Seraphine's POV

Shadows flickered across the walls of my chamber as I sat beside the frost-kissed window, gripping the softly glowing crescent pendant my mother had gifted me before I departed from the palace. The gentle, rhythmic pulse of light against my skin was the only tether keeping me anchored, a silent reassurance of the Moon Goddess’s presence and the sacred lineage flowing through my veins.

How naive I had been to believe that love alone would be enough. I had fought desperately to remain in the Steelfang Pack, pleading with my family to let me stay with Leonel. "I love him," I had begged, each word trembling with desperation. "Please, let me stay. I’ll be safe. I swear it!"

Evander, my second eldest brother, had been my fiercest opponent. His gaze burned with an intensity I had rarely witnessed. “They will never protect you the way we can, Seraphine! You are the ice princess, for the Moon’s sake. Do you truly think they even comprehend what you are? What’s at risk?”

But I had ignored him. I had chosen to trust Leonel, the man who had once saved my life—three years ago, when a rebel faction had abducted me. I could still recall the way he fought for me, how he pulled me back from the brink of death. That day, I had believed he was my fate. My savior.

Now, I scarcely recognized him. The man I had once cherished was gone, replaced by someone cold and unfamiliar. The truth could no longer be denied: Leonel was never my protector. He was my ruin.

The morning light offered no comfort, only a fever that clung to me like a cruel specter, a relentless reminder of my frailty. Each step toward the pack hospital felt like scaling a mountain. My body had betrayed me once more, refusing to let me escape the torment of my loss.

The healer, a gentle woman with streaks of silver in her hair, examined me with careful hands and sorrowful eyes. “Your body is still reeling from the loss,” she murmured softly. “You must rest, child. You are still healing.”

I nodded, though her words barely registered. Rest. As if sleep could mend the gaping void within me. The loss of my child—the one tie I had to a future—was a wound no healer could ever hope to close.

Upon returning to the pack house, an unbearable emptiness greeted me. Leonel, as expected, was nowhere to be found. I didn’t even bother to ask where he had gone. Elin, my sole confidante, met me at the door, her face etched with concern.

"He’s with her again," she murmured, her voice scarcely above a whisper.

I stiffened, my hands curling into fists at my sides. I didn’t need to ask who she was.

"Did he say when he’d return?" I forced my voice to remain steady.

Elin hesitated, her gaze dropping. "They’re planning their wedding. The pack… they’ve been ordered to keep it from you."

For a moment, the world seemed to shift beneath me. Then, unexpectedly, I laughed—a sharp, hollow sound that echoed through the vacant hall. "Of course. Why wouldn’t he? He wanted me blind, obedient."

The bitterness within me solidified into something colder, sharper. "But I’m finished, Elin," I said quietly. "I’m leaving."

That night, sleep eluded me. The silence of the pack house felt suffocating, pressing against me like an unseen weight. Seeking solace, I wandered downstairs for a glass of water, hoping the cool liquid would calm the storm raging inside me.

An eerie stillness hung in the air, the kind that sent a shiver crawling down my spine. As I neared the kitchen, hushed voices reached my ears.

"I still can’t believe someone killed him," Aurora’s honeyed, poisonous voice slithered through the darkness. "The prince’s death… Do you think—"

"Enough," Leonel cut in sharply, his tone tense and urgent. "We shouldn’t discuss his death here."

I froze, my blood turning to ice. They were speaking of Maximilian. My brother.

Aurora huffed, impatience lacing her words. "You’re too cautious, Leonel. And what of the princess?"

Leonel’s voice dropped, the words muffled yet strained. "… difficult… locate…"

My pulse quickened, unease tightening around my chest. Why were they discussing my family? Why were they speaking of me?

The floorboards creaked beneath my foot, and silence swallowed the room.

"Who’s there?" Leonel’s voice cut through the darkness, sharp and commanding.

Seraphine's POV

The corridor lay engulfed in darkness, with only the pale moonlight streaming through the grand windows, casting eerie, shifting shadows along the walls. My pulse pounded in my ears, the oppressive atmosphere thick enough to choke on. Rooted in place, I barely dared to breathe as Leonel’s sharp voice sliced through the silence again, sending a fresh wave of chills down my spine.

"Who’s there?"

I swallowed the lump lodged in my throat, the icy air pressing into my skin like an unwelcome touch. Drawing every ounce of strength left in me, I stepped forward, allowing the dim glow to illuminate my face. Leonel’s gaze locked onto mine, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes before he quickly concealed it beneath his usual cold, unreadable mask.

"Seraphine," he murmured, his voice slightly softer, though a thread of suspicion still wove through his words. "What are you doing here so late?"

Forcing my composure, I willed my voice not to waver. "I couldn’t sleep. I came down for some water." My eyes flicked to Aurora, who stood just behind Leonel, her gaze gleaming with something that made my stomach turn. A triumphant smirk played on her lips, as if she had already won some cruel game.

