Chapter 2

Sera

I haven’t slept.

I sit up in bed, my packed bags still sitting by the door where I left them yesterday morning. I was supposed to be waking up in Kellan’s home today. To start a new life free from this house.

Instead, I’m still trapped here.

I keep staring at the bags. Should I just run? But even as the thought crosses my mind, I know it’s foolish. The territories surrounding our pack are vicious. Wolves who cross boundaries without permission are killed on sight. I wouldn’t survive a day out alone.

And then there’s Aeron.

Why did he step in? Why would someone like him claim someone like me? It doesn’t make sense. Nothing about last night makes sense.

I glance at the clock and my stomach drops. It’s time for me to head for work.

I force myself out of bed and gather the courage to leave my room. As I walk down the stairs, I hear their voices. They’re gathered in the living room, eyes glued to the television.

“Well, look who finally decided to grace us with her presence,” Aunt Mirelda says.

I’m about to slip past them toward the door when I hear it. My name on the television.

“—shocking events at last night’s Founder’s Mate ceremony, where Aeron Nightborne publicly claimed Sera Ashcroft, a low-ranking pack member known for her unusual scent—”

I freeze, staring at the screen where footage from last night plays. There I am, walking towards Aeron. His hand entwined in mine. The moment I said yes.

“Oh look, you made the news!” Leah claps her hands in mock excitement. “How exciting for you, Sera. You’re famous now.”

“Famous indeed,” Aliya adds with a sneer. “Everyone knows Aeron only did that because he felt sorry for you.”

“Such a noble young man,” Aunt Mirelda sighs. “Handsome, brave, strong. Though I’m sure he’ll come to his senses soon enough.”

I want to disappear. This is worse than I thought. The entire pack—no, the entire region—has seen what happened. There’s no hiding from this.

I don’t respond to their comments. I just need to leave. I need to get to work where at least I can hide in the back and avoid people’s stares.

I grab my bag and head for the door, but when I open it, I nearly collide with two men in the Alpha’s guard uniform.

“Sera Ashcroft?” one of them asks, though it’s clearly not a question.

“Yes?”

“The Alpha requests your immediate presence. You’re to come with us now.”

My heart plummets into my stomach. “Now? But I—I have to get to work—”

“Now,” he repeats, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Behind me, I hear my cousins giggling. This day just keeps getting worse.

-----

I’ve never been to the Alpha’s personal quarters before.

As the guards lead me through the corridors of the pack house, I can’t help but stare. Polished wood floors, paintings on the walls, gold accents catching the morning light. This is a world I’ve only glimpsed from the outside, and now I’m walking through it like an intruder.

We stop outside a heavy wooden door. One guard knocks, and a voice from inside calls, “Enter.”

The guards open the door but don’t follow me in. I step inside alone, my hands trembling.

Alpha Eldric sits behind a massive desk, and there’s a television mounted on the wall playing the morning news—the same broadcast my aunt and cousins were watching. He doesn’t look up as I enter, his eyes fixed on the screen where my face flashes across it.

I’ve never been this close to him before. Never been summoned by him. I don’t know what to do, so I bow deeply, my heart beating fast.

“Sera Ashcroft,” he says, finally looking at me. His gaze is cold, assessing. “Sit.”

I perch on the edge of the chair across from his desk, feeling like a child called to the principal’s office.

Alpha Eldric gestures to the television. “You’ve made quite the spectacle.”

“I didn’t mean to—”

“I’m not interested in your intentions,” he cuts me off. His voice is sharp, controlled. “I’m only interested in making things clear so you don’t waste your time entertaining foolish fantasies.”

I swallow hard, my throat tight.

“What my son did last night was an act of kindness. Pity, if you will.” He leans forward, his eyes boring into mine. “Aeron has always been too soft-hearted for his own good. He saw you humiliated and felt the need to intervene. That’s all it was.”

I force myself to nod. “I understand, Alpha.”

