LOGINSerafine’s POVAric hesitated for only a second before obeying me. My feet hit the ground, and pain shot up my injured ankle immediately, but I didn’t let it show. I straightened, lifted my chin, and without sparing him another glance, I limped forward, going past him. “Show me to my room.”Silence followed me like a shadow. I could feel the weight of his stare burning into my back as I crossed the threshold into his house.The door remained open behind me. I made it halfway into the living room before stopping and turning, irritation flickering through me.“What are you still doing outside?” I asked flatly. “Aren’t you going to come in and lead the way?”He just stood there, watching me like I had just turned into someone else entirely. Then, slowly, he stepped inside.He simply walked past me, his presence suddenly quieter.“Follow me,” he said, and I did.The house was large, spacious with everything inside was perfectly arranged and looked like they were worth a fortune. It was a
Alpha Bran’s POVThe water slid down my skin in steady warm streams, washing away the blood that had dried against my arms, my chest and my hands. I tilted my head back, closing my eyes as the last of the red swirled down the drain. But it wasn’t the blood that stayed with me.It was his voice. ‘Serafine would die soon, anyway.’My jaw tightened. And hand dragged through my wet hair, pushing it back as I exhaled slowly, trying and failing to push the words out of my mind.‘Bran,’ Aric’s voice hit my head through the mindlink.‘What?’‘Serafine’s injured.’My eyes snapped open immediately. “What happened?” “I don’t know. Her ankle is sprained again. The same one from before. It looks worse this time.”A low growl built in my chest.“Then take her to the hospital first.” I ordered.“She refused.”“Why are you listening to her? Take her to the hospital, Aric. Tell her it’s my order.”“I would love for you to pass that order to her directly.”My brows furrowed. “What’s that supposed to
Serafine’s POVI glared at Grayson, every ounce of restraint I had left snapping under the weight of everything I was holding in.“Move.”His eyes searched mine, confusion flickering across his face, like he was trying to find the girl who had walked out with him just hours ago. Like he didn’t understand where she had gone.There was no softness in my eyes. He must have seen it already. Thus why he stepped aside quietly.I pushed forward past him. The moment I stepped out, the pain in my ankle flared again, stealing the breath from my lungs but I didn’t stop walking. More like leaping.“Serafine—” Aric moved quickly toward me, his hand reaching out instinctively to me. “What happened to you?” concern laced his voice as his eyes dropped to my ankle.I pulled away before he could touch me.“I can walk,” I said flatly. The words weren’t loud, but they carried enough force to make him pause. Then, just as quickly, he withdrew his hand.“Alright,” he said, “But we should go to the hospital
Serafine’s POVI was barely holding myself together as it was.Each step toward Grayson’s apartment sent a dull ache shooting up my ankle, but I welcomed the pain. It gave me something else to focus on. Something other than the tight knot in my chest.We reached the apartment building in silence.The walk upstairs felt longer than usual. He stayed a step behind me the entire time, like he didn’t know if he was allowed to come closer or if I’d snap at him again if he did.The moment the door opened, Clara appeared like she had been waiting.Her eyes lit up at first. “Finally—” her expression dropped the second she saw us.“What happened?” Her gaze flicked between my face and Grayson’s, confusion settling in. “You both look like you just walked out of a war.”I walked past her, silently. My ankle protested with every movement.“Serafine?” Clara called again, more concerned now.I sank onto the edge of the couch, placing my heels on the floor beside me. My hands rested in my lap.I hear
Bran’s POV“Serafine would die soon, anyway.” The rogue prisoners grated at me.Everything in me stilled for a split second, just enough for the meaning to settle. Then my wolf erupted.“Shut up!” I growled at him.The rogue only smiled wider, blood still dripping from his claws as if he reveled in it.“Everything you’re doing to protect her would all be a waste.” My vision darkened at the edges. “I said shut. up!” He didn’t stop.“They chose her long before you found her,” he said, eyes flicking toward Serafine like she was nothing more than an object. “Her fate was sealed. She’ll be used exactly how she was meant to be for our king.”My fists clenched so tightly my nails bit into my palms.“And even if you kill me,” he went on, shrugging, “there are others who will finish what we started.”Aric’s grip tightened across my chest when he sensed my breaking point. “Bran—”I ripped out of his hold with a violent surge of strength, my wolf taking over in a flood of rage and instinct. Th
Serafine’s POVGrayson stared at me like he had been caught in something he couldn’t explain away.“Serafine, I—” he started, but the words stumbled out, uncertain.He ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to gather himself. “You’re misunderstanding—”“Am I?” I snapped, stepping closer to him. “Then explain to me why you're out here making a call about something you did and no one suspecting.”His mouth opened again, but nothing came out. That silence told me more than anything he could have said.My chest tightened painfully.“Did you have anything to do with what happened at the cell?” I asked, praying really had that he didn't. “Serafine, don’t misunderstand me,” he said quickly, shaking his head. “I was talking about something else. It has nothing to do with whatever happened in there.”He was lying again. I could always tell when he lies to me. And this was the second time in one day. “You expect me to believe that?” I asked.“I’m telling you the truth,” he insisted.“No,
Serafine’s POVIf it wasn’t Grayson, then who would buy flowers and a bracelet for me?“Grayson, are you sure you didn’t…” I asked.“Yes, Serafine,” he looked me in the eye. “Did anyone say I sent them?”“The doctor,” I replied slowly. “He came in smiling… said you brought them as a wellbeing gift
Serafine’s POVMy head throbbed so violently it felt like something was beating against my skull from the inside.Hope helped me sit properly on the bed, her hands gentle despite the tension in the room. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. Then under her breath, she added bitterly, “So much for the pac
Serafine’s POVMy heart was still racing from where Bran had grabbed me. My skin still remembered the pressure of his arms. I didn’t know what shocked me more. His sudden embrace or the look on his face when I pushed him away.The door clicked shut behind him. A few minutes later, it opened again.
Alpha Bran’s POVEven though we had suspected it. Even though the signs had been there…I didn’t believe it. Not until I saw the silver bracelet tear into her skin like acid. I stared at the screen, shock rooting me to the spot.Serafine was a wolf!My mate was a wolf.But that made no sense.The f