Leonel’s brows furrowed slightly, his sharp eyes scanning me carefully. "Did you hear anything?"

My heart skipped a beat, but I met his stare with an unwavering expression, my voice betraying none of the unease clawing at my chest. "No. I just arrived."

Aurora sighed dramatically, her tone dripping with artificial sweetness. "We didn’t mean to disturb you, Seraphine. Leonel and I were just wrapping up."

My jaw clenched involuntarily, my fingers curling at my sides as I leveled my gaze at Leonel. "Wrapping up what?"

For the briefest moment, Aurora’s smug expression faltered before she could recover. Leonel, ever the master of deception, smoothly intervened, his tone almost casual. "We had a late meeting with Aurora’s pack. It ran longer than expected, and she wanted to stop by for tea before heading home."

My gaze darted to the table near them—bare, untouched, without even the faintest sign of tea or conversation. The air carried no lingering warmth from a recently brewed drink. The lie was blatant, and my stomach twisted, yet I forced my features to remain neutral, unwilling to grant them the satisfaction of knowing they had rattled me.

"Tea at three in the morning?" My voice was soft, but the edge to it was unmistakable.

Aurora stiffened, a flicker of irritation crossing her face, but before she could speak, Leonel placed a firm hand on her arm, silencing her. "You’ve been looking exhausted lately, Seraphine," he said, his voice taking on a forced gentleness. "You should take a break. Get some fresh air tomorrow. It’ll help clear your mind."

Every instinct in me screamed that something was wrong. Yet, I nodded, a small, artificial smile tugging at my lips. "Maybe I will."

Leonel’s shoulders relaxed slightly, as though he had won a battle only he understood. He smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in it. "Good. You’ll feel better."

Aurora shot me one last gloating look before brushing past me, her perfume sickly sweet in the stagnant air. Leonel followed, sparing me only a final, indifferent glance. "Go back to bed," he instructed, disappearing into the darkened hallway with her.

For several moments, I stood frozen, my hands trembling at my sides. My breath came in shallow bursts as I cast my gaze back to the empty table. The realization settled like lead in my stomach, solidifying the suspicions that had been gnawing at me. Whatever Leonel and Aurora were doing, it wasn’t just a late-night meeting.

The first streaks of dawn bled through my curtains, but the warmth of the sun did nothing to chase away the weight pressing against my chest. The conversation still lingered in my mind, gnawing at my thoughts, and as the hours stretched on, the unease only deepened. The crescent pendant around my neck, once a source of comfort, now felt distant, like a relic from another life.

By the time Elin arrived in the kitchen, I was already awake and dressed, too restless to sleep. She paused upon seeing me, setting a tray of fresh bread and fruit on the table.

"You’re up early," she remarked, her tone light, but the concern in her gaze was unmistakable.

"Couldn’t sleep," I admitted, sinking into a chair. I hesitated for a moment before asking, "Elin, do you know if anything’s happening tomorrow?"

Elin froze, her hands hovering over the tray, and I watched as her expression subtly shifted—guarded, cautious. She avoided my gaze, and the unease coiled tighter in my gut.

"Why do you ask?" she replied carefully.

I exhaled slowly, keeping my voice level. "Leonel told me I should go out tomorrow. He said I needed fresh air." I paused, feeling the words settle uneasily in my chest. "It felt… off."

For a long moment, Elin said nothing, then sighed heavily. "You’re not going to like this, Belle."

"Tell me," I demanded, my voice sharper than intended.

Elin glanced around the empty kitchen as if making sure no one else was listening before leaning in closer. "It’s an engagement party," she whispered. "For Leonel and Aurora."

Seraphine's POV

The Steelfang Packhouse radiated extravagance, a testament to Henrietta’s meticulous orchestration of her son’s engagement banquet. The grand ballroom pulsed with the murmurs of pack members and allies, each dressed in their most elegant attire. The entire event was a blatant display of wealth and status. Leonel’s mother had spared no expense, ensuring Aurora’s position as the future Luna was indisputable, and the message was clear to everyone present.

Hidden in the shadows, I remained unnoticed, tucked away in a secluded corner of the bustling hall. A headscarf obscured my features, and Elin had skillfully masked my scent, allowing me to move undetected. Yet, despite the precautions, the weight of betrayal pressed against my chest, suffocating and unrelenting.

“Seraphine, if they recognize you…” Elin’s whisper was frantic, her grip on my arm tightening. “They’ll rip you apart. Everyone believes Leonel sent you away on a vacation.”

“Vacation?” I echoed, bitterness dripping from my voice. “I suppose betrayal comes with rewards now.”

My gaze drifted over the sea of faces—their laughter, their false smiles. Their conversations floated through the air, each word laced with venom.