“Do you?” He tilts his head. “You are not, and will never be, suitable to stand beside my son. You’re not high-ranking enough to involve yourself with anyone in my family.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Your scent alone makes you a liability. Your lack of status makes you invisible. The only reason you’re tolerated in this pack is because of your father’s service before he died.” He says it so casually, like he’s discussing the weather. “So whatever dreams you’re harboring about becoming something more than what you are, I suggest you kill them now.”

I nod again, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.

He’s right. I already knew this. But hearing it said so bluntly makes it real.

“You may go,” Alpha Eldric dismisses me with a wave of his hand. “Stay away from Aeron. This charade ends today.”

I stand on shaking legs and bow again before fleeing the room.

Maybe Aeron really did just pity me.

-----

The restaurant is bustling when I arrive. I slip in through the back, hoping to avoid attention. My co-workers gather near the entrance, voices low but audible.

“Did you see the news this morning?”

“I know. I couldn’t believe it. Aeron Nightborne claiming her.”

“Or maybe she did something for him in return.”

I keep my head down, moving past them toward the kitchen. I don’t want to be on the floor today. I can’t face the customers, their stares and whispers. If I can just stay in the back, maybe I can survive this shift.

“Sera.” Amy, one of the few kind people here, touches my arm gently. “I saw the news. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I lie. “I just want to work, Amy. Please.”

She nods, understanding, and we work in silence for the next hour.

“Sera!” Madame Chen’s voice cuts through the kitchen. She’s the owner of the restaurant. “What are you doing back here? I need you on the floor.”

“Madame Chen, I—”

“No excuses. We’re short-staffed. I gave you this job despite everything, dear. I expect you to do it.” Her tone is firm but not unkind.

She’s right. I owe her. I can’t hide forever.

“Yes, Madame Chen,” I say quietly.

Amy gives me an encouraging smile as I grab my apron and notepad. I can do this. Just take orders, serve food, keep my head down. Simple.

The dining room is packed with the lunch crowd. I keep my eyes down as I move between tables, taking orders, delivering food. Some people stare, whisper and occasionally cover their noses. But most are too focused on their meals to care about me.

I’m carrying a tray of food to table seven when it happens.

My foot catches on something and I stumble. The tray tilts, and I watch in horror as a bowl of soup slides off and crashes to the floor, shattering and splattering everywhere.

The entire restaurant goes silent.

“I’m so sorry,” I gasp, dropping to my knees to clean up the mess. “I’m so sorry, I’ll clean this up right away—”

“It’s alright,” a voice says from the table.

I look up, ready to apologize again, but the words die in my throat.

The person at the table is wearing a hood. But as I stare, the person reaches up and pulls the hood back slightly, just enough for me to see the face.

Aeron.

My heart stops.

“Can we talk?” he asks quietly.

I scramble to my feet, my pulse racing. What is he doing here?

I turn and practically run toward the kitchen, but his hand catches my wrist.

“Sera, wait—”

I pull my hand free, but the movement causes his hood to fall back completely, revealing his face to the entire restaurant.

Gasps ripple through the crowd.

“Is that Aeron Nightborne?”

“What’s he doing here?”

“Oh my God—”

I don’t wait to hear more. I bolt for the back door, pushing through it and out into the alley behind the restaurant. The cool air hits my face, but it does nothing to calm my racing heart.

I hear footsteps behind me, and then Aeron’s voice. “Sera, please, just listen—”

“Why are you here?” I spin around to face him. “Please leave me alone.”

“I need to talk to you—”

“Your father already talked to me!” The words burst out of me, sharp and bitter. “He made it very clear what last night was. You pitied me. That’s all.” I try to keep my voice steady. “I appreciate the kindness, Aeron, I do. But this is worse. Don’t you understand? Kellan rejecting me was horrible, but at least it was final. But this…just stop whatever you are doing.”

Aeron’s expression shifts to something unreadable. “My father doesn’t speak for me.”

“He’s your father. He’s the Alpha. Of course he speaks for you.” I take in a deep breath. “Please, just… let’s end this here. Let’s pretend last night never happened. You can go back to your life, and I can go back to mine.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because I didn’t claim you out of pity, Sera.” He steps closer, his voice low and intense. “I’ve waited too long for this.”