LOGINSera's POV
"No!" I said quickly. "That's not what I meant at all."
Giselle relaxed slightly, but she still looked confused. "Then why are you asking about cutting contact?"
I hesitated. The truth was, I wanted to understand my connection with Kade. Now that he was mated to Lydia, I needed to know if there was still any thread between us. But I didn't want to bring up the whole situation about Kade becoming mates with my sister. It was too complicated. Too painful to discuss.
"It's nothing important," I said. "Just curious about how these things work."
Giselle studied my face for a moment. I could tell she didn't fully believe me, but she didn't push.
"Okay," she said slowly. "But if something's bothering you, you can tell me. I won't say anything to Damon if you don't want me to."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
I nodded, feeling relieved that she was willing to keep this between us. "Can we talk about it later
Sera's POVI sat on the edge of the bathtub, watching steam rise from the water. My body still ached from the attack, bruises forming on my arms and back. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the fear that still lingered.What would have happened if Damon hadn't arrived in time?I shuddered at the thought. Those rogues had been seconds away from killing me. I had been completely helpless, pinned to the ground, waiting for the final blow.But Damon came. He always came.The bathroom door opened, and he walked in carrying fresh towels. His eyes immediately found mine, soft with concern."The water's ready," he said gently. "Let me help you."He knelt beside me and carefully removed my dirty clothes. His touch was tender, almost reverent. Every movement was slow and deliberate, like I was something precious that might break."You don't have to do this," I whispered."I want to." He helped me into the
Damon's POVThe rogue trembled on his knees before me, his eyes wide with terror. Blood from his fallen companions soaked into the ground around us."Answer me," I growled. "Why did you enter my territory?""We just wanted to find out who killed our partners," the rogue stammered, his voice cracking. "They went missing days ago. We tracked their scent here. We wanted answers."His words hit me like a punch to the gut. But I kept my expression cold."Take him," I ordered Jace, who had arrived with the other guards. "Lock him up. I'll deal with him later."Jace nodded and grabbed the rogue roughly, dragging him away. The rogue didn't resist. He was too broken to fight.I turned to Sera. She was still on the ground, dirt smeared across her clothes, her face pale. But she was alive. That was all that mattered.I knelt beside her and pulled her into my arms gently. She was shaking."It's okay," I murmured agains
Sera's POV"No!" I said quickly. "That's not what I meant at all."Giselle relaxed slightly, but she still looked confused. "Then why are you asking about cutting contact?"I hesitated. The truth was, I wanted to understand my connection with Kade. Now that he was mated to Lydia, I needed to know if there was still any thread between us. But I didn't want to bring up the whole situation about Kade becoming mates with my sister. It was too complicated. Too painful to discuss."It's nothing important," I said. "Just curious about how these things work."Giselle studied my face for a moment. I could tell she didn't fully believe me, but she didn't push."Okay," she said slowly. "But if something's bothering you, you can tell me. I won't say anything to Damon if you don't want me to.""You promise?""I promise."I nodded, feeling relieved that she was willing to keep this between us. "Can we talk about it later
Sera's POVI stared at Damon, trying to process what he just told me.Kade and Lydia. Mated. Officially bonded."Sera." Damon's voice cut through my thoughts. "Are you hurt?"I blinked. "What?""I asked if you're hurt." His eyes were searching my face, looking for something. "Does knowing about this upset you? Do you still have feelings for that boy?"The question hit me like a slap.I looked at him in disbelief. After everything we'd been through together. After all the times I'd chosen him. After I let him claim my body, let him into my heart completely. He was still asking me this?The hurt that washed over me was overwhelming. But it wasn't because of Kade.It was because Damon didn't trust me.All this time, I thought we had moved past this. I thought he understood that my heart belonged to him and only him. But here he was, still questioning my feelings. Still doubting my love.And Kade.
Sera's POVFive days. It had been five days since I last saw Damon.I sat on my bed, staring at my phone screen. No missed calls. No messages. Nothing.I tried reaching out to him through our mind link again, but it was the same as before. A wall. Cold and impenetrable. He had blocked me out completely.What did I do wrong?I replayed our last conversation in my head for the hundredth time. Everything had seemed fine. He asked me to move in with him. I said I needed time to think. He said he understood. Then he kissed me goodbye and left.Was that it? Was he upset that I didn't say yes immediately?But he told me to take my time. He said he respected my decision. He didn't seem angry at all.So why was he avoiding me now?I tried calling him again. It rang once, twice, three times. Then voicemail. Just like all my other attempts.My chest ached. This silence was killing me.A knock on my door
Kade's POVI could feel it in every interaction. Lydia wasn't enthusiastic toward me.She still came to my bed when I called. Still played her part. But there was a distance now. Outside of physical intimacy, we existed in completely different worlds. She had her agenda, and I had mine.The truth was, we were using each other. She wanted me and I needed her approval to legitimize my claim to Alpha.But I was running out of time.I'd been sitting in my study for the past hour, staring at the maps of pack territories spread across my desk. Thorne's pack was weak, vulnerable. He'd made enemies over the years because of his outdated leadership style. Many pack members were unhappy. They just needed someone strong enough to challenge him.That someone would be me.My phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. I glanced down at the message from my contact."Everything is arranged. The priest is ready. Location secured."







