LOGINAlpha Bran's POV As the night deepened, the festivities became livelier. Music echoed across the territory. Bonfires burned brightly.Pack members danced and celebrated underneath the lantern-filled sky.For the first time in years, Dark Mountain was this lively and was at peace. No threats. And wars. Just happiness. And celebrating with family. I stood near the edge of the central courtyard watching the celebration when Aric approached me.Clara stood nearby speaking with the pack girls that were her age.I noticed how Aric looking at Clara and what she was doing softened his expression instantly.Then he followed my gaze and sighed. "Don't."I looked toward him. "What?""You have that look on your face.""What look?""The one that says you're about to say something ridiculous about me and Clara.""You and Clara? Why do you think so? What relationship do you have with her?"Aric snorted. "Never mind."It was becoming quite obvious that Aric and Clara were hiding something from me.
Alpha Bran's POVI couldn't take my eyes off my mate the rest of the evening.The New Moon Celebration continued around us with all the noise and excitement it brought every year, but my attention kept returning to the same person.She was smiling again. The kind of smile that reached her eyes and made her face light up.The kind of smile I would do anything to keep and protect."Can you not look at her for once?" Lupin's voice interrupted my thoughts.I growled, hating the nuisance.But continued watching Serafine from where she stood near one of the food stalls speaking with Clara and the pack women."I wasn't aware looking at my mate was a crime." I muttered.Lupin nearly choked. Bane, standing beside him, looked equally shocked. Slowly, both Gammas turned toward me.At that point, I wished I could take back what I said because the expressions on their faces were dangerous."Did you hear that?" Lupin whispered dramatically.Bane nodded. "I heard it.""I don't think I've ever heard
Serafine's POV "Thee mating dance." I screamed. Bran nodded, smiling at me. Every year during the New Moon Festival, mated couples participated in the traditional dance. It wasn't mandatory. But it was considered one of the most important parts of the celebration. It was a symbol of unity. Partnership. And devotion. Both to the pack and to your partner. I swallowed hard, suddenly becoming nervous. Bran peered down, his eyes on me. "You don't have to dance." I looked up at him. "What? Why?" "You seem not comfortable with it." The sincerity in his voice touched me deeply. Months ago, Bran would have simply assumed I would follow. Now he was giving me a choice. Respecting my feelings. Thinking about my comfort. The realization warmed my chest. I smiled. "I want to." Relief. Happiness. And love. All flashed through his eyes at once. Then he held out his hand. My heart fluttered. The gesture felt ridiculously romantic. And judging by the faint redness appearing on Bran's ear
Serafine's POV The moment Bran took my hand, every teasing thought disappeared from my head. The laughter. The embarrassment. The amusement from tormenting him about the list of activities he would do in the festival vanished. Because his fingers had intertwined with mine so naturally that my heart forgot how to beat. For a moment, I simply stared at our joined hands. I couldn’t take my eyes off his strong fingers. Warm skin and a firm yet gentle grip. Yet, somehow, it felt more intimate than anything else. Perhaps because this was Bran. The same Bran who once struggled to express even the smallest emotion. The same Bran who had spent months building walls around himself. And now he was standing in the middle of the New Moon Festival holding my hand without caring who saw. The realization made my chest warm. His thumb brushed lightly across my knuckles. My heart betrayed me. I was hopeless. Bran glanced down at me. His winter gray eyes softened. "What are you thinking about?
Alpha Bran’s POV I heard someone whistle. Then another from a different corner. Pack members nearby had noticed her too.My wolf instantly became possessive. ‘Mine.’ The growl echoed through my head. It got worse when I noticed several unmated males were staring at her.Lupin noticed the swift change in my expression. His grin widened mischievously. "Oh.""What?" I barked."Nothing." His smile grew wider. "It's just that… you look murderous."I looked back toward the crowd. A young warrior still had his eyes fixed on my mate. My jaw tightened.The idiot was even smiling.My wolf looked ready to commit homicide."Bran." Bane's voice sounded strained.I turned to look at him. He was trying not to laugh. So was Lupin.‘He's going to scare everyone away with your face.’ Bane mindlinked. ‘You have to control yourself. They are just staring. No one would dare talk to her knowing who she is to you.’I sighed, unconvinced. But turned forward to look at my mate. And in that moment, her ey
Alpha Bran's POVThe New Moon Celebration arrived way sooner than I was prepared for. Not that I would ever admit that out loud. The problem wasn't the festival itself. The problem was Serafine.I had not seen her since Clara kidnapped her two days ago, saying it was for the festival preparations.Despite having a large pack to lead, piles of reports to review, border disputes to resolve, and a territory to protect, my thoughts kept drifting toward her.It was becoming a serious problem. One that Bane and Lupin refused to let me ignore."Our Alpha has been reading the same page for one hour now." Bane muttered.I didn't look up from the report in front of me."I can hear you."Lupin snorted. I raised my eyes to look at him. Both Gammas were standing near my desk looking so entertained."What do you want?" I asked them.Lupin pointed at the document in my hand. "What's the third line?"I glanced down. Then paused. Because I didn't know.Damn it.Lupin's grin widened. "I knew it."I to
Serafine’s POVI was pushed into a cell filled with darkness while the cell door rattled close. “Enjoy, little human.” One of the guards said.“What was she thinking?” I heard another whisper as their footsteps retracted.“I don’t know. She deserves it.” Another mumbled. Then their voices and foot
Serafine’s POVAfter a final glance around the empty dining hall, I rose to my feet, eyes locked on Alpha Jace as I walked up to him. “Where did everyone go? Didn't know I was so tired to the extent I slept off while eating.” I said, closing in on Jace.“This way,” he gestured with his hand before
Serafine's POV My lips parted but no sound came out. My brain was still trying to process everything. I was the daughter of Alpha Jace's mom. Jace was my half brother. I shared the same mother with him. Mom never told me anything. Why did she keep it away from me? Tears blurred my vision until
Alpha Bran’s POV “There’s more…” Aric said, through the phone. “We checked all the cams and discovered they’d been tampered with. But the dash cam we installed recently in front of the cabin caught something you need to see yourself. I’m sending it now.”My phone screen lit up as the message came







