Chapter 6

Seraphina

I pace the distance of the room, unable to accept this to be my fate. I should find a way out of this.

I halt, gazing at the moon mark on my wrist. My throat tightens. Could this mark be what is sealing the chip in me?

My fingers hover over it. What if I can dig it out? And finally be able to tell Alpha Evander that I am not this maiden of Eclipse.

I drag in a shaky breath. But my claws aren't responding anymore.

The door bursts open. I turn towards the door, my hands dropping to my sides.

A young lady steps in, blonde like Alpha Evander, same amber eyes. No doubt related to him.

Her eyes remain on me as she steps closer, majestically.

“I’m Ann,” she says calmly. “Alpha Evander’s sister.”

Before I can respond, she closes the distance between us and takes my hand.

I stiffen as she lifts my hand to her lips and presses a light kiss against my knuckles.

That's weird. Is that the custom of the members of the Moondrift Pack?

“It is an honour to finally meet you.” she says, smiling.

My brows pull together, “an honour?” I repeat.

She moves past me and I feel her presence behind me. “It’s not every day you meet the saviour of your people.”

My head snaps toward her, my brows knitting together.

“I understand how you feel,” she says, folding her hands behind her back. “And I can promise you… you’ll be treated like a queen in your short time here.”

My heart stutters. Short time?

“I don’t understand,” I say, my voice tightening. “Are you planning to ship me off somewhere else?”

She raises an eyebrow. “Do you not know why you’re here?” she asks, the disbelief now clear in her tone. “Did your parents not tell you?”

Now, I must thread carefully. So Kenna's parents are aware of this transaction and they have approved of it. Kenna must have been aware of her parents' involvement for her to plan an escape with my husband. My husband!

But if I'm going to have anything close to clarity over this, I must act unaware.

Slowly, I shake my head, hoping my cover doesn't get blown. At least, till I find a way to get this chip out of me.

She takes a step back, eyes widening slightly.

“Oh, goddess…” she murmurs. “They were supposed to prepare you for this.”

My patience snaps. “Well, they didn’t,” I say, staring into her eyes. “So are you going to tell me or not?”

Her expression changes like I have triggered her. She steps forward and lifts up my chin.

“What a sharp tongue you have there,” she says, glaring into my eyes. “Abusing your privilege already...”

I yank her hand away from my chin. I was told to pretend to be Kenna Starclaw, not tolerate rude manners.

“If you’re not going to say what needs to be said,” I snap, “then you might as well leave.”

There is a moment of silence as she smiles.

She takes a slow step back. “Well,” she says calmly, “I don’t see any reason to play nice anymore.”

A chill runs down my spine, like I'm already expecting the worst from her.

“You’re going to die after all.”

My heart drops.

“What..?”

She steps closer, folding her arms across her chest. “Yes,” she says quietly. “That’s the part your dear parents couldn’t tell you.”

My heart begins to pound. Did the Cindersteel Creed really send me here to die in place of my husband's fated mate?

She moves beside me, her lips brushing near my ear. And then she whispers, “your own parents sold you to die.”

She pauses as my heart rate increases.

“So whether you marry my brother or not…” she continues softly, “It doesn’t quite change anything.”

I throw my gaze at her, eyes wide in shock. The Cindersteel Creed also didn't mention anything about marriage.

A knock cuts through the moment and she walks to the door like she didn't just drop a bomb shell on me.

Opening the door, a maid bows.

“The High Priestess is here to examine the Maiden of the Eclipse.” the maid announces.

My blood runs cold. But on a second thought, a High Priestess should be able to tell that I'm not this Maiden of Eclipse. So whether I am found out or not, I'm likely to die.

My better option should be the high Priestess revealing the truth. Hopefully, I will be sent back home.

“Take me to her.” I say to the maid.

Ann smiles but I ignore her, following the lead of the maid.

*****

The doors ahead are already open. I walk in, Ann fastening her pace behind me.

Alpha Evander stands near the center of the chamber and the High Priestess stands beside him, draped in flowing ash robes, her silver-streaked hair cascading down her back, symbols etched on her arms.

I halt a few paces from them, my feet trembling beneath me. As much as I hope she can tell that I'm not this Kenna Starclaw, I'm actually scared of the outcome.

“Come forward child…” she says

I take a deep breath and match forward. Alpha Evander stares at me with so much uncertainty in his eyes. It only begs the question, why does he even want Kenna dead?

Of what use is the maiden of eclipse’s death to him?

I stop in front of her, my pulse hammering against my ribs. She begins circling me slowly. Then her hand lifts, pressing against my wrist, right over the moon mark.

A sharp sting shoots up my arm and I flinch. Her eyes narrow slightly, then she moves her hand to my chest, right above my heart.

My breath catches.

“Well?” Evander’s voice cuts in, his impatience so obvious. “Is she really the Maiden of the Eclipse?”

The High Priestess doesn’t answer immediately. Yet, my heart begins pounding.

She lifts up my chin, staring into my eyes. Her grip tightens slightly and surprisingly, her expression changes.