2. The Golden Crown

SERAPHINA

This couldn’t be happening.

He wouldn’t come back with a pregnant woman clinging to his arm—not after everything we had been through.

Don’t jump to conclusions, I told myself, even as my chest tightened painfully.

Kia gritted at me, “No, Sera. She’s right there, so open your damn eyes!”

I snapped them open, and to my dismay, she was still there beside him, her hand wrapped possessively around Rexton’s arm. She was gorgeous for someone who was heavily pregnant. So much better than I looked.

My ache in my chest spread quickly when her long black hair fell over Rexton’s shoulder, and he did nothing to peel her off him. 

I stood still, watching everyone cheer and welcome him back home. Not once did his eyes shift to me, not even accidentally. It was as if he had forgotten that I was waiting for him. 

Yet, I kept waiting.

“Seraphina.” The sound of him saying my name after months of heartache melted my confusion long enough for me to walk into his arms and take the hug I had been longing for.

At this point, the hall was almost empty. I had to wait that long to be in his arms again, and for the first time, Celeste got to feel her dad’s warmth, snuggling between our bodies. 

“Who is she?” 

My heart felt lighter as I uttered those three words, losing the need to know she meant nothing to him. 

Still holding me, Rexton answered, “She’s a human refugee. I found her near the western border a few months back. I had to let her stay with my men and me since she couldn’t remember anything.”

He gave me a detailed answer. Perhaps too detailed. 

I pulled back a bit, looking into his eyes as I whispered, “She’s pregnant.”

I held my breath as Rexton looked back at her, praying to the goddess that he wouldn’t tell me that she was carrying his child. I wasn’t sure I could handle any more pain. 

“Exactly why I had to bring her back to the pack with me, Seraphina. I couldn’t leave her all alone in the wild, knowing how dangerous it can be.”

I was about to push for more when I saw fatigue flash through his dark eyes. Instantly, I felt bad for questioning him over a woman after all he had been through at the borders. 

“You’ve nothing to worry about, Sera.” Rexton placed his palms on my face, holding my gaze as he reassured me. “Soon, I’ll hold our wedding and your coronation just like I promised.”

If anyone was staring at us or listening to us, I wouldn’t know because his words swept me off my aching feet. My cheeks burned, and my gaze lowered just in time to see Celeste yawning cutely. 

My feelings about the strange woman went out the window as I eagerly called Rexton’s attention to our tiny pup. “You should meet Celeste. Our two-month-old daughter.”

Not once in the past two months did I think Rexton wouldn’t accept our daughter like the rest of the pack. I mean, I knew him, so I wasn’t surprised when he muttered, “She’s cute, just like you.”

My gaze shifted back to him, excitedly. I was ready to place Celeste in his arms, but I soon realized that those words were empty, and his eyes didn’t linger on her, not even for two seconds. 

“Rexton.” Fear latched onto my heart as I wondered if he also preferred a son.

“I have to visit the families of the fallen warriors, Seraphina. We’ll have our family time when I return.” Rexton announced before I could say anything else. 

Of course. 

I shoved my disappointment and expectations to the back of my mind and nodded in agreement like any great Luna would do, even though I was spiraling.

“Can you make sure Dahlia is taken care of while I am away?” He asked, his brows raised. 

I was on the verge of asking him who Dahlia was when he turned to look at the strange pregnant woman, beckoning her to move closer to us, then added, “Take her to our home with you,” he said, already turning away. “I’ll be here soon.”

“Our home? He-ll no!” Kia barked within me, expressing my raw emotions. 

I ignored Kia.

As the Beta daughter, I had always believed dignity, patience, and trust were enough.

So I smiled at both him and Dahlia.

Relief flashed across Rexton’s face when he realized that I had no intention of questioning him. He rubbed my shoulders affectionately. Or more like a reward, as he asked, “How about we hold both the welcome ceremony and your coronation next week?”

“A combined ceremony?” I murmured. 

“Yes, if you are ready to supervise the preparation,” Rexton answered, beaming down at me. 

A thrill, pure and electrifying, ran through me. I nodded without hesitation, feeling deeply honored that he trusted me but, most importantly, wanted to claim me officially so fast.

