Chapter 5: The Return to ShadowFang

Seraphine’s POV

I pulled the black hood lower over my face and kept walking. The snow fell heavier now, and thick flakes stuck to my lashes and melted down my neck. 

Every step toward the border was like walking back into my own grave.

I knew these woods better than anyone. I had run them as a wolf. I had kissed Rhydian against that pine tree right there. 

I had carried baskets of healing herbs along this exact path when I was still Luna and everyone smiled when they saw me coming.

Now the same trees watched me like strangers. 

I stopped at the invisible line that marked Shadowfang land. My boots sank into the snow then my chest tightened so hard I almost turned back.

You can still run, a small voice whispered. Go north. Disappear. Let them think Seraphine Wynter is dead forever.

I remembered feeling it when my wolf howled inside Rhydian’s chest. A pull so strong my ribs ached. She was waiting for me and she was fighting for me.

I stepped over the border. Nothing happened, no alarm, no lighting, just the quiet crunch of snow under my boots. I let out a breath of relief.

My hood was up and my head was down as I moved faster, sticking strictly to the shadows between the trees. 

Last I remembered the patrols were heavier, two wolves instead of one. 

They sensed my presence and their eyes sharpened and shoulders tensed like something or someone had scared them.

I crouched behind a fallen log when I heard paws. Two guards in wolf form trotted past, noses low, ears flicking. I pressed my back against the bark and held my breath. 

My heart slammed so loud I was hoping they wouldn’t hear it.

As they passed, I waited ten counts then moved again.

The village lights glowed in the distance. Smoke rose from chimneys. I could smell meat roasting and pine burning. 

My stomach twisted with homesickness so bad I almost cried right there in the snow.

I used to walk through those streets and pups ran to me shouting Luna Luna. Old women pressed bread into my hands. 

Warriors bowed their heads. Now I was a ghost wearing a dead witch’s face.

I slipped between two storage sheds and pressed myself flat against the wall. From here I could see the pack house. It was bigger than I remembered. 

New wings added. Black banners with the silver fang hung from every corner.

And on the front steps stood Lysandra.

My blood turned to ice.

She wore white fur like she was already Luna. Her golden hair caught the torchlight. 

She laughed at something a warrior said and touched his arm. The same smile she used on Rhydian the night he stabbed me.

I dug my nails into my palms until they bled. 

The reversed mark on my ribs flared hot, answering my hate. Violet sparks danced under my sleeve. I forced them down before anyone saw.

I slid along the wall and headed for the healer’s path. The old trail that ran behind the houses. The path had fewer eyes and I knew every rock.

Halfway there a hand grabbed my arm and yanked me into the trees.

I spun with magic already burning in my palm, ready to blast whoever it was into ash.

A huge man in patrol gear pinned me against a trunk. His hand covered my mouth before I could scream. 

His brown eyes stared down at me. He looked so familiar. 

Toren. One of Rhydian’s personal guards. He had carried me on his shoulders when I was ten. 

He had stood guard outside my door the night Rhydian marked me.

Now his face was hardened and his grip hurt.

“Witch,” he growled low. “You’re a long way from your cottage.”

I tried to pull free. He didn’t let go.

“State your business or I drag you to the Alpha in chains.”

My heart raced. I forced my body to stay limp. I made my eyes go wide to look scared. Elowen’s eyes, not Seraphine’s. 

“I was invited,” I whispered against his palm. My voice came out soft and shaky. Perfect.

He frowned. “Invited by who?”

“The Alpha,” I lied smoothly. “He sent word. Said he needed a witch’s help with… something private.”

Toren’s eyes narrowed. He studied my face for a long second. I felt sweat run down my spine even in the cold.

Finally he let go of my mouth but kept my arm tight.

“You’re lying,” he said.

I didn’t answer. I just looked at him.

He sighed. “Doesn’t matter. Alpha’s orders were clear. Any witch on the land gets brought straight to him. No questions.”

My stomach dropped.

He grabbed my other arm and started pulling me toward the pack house. I stumbled in the snow trying to keep up. 

My mind screamed run run run but my legs followed because they belonged here.

More guards appeared from the trees. Six of them. All big and armed. They fell in around us without a word.

I was surrounded.

The reversed mark burned hotter with every step. Rhydian was close. 

I felt him in the air. I smelt pine, smoke and rage.

We reached the clearing in front of the pack house. Torches burned high. Wolves and warriors watched from the shadows. 

Some I knew. Some I didn’t. Their eyes tracked me like I was prey.

Lysandra still stood on the steps. Her smile died when she saw me. Her gaze sharpened. 

She took one step down, then stopped. Smart girl. She felt something.

Toren shoved me forward into the circle of guards. I almost fell. 

My hood slipped back and silver black hair spilled out. Gasps moved through the crowd.

“On your knees,” Toren ordered.

I stayed standing.

He grabbed my shoulder and forced me down. Snow soaked my dress and cold bit my skin but I kept my head high.

The front doors of the pack house opened.

Heavy boots on wood. Every step echoed in my bones.

Rhydian walked out.

He was taller than I remembered, his shoulders were wider and his face harder. 

His black hair was longer, and messy as if he no longer took care of himself. His silver eyes scanned on the crowd then locked on me. 

The second our eyes met the reversed mark exploded with pain.

I gasped and doubled over. My hands hit the snow and violet light leaked between my fingers. 

I bit my lip to keep me from screaming.

Rhydian froze on the top step.

His chest beat so fast that he clenched his fist at his sides. I saw his jaw tightened and the storm in his eyes. 

He probably felt it too.

For one second everything stopped. The snow, the wind and people breathing. Just him, me and the thread that never broke. 

Then he moved.

He came down the steps slowly. Every warrior dropped their head as he passed. He didn’t look at them, he only fixed his eyes at me.

He stopped two feet away. Close enough I could smell him, and close enough to see the dark circles under his eyes. 

I saw the new scar that ran through his left eyebrow. 

His voice came out broken. “Who are you?”

I lifted my head and met his stare. My wolf howled inside him so loud I felt it shake my bones.

I gave a small smile and lowered my head.

Toren stepped forward. “Alpha… she’s yours.”