed hatred now went out of his way to ensure I was treated with respect due to a future Luna."Your posture needs work," he said during one of our afternoon training sessions, his gruff voice carrying a hint of approval that would have been unthinkable weeks ago. "But your instincts are sharp. You'll make a fine leader once you learn to trust yo
Damien's Pov The witch's hospital was unlike anything I'd ever encountered in my years as an Alpha. As I watched Serena walked through the corridors with an intuitive grace I hadn't expected, I found myself studying the faces of the people we passed, witches, healers, patients, all living their lives in this sanctuary away from the chaos of the outside world.These people had families, children, hopes and dreams that extended far beyond the political machinations of my pack. The weight of that realization settled heavily on my shoulders as I considered what I'd been prepared to do. In my rage over Lily's deception and manipulation, I'd been ready to tear apart anything and anyone connected to her lies. But seeing this place, witnessing the genuine community that existed here, I knew I couldn't let my personal vendetta destroy innocent lives.I would have to reconsider my approach entirely. Perhaps once Serena was able to use her abilities to detect the truth about pregnancies, we co