Chapter 001

Seraphina

“Please... please let me go,” I pleaded, sobbing uncontrollably.

I could barely walk straight, every inch of my body bruised and the pain unbearable as the chain bit into my skin with every step I took. Tears rushed down my cheeks as I kept on begging, but no one came to my aid. I walked, stumbling with every step I took. I lacked balance and couldn’t see clearly as the raindrops blurred my vision with my damp hair.

It's cold drops felt like they were piercing through my skin. It wasn't as refreshing as rain should be. The tall, towering gates of Wulfgarde creaked open, the sound of iron on hard ground making my heart jump.

The castle stood tall and mighty like it touched the sky. This was the heart of the werewolf kingdom, seat of the Lycan King.

The last place on earth I ever wanted to be.

Dozens of guards followed behind me like I was going to magically escape the heavy chains I was bound to.

We walked towards two massive double doors, and they opened once we were near, revealing a grand hall with people seated. I felt all their eyes on me, some curious, others disgusted, most indifferent. I was nothing but a slave now. A servant. A remnant. A token meant to buy peace.

But I shivered from the rain and the stars of everyone. I bent my head, not able to look at them anymore.

The chains on me kept clicking back and forth as the High Witch of the Myrren Circle walked beside me, her ceremonial cloak dragging across the wet stone. She didn’t look at me. No one had since my coven was accused for the death of the king's mate. I was a shameful reminder of what the witches had lost. And maybe… what we had become a disgrace to our own people.

I had sworn never to set foot in this cursed castle. Never bow to the beast we call King, the one responsible for my coven's massacre, burned my family into ash and called it justice.

Yet here I was, being offered as meat to the monster that ruled us all.

The throne stood mighty, looking like something carved out of darkness itself, and on it, dressed in black and gold, sat the king.

Lucien Valemont.

The Lycan King.

Even from a distance, his presence was overwhelming, cold, and intense. His face was unreadable, chiseled like it had been sculpted.

But it was his eyes that took me off balance.

They were hard green. Sharp as a knife.

My heart jolted. What was he going to do to me?

The High Witch stepped forward and bowed her head. The entire room was silent. Her voice echoed off the walls, practiced and polite.

“This is Seraphina Noir, last of the Noir Coven, a peace offering, Your Majesty. A gesture from the surviving covens.”

Peace offering. What a lovely way to say sacrifice.

I didn’t bow, didn’t kneel. My heart pounded so hard in my chest it felt like it wanted to come out, but I locked my knees and fixed on him for a few seconds before I quickly looked away.

Let him see my hatred, my disgust.

Let him choke on it.

He rose.

He was taller than I imagined, the wind carrying his cloak elegantly behind him as he descended the stairs. Every step echoing on the marble floor. I wanted to turn around and run before he came any closer, but there were guards everywhere.

My heart sped up, breath caught from both fear and fury.

He stopped before me, so close I could see how full his eyebrows were. He was calm. Too calm, standing in front of the witch whose coven had been accused of his mate's death.

He stared down at me and I felt really small under his gaze like a little mouse under his feet.

“You do not kneel,” he said.

His voice was a low rumble, controlled, dangerous.

I met his gaze again. “I do not kneel for monsters.” I had no idea when those words came out.

A few gasps broke in the room but immediately died down. The High Witch standing beside me immediately tensed up. I felt it.

I kept my mouth shut. I’d said enough.

Lucien tilted his head. “They said witches were wise.”

“They say a lot of things about us,” I muttered. My voice is low, barely above a whisper.

He circled me slowly, like a predator does with its prey. I felt the weight of every eye in the room on us. My pulse thundered in my ears, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of trembling.

Then something strange happened.

The closer he came to me, the warmer the air became. My skin tingle., and my fingers trickled heat pulsing through them.

And for one impossible moment, I felt it.

A flicker of magic my magic.

I tried to breathe, but the sensation curled like smoke through my lungs.

Lucien froze. He felt it too.

That wasn’t possible.

His expression darkened, both with anger and confusion.

And for a few horrifying seconds, his eyes searched mine. I saw something in them flicker recognition like he knew me.

Then, just like that, it was gone. He stepped back and the spell broke.

My knees nearly gave out.

He turned away, voice colder than ice. “Unchain her.”

The guards hesitated. So did I. What…?

I was brought here to be executed.

“She will serve in my court,” Lucien continued. “Personally.”

My stomach twisted.

No.

This would be worse than death.

Chains fell from my wrists and ankles. My arms hung heavy at my sides. I stared at him as he returned to his throne, as if this was all just another day. Another command.

I was not supposed to be spared. I was supposed to die. Or rot.

Not… this.

“You think making me your servant will break me or make me bow to you?” I said before I could stop myself. “You should’ve killed me while you had the chance,” I said, yelling in frustration.

Lucien didn’t even look back. “If I wanted you dead, witch, you’d be ash.”

I heard the sound of lightning outside, rumbling.

The High Witch bowed again, clearly displeased, and then she vanished without another word.

The guards led me out of there as everyone whispered, looking at me.

Lucien didn’t kill me. After everything, he left me alive. His slave. He had no idea he’d just made a mistake one that would cost him everything.

He didn’t kill me, but I would kill him. I would be his end.

He’s the reason I have nothing left. He should’ve killed me.

Grave mistake. I was going to put an end to him and his reign as king.

I couldn't help the smile that crawled onto my lips as we walked away. This was the perfect opportunity to get revenge on him. I'd already lost everything I had. Nothing else to lose.