LOGINArianna's POV Liam stared at Cassian as though he hadn't expected such a question. For several seconds, he said nothing. Then, to my surprise, he took a step backward. “Your Highness, I believe the person who committed the offence should be punished.” A stunned silence followed. I glanced at Seraphina. Her eyes widened as she stared at the man she had just called the love of her life. “Liam?” she whispered. Beta Craig immediately stepped forward. “What nonsense are you talking about? She's your fiancée!” Liam turned toward him, looking irritated. “And what does that have to do with anything?” Beta Craig's mouth fell open. “She is the woman you're supposed to marry! How can you stand there and allow them to do this to her?” Liam scoffed. “Being my fiancée doesn't mean I should die for her.” Seraphina looked as though someone had slapped her. “Liam…” He barely glanced at her. “I love you, Seraphina, but I'm not going to throw my life away because of something you did.” H
Arianna’s POV“Let's proceed.”Cassian's words sent another wave of panic through the chamber.“No! Please, Your Highness!” Seraphina screamed, desperately trying to pull away from the guards. “I promise I won't do it again! I'll never go near your mother-in-law again. Please!”Cassian remained unmoved.“Bring her forward.”The guards exchanged a brief glance before dragging Seraphina toward the centre of the chamber.“Father!” she cried, turning desperately toward Beta Craig. “Father, don't let them do this to me!”My father looked as though he might collapse.“Your Highness, please! Spare my daughter. I beg you!”Cassian didn't even spare him a glance.“Did you not hear my order?”Evander immediately stepped forward.“Your Highness, the guards are waiting for your instruction.”“Tell them to proceed.”My stomach tightened.I glanced at the burning charcoal. Its red glow flickered beneath the metal tray, and the sight made my chest feel strangely heavy.I wanted Seraphina to pay for
Arianna’s POVMy father's expression shifted as Cassian's words settled over him.For a moment, he looked as though he hadn't understood what had just been said.Then he quickly turned toward Seraphina.“Your Highness, I believe there has been a misunderstanding,” he began, forcing a smile. “Seraphina may have made a mistake, but I assure you she never intended to cause anyone harm.”Cassian stared at him.“A mistake?”“Yes, Your Highness. She's young and sometimes acts without thinking. I will speak to her personally and make sure she understands the seriousness of her actions.”He turned toward Seraphina.“Seraphina, apologize to the Crown Princess. Tell her you are sorry for what happened to her mother.”Seraphina immediately nodded, looking relieved that her father was finally there.“I'm sorry, Arianna. I didn't mean…”“Silence,” Cassian ordered.Her mouth snapped shut.He looked at Beta Craig again.“Did you come here to take responsibility for your daughter's actions, or are yo
Arianna’s POVFor a moment, nobody spoke.The silence was so heavy that I could hear Seraphina's uneven breathing from where she stood.“Your Highness, surely you don't mean that,” Alpha Harold finally said.Cassian turned his gaze toward him.“Do I look like I'm joking?”Alpha Harold's lips parted, but no words came out immediately.One of the elders cleared his throat, rising to his feet. “Your Highness, we understand your anger, but such punishment is rather severe. Perhaps there is another way to make her answer for her actions.”“Another way?” Cassian repeated. His fingers tapped slowly against the armrest of his wheelchair. “Tell me, Elder. What punishment would you suggest for someone who deliberately mistreats a sick woman? Someone who denies her food, forces her to work beyond her strength, and threatens anyone who dares to help her?”The elder lowered his head. “I only meant that we should consider the laws of the pack.”“And I am asking you to consider the crime.”Cassian’s
Arianna’s POVThe journey to the Alpha's chamber was tense.Cassian had insisted that my mother be taken to a comfortable room and attended to by the physician before we proceeded with anything else. Although I wanted to remain beside her, she had gently encouraged me to go.“I'll be fine, my daughter,” she assured me, squeezing my hand. “Go and settle whatever needs to be settled. I'll be waiting for you.”I kissed her forehead before leaving.Now, as Evander pushed Cassian's wheelchair through the corridors, I walked beside him, my mind occupied with everything that had happened.Seraphina was being escorted behind us by two guards. Her cheeks were swollen from the slaps, and her earlier confidence had completely disappeared. She kept muttering under her breath, occasionally glaring at me.I ignored her because I had no intention of wasting another second on her until we reached the Alpha's chamber.When we finally arrived, the doors were opened for us.Several elders were already s
Arianna’s POVHis gaze shifted briefly to Seraphina, then to Cassian.For a moment, he hesitated. Perhaps he had never imagined I would ask him to do such a thing.Cassian, however, gave him a single nod. That was all the permission Evander needed.He seized Seraphina before she could escape and forced her down onto the floor.“Let me go!” she screamed, twisting violently. “You bastard! Get your filthy hands off me!” She struggled to free herself, but Evander held her firmly in place.I walked toward her.For the first time since I had returned to Lunarcrest, Seraphina looked genuinely afraid.“Arianna,” she said, her voice suddenly less certain. “Listen to me. Whatever you think happened, we can talk about it.”I stopped in front of her.“Talk?”“Yes.” She forced a nervous laugh. “We're sisters, aren't we? There's no need to make such a big deal out of this.”I stared at her.“Sisters?”She nodded quickly.“Of course. You're my sister. I would never intentionally hurt you.”I glanced







