LOGINChapter 110SERAPHINAI was sitting by the window, watching the gardens, when Sussane burst into the room. Her face was flushed like she had been running."My queen! I found information about Lord Rowan!"I sat up immediately. "What did you learn?""He is one of the older nobles. He’s very wealthy. Owns several estates outside the main territory.""That is not unusual. Most council members are wealthy.""Yes, but Lord Rowan is different. He is famous among the servants. Well, famous might not be the right word. More like... talked about.""Why?"Sussane sat down beside me, lowering her voice even though we were alone. "He treats werewolves as equals."I stared at her. "What?""He has werewolf servants in his household. Pays them the same wages as his Lycan staff and treats them with respect. Even sits at the same table with them during meals.""That cannot be true. The council would never allow it.""They hate him for it. Most of the elders despise him. They think he is a traitor. Tha
Chapter 109SERAPHINAI woke to sunlight streaming through the windows and every muscle in my body screaming in pain. Leone had left sometime during the night, probably returning to his own chambers. Or to his mistress.I lay there, staring at the ceiling, feeling hollow.Last night had been brutal. Worse than usual. He had taken what he wanted without care for my comfort or pain. Just used my body until he was satisfied, then rolled over and fell asleep like nothing had happened.I wondered if his mistress had gone on vacation. Was that why he came to me? Because his preferred option was unavailable?The thought made me feel even more worthless.I shifted slightly and winced. Everything hurt. My hips. My thighs. My—A sharp kick inside my belly made me gasp. Then another. Stronger this time.My hand flew to my stomach. The baby. The baby was moving. Really moving. Not just the gentle flutters I had felt before, but actual kicks.Joy flooded through me, unexpected and overwhelming. My
Chapter 108SERAPHINAThe two hours felt like an eternity. Marcus paraded me around his private tent like a circus animal: introducing me to people who looked at me with disgust, making me shake hands with Lycans who refused to touch me properly and forcing me to smile while they whispered insults just loud enough for me to hear."This is Seraphina. The werewolf Luna. Quite the scandal, is she not?""Yes, meet the creature the Lycan king married. An abomination, if you ask me.""Look at her trying to fit in. How pathetic."Each introduction was worse than the last. Each handshake felt like touching poison. Each smile I forced onto my face made me feel hollower inside.I was nothing here. Less than nothing. A curiosity. A freak show.Marcus seemed to enjoy every second of my humiliation. He would watch my face carefully, looking for any sign that I was breaking. Any hint that his words were getting to me.I gave him nothing. Instead kept my expression neutral, kept my back straight and
Chapter 107SERAPHINAI watched Reginald's face as Marcus walked away to place his bet. His jaw was tight. His hands clenched. I had never seen him this angry over something so trivial."You really hate that man," I observed quietly."Yes. I do.""Why? What did he do to you?""He wins every single time no matter what we bet on and how confident I am. He always wins.""So, this is about pride?""It is about more than pride. He makes me look like a fool in front of everyone every time.”I almost felt sorry for him. Almost. But then I remembered this morning: his hands on me and crude demands."I did not know you were interested in horse racing.""I am interested in winning. The horse racing just happens to be the venue.""And you never win against him?""Never. Not once in five years.""Then why keep betting against him?""Because one day I will win. And when I do, it will be worth all the losses."The confidence in his voice was almost admirable."What are you betting this time?""I do
Chapter 106REGINALDI stared at Cassian, my jaw tight. How dare he question me? How dare he stand there, injured and weak, and try to intimidate me?"Get out of my face, healer.""Someone tried to kill me." His voice was steady despite the pain I knew he must be feeling. "And I have an idea that it was someone with high power, resources and could hire multiple attackers.""And you think that someone is me?""I think you know more than you are saying.""Well, you are wrong. I have no idea who attacked you. But I wish them better luck next time."The words hung in the air between us. A clear threat. Cassian's eyes hardened."My position as a healer should not deceive you." His tone was cold now. "I am not some weak Lycan who can be intimidated or eliminated easily. I am strong. Much stronger than you think. So whoever sent those attackers should know they failed. And if they try again, the results will be much worse."He turned and walked away, his back straight despite his injuries. I
Chapter 105CASSIANSeraphina went quiet. She stared at the floor, her expression distant. Like my words had hurt her somehow.I replayed what I said in my head. Had I revealed too much? Had I let on that I was not ready to give my heart to anyone? Or had I made her feel so sorry for me?Of course that would affect her. She was trapped in a loveless marriage. Probably longed for something real. Something genuine. And here I was, saying I was not ready for that kind of connection.I needed to pull back. Create distance before this became more complicated than it already was."I should get up." I stood carefully, testing my weight on my legs. Pain shot through my arm but I ignored it. "We need to do your examination.""No." Seraphina looked up at me. "You need to rest. You can barely stand.""I am fine.""You are not fine. You are hurt. You need time to heal.""Seraphina—""Please, Cassian. Just rest today. You showed up. That is what matters. But you do not need to push yourself like







