CHAPTER 4: The Truth Unveiled

Serena's POV

"I'm waiting."

Kael stood in front of me with his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. We were back in what I assumed was our shared bedroom, a massive suite that screamed power and wealth.

And I had absolutely no good explanation for what just happened.

"He was confused," I tried.

"Don't." Kael's voice was sharp. "Don't insult my intelligence, Serena. Alpha Dominic looked at you like he'd seen a ghost."

Because he had.

But I couldn't say that. Not yet. Not until I figured out what the hell was going on with this body and this life I'd been dropped into.

"He mistook me for someone else," I said carefully.

Kael laughed. It wasn't a nice sound.

"Try again."

"I don't owe you explanations."

"You're my wife," he said softly, dangerously. "You owe me everything."

My wolf bristled at the command in his tone but I forced myself to stay calm. I needed information. Needed to understand who the original Serena Hayden was before I could navigate this minefield.

"Fine," I said. "Then tell me something first."

His eyebrow lifted.

"You want to negotiate?"

"I want to understand my position." I met his gaze steadily. "You married me. But I'm the fourth woman in your life. What exactly does that make me?"

Something flickered in his eyes.

"Honest question?"

"Honest answer," I countered.

He moved closer, circling me like a predator.

"You're my Luna. Publicly. Politically. You'll stand by my side at pack functions, bear my heirs and represent the North Pack." He paused. "But privately? You're no different from Elara, Morgana or Isla. Just another woman in my bed when I want you there."

The words should've hurt. Should've made me angry.

But all I felt was relief.

Because if I was just another mistress with a fancy title, that meant I had room to maneuver. Room to plan.

"I see," I said quietly.

He stopped in front of me, studying my face.

"That doesn't bother you?"

"Should it?"

"The Serena I know would've been furious." His hand cupped my jaw. "Would've demanded my full attention. Would've schemed to get rid of the other three."

The old me.

"Tell me about her," I said. "The old Serena Hayden. What was she like?"

His eyes narrowed.

"Why?"

"Because everyone keeps acting like they know me. But I feel like a stranger in my own skin." I pulled away from his touch. "So tell me. What kind of woman was I?"

Kael was silent for a long moment.

"Cunning," he finally said. "Sharp-minded. Greedy for power. You arranged this marriage yourself through your father. Convinced him to betroth you to me even though you were already promised to someone else."

My stomach dropped.

"Who?"

"My younger brother. Cyrus."

Oh.

Oh no.

"You were engaged to Cyrus," Kael continued. "Betrothed since childhood. But when you found out I was chosen as Supreme Alpha instead of him, you did everything in your power to break that engagement and secure yourself to me instead."

I felt sick.

"What happened to Cyrus?"

"He went to war against the vampires." Kael's expression darkened. "He was declared dead six months ago."

The original Serena was a piece of work.

"Why did you agree?" I asked. "If you knew what kind of person I was?"

"Politics." He shrugged. "Your father is Beta of the West Pack. The marriage strengthened our alliance. And you..." His eyes raked over me. "You were beautiful. Entertaining. I thought you'd make an interesting addition to my collection."

Collection.

Like we were objects. Toys.

"And now?" I asked.

"Now I'm not sure what you are." He stepped closer again. "Because the woman standing in front of me isn't the same woman I met four months ago."

Four months.

"People change," I said weakly.

"Not like this." His hand tangled in my hair, tilting my head back. "So I'll ask you one more time, Serena. Who are you?"

I opened my mouth to answer but a knock on the door interrupted us.

Kael's jaw tightened.

"What?" he barked.

A guard opened the door slightly.

"Supreme Alpha. Forgive the interruption, but there's been... an incident."

Kael released me immediately.

"What kind of incident?"

"Files. Missing from your office. Lady Elara reported it."

My blood ran cold.

Kael's eyes cut to me.

"Did you take anything from my office?"

"I've never been to your office," I said honestly.

Kael stared at me for a long moment and then turned to the guard.

"Gather everyone in the main hall. Now."

Twenty Minutes Later

The main hall was tense.

Elara stood near Kael with her expression smug. Morgana and Isla flanked her, both watching me with unreadable expressions.

Dominic and Vivian were still there too, along with several other visiting alphas and their mates.

