THEY WANT US DEAD. SO, HOW WAS YOUR NIGHT?

SERA'S POV

"You know, I didn’t even want to attend the ceremony," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. My heart was racing. I wasn’t just making small talk — I was trying to distract Mike from asking more questions. Dangerous questions.

"But my best friend forced me to go," I added quickly, giving a weak laugh.

Mike kept his eyes on the road as he drove. His hands were firm on the wheel, his expression unreadable. "You shouldn't have come," he said at last. His voice wasn’t angry, but there was something serious in his tone. "If I hadn’t seen you lying there in the woods, you might’ve been killed. A bear, a wolf… anything could’ve attacked you."

I nodded slowly, pretending to be calm. "You’re right. Thank you for helping me. I really appreciate it."

Outside, the trees zipped by. The road twisted through the forest, and with every turn, I felt more anxious. We were getting closer to Nox pack territory. My home. My pack. 

My heart beat faster.

No matter how much Victor hated me right now, I needed to talk to him. He had to hear what I heard. Even if he didn’t want to see me — even how he rejected me last night — this wasn’t about us anymore.

Mike suddenly glanced at me. "You know, my mom still wants to see you again."

I forced a polite smile. "I like her. She's really sweet. Tell her she'll see more of me."

That was a lie.

I would never step foot in Skoll pack territory again. Not after what I’d heard. Not after learning that Mike’s parents — the same people who welcomed me with open arms — were planning something so evil. Something deadly.

They wanted Victor dead.

They wanted Mia dead.

And me.

I had eaten at their table, smiled at their jokes… even bathed in their house like a clueless guest. Now I felt sick just thinking about it.

Mike gave a small smile. "Thanks. She’ll be happy to hear that."

A few minutes later, the car slowed down as we reached the edge of the Nox pack land. The tall trees parted, revealing the familiar gate ahead. Mike pulled over just outside it and let out a long breath.

"Have a nice day ahead," he said softly.

"And you too," I replied with a forced smile. My hand was already reaching for the door handle when I heard footsteps approaching fast.

A guard ran up to the car, his voice breathless. "We’ve been looking for you, Sera. The Alpha is worried."

I blinked, confused. Victor? Worried? That didn’t sound right. This was the same man who had rejected me in front of the whole pack. The same man who treated me like I was nothing but a mistake.

But now… he was asking after me?

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mike still sitting there, silent. He had heard what the guard said. His face didn’t show anything, but I could feel his curiosity.

"We’ll see soon," I told him, just to fill the awkward silence.

"How? I don’t even know where you live. I don’t have your number," he said, pulling out his phone and handing it to me.

I hesitated. For a second, I thought about giving him an excuse. But the wolf in me wanted this, she wanted me to give him my number..

I typed in my number. "I’m a busy person. Call me only at night," I said, handing it back and stepping out.

As the guard led me to the palace car, my mind raced. I needed to gather my thoughts. What should I say to Victor? Would he even listen to me?

The car drove smoothly through the gate, toward the Alpha’s home. My hands trembled slightly in my lap. I could feel the weight of everything pressing on me. This wasn’t about rejection, pride, or broken hearts anymore.

This was about survival.

The car pulled up near the front steps. Before I even opened the door, I saw Mia rushing out. Her long hair bounced behind her, and she looked pale with worry.

She reached me and hugged me tightly. "I was so worried! Since last night—" She pulled back and looked at me. "Wait, is that the same dress from yesterday?"

I nodded, tired. "Yeah… It’s a long story, Mistress."

Mia frowned. "You know I hate that word. We’re friends. Best friends, Sera. Just because I’m the Alpha’s sister doesn’t mean you have to act all formal with me."

"Sorry," I said quickly. "But I need to see Alpha Victor. There’s something important I need to tell him."

She sighed. "He’s in a meeting right now with the pack’s top members. It might take a while. Just tell me instead."

I hesitated. Could I really trust her with something this big?

Mia looked at me with concern. "Sera, you’re scaring me. What happened?"

I took a deep breath and began. "I was saved by the future Alpha of the Skoll pack last night. I fell from the running last night in the woods and passed out."

"Mike?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

I looked at her, surprised. "You know him?"

Mia looked away for a second, shy. "Yeah. He’s the reason I went to the ceremony. I was hoping the Moon Goddess would match us."

Her words stunned me. For a moment, I couldn’t speak.

We reached my room, and I pushed the door open, feeling drained. I sat on the edge of the bed, trying to collect my thoughts.

Mia sat beside me. "Is that all?" she asked.

I shook my head slowly. "No. I met his parents too. His mom and dad."

"And?" she asked, watching me closely.

I looked down at my hands. My voice dropped. "During our conversation… they said something. Something terrible."

Mia leaned in. "What?"

"They said your brother has been stealing from them. Drugs. Weeds. For months now," I whispered. "And now they want revenge."

Her face froze. I could tell she was trying to process my words, trying to decide if she believed me.

But I wasn’t finished.

"They want him dead, Mia," I said. "Not just him. You too. And me. Then they’ll take over our territory."

Silence filled the room.

Mia sat still, her face pale. She didn’t blink. Didn’t speak. Just stared at the wall like her whole world had shattered.

And maybe it had.

I reached out and touched her arm gently. "I know it’s hard to believe, but I heard it myself. They were serious. Smiling one second and then saying all those things the next. Like it was already planned."

Still, no response.

"I thought they were kind people, Mia. But they’re dangerous. And if we don’t do something soon—"

"I believe you," she said suddenly, her voice shaking. She looked at me, her eyes filled with tears. "I believe you."

We sat there in silence, both of us scared, both of us unsure of what to do next.

But one thing was clear:

Nothing was ever going to be the same again.