“Have you heard about the royal family’s bounty?” a woman murmured to her companion.

“Yes,” a man replied, lowering his voice. “They’re desperate to find the prince’s murderer. Maximilian may have been a disgrace, but his death shamed the kingdom.”

“Disgrace is putting it lightly,” another voice interjected. “He squandered fortunes and seduced countless women. Honestly, his death feels like justice.”

Hearing Maximilian’s name sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. Until now, I hadn’t allowed myself to process his death—my eldest brother, a cruel man who had inflicted more pain on me than I could count. But listening to them speak of him so casually… Did he deserve to die? Did anyone? The questions gnawed at me, but I shoved them aside. There was no room for grief in a hall filled with traitors.

“Aurora is perfect—strong, poised, and of noble blood. Seraphine was always… ordinary.”

I clenched my fists so tightly my nails bit into my palms. Their words sliced through the fragile remnants of my pride. But it wasn’t just the guests who scorned me—Henrietta, Leonel’s mother, added her own venomous sting.

“I never approved of Seraphine,” she remarked, sipping her champagne. “She was always beneath us. Aurora will provide the Alpha heir we need.”

My vision blurred as I struggled to steady my breathing. The pain of their words burrowed deeper than I had expected. And then, Henrietta spoke again, her voice coated in saccharine deceit as she rested a hand on Aurora’s arm.

“Aurora, my dear,” she cooed, her eyes gleaming with anticipation, “I can’t wait to meet my grandchild. I hope you conceive the Alpha heir soon.”

The words struck me like a physical blow. My own child—the one I had lost—the only tether I had to a future, was gone. Grief surged within me, threatening to unravel what little composure I had left. I gripped my stomach, my nails digging into my flesh as I fought to contain the tears clawing their way to the surface.

“Seraphine,” Elin pleaded once more, her voice thick with urgency. “Please, let’s go. You don’t have to do this.”

But I remained frozen, unwilling to turn away. I was done. Done hiding. Done being the fool. I yanked my arm free from her grasp, my voice low but resolute. “No. I’ve had enough. If they want to celebrate, I’ll give them something worth remembering.”

And with that, the last thread snapped.

I stepped forward, letting my scarf slip from my head. Gasps rippled through the crowd as whispers spread like wildfire, eventually giving way to a stunned silence. I didn’t need to speak—the recognition was immediate.

“Seraphine?”

“I thought she was on vacation!”

“What is she doing here?”

The murmurs were a mixture of disbelief and disdain. My presence had shattered their perfect evening. Leonel appeared beside me in an instant, his face a storm of anger and shock, his grip on my arm firm.

“Seraphine,” he hissed, his voice low and furious. “What are you doing here? You told me you were leaving today.”

I tilted my head slightly, feigning innocence. “Did I? I must have changed my mind.” My gaze swept the room before settling on his mother across the way. “What’s this celebration for, Alpha? You didn’t mention it when you suggested I take a vacation.”

Before Leonel could respond, Henrietta stepped forward, her lips curling into a sneer, her voice sharp with disdain.

“Yes, Seraphine, you shouldn’t be here!” she spat. “Can’t you see this gathering isn’t for a lowly omega like you?”

I squared my shoulders, lifting my chin defiantly, my voice steady yet laced with steel. “I wasn’t aware that an omega—who happened to be the Alpha’s long-term partner—needed permission to attend her own pack’s gathering. Or does that rule only apply to me?”

A tense silence fell over the room as I locked eyes with Henrietta.

“You’ve always been insolent,” she sneered. “What else can we expect from a she-wolf with such a lowly background? Are you so desperate for my son’s wealth and power?”

My blood boiled, but I kept my voice calm, each word dripping with venom. “Don’t project your own greed onto me, you wretched old hag.”

A collective gasp echoed through the ballroom, but Henrietta was beyond reasoning. Her hand shot up, and before I could react, the sting of her slap seared across my cheek.

I stumbled slightly but didn’t fall. Straightening, I met her furious gaze, unwavering. “You can strike me, Henrietta, but it won’t change the truth—you are nothing but a greedy old hag.”

Her face twisted with rage, her voice trembling as she shrieked, “Leonel, I want her banished! This instant! Guards, remove this insolent omega from my sight!”

The guards advanced, their hands reaching for me, but before they could touch me, a voice rang out from the corner of the room.

“By the Moon Goddess!” an elderly man gasped, cutting through the rising commotion. “The princess with the ice bloodline has been revealed!”

A stunned hush fell over the room as all eyes turned to him. He held up a newspaper, the front page displaying a portrait of a woman—her features strikingly similar to mine.

Whispers erupted around me, the murmurs growing louder as more faces turned to compare the image to my own.

“Doesn’t this look just like Seraphine?” Someone exclaimed, pointing in my direction.