Chapter 4 - Imprint

Seraphine's POV

I expected rocky grounds and dusty walls, typical of caves in the northern mountain. But his den was nothing like I had imagined.

The surprise in my eyes seemed to amuse him.

"A moment. I'll get you something to soothe the burn."

On our way up the trail, he had handpicked a few leaves from the entrance and squeezed them in his hand until they turned a pasty mix. He had then proceeded to apply on my open wounds, my stomach, and then on my forehead. And almost like magic, a cooling sensation washed over me and my wounds stung no longer.

Until the paste turned hot on my skin.

All I could do was nod as my back hit warm sheets.

What he said... about claiming me and pup. I was incredibly confused on why Fael's uncle, a banished tyrant, would say that to me. Did... did he perhaps have plans to subjugate me to slavery here in his den?

No Seraphine. You need to get out of here.

I could barely place my feet on the ground when he came back. Carrying a ceramic bowl in his palm.

"Leaving so soon?"

I swallowed.

"Don't...don't come close to me until you tell me what you really want with me, and my baby." My hand immediately moved to my stomach. "Because I would die before I let you—"

"Harm the pup?"

"Y-yes."

He placed the bowl on a stool beside us. His movements, too gentle for an Alpha.

"I watched my nephew nearly sink his claws into your womb because he was convinced that you were carrying a bastard. And then he rejected you, throwing you out even though you were bleeding, leaving you for dead. If I wanted to harm you or your unborn, I would have."

"How... how did you—"

"I'm a good hacker." He shrugged.

And I instantly knew that he was likely referring to the surveillance stones in our pack. Right. He was going to be Alpha before he was banished anyways, of course he would have found a way to have access.

"Then why did you bring me here?"

"Because we've both been wronged by people we've loved. Because we both deserve second chances. I found mine, here in the north, in my den, forming a pack of my own. I want to give you a chance to find yours."

I sat up a little, he moved to place an arm under my back but I refused. He had red in his eyes, the sign of a feral wolf. A half-beast in a sense. He could wake up one moonlight and rip me apart.

"How can I trust you, Darius?"

"If you want me to swear an oath to you, I will."

He was even willing to swear an oath?

There has to be more to this.

"Why me, though...I mean. I'm not the only wronged she-wolf out there."

"Because you're special."

I blinked.

"Because I'm special? Or because I'm the ex-mate of the nephew you're feuding with?"

Something in this man's eyes carried so many secrets.

"From the very first day you were given to my nephew, I wanted to take you instead."

"W-why?"

"You'll know someday. I promise. But right now, I think you should take a chance on me. You've been told stories about me, about the north. Give me an opportunity to rewrite those notions."

It all still didn't make sense. Even if he had some hidden agenda, I wouldn't be beneficial in any way.

"Swear the oath first. Let me be sure that you wouldn't turn me to a... bed warmer the moment you claim me."

His hand raised above my head and I flinched. But no hit came, his fingers merely threaded through my hair, soothing my scalp.

"Smart girl."

I...I had never been called smart before.

—[NIGHTFALL]—

A drop of his blood rested on my forehead. A white dress had been provided for me, a 'kikh' they called it. And a part of my stomach had been bare. And his blood was smeared over it.

Darius had solidified his oath to me, and my pup.

At a point I doubted my own eyes.

What was he even doing?

Swearing an oath to an omega who he could easily trample under his feet?

He had told me that he needed a Luna.

But it still didn't feel like that was why he saved me.

"Your finger," he murmured.

I accidentally wiggled my thumb in his direction. He nearly dropped the lamp on the ground, laughing so hard.

"Your ring finger."

He laughed.

He had found me funny?

Someone was capable of finding me funny?

I gave him my ring finger, feeling slightly dazed from all of this.

I had gotten married under the moonlight, on the night of what should have been the celebration of my two year anniversary with Fael.

So much had happened in a single night.

I watched as he slid a jade diamond ring on my finger, sliding a replica of it on his.

When I had wedded Fael, he had given me a plastic ring, despite all his wealth.

I thought maybe I would earn something better during the anniversaries, if I did well.

"It's done."

"Mm... just like that?"

He nodded.

"So... we're married...then?"

He nodded again. Gathering the items that sat between us.

"Where would you like the mark? Somewhere hidden or...?"

"I thought Alphas decided."

"It's your body, the decision is yours."

I stuttered so badly I turned crimson, choosing to settle for my neck.

"Everyone would see it..." I murmured as he came closer.

"That is the whole point of this. I want everyone to know whose Luna you'll be, and who the father of your pup will be."

These words were foreign to my ears. And I found myself hoping against all odds that this wasn't deception.

"Is this the part where I thank you and vow to be loyal?"

His teeth sunk into my neck and the moment they drew blood, I felt a slightly aphrodisiacal sensation wash over me.

"This is the part where I set my sights on proving myself worthy enough to win your loyalty."

A slight movement in my stomach startled me so bad I stood. Drop dripping down the two small holes on my neck.

My lips parted as I felt my pup stir at just a week old.

This was impossible.

"No way..."

He stood to his feet. Looking around, alarmed

"Is something wrong, what happened?"

I grabbed his hand instinctively and placed it on my stomach, in no less than a second did I feel the stir again.

"What was th—"

"Impossible." I gasped. "The baby...the baby has accepted your imprint.”