Seraphine’s POV

The frost in Black Hollow deepened as the moon climbed higher, its silvery light slicing through the dense canopy. Inside the cabin, the fire crackled, but the warmth it offered didn’t touch me. I leaned against the wooden counter, watching Rowan hunched over a scroll, his quill flying across the parchment. His brow furrowed, his amber eyes sharp with focus as he worked, his movements tense and deliberate.

“You used to leave pack matters in the council chambers,” I said, keeping my tone calm, though my wolf stirred uneasily beneath the surface.

Rowan froze for a fraction of a second, his hand hovering over the parchment. When he looked up, guilt flickered in his eyes, but it disappeared just as quickly. “Things have been... hectic,” he murmured. “It’s nothing to worry about. Go rest, Sera. I’ll join you soon.”

He didn’t wait for a reply, his attention already back on the scroll. As I passed behind him, the edge of the parchment caught my eye. A bold red mark was pressed into the corner—a rogue’s seal.

My stomach twisted, but I kept moving. I walked to the bedroom, the creak of the wooden floor beneath my feet grounding me. Once inside, I pulled out a scrap of enchanted vellum I used to track the pack’s affairs in secret. My fingers trembled as I activated the spell, murmuring a low incantation. The magic wove through the pack’s records like a web, revealing what I feared.

Her name burned on the vellum: Mina Everett.

Mina wasn’t just a rogue. She was the exiled daughter of Beta Everett, her family cast out years ago for a betrayal that nearly destroyed the pack. But Mina had clawed her way back, building alliances with the rogue factions at the borders. She was cunning, bold, and dangerous.

And her latest stunt struck deep.

The whispers of the pack spread through the spell, revealing her bold claim: Rowan is mine. The bond is broken, and the Alpha will choose me.

The details poured in like venom. Mina had approached Rowan under the guise of forging an alliance to secure the borders. But her intentions were clear. She flaunted a pendant bearing her family crest in her latest appearance at the edge of the packlands—a challenge, a provocation.

The murmurs of the pack spiraled:

“She’s lying. The Alpha would never betray Seraphine .”

“Why hasn’t he denied it? Where is Seraphine in all of this?”

“The bond weakens if trust is broken.”

As I pieced together the growing storm, I heard Rowan’s voice from the adjoining room, low and sharp.

“What do you mean the warriors aren’t ready? I gave clear orders!” His tone cut like a blade. “If the border isn’t secure by the next full moon, I’ll deal with you myself.”

The voice on the other end stammered, but Rowan’s growl silenced it. “Do I have to do everything myself?”

I pressed myself against the wall, my breath catching. My wolf paced restlessly, urging me to confront him, to demand answers. But I stayed still, gathering my thoughts as the man I trusted unraveled before me.

When I stepped out, Rowan noticed the tremble in my hands. Concern flashed across his face, and he closed the distance between us.

“Sera, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?” His voice was soft, but his hands were steady as they cupped my face.

I forced a brittle smile. “It’s nothing,” I lied. “Just a tale from the elders. It struck a chord.”

His shoulders relaxed slightly, and he pulled me close, his lips brushing my hair. “Stop listening to those old tales, wildling. They’re just stories. What we have is real.”

But as his arms wrapped around me, his scent carried something faint and foreign—her scent.

The realization hit like a blade to the chest.

When the front door clicked shut at midnight, I peered through the window. Rowan disappeared into the woods, his figure swallowed by the shadows.

I threw on my fur-lined cloak and followed, my bare feet silent against the frozen earth. His scent was strong, guiding me through the trees, past the river, and to the edge of the packlands.

There, in a secluded glade, he stopped. My chest tightened as the door of an old cabin swung open, and Mina stepped into the moonlight.

Her black dress clung to her like a second skin, her silver pendant gleaming with her family’s crest—a bold provocation. She smiled, her lips curling in triumph as she closed the distance between them.

“Rowan,” she purred, running her hands up his chest. “You’ve done so much for me already. But since you have...” She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. “Why not take what’s yours?”

Rowan didn’t pull away.

My fists clenched, my wolf clawing at my skin, begging for release. But I stayed rooted, my breath steadying as cold fury replaced the ache in my chest.

The moon above cast everything into sharp relief, mocking me with its pale light. In that moment, something inside me shifted.

This wasn’t just betrayal. It was war.

Mina wanted to play with pack politics? Fine. But she’d forgotten one thing: the Alpha may lead the pack, but it’s the Luna who holds it together.

And I was done playing nice.

Seraphine's POV

Rowan’s sultry laugh echoed in my mind as I trudged back to the packhouse, the memory of him with Mina burned into my soul. My wolf clawed at me, her fury a storm I struggled to contain. She wanted to confront him, to demand answers, to make him pay. But I couldn’t—not yet.