Great. An audience.

"Lady Elara," Kael said coolly. "Explain."

Elara's ice-blue eyes locked on me.

"This morning, I saw Serena leaving your office. She was carrying several documents." She paused dramatically. "When I checked later, I discovered that classified pack files were missing."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"That's a lie," I said calmly.

"Is it?" Elara's smile was cold. "Then why were you in the Supreme Alpha's office?"

"I wasn't."

"Liar." Morgana stepped forward. "I saw you too."

Of course she did.

They were working together. Setting me up to look incompetent or treacherous. Probably hoping Kael would toss me aside and they could resume their positions as his favorites.

"I was in my chambers all morning," I said. "The maids can confirm it."

"Maids can be bribed," Elara said smoothly.

Kael raised his hand and the room went silent.

"Enough."

He turned to me with his expression unreadable.

"Did you take the files, Serena?"

"No."

"Then where are they?"

"I don't know."

He stared at me for a long moment and I was certain he was about to call me a liar again.

But instead, he said, "I gave those files to Serena myself. To keep safe."

The room went silent.

Elara's eyes widened.

"What?" Morgana breathed.

Kael's gaze never left mine.

"Is that a problem, Lady Elara?"

Elara's composure cracked for just a second.

"No, Supreme Alpha. I... I must have been mistaken."

"Clearly." Kael's tone was ice. "Perhaps next time, you'll think before accusing my Luna of theft."

Elara bowed stiffly and backed away.

But I saw the look in her eyes.

This wasn't over.

***

Later That Night

I found Isla in the gardens.

She was sitting alone on a stone bench, staring at the moon with an expression that seemed almost sad.

"Can I join you?" I asked.

She glanced at me, surprised.

"You want to sit with me?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Because Elara and Morgana hate you. And I'm... associated with them."

I sat down beside her.

"Do you hate me?"

She was quiet for a moment.

"No."

"Then we can be civil."

Isla studied me with those strange violet eyes.

"You changed. You're different," she said softly. "Serena would've gloated about what happened in the hall. Would've made Elara's humiliation worse."

"I'm not interested in making enemies," I said honestly.

"You already have them." Isla turned back to the moon. "Elara won't stop. And Morgana will follow whatever Elara does. They want you gone."

"What about you?"

"I..." She hesitated. "I just want peace."

I believed her.

"Then help me," I said quietly. "Help me navigate this. I don't know who to trust here."

Isla looked at me for a long moment.

"Why should I trust you?"

"Because I no longer am the woman you think I was." I met her gaze. "And because I have a feeling you're not like the others either."

A small smile tugged at her lips.

"Alright, Serena. I'll help you. But know this..." Her expression turned serious. "If you're playing games, if you're trying to manipulate me like... the old Serena would've, I'll know. And I won't hesitate to tell Kael everything."

"Deal."

We shook hands.

And for the first time since waking up in this body, I felt like maybe, just maybe, I had an ally.

***

Midnight

I was in the library, searching through old records, trying to learn more about the original Serena's life when I heard voices.

Low. Urgent. Conspiratorial.

I pressed myself against the bookshelf and listened.

"...she's becoming a problem."

Elara's voice.

"Kael protected her today," Morgana replied. "He's never done that before."

"Because he suspects something," Elara hissed. "He knows she's different. But if we can prove she's dangerous..."

"How?"

A pause.

"We frame her again. But this time, we make sure the evidence is undeniable."

"What did you have in mind?"

Elara's laugh was sharp.

"Isla."

My blood ran cold.

"We plant the stolen files in Isla's chambers," Elara continued. "Make it look like Serena put them there. Turn Kael's suspicions into proof of betrayal."

"Isla won't go along with it," Morgana said doubtfully.

"She doesn't need to. She's too soft. Too trusting." Elara's voice dripped with contempt. "By the time anyone realizes what happened, Serena will be in the dungeons. And we'll have our positions back."

***

I'd heard enough.

I slipped out of the library silently and headed straight for Isla's chambers.

I had to warn her.

But when I arrived, I found the door already open.

And inside, standing over Isla's bed with a stack of documents in his hands, was Kael.

His eyes met mine.

"Care to explain," he said softly, "why classified pack files are in Isla's room?"