Chapter 2

I stood frozen, staring blankly at the fragments scattered across the floor. I didn't even register the cuts on my face from the flying shards.

Theodore stepped closer, his boot grinding over the broken pieces.

"Seraphina, how could you be so clumsy? Can't even catch a simple bracelet."

I looked up and met his cold, predatory eyes.

The malice in them nearly drowned me. This was his punishment — for daring to snap at Sophia.

I was shaking with rage.

"Theodore, aren't you afraid of what the Alpha will say?"

His smirk faltered.

The Alpha valued my divinations. If I reported this, even Theodore wouldn't escape punishment.

"It's just a bracelet. I'll buy you a dozen new ones."

Pure condescension dripped from every word.

"Don't bother." My voice was flat. "Get out."

Maybe he finally realized I was serious. Theodore ran his fingers through his silver hair, irritated.

That's when Sophia crept forward, all timid and trembling, and sank to her knees in front of me.

"Seraphina, this is all my fault! Please don't blame Theodore — and please don't tell the Alpha!"

She seized my hand, her sharp nails digging deep into my flesh.

I yanked free from the pain — but she recoiled as if I'd shoved her with full force, crashing dramatically onto the broken shards.

"Ahh! That hurts!"

Theodore's face went dark.

He kicked me to the ground, barely contained violence radiating from every pore.

"Seraphina, who gave you the right to hurt Sophia!"

"I told you — behave, and once I become Alpha, I'll give you the respect you deserve. Why are you still so jealous?"

I couldn't help but laugh.

What he didn't know was that whoever I chose as my mate was the one who'd earn the Alpha crest.

And he'd just lost that chance.

Theodore clearly wanted to teach me a lesson. His steel-toed boot came down hard on my fingers.

Searing pain exploded from the bone. I thought I heard something crack.

"I didn't push her." I bit down hard, forcing the words through clenched teeth.

"Still lying?" Theodore stepped forward, hand raised to slap me.

But the blow never landed.

His wrist had barely risen when a tall, imposing figure seized his arm in an iron grip.