Chapter 5: Prince Nicolas

The wedding preparations passed in a blur. Seraphina avoided everyone, burying herself in her duties, refusing to let the whispers, the stares, or the betrayal sink too deep into her heart.

Grandma Thalia continued to dote on Zara, showering her with love and affection. Not once did they reprimand her for what she had done, nor did they scold her for stealing what wasn’t hers? To them, she was still the apple of their eye.

Seraphina saw it all. But she no longer cared.

She chose a simple white dress with thin straps and a slit from the knee. Her long brown hair was carefully styled and adorned with pearls. A light touch of makeup enhanced her natural beauty. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she found no trace of emotion. Her face was unreadable, her eyes distant, yet she was breathtaking.

The grand hall was decorated exquisitely, shimmering in golden light. Soft music played as little girls in white dresses scattered confetti and flowers along the aisle. Alphas sat proudly in the front rows with their Lunas, followed by the Omegas, while the Betas filled the back rows. Those without mates were left to sit in the farthest seats, away from the rest.

“Isn’t that the traitorous, wolfess daughter?”

The whispers were sharp, cruel, and loud enough for Seraphina to hear. She ignored them, keeping her face impassive, though the words pierced like daggers.

At the altar, Zara stood beside Ethan, her radiant smile unwavering. This was her dream come true. The man she had coveted for so long, the one she had stolen, was finally hers.

Ethan Winchester—the heir to the second richest noble family in Backwoods.

Zara stood proud of herself. She convinced herself she had made the right decision that day—the day she seduced Ethan into bed with her while they were on an assignment together.

One day, the nobles of Blackwood had sent representatives from each family to a conference, discussing foreign affairs, agriculture, and the kingdom’s progress. Blackwood was one of the greatest werewolf kingdoms in history.

Zara had gone in her father’s stead—educated, elite, and confident.

After the first conference, she had slipped into Ethan’s room under the cover of darkness. She knew exactly what to do. Using her perfect body, her musky scent, and the intoxicating effects of her heat, she drove Ethan’s beast into a rut.

Ethan was not a disciplined man. He fell easily. That night, they made love. That night, they made promises. And that night marked the beginning of their secret affair.

Zara had always been jealous of Seraphina’s relationship with Ethan. To her, it was perfect—something she had longed for but could never have as long as Seraphina was in the picture. But now, she had finally erased her sister from the equation.

She glanced at Seraphina again, a slow, triumphant smile stretching across her lips.

*I won. I have him at last. I became the Luna.*

Seraphina met her gaze without a flicker of emotion. But deep inside, her resolve solidified. *Enjoy your day, sister. You will regret this for the rest of your life.*

Her eyes drifted to Ethan, the man who had once promised her everything, now giving his vows to another woman—her sister. Her blood boiled, but she maintained a serene façade. She could burn the entire hall down if she let herself. But that wasn’t her way.

A prickling sensation crawled up her spine. Someone was watching her.

She turned her head slightly and met a pair of intense green eyes.

Nicholas.

Their gazes locked, and for the first time, Seraphina didn’t look away. Something about him made her heart stutter, made the air between them heavy. She didn’t understand it.

Nicholas, too, held her gaze, drinking in every detail of her. The soft glow of the lights made her skin look even more ethereal, her blue eyes pulling him in like a siren’s call.

*Mine.* His beast growled within.

A frown marred his face as he clenched his fists, forcing himself to stay rooted in place.

Then, suddenly, Seraphina stood and walked out of the hall. The sharp click of her heels echoed as she disappeared.

Nicholas hesitated only for a moment before following.

But by the time he reached outside, she was gone.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, catching a wisp of her unique scent. His feet moved on their own, following her trail.

She had gone past the grand estate, past the trees, past the buildings—into the woods.

****

Seraphina stood by the lake, unaware of the presence watching her from behind an oak tree. Her skin was burning, her body aching with a heat she couldn’t understand. It had been like this for days—ever since that night. Ever since she was marked by a stranger.

She needed relief.

Perhaps the cold water would help.

With slow, deliberate movements, she undressed, peeling away the fabric until she stood completely bare. A shiver ran down her spine as the cool night air kissed her burning skin. Then, she stepped into the lake, letting the icy water consume her.

Nicholas swallowed hard. Every muscle in his body tensed as he watched her. His beast stirred, his control slipping. The sight of her glistening under the moonlight was too much.

*Mine.* His beast growled again.

Seraphina submerged herself, letting the water wash away everything—her grief, her pain, her betrayal.

Then, something strange happened.

She wasn’t struggling for air. She wasn’t gasping. She was… breathing.

Her eyes widened in shock as she realized what she was doing.

She emerged from the water, droplets cascading down her face, her blue eyes glowing under the moon. She looked almost… otherworldly.

Nicholas clenched his jaw. He needed to leave before he lost all reason. Before his beast took over completely.

Thunder rumbled. The wind howled. The scent of rain filled the air.

Seraphina quickly swam to the shore, dressed hurriedly, and pressed the water from her hair before slipping into the woods.

A growl echoed behind her.

She stopped.

Her heart pounded.

Everyone was at the wedding. There shouldn’t be anyone here.

The growl came again, closer this time.

Dread slithered down her spine.

She picked up her pace, walking faster. But the growl only grew louder, more menacing.

Then she saw it.

A beast unlike any she had ever encountered. A massive wolf with blazing golden eyes stared at her from the shadows. It was far too large to be a normal werewolf. Its gaze burned into her like fire.

Instinct took over.

She ran.

Her legs carried her as fast as they could, but no matter how hard she pushed, the beast was right behind her.

Her breath came In sharp gasps, her adrenaline spiking. She barely registered that she had taken the wrong path until she found herself on a wide, rocky clearing instead of the usual shrub-covered trail.

Then, suddenly, there was nowhere left to run.

She skidded to a stop at the edge of a cliff, the dark waters below crashing violently against jagged rocks.

Trapped.

Before she could fall, strong arms wrapped around her, lifting her effortlessly.

Seraphina gasped, her wide blue eyes locking onto the very same green ones that had haunted her all evening.

Nicholas.

Then, darkness claimed her.

She fainted in his arms.