Chapter 002

Seraphina

The castle was colder on the inside as the guards walked me to God knows where. It wasn't the chill of the stony cold walls. It was something else. Something weird. I felt it.

The castle halls weren't just wild, they were grand. It was lit up with flames that didn't warm anything. Banners of silver and black lined the walls, each bearing the crescent moon the mark of the Eternal Alpha.

The guards led me through corridors where servants stood against the walls to avoid me. No one spoke, but it didn't hide the irritation in their eyes.

No one dared look me in the eye. As if they feared whatever I was. Or whatever I might become.

The disgust written all over their face only told me one thing,this was the beginning of my hell.

I was taken to a chamber in the far corners of the east hallway. It wasn’t a dungeon, but it wasn’t comfortable either. The stone walls were bare. The bed plain. A basin of cold water and a folded shift lay waiting.

“Your room,” one of the guards muttered before slamming the door behind him.

I just stood still for a moment, confused as to what was going on. Why was he doing this? I am a slave, and slaves don't get rooms.

My wrists were bruised where the shackles had been. My palm still tingled where the magic had flicked brief, weak, but undoubtedly real.

I pressed my hand against my chest, right over my heart, letting out a heavy breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

There was something about him... the way he looked at me, the way my power responded to him like it was being called out to the surface.

But not because I wanted it to.

No, it had stirred for him.

I should have been terrified.

But instead, I was shaking with fury.

How dare my magic react to him? How dare my body respond, even slightly, to the very man I’d sworn to destroy?

I laid on the bed, curling into myself on the cold, small mattress, and forced sleep to come. But even in dreams, there was no peace. I saw as fire consumed my home.

I awoke with the sharp clang of the door opening the next morning. A servant stood there, eyes wide, hands trembling.

“The king requests your presence,” she said quickly, then added, “immediately.”

My heart started to race with fear.

I dressed in the plain gray shift they left for me. It was the same as what the servants were wearing. I twisted my hair back from my face and followed the servant through the maze of corridors.

This time, we walked toward the upper wing past portraits of Lycans from centuries gone. Warriors. Kings. And finally… him.

Lucien Valemont. Painted in black and gold, standing with a massive black wolf at his side and a crown of crescent silver on his brow.

His eyes were the same as in life. Cold and terrifying.

We reached a tall wooden door. The servant bowed and fled, leaving me alone before the king’s private chamber.

I didn’t knock. I didn’t wait.

I walked in with hesitating steps. Maybe this was where he was going to end my life.

Lucien stood with his back to me, facing a big window, hands resting gently against the other. He didn’t turn when I entered.

“I don’t recall giving you permission to speak freely yesterday,” he said calmly.

“I don’t recall asking for your permission,” I responded, voice a bit shaky.

He finally looked at me.

Same cold eyes. Same emotionless mask. But now I could feel it more clearly what lay beneath. All that coldness barely held in check. It was grief. I wasn't sure how I knew, but I did.

“You were bold,” he said.

“I was honest.”

“And yet you still breathe.” He took a step closer. “Do you know why?”

“Because killing me would make you look weak to the other factions,” I answered. “They think you’re still grieving your mate. Still ruled by emotion. And they’d be right.”

His jaw tightened. “Careful.”

I tilted my head. “Why? Hit a nerve?”

I was afraid, and this courage I wasn't sure where I was getting the courage from. But I hoped it didn't get me killed, because as much as I want to prove how brave I am, I was more than scared of this monster.

He moved quickly now, suddenly inches away, towering over me, voice a low growl. “You will not talk about her. Am I clear?”

“I know she died because of a decision you made,” I snapped. “And so did my coven. And it was all because of you.”

His eyes darkened, a storm gathering in their depths. For a breathless moment, I thought he might snap my neck.

“You pretend to be brave, but you, Seraphina, are weak.” The way my name bounced off his lips it sent a shiver down my spine. “I can hear the way your heart races. You fear me.”

No... I don't.

You should.

He stepped back.

You should be afraid of the monster I am and what I would do to you. You should be dead. Fed to the vultures. But I kept you alive because I sensed something in you. Your fire it’s not sealed as tightly as they claimed.”

I froze. “What do you mean?” I said, pretending not to understand what he was talking about.

“Yes, you do. I felt it. When I approached you. Your magic moved.”

“No.” I shook my head. “That’s not possible. My magic was sealed by the Myrren Circle before they sold me. I can’t even light a candle.”

He turned to face me again. “Then how do you explain what happened yesterday?”

I had no answer.

He crossed his arms. “The ritual will be done again. This time, taking your powers for good.”

“No... no, please,” I begged. I swore never to beg this man, but it was bad enough that my powers were sealed. Taking it away meant me losing a part of myself.

His facial expression still looked emotionless. Not even a fraction of pity.

I hated that I had to beg him.

“No amount of pleading is going to save you, and you will be stripped of your powers permanently.”

The tension between us tightened. Even the air felt heavier.

“Leave,” he said. “Now.”

“What?”

He turned away from me. “Go back to your chamber. I’ll call for you again when I decide what to do with you.”

I didn’t argue. I turned and left, my heart pounding, and my hatred grew with every step I took out of there.

I felt the tears sting at the corner of my eyes, but I fought it back. I wouldn't let it fall.

As I made my way through the halls and to my room. A voice came from behind.

I looked up to see her.

A tall, beautiful figure stood immaculate, in a gown of blood-red velvet. Pale skin. Dark eyes that gleamed like obsidian.

“You’re the witch everyone’s whispering about,” she said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

And... who... are you?

“I am your queen,” she said with all confidence.

And why do you walk freely? she said with disgust in her voice.

I didn't reply, just looked at her closely. She was a vampire.

“Servants do not get to walk around the castle like they owned the place.”

“Make your useless self useful before I make you my dinner,” she flashed her fangs.

I bowed my head. “Yes, my queen.”

I wanted to protest, but I was a servant now, and I've heard of vampires I didn't want to over step with her.

She claimed to be his queen when he could never get over his mate.

That night, in my dreams, I saw a golden-eyed wolf. It didn’t chase me. It bowed its head and whispered one word:

“Mate.”