My thoughts raced like a tempest, my chest a cauldron of pain and fury. By the time I reached my room, dawn had broken, spilling pale light across the forest. Shadows stretched long and thin across the walls, accusing and cold. The space felt alien, as though the betrayal I’d witnessed had seeped into every corner.

Sleep was impossible. I sat on the edge of my bed, my claws extended and retracting, the only outlet for my restless anger. By the time Rowan’s messenger hawk landed on my windowsill with a neatly tied scroll, I was raw with exhaustion.

The note bore his familiar scent, a blend of pine and cedar. “Morning, love. Sorry about last night—patrol duties ran late. How about we spend the day together? Anything you want, I will get you.”

My hands tightened on the parchment , crumpling it. How could he write so casually, so warmly, after what I’d seen? How could he lie so easily?

When Rowan arrived at the training grounds to meet me, his golden eyes softened with concern as they took in my disheveled state. His smirk faltered, replaced by a look of genuine worry.

“You didn’t sleep,” he said, stepping closer, his hand reaching out to cup my face.

I took a step back, my voice sharp. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not,” he insisted, his brows furrowing. “Let me take care of you today. I’ll make it up to you.”

I said nothing, letting him guide me toward the training grounds. If he thought he could smooth over his betrayal with soft words and tender gestures, he was mistaken.

Instead of the usual meadow or village market, Rowan led me to the warriors’ clearing. The air buzzed with raw energy as pack members sparred under the watchful gaze of seasoned trainers. The scent of sweat and earth mingled with the hum of determination.

“You used to love coming here,” Rowan said as we reached the edge of the training area. A lone wooden training dummy stood waiting. “I thought it might cheer you up.”

I didn’t respond as he placed a wooden blade in my hands.

“Go on,” he urged, stepping behind me to adjust my stance. His touch was light, his breath warm against my neck.

“Remember what I taught you?” he asked, his tone softer now, almost coaxing.

I gritted my teeth, the memory of Mina in his arms flashing in my mind. Rage surged through me. With a sharp cry, I swung the blade, the impact resonating as wood cracked against the dummy.

Rowan chuckled softly. “That’s more like it.”

He stayed close, guiding my movements, his voice low as he corrected my posture. Anyone watching might have thought we were a perfect pair—Alpha and mate, moving in harmony, bound by love and loyalty.

But I couldn’t ignore the way his gaze darted to the trees, as if searching for someone. Each glance was a fresh wound, a reminder of the lies coiling around us like a serpent.

When the session ended, Rowan led me to a shaded area beneath an ancient oak. We sat in the cool grass, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. “Feeling better?” he asked, his voice laced with hope.

I forced a small smile. “I guess.”

A rustle in the nearby woods caught his attention, and for a moment, his relaxed facade cracked. He stood abruptly, his movements tense.

“Wait here,” he said.

I watched him disappear into the trees, his posture stiff. Unable to suppress my curiosity, I trailed after him, keeping to the shadows.

Rowan’s scent grew stronger, mingling with another that made my wolf bristle—Mina.

The clearing ahead revealed a small cabin hidden among the trees, its door slightly ajar. I pressed myself against a tree as Mina stepped out. She was stunning, her dark curls falling all over her shoulders. She wore a flowing black dress, the cloth moulding to her in all the ways that made my stomach turn.

“You’re late,” she teased, her voice carrying a low growl.

“Pack business,” Rowan replied, stepping closer.

Mina smirked, her eyes gleaming as she reached up to adjust the collar of his shirt. “Always so responsible. But you still made time for me. That’s all that matters.”

My claws dug into the bark of the tree as I watched her trail a hand down his chest, her touch lingering. Rowan didn’t pull away. Instead, he moved closer, his lips brushing hers in a way that made my wolf howl in fury.

The bond between us became weak, an echo of what it once was. I always believed it to be too strong to be broken , but Rowan had proved me wrong.

I walked away, my movement slow and sure as I moved back into the shadows of the forest. Each step was a war ongoing to keep my wolf from taking over, to suppress the white-hot anger flowing through me.

The moon had started to rise, its pale light casting long shadows across the forest floor. My wolf paced restlessly under my skin, her growl a constant reminder of what I just saw.

Rowan might have chosen Mina, but this wasn’t over. Not yet.

Seraphine ’s POV

Rowan leaned against the jagged arch of the rogue den, his amber eyes glinting in the moonlight as they settled on Mina. She toyed with the hem of her tunic, her laughter rippling through the night like a blade. The faint shimmer of her wolf mark on her collarbone glowed under the moon's silver gaze, a symbol of her rogue lineage.

"You’re impressed, aren’t you?" she teased, her fingers trailing along Rowan’s chest.

He smirked, the crooked curve of his lips making my heart ache. "Impressed doesn’t even begin to cover it."

