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Chapter 2
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2026-08-21 19:12:12The next morning, Serena woke before her alarm.
For a few seconds, she stared at the ceiling.
Then she remembered.
The ceremony.
She groaned and pulled the blanket over her face.
“Just great.”
By seven, the Hawthorne family was ready to leave.
Serena carried her small travel bag to the waiting SUV outside their home. Her father had already started the engine.
She climbed into the back seat beside her mother.
Leo and Zara followed in another car.
As they pulled away from Silver Fang Pack, Serena looked through the window.
She watched the familiar streets disappear behind them.
She would be back soon.
That was the plan.
No matter what happened at the ceremony, she would return home.
The journey took several hours.
Serena spent most of it with her headphones on, staring outside.
The farther they traveled, the colder the air became. The familiar forests surrounding Silver Fang gave way to mountains and wide stretches of woodland.
By early afternoon, the Northern Castle came into view.
Serena lowered her headphones.
She had seen pictures before.
Pictures hadn't prepared her for this.
The castle stood beyond enormous stone walls, surrounded by tall towers and silver banners bearing the crest of the Northern Kingdom.
Cars filled the entrance.
Guests were everywhere.
Wolves from different packs had arrived for the same reason.
The Lycan King's mate.
Serena stepped out of the car.
The cold wind caught her fiery hair, sending several strands across her face.
She pushed them back.
“Wow.”
Zara had come over from the other car.
Serena glanced at her.
“It's a building.”
Zara laughed.
“You're impossible.”
“I've seen bigger hospitals.”
“Of course you have.”
They walked toward the entrance with Leo and their parents.
Serena immediately noticed the crowd.
She-wolves stood in small groups, dressed in elegant clothes. Some wore expensive jewelry. Others carried themselves with the confidence of women who had grown up in wealthy packs.
Several turned when Serena passed.
One girl whispered to her friend.
“Look at her hair.”
“She's gorgeous.”
Serena pretended not to hear.
She wasn't here to impress anyone.
A familiar voice suddenly called her name.
“Serena?”
She turned.
Two young women hurried toward her.
Her distant cousins.
“You came!”
One of them hugged her.
“We weren't sure you would.”
“I almost didn't.”
Her cousin laughed.
“You haven't changed.”
“Neither have you.”
They stepped back and looked at Serena.
“You look beautiful.”
“So do you.”
They introduced Serena to the friends they had traveled with.
The conversation quickly became lively.
Questions about Silver Fang.
Questions about Serena's work.
Compliments about her hair.
Serena answered with a smile.
For a moment, she almost forgot why she was there.
Then her wolf stirred.
Serena's smile faded.
What now?
Her wolf paced.
Once.
Twice.
Then again.
Serena frowned.
She hadn't felt this restless in years.
“Serena?”
She looked up.
Her cousin was watching her.
“Are you okay?”
“I'm fine.”
“You look distracted.”
“I'm tired.”
It was the easiest lie.
Before anyone could ask more, several maids approached.
“Miss Hawthorne?”
Serena turned.
“Yes?”
“Your room is ready. Please follow me.”
Serena said goodbye to her cousins and followed.
The castle was even more impressive inside.
Marble floors stretched beneath their feet. Crystal lights hung from the ceiling, illuminating long corridors decorated with paintings and silver ornaments.
Serena kept her hands in her coat pockets.
She felt out of place.
This wasn't Silver Fang.
Everything here reminded her that she was standing inside the home of the most powerful wolf in the Northern Territory.
The maid stopped at a door.
“This is your room.”
She opened it.
Serena stepped inside.
Her eyes widened slightly.
The bedroom was beautiful.
A large bed sat in the center. Tall windows overlooked the gardens. A small sitting area occupied one corner, while a fireplace warmed the room.
“This is more than enough,” Serena said.
The maid smiled.
“Dinner will be served later. The ceremony begins this evening. You have several hours to rest and prepare.”
Serena nodded.
“Thank you.”
The maid left.
Serena closed the door.
Finally, silence.
She dropped her bag beside the bed.
Then she walked to the window.
The gardens stretched across the grounds below.
Everything looked peaceful.
Yet she couldn't relax.
Her wolf was still pacing.
Serena rubbed her forehead.
“What is wrong with you?”
No answer.
Only another restless movement.
She sighed.
Maybe the journey had exhausted her.
Maybe she was simply nervous.
That had to be it.
She wasn't afraid of finding a mate.
She wasn't.
She had spent five years making the same wish beneath the Blue Moon.
Never give me a mate.
She had meant every word.
That wouldn't change tonight.
Serena turned away from the window.
Mate or no mate, she was going back to Silver Fang.
She would attend the ceremony because she had no choice.
She would stand among the guests.
She would watch the Lycan King search for his mate.
Then she would go home.
Simple.
At least, that was what she believed.
A knock sounded.
Serena opened the door.
Zara stood outside.
“You've been hiding.”
“I've been resting.”
“You haven't even unpacked.”
“I won't be staying long enough.”
Zara smiled.
“You really think nothing is going to happen tonight?”
“Nothing I can't handle.”
Zara leaned against the doorway.
“What if you find your mate?”
Serena stared at her.
“I won't.”
“You don't know that.”
“I know what I'll do if it happens.”
“And that is?”
Serena didn't hesitate.
“I'll reject him.”
Zara sighed.
“You're stubborn.”
“I'm practical.”
“You're scared.”
Serena's expression hardened.
“Don't confuse the two.”
Zara studied her for a moment, then nodded.
“Fine. Get some rest.”
“I will.”
After Zara left, Serena locked the door.
She changed into something comfortable and climbed into bed.
The mattress was softer than anything she had slept on in months.
She pulled the blanket over herself.
Her eyes closed.
For the first time since leaving Silver Fang, her wolf became quiet.
Serena let out a slow breath.
“Finally.”
She turned onto her side.
Tonight was only a ceremony.
Nothing more.
She would meet the Lycan King.
She would stand among hundreds of wolves.
And then she would go home.
Serena closed her eyes.
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