Chapter 001: Cold reality.

~Seren~ ( 3 months ago)

“I'm sorry, Mrs Seren…your parents did not survive the attack on the eastern ridge.”

The doctors words didn't feel right when they first entered my ears, almost as if he had spoken in another language my heart refused to translate.

I stared at him from the chair I hadn't realized I was gripping so tightly, my nails digging into the wood as though it would anchor me to reality.

“You're mistaken,” I said slowly, my voice calm. “My parents don't die in attacks.”

The doctor flinched slightly. “Seren…”

“Don't!” I cut in sharply, standing up so fast that the chair scraped violently against the floor. “Don't say my name unless you are absolutely sure of what you are saying.”

The doctor stared at me before adjusting his glasses to the bridge of his nose. We both know that this is a lie, my parents can't die just like that.

“Take me to them,” I say firmly.

“There is nothing left to see,” he replied carefully, “the bodies…”

“I said take me to them!”

His hesitation was enough to answer, but I didn't wait for his permission. I walked past him, my steps steady even though something inside me was beginning to fracture.

When I saw my parents, everything inside me stopped. They lay side by side, motionless. The proud strength that had once defined them erased, as though the moon goddess had turned her face away from them.

My mother, the woman who once made warriors bow with a single glance now looked more like a helpless wolf that had forgotten how to breathe. My father whose voice shook the entire council hall was just still and motionless.

“No,” I said finally. “This is incorrect.”

The nurse behind me sighed uncomfortably. “Mrs Seren—”

“Which part of this,” I turned sharply to them, my eyes burning, “look like the kind of people who die on the road?”

No one answered me…they knew I was right, my parents could not die like this. They were the Alphas!

By the time I reached the pack estate, the sky had darkened completely. I pushed the door open, my heels echoing through the grand hall. Servants bowed quickly as I passed, their whispers following.

“Did she hear already?”

“They say the ridge attack—”

I did not stop walking until I reached the private chamber, I pushed the door open and there stood my husband. Drake. Calm as ever, as if he wasn't aware of what happened to me.

“Seren,” he said, not surprised. “You're back early.”

Something inside me snapped at his tone that I felt like kicking him at his balls. “That's what you'll say after everything?”

Drake tilted his head slightly, a smirk forming at the corner of his lips. “Ah,” he exhaled slowly. “So you've heard. I wasn't aware news spread so fast.”

My blood turned cold, “You did it,” I whispered.

Drake and I were not “mates” but my parents had forced a union between us since I was taking so long to find my true mate.

On our wedding night, he made it clear that everything was fake and we should keep putting up an act. We made a bet that once my parents— the Alpha and Luna of silvermoon pack dies, that he'll divorce me and I'll become the Alpha.

We had an agreement that we'll part peacefully, but now, he was my biggest suspect.

Drake laughed softly, walking past me to pour himself a drink like we were discussing weather conditions and not murder.

I clenched my fist so hard that it hurt. “I'll tear this entire pack apart if you don't deny that!”

He turned then, finally looking at me properly. “I didn't just have something to do with it,”he said calmly. “I orchestrated it.”

My world tilted. “You're lying, aren't you?”

“My parents,” he continued, ignoring me, “were murdered by yours. Your father stole the Alpha seat, and your mother helped him bury the truth.”

“That's impossible,” I snapped. “ My parents would never—”

“You think I'll marry into a bloodline that destroyed mine for sentiment?” He cut in sharply. “I waited, I learned, and reclaimed what was mine.”

My fingers curled into fist. “You used me…”

He stepped closer and I saw it clearly. This wasn't the same man I shared a bed with. “You will sign the divorce papers publicly.”

A painful laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “Or what?”

“Or I'll expose your parents crime to the entire pack,” he said. “And I will ensure that the bodies are not honoured in burial.”

I stopped breathing…then I smiled. Because grief has a strange effect on people— it removes fear.

“You're bargaining a grieving daughter,” I said softly. “That's your first mistake, Drake.”

His eyes narrowed, digust obvious in them. “Sign the papers!” He ordered.

“Or what, Drake?”

His voice dropped. *Or I'll strip you of everything you think you still own.”

The pack had already gathered to corners, listening to our conversation. They always gathered for a drama, hungry for someone's downfall.

I stared at Drake. At least, since my parents were dead, I would become the Alpha and we would both both part ways and I will give my parents a befitting burial.

I picked up the quail and signed the papers.

Drake stood on the raised platform in the chamber. “Seren is hereby released from the bond of this pack and stripped of all status.” He announced coldly and a murmur ran through the crowd.

What does he mean by that?

Then came a second blow. “By council decree, she is declared a curse to the pack and sentenced to exile.” An elder added.

A curse? I turned slightly, just enough to see Drake's eyes on me. He looked satisfied.

“A curse? How can you call me a curse when I have—”

“Leave!” He declared and before I could react, arms had bounded me and shoved me out of the pack.

“Stop! Release me! Please!” I cried but it was all in vain since no one listened to me.

The gates slammed shut behind me, sealing my life inside a place that had just decided I was disposable.

I sat on the floor, crying as long as I could since my body began to fail me.

“Poor child…” A hand touched my face and in a moment, darkness took me.

***

When I opened my eyes again, I was not alone. An old woman sat besides me, beneath trees.

“You shouldn't be alive,” She said quietly.

My throat was dry. “I get that a lot,” I replied weakly, trying to seat up.

A faint smile crossed her lips. “No,”

I had never seen her before and yet she was acting so kind. “Who are you?” I asked slowly.

Her eyes darkened slightly. “That depends on weather you are ready to remember what was sealed inside you.”

A sharp pain suddenly tore through my chest. I gasped collapsing forward. The old woman caught me before I hit the ground.

“Your wolf is not dead Seren, it's awake.” She muttered.