Hidden deep within the shadows of the woods, I watched them, my breath catching at the sight of their intimacy. His gaze was unguarded—possessive, even—and it shattered the fragile hope I’d clung to. My wolf thrashed within me, her anguish a raw, searing force, but I kept still, rooted by the weight of betrayal.

"You’ve got the pack in your claws, don’t you?" Beta Orin said, appearing beside Rowan with an air of smug amusement. "Mina’s more than just a rogue, huh? She’s a prize."

Rowan’s smirk slipped, his expression darkening. A dangerous growl rumbled from his chest. "She’s not just a prize."

Orin raised a brow, undeterred. "And Seraphine ? Still hanging onto the mate bond? She’s a worthy Luna in her own right, even without your attention."

Rowan’s posture stiffened, his golden eyes blazing with fury. "Say one more word about her, Orin, and I’ll tear your throat out."

The Beta chuckled nervously, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Easy, Alpha. No disrespect."

I couldn’t bear to hear more. Each word cut deeper than the last. Turning on my heel, I fled, the forest closing in around me as my steps quickened. My wolf whimpered, her grief mingling with mine, but I shoved her back. I did not have the time for tears or pain—All I need is clarity.

By the time I got to the edge of the pack's territory, my legs were shaking, and my breath came in short and painful gasps. A patrol wolf came out from the shadows, his sharp eyes narrowing.

"Luna Seraphine ," he said, dipping his head in respect. "Is everything—"

"Don’t," I snapped, my voice sharper than intended. "You didn’t see me. Understand?"

The wolf’s ears flattened, and he nodded quickly, stepping aside to let me pass. Without another glance, I strode toward the village.

The market was quiet, save for the low murmur of voices and the crackle of the central fire. I approached the herbalist’s stall, snatching up a handful of moonroot tinctures and vials of wolfsbane mead. The herbalist raised a brow but said nothing, her gaze lingering as I tossed a pouch of coins onto the counter and left.

As I stepped onto the main path, her scent hit me before her voice did—a sickly sweet mix of wildflowers and deceit. Mina.

"Seraphine ," she called, her tone dripping with mock concern. "You look… tired. Rough night?"

I clenched my jaw, my claws itching to extend, but I forced myself to remain composed. She sauntered closer, the glint in her eyes as sharp as her words.

"You know," she continued, her voice a silken dagger, "Rowan speaks of you often. He says you’re resilient. Strong. A true Luna." She paused, a cruel smile curving her lips. "But even the strongest bonds can break, don’t you think? The Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways."

I tightened my fingers around the vials in my pouch, my nails entering into my palm. Still, I did not give her the satisfaction of a response from me.

"Don't let me keep you," she said, her voice calm but filled with poison. "He’ll be looking for me soon. You know how demanding Alpha duties can be."

I strode away without a word, her laughter trailing behind me like a shadow.

Back at the Pack House, I dropped the vials onto the table and collapsed into the nearest chair. The silence pressed down on me, thick and suffocating. I uncorked a vial of wolfsbane mead and drank deeply, the bitter burn offering little solace against the storm raging within.

The sun dipped below the horizon before Rowan returned. His golden eyes softened as he stepped through the door, his gaze falling on the nearly empty vial in my hand.

"Seraphine ," he murmured, his voice low and careful. "Have you been drinking wolfsbane mead?"

I lifted the vial, the bitterness in my heart matching the mead on my tongue. "Is that a problem?"

He crossed the room in fast strides, kneeling before me and taking my hand. "You don’t need this, love," he said, his voice thick with concern. "Whatever’s troubling you, we can face it together."

I laughed, a hollow, humorless sound. "Together?" I repeated, shaking my head. "That’s rich coming from you."

He flinched, his jaw tightening. "You’re exhausted," he said softly. "Let me take care of you."

I pulled my hand free, placing the vial on the table with a sharp clink. "I don’t need you to take care of me, Rowan. I need you to tell me the truth."

His amber eyes searched mine, the flicker of guilt there fleeting but unmistakable. "I’ve never lied to you," he said, the words smooth but empty.

I rose to my feet, the chair scraping against the floor as I moved past him. "Maybe you haven’t lied," I said quietly, my voice cutting through the heavy silence. "But you haven’t told the truth either."

As I stepped into the bedroom, I heard the faint chime of his messenger hawk—a soft series of high-pitched calls only audible to werewolves. I stopped, my heart sinking as Rowan’s voice came down into a hushed tone.

"I’ll be there soon," he said, his words clipped and impatient.

The final piece of the puzzle clicked into place, each fragment sharper than the last. My stomach churned, and my wolf growled low, but I swallowed the rising fury.

Tomorrow, I thought bitterly as I closed the door behind me. He always promises tomorrow.

But this time, I’d be the one making promises. And when the moonlight faded, Rowan would learn what it meant to betray a mate.