LOGINThe Lycan King had met countless people who wanted something from him. Alphas seeking alliances. Families hoping to gain royal favor. Young wolves desperate to prove their worth, he had learned to recognize ambition beneath politeness and greed beneath flattery.That was why Seraphina Vale puzzled him.Since the incident in the underground archive, she had neither requested an audience with him nor attempted to use his intervention to her advantage. She hadn't even asked him to punish Darius Blackwood. Instead, she had returned to her quiet existence in the Vale estate, it was almost as though being rescued meant nothing to her.Almost as though she had stopped expecting anyone to help."Your Majesty?"His Beta, Rowan, stood beside the desk in the royal guest quarters. The King closed the report he had been reading."What is it?""The Vale family has confirmed the arrangements for tonight's dinner. Alpha Adrian will meet you in the east hall.""Very well."Rowan hesitated."There's s
Seraphina had learned something during her first days back at the Vale estate, being noticed was no longer the same as being seen.The servants barely recognized her. Her mother relied on Lillian. Adrian watched her as though he were waiting for her to become the girl he remembered. And Darius Blackwood seemed determined to find something wrong with everything she did.That morning, Seraphina decided to help prepare her mother's afternoon medication. She remembered the physician mentioning that one of the prescriptions needed to be collected before the evening she found the house nurse in the medical room, checking the supplies."Is Mother's prescription ready?" Seraphina asked.The nurse shook her head. "We're still waiting for the new bottle. Miss Lillian said she would speak to the physician.""I can check whether the pharmacy has delivered it."The nurse hesitated. "Perhaps you should ask Miss Lillian first."Seraphina paused.Then she nodded and left.She wasn't going to argue ov
Seraphina woke early the following morning with one thought in mind.Her mother.Despite the physician's instructions to rest, she couldn't remain in the guest room another day. Before prison, caring for her mother had been part of her daily routine. She knew her medication schedule, her favorite meals, and the smallest changes in her health.Perhaps she could still do something useful.She dressed and headed downstairs, when she reached her mother's sitting room, she stopped at the doorway.Lillian was kneeling beside their mother, adjusting the blanket over her legs while the family nurse arranged medication on a nearby table."Did you sleep well?" Lillian asked."Much better, darling.""Good. You need plenty of rest before the Lycan King's next visit."Their mother smiled and touched Lillian's cheek."You've been taking such good care of me."Seraphina lowered her eyes.She remembered when those words had belonged to her, she knocked lightly against the doorframe."Good morning, Moth
"Please, let me go."Seraphina's trembling voice followed her all the way to the guest room.The physician walked beside her while the Lycan King's guards waited outside. Adrian followed closely behind, his mind still trapped in the image of his sister curled in the corner of that dark room.He had never seen her like that.Not even when she was a child frightened by thunderstorms."Seraphina," he said carefully. "The doctor needs to examine you."She stopped walking.For a moment, her eyes moved toward the physician's hands before returning to Adrian's face."I'm fine.""You were screaming.""I'm fine, Alpha Adrian."The formal address struck him harder than her refusal."Stop calling me that."She lowered her gaze.The physician intervened gently. "Miss Vale, I won't do anything without explaining it to you first. I need to check your injuries and make sure you're physically all right."Seraphina hesitated before finally nodding. The examination took longer than Adrian expected, he
"Are you hoping everyone will feel sorry for you?"Darius's question hung in the air.Seraphina tightened her grip on the folded tablecloths. She had learned that defending herself rarely changed anyone's mind, but she was tired of being accused of things she hadn't done."I'm working," she replied quietly. "That's all.""Don't play innocent with me." Darius stepped closer. "You destroyed Lillian's life, and now you're pretending to be some poor, misunderstood victim?"Seraphina looked at him."You don't know what happened.""I know enough. Lillian suffered because of you, and you couldn't even offer her a sincere apology when you returned.""Because I have nothing to apologize for."His expression darkened."What did you say?""I didn't commit that crime."For the first time, Seraphina's voice carried something other than exhaustion."I took the blame because your precious family asked me to. I went to prison for two years, and none of you even bothered to visit me. So don't stand th
Seraphina woke before sunrise.For a few seconds, she forgot where she was. Then she noticed the unfamiliar curtains and remembered the guest room.She sat up slowly.Today, she would see her mother.Before Blackthorn Labor Prison, Seraphina had known everything about her mother's health. She knew her medication schedule, which foods upset her stomach, and how to recognize the slightest change in her breathing.Caring for her mother had never felt like a burden. It had been one of the ways Seraphina showed her love.Perhaps that, at least, had not changed.She dressed and made her way to her mother's private sitting room.Inside, a nurse arranged medication on a small table while the family doctor examined a chart. Lillian sat beside their mother, holding a cup of warm water."She should take the smaller dose after breakfast," Lillian said. "The stronger one makes her dizzy if she hasn't eaten enough."The nurse nodded. "Of course, Miss Lillian."Seraphina stopped at the doorway.She







