Chapter 2

Seraphina POV

I opened my eyes. Looked around, and realised I had returned, not as a child, as I thought I would.

But as a grown woman.

If I was right, it was the day my grandfather told me I was to leave my home and meet the man I was to marry.

I must try to do everything the same as before. I didn’t want to worry my grandfather with the knowledge I had been reborn.

So, I sat quietly, waiting for my grandfather to speak. I fidgeted, almost bending my fingers out of shape as I waited to find out what the future might hold. Even though I already knew.

Finally, grandfather gestured for me to go to him.

Once I was standing next to him, he reached for my hands. Although this man looked to be hundred’s of years old, his grip on my hands were as firm as they were when I first arrived at his home.

“I promised you that I would take care of you, Seraphina. To uphold my promise I must send you to the mortal realm. It is becoming increasingly unstable here. I will not put you in harm’s way. I cannot loose you too.”

The part said in grief, my father had disappeared when I was only three years old. Along with my mother. My grandfather had searched everywhere for them. But to no avail. After one hundred long years, he had finally given up.

That was when he became obsessed with my protection. By the time I was ready for school, I already had two burly guards shadow me everywhere I went.

When I reached puberty, my grandfathers behaviour had turned frantic. I tried to ease his mind. I began home schooling so he would know where I was at all times.

I didn’t have any friends. What would have been the point? I would never be able to just hang out with them. Not lugging two protection guards with me everywhere.

So I studied. I became fluent in all other realm languages. My grandfather took my schooling very seriously. His teachings led to a deeper understanding of our world.

To a deeper understanding of me. He taught me how to be graceful under stress and to always appear elegant and in control.

He also helped greatly when I started to train with my spirit tutor. By the time I was fifteen I had mastered control over, fire, water and earth. I didn’t need to learn how to harness the wind. It was my core power.

Five days before I turned twenty-one, my grandfather told me I would be leaving our realm. I was being sent away, for my safety. And the safety of all who lived within the same realm.

I was shocked, of course. Nonetheless, I understood.

“I’ve been waiting for the day you would tell me I must leave. Please grandfather. Where will I be going? And how long do I have to pack?”

He smiled at me fondly, though I sensed a deep disquiet within his soul.

“Phina.” His eyes softened as he said his pet name for me.

“I must send you too the mortal realm. It is where you will be the safest. No one here would even dream of looking for you there. You can be happy there. There is some magic left in that world. Mostly with its creatures. There are were-folk. Elves, and I believe they may have a few vampires.”

I raised my eyebrows at the last one.

“Oh come on, grandfather. What would I want with a vampire?”

He chuckled at my words. Then his face turned serious again.

“Phina. You must listen to me now. There is a werewolf above all other wolves. I believe he would be the most able to protect you. This Alpha must see you as his mate. It will instantly bring you protection. This is essential.

Until our realm is stable again, and you can come home, you must refrain from using any of your spirit gifts. Do you understand? It is imperative that they only see a she-wolf when they look at you. Please darling. Do this for me. Let me have the peace of mind knowing you are safe, and happy.”

I let out a deep breath, but only nodded my consent. Defeat was coursing through my veins. I hated myself for my complete lack of backbone when it came to this precious old man. Shaking my head, I turned to leave when he stopped me.

“Phina. I am only doing this because I must. I do not like the arrangement either.”

I bent at the waist so I could rest my palm against his wrinkled cheek. Smiling at this man, who was my whole world, I lent forward and popped a quick kiss on the top of his white hair.

I had just reached the door, ready to go to my room and start packing when I turned around, remembering a question.

“Papi, when do I leave for the other realm? Will I get to celebrate my birthday with you?”

My heart sank as I watched his face fall.

“You will leave first thing in the morning, Seraphina. You must meet the wolf before your birthday. And no later than that. This is essential for hiding your identity. No one in that realm can know our realm, or indeed the other realms still exist. To them,, we are nothing more than stories you tell to children. And it must stay that way.”

“I understand.” Was all I said, before turning on my heal and headed towards my suite of rooms. I needed to process this. And do a small bit of research on werewolves before it was too late. I needed to know how I would go about severing the mate bond. Once I had enacted my revenge.