Chapter 2

Serena’s POV

“What are you talking about, Serena? I thought you were madly in love with Kael,” my father asked, still confused.

I laughed as bitter tears ran down my face. “I was such a blind fool, but not anymore. I will bond with Alpha Williams.”

My father’s tone darkened. “What did that bastard do to you, Sera? Tell me right now. Let me teach him a lesson.” He growled through the phone.

I smiled softly, even though I knew he couldn’t see me. “Don’t worry, Dad. He just showed me the truth that I was too blind to see.”

“When are you coming home?” His voice softened, but I could hear the edge in it.

“Seven days,” I replied. “I need to finalize the release paperwork.”

There was a pause. “Seven days. Alright, sweetheart. But if he gives you any trouble at all, call me immediately. Do you understand?”

“I will. I promise.”

“Your mother and I—we never stopped waiting for you. We love you, Serena. Always.”

My throat tightened painfully. “I love you too, Dad.”

The call ended.

I let the phone fall from my hand and pressed my back against the tree as fresh tears ran down my face, more than before.

My parents. Alpha Henry and Luna Helena of the Nightshade Pack. One of the most powerful and respected packs in the entire region.

I had abandoned them. I had walked away from my birthright, my future, everything they had built for me.

All because I loved Kael.

They had wanted me to bond with Alpha Williams, their closest ally’s son. A strong, honorable alpha from a powerful pack. A man who had loved me, treated me with respect, and promised to cherish me as his Luna.

But I had refused him.

I had stood before the entire Nightshade Pack and announced that Kael was my chosen mate, that I would leave everything to follow him to his smaller pack.

My mother had cried that day as she begged me to reconsider.

My father had argued and tried everything to make me see sense.

But I refused to listen. I was so sure, so confident that Kael and I were meant to be together.

I had wasted six years waiting for a man who was too busy to show up to our marking ceremony, waiting for a man who was having a pup with his late brother’s wife.

Six years of being the second choice. Six years of understanding, patience and making excuses for him.

Alpha Williams would have never treated me this way. He would have marked me immediately, proudly. He would have shown me off as his Luna, cherished me, and protected me.

But I had thrown that away for Kael.

How stupid I had been.

***

The next day, I walked into Kael’s office at the pack house.

He was at his desk, going through some documents before him. When he saw me, he immediately stood, guilt flickering through his face.

“Sera! I’m so sorry about what happened. Lyra had a medical emergency, and I couldn’t just leave her—”

“I understand,” I cut him off with a small smile. “You were taking care of someone who needed you.”

He blinked, clearly surprised I wasn’t angry. “You’re… you’re not upset?”

“No, I’m not,” I said carefully. “We can always reschedule the ceremony.”

His shoulders sagged with relief. “Thank you. Thank you so much for understanding. I promise you, Sera, the next ceremony will happen. Nothing will stop it this time. I swear on my life.”

I nodded as he eagerly pulled up his calendar.

“How about six days from now?” he suggested. “We don’t want to waste any more time.”

“That sounds perfect,” I replied.

He smiled at me with the same charming smile that had made me fall in love with him six years ago.

Now it just made me feel disgusted.

“You’re amazing, Sera. You know that?” He walked around his desk toward me. “So patient, and so understanding. This is exactly why I knew from the start that you would make the perfect Luna for this pack.”

He reached out to place a kiss on my lips, but I stepped back slightly.

“Actually, there’s something I need to discuss with you first. Something important.”

“Of course. What do you need?” he asked, looking at me expectantly.

I reached into my bag and carefully pulled out the papers I had prepared. “It’s about Lyra.”

His expression immediately shifted to concern. “What about her? Is something wrong?”

“No. Nothing’s wrong,” I said quickly. “It’s just that her birthday is coming up next month, and I’ve been thinking. With everything that’s happened with the postponed ceremonies, and all the time you’ve spent helping her—”

He cut me off immediately with a frown on his face. “What are you getting at? I told you that—”

I interrupted him. “Some pack members might think there’s tension between her and me because of all these.”

Kael’s frown deepened. “That’s ridiculous.”

“I know, but I want to make sure there’s no misunderstanding about us,” I continued smoothly. “So I thought I should get her something special for her birthday. A significant gift that shows the pack there’s no ill will between us. Something meaningful that demonstrates I support her.”

His eyes lit up with approval. “That’s a wonderful idea, Sera. Really thoughtful and wise of you.”

“The thing is,” I said, placing the papers on his desk, “it might be expensive depending on what she needs. And since I would be using pack funds for this, I need your authorization as Alpha.”

He barely glanced at the papers before reaching for a pen from his desk drawer. “Of course, of course. Get her whatever she wants or needs. Don’t even worry about the price.”

I watched carefully as he signed his name at the bottom instantly. He didn’t read a single word. He didn’t ask what I planned to buy. He didn’t question the amount or even glance at the details.

He just signed.

For six years, I had managed the pack’s finances. I had managed every dime, refused to buy myself anything that wasn’t a pressing need, and wore the same worn clothes year after year.

Kael had always praised me for that. He said I was setting a perfect example and that it showed what a responsible, selfless Luna I would be.

But for Lyra? He didn’t even care about the price.

“There,” he said, handing the papers back to me with a satisfied smile. “That should cover whatever you want to get her. This is really kind of you, Sera. It means a lot to me that you’re making such an effort to make Lyra feel welcomed and supported in the pack.”

I carefully folded the pack release papers, because that was what they actually were, and placed them back in my bag.

“Thank you,” I said quietly. “This really means everything to me.”

He pulled me into a hug before I could step away, and I forced myself not to stiffen or pull back, or show any reaction that might make him suspicious.

“I’m the luckiest alpha alive,” he murmured into my hair. “You’re so understanding, so selfless, and so kind. You’re going to make an incredible Luna, Sera. The pack is lucky to have you. I’m lucky to have you.”

I closed my eyes, resisting the urge to shudder in disgust.

‘No,’ I thought to myself. ‘You had me. And you threw me away.’

“I should go,” I said, pulling away from his embrace. “I have a lot of planning to do for Lyra’s gift.”

“Of course, of course. Let me know if you need anything else at all.”

I walked out of his office with the signed release papers in my bag.

In six days, I would be gone.

And Kael would finally understand exactly what he had lost.