Chapter 6

Sera

Kellan remains silent after, his words hanging in the air as I turn to leave. I remain still, my fists clenched at my side as I stare at the busy kitchen from the window etched on the backdoor.

Slowly, I turn to meet a soft smile on his lips like he’s almost relieved that I didn't walk away. Like my anger is better than my silence.

“You’re suggesting he’s manipulative?" I ask, my words coming out sharper than I intend.

“All my choices were influenced by Aeron, Sera," he says hoarsely. “He convinced me to leave you. That… night…” He swallows, running a hand over his reddened face. “The night I said all that, it wasn't just fear controlling me. Aeron was already in my head long before then. He kept on–”

"You're lying,” I snap at him before he could finish talking. "You are just twisting your words so I’d get back with you."

“But I'm not lying, Sera."

I shake my head, tears already threatening to fall. I blink them back, swallowing as I steady my voice.

“Aeron wasn't there whispering in your ear or pulling strings attached to your limbs. And now it's suddenly his fault?"

Kellan suddenly becomes agitated, his jaw tightening as he bites down on his lips. "Aeron told me to think about what staying with you could cost me–cost us.” He changes his words quickly after realizing how selfish he'd sounded. “Aeron kept pointing out how badly the pack would treat us if we ever mated and rejecting you felt like the only way to protect… you.”

"Still sounds like your choice, Kellan,” I shoot back, tilting my head slightly. "Even if Aeron told you all that, you still went through with it.”

"You denied months of what we shared in front of everyone just to protect your reputation,” I continue, my hurt now plain in my voice. “You made those choices, Kellan."

Silence settles between us, thickening with every passing second. Kellan's face twists, his mouth opening and closing, unable to form any word. He is speechless.

I scoff, shaking my head as I say coldly, “you’re just looking for someone else to blame.”

“Believe me, I’m not,” he says as he takes a step closer. The thick stench of liquor hits me before he could come closer. “You have to believe me.”

My chest tightens, but I force myself to stay steady. “Stop.”

“Sera—”

“I said stop.” My voice is shaking now, betraying the storm of emotions riling through me. “You don't get to come back and twist everything just because you're jealous.”

"I'm not.”

“You’re wrong,” I say firmly through gritted teeth. “You’re bitter because you lost your chance.”

His step falters and he almost stumbles as he tries stepping forward again. “Sera–” he whispers.

Before he says anything more, Madam Chen voice cuts through the alley, “SERA!"

I gasp, turning to the door.

“Don't try to reach me again," I say, already turning. “Don't ever come to my home or my workplace. Stay away from my life, Kellan."

He looks like he wants to say something, but then Madam Chen’s voice booms again. “Where are you? We need you inside now!”

I don’t take my eyes off Kellan. “You heard me,” I whisper. “Don’t you dare come back.”

I quickly race through the back door before he could utter any word. Each step I took feels heavier than the last as I slip back into the warmth and chaos of the restaurant.

I pick my apron from where I'd hung it, wrapping the belt around my waist as Amy walks toward me. Her eyes flick towards the door behind me as she wipes her hands on a rag.

“Who was that back there?" she asks in a soft whisper. "Was it Aeron? Is he still bringing gifts?”

I hesitate for a long moment as Kellan's words echo in my head. I quickly push the thoughts away and shake my head.

“It was nobody," I say quietly.

Amy raises a brow but thankfully doesn't press. We return to work as normal, but even as I try distracting my thoughts with my serving, unease curls in my chest.

— ✦ —

Aeron

The door creaks open and I slowly walk into the study. The warm air within hits me with that stale smell of cedarwood and smoke. The place still has his stench.

I stand before the fireplace, staring into the flames as the logs within crackle and spit out embers. Heat brushes against my face, but it does nothing to thaw the cold creeping in my chest.

Hands in my pocket, I turn to the large mahogany desk sitting at the center. My father’s desk. Papers are stacked to the right and the pack seal is resting on its stand. The high-backed chair behind it angled slightly toward the window because my father always preferred to watch the grounds while he worked.

His entire office once held the power that commanded the entire pack and my father ruled from it like a beast.

I remember being seven years old, running in to ask if I could sit in his chair. Just once. He'd told me no without looking up from his papers.

I look at the high-backed chair behind the desk and for a long moment, I simply stare at it. More memories flood in–me craving his attention, wanting to be like him and the bastard rejecting me like I was nothing.

Shaking the thoughts off, I walk forward and drop down on the seat.

The leather creaks softly under my weight and I turn slightly to the fireplace, resting one arm against the carved wood.

It feels… inevitable now. Just a matter of time and I'd finally get what I'd always longed for.

I imagine how it'd be–the ceremony hall crowded with dignitaries and filled with gold and silk as they drop the ceremonial robes on my shoulder.

And then there was Sera.

I remember seeing her in the crowd that day, half-hidden behind the Alphas and Lunas as she watched me. Her eyes had been teary, filled with something that looked painfully like heartbreak.

A slow smile curls at my lips and I chuckle.

She cared for me now, much more than she ever let on. I could tell clearly now that despite how she tried to push me away, she’d felt it too.

The thought settles warmly in my chest, but it lasts for just a moment as the door suddenly bursts open.

I don't turn immediately as I already know who it is.

“You bastard. Your father's study is not yours to occupy.”

Luna Helena’s voice carries through the room, trembling with fury. I pause, then look over my shoulder to her.

She stands in the doorway, her normal composed demeanor now shattered. Her cheeks are stained with mascara streaks, a testament to the hours spent crying. Her hair looks all over the place, and her eyes are red-rimmed but she shoots me a hateful glare.

“You dare sit there,” she continues, stepping into the room with thunderous steps. “Before you’ve even been crowned? Have you no respect for your father’s memory?”

I arched a brow, leaning back in the chair. “Well, it's only a matter of time now," I answer with a shrug. “What difference does a few days make?"

She grits her teeth together, hands clenching in a fist. "You perform blasphemy.”

I tilt my head, smiling. "Do I? When everything seated in this room will soon be mine.”

She looks like she wants to cross the distance between us and hit me. But instead, she straightens, clinging to what is left of her composure.

“We are still in mourning,” she says tightly. “You would do well to remember that.”

Before I can respond, footsteps echo from the hallway and Aspyn Vaelor suddenly appears in the doorway. She makes to walk in but then pauses when she sees me seated behind the desk. Even she looks surprised, but then she masks it with a smile.

“Aeron,” she says softly as she steps inside, grace in every movement. “I didn’t realize you were–”

“My mother and I are speaking,” I cut in smoothly. “Leave us."

She falters in her step, the smile on her lips twitching at the edges. "Of course,” she mutters, rubbing her palm nervously. "I… really didn't mean to intrude. I just wanted to see you."

Her gaze lingers on me for a moment longer as if waiting for me to change my mind. But I just flash her a cold glare, one that sends her retreating from the room.

The door closes behind her and silence settles in the room again.

I left out a low grunt, turning back to Luna Helena. “Send word throughout the city, mother,” I say calmly, eyes narrowing. “I want the elders to gather immediately.”

Her brows knit together. “For what purpose?”

“The coronation.” I meet her gaze evenly. “I want it to take place as soon as possible.”

She studies me, suspicion and dislike warring across her face. She opens her mouth to speak but I raise my hand, stopping her.

“There will be a guest of honor,” I add. “Sera.”