“Leave it to me.” I breathed, swelling with pride as I looked at Dahlia, then Rexton. “Go focus on your meetings.”

With that simple act, I was assured that Dahlia was nothing to Rexton. I gladly took her home, gave her a room, and told her, “Feel free, Dahlia. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

Her gorgeous face lit up, and she chimed, “Thank you, Seraphina. You’re too kind.” 

Kia said as I turned around to start preparing for my big day, “I don’t  like this.”

If only I had listened to her and paid more attention to the fire that was subtly growing under my roof, maybe I wouldn’t have overlooked the fact that Rexton remained distant as the week went by in a blur. 

Somehow, he always had the perfect excuse not to spend time with Celeste and me. 

I convinced myself it was post-war trauma and stress. He’s exhausted. He’s putting the pack first. He needs me to be strong, so I gave him the time he clearly needed, believing that he would come around for the ceremony. 

And he did. 

“Alpha Rexton sent this for you, Luna.” A female servant who had knocked on my door a few hours before my coronation said with utmost respect. 

Ten months of being abandoned by the same servants was about to become a lifetime of honor. 

Another servant took the package from her, unboxed it, and revealed a magnificent golden gown, shimmering with perfectly cut embroidery.

“The Luna’s dress.” My heart fluttered when I saw it. Words failed me as the servants slipped the dress on me.

My heart fluttered at the sight of it. For a moment, words failed me as the servants carefully slipped the gown over my shoulders, smoothing the fabric down my arms as if they were afraid to wrinkle something sacred.

The dress fit me perfectly.

When they finally stepped back, I was guided toward the mirror. For the first time in months, I didn’t look like someone waiting to be chosen.

I looked like a Luna.

I rested a hand over Celeste, her warmth grounding me, steadying the wild happiness blooming in my chest.

And then I stepped into the corridor—And I saw Dahlia.

She was wearing gold.

Not just any gold—but the same fabric.

The same shade. The same ceremonial color reserved for the Luna, only hers was cut far more boldly, revealing her cleavage and swollen belly. 

She noticed my stare and paused, her lips parting as if only then realizing something was wrong.

“Oh—Seraphina,” she said softly, one hand drifting to her belly, the picture of innocence. “I’m so sorry. I truly didn’t mean to offend you.”

She glanced down at her gown, fingers brushing the fabric.

“I didn’t have anything appropriate to wear,” she continued gently.

“Rexton asked the servants to make this for me... from some leftover material meant for the Luna.”

Her eyes lifted back to mine, wide and apologetic.

“I hope you don’t mind.”

My hands clenched so tightly my nails bit into my palms.

“It’s time,” I said under my breath as I walked into the hall, ignoring Dahlia. 

The great hall has been transformed into heaven, bathed in the Alpha color—crimson and gold. The air was filled with the scent of fresh white lilies, just like I had chosen to symbolize the peace Rexton had just restored.

I stepped onto the red carpet that led straight to the platform where Rexton was sitting on his throne and where my soon-to-be throne was. 

“Members of Crimson Moon Pack, I present your Luna.” Rexton rose from his throne, his voice echoing with authority as he presented me to the pack, “Seraphina, daughter of the Ashford family.”

Everyone turned to look at me, and with every step I took towards the platform, my heart raced, beating like a frantic drum against my ribs. I met Rexton’s eyes, hoping to find warmth that would calm my nerves, but all I saw was his serious, furrowed face. 

But he was holding my crown. 

And when I stopped before him, he raised the golden crown, about to place it on my head.

My eyes fluttered closed as I longed for the second the crown would kiss my head. 

Suddenly, a sharp, feminine scream tore through the hall. The next sound I heard was that of my crown hitting the floor, followed by Rexton’s scream, “Dahlia!”

He ran over to where she was standing by the edge of the platform. She collapsed in his arms, clutching her round belly.

“Ah! The baby! It hurts!” She shrieked, tears instantly streaming down her face. 

Rexton swept her off her feet, his command resonating through the hall. “Get a doctor! Now!”

Without taking another look at me or at the crown laid at my feet, he ran out of the hall, leaving me alone with a shattered heart.