Seraphina’s POV

“I’m not a rogue! I am Princess Seraphina! My father will hear about this!”

But they wouldn’t listen. They just dragged me away. No matter how much I struggled or begged, they ignored me. My heart was pounding like crazy, fear creeping into every corner of my mind about what they might do to me.

Before I knew it, they were hauling me toward what looked like a small village. My eyes narrowed as I started noticing pack members roaming around. Some of them glanced my way, curiosity flickering in their eyes, wondering what was happening. A few stared outright, as if wondering who I was and why I was here.

Eventually, they brought me to the largest building at the center of the village. They opened the door and shoved me inside without hesitation. Once we were inside, they tied only my hands, leaving me standing there, horrified, as they stationed themselves on either side of me like guards.

“Call Alpha Kieran, now! We have an intruder on our borders,” one of them barked.

My eyes widened. A-Alpha Kieran?

My pulse raced even faster now.

Before I could gather my thoughts, I heard the steady sound of footsteps—confident, purposeful, and growing louder as they approached. Then, his voice echoed through the room, sharp and commanding, cutting through the air like a blade.

“Who is this trespasser that comes to our borders?”

When I looked up at him, his gaze pinned me in place. His eyes burned with an intensity I’d never seen before, as if they held all the power in the world. His presence was overwhelming, radiating dominance that made the air in the room feel heavier with each passing second.

Kieran didn’t come alone. When he arrived, he brought a group with him—clearly his pack members, and they all looked like higher-ranking wolves. My throat went dry, and I instinctively swallowed hard. I stepped back a little as he stopped right in front of me.

He was massive. Intimidating. And this wasn’t how I ever imagined seeing him for the first time.

Alpha Kieran.

“She said she’s Princess Seraphina from the Ravenwood Pack,” one of his soldiers said. “She was wandering near the borders, looking dazed and out of it. So we brought her here, assuming she was a rogue… one that needed to be dealt with.”

The soldier’s meaning was clear—“dealt with” could only mean one thing. My stomach twisted in fear.

They’ll kill me.

Kieran shook his head, his expression unreadable, but his sharp eyes held an air of authority that demanded silence. He clasped his hands behind his back as he turned to face me, finally addressing the soldier.

“Release her for now.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

Without hesitation, the soldiers obeyed him, untying the rope around my wrists. The moment I felt my hands were free, I instinctively stepped back, creating as much distance as I could.

But it didn’t matter. The air around Kieran was heavy, suffocating, and terrifyingly commanding. His mere presence filled the room, making it impossible to look away. And yet, beneath the fear, I couldn’t ignore this strange pull—like something about him was drawing me in against my will.

“Do you know anyone you can contact to prove your identity?” His voice was steady, calm, but the weight of his words made my chest tighten.

I instinctively thought of Callum and my father. I had blocked Callum, and my father was too weak to even move…

I shook my head quickly, panic bubbling inside me. “I don’t… I actually don’t have anyone who can testify for me,” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

Seraphina’s POV

Alpha Kieran narrowed his eyes at me, his expression cold and impatient, as if I was wasting his time. Without a word, he turned his back on me and raised his hand in a dismissive gesture.

“Get her out of here,” he commanded, his tone sharp and final. “And kill her immediately. I don’t want any rogues wandering near our borders.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

The soldiers moved toward me, ready to carry out his orders. Panic surged through me as I realized what was about to happen. My breathing quickened, my chest tightening with fear.

But before Alpha Kieran could walk too far away, flanked by his high-ranking pack members, I screamed, my voice breaking with desperation.

“Alpha Kieran, please! Please listen to me!”

He stopped in his tracks. My heart raced as I watched him pause, though he didn’t turn around. His back remained to me, and I couldn’t tell if he was actually listening or just waiting for someone to silence me.

Still, I refused to give up. My voice trembled, but I poured every ounce of strength and conviction I had into my words.

“I’m telling the truth!” I yelled, my gaze darting to every person in the room. “My name is Seraphina! I am the daughter of Alpha Gideon, a princess of the Ravenwood Pack!”

I saw a flicker of reaction in the soldiers around me, but Kieran remained still.

“For five years, I was actually mated to Alpha Callum,” I continued, my voice growing stronger. “We were supposed to bond, to be wed. But he chose someone else… someone who wasn’t me. I canceled the wedding—humiliated in front of everyone. The shame was unbearable, and I ran. I ran from my pack, from my home. I didn’t even realize I’d crossed into your borders!”

Tears stung my eyes, but I held my ground, determined to make them believe me. My voice cracked as I pleaded once more, “I’m not a rogue. I swear it.”

He didn’t say a word. The silence in the room was suffocating, pressing down on me from all sides. He still had his back turned, refusing to face me.

That only made me more determined. I clenched my fists tightly, took a deep breath, and closed my eyes for a moment to steady myself. There was no turning back now. I was already here—this was my only chance. I had to lay it all out before him.

“Alpha Kieran,” I started, my voice filled with resolve, “my pack—the Ravenwood Pack—was attacked in the past. We barely survived. My father, Alpha Gideon, is weak now. He’s old, and the burden is too much for him to bear. I’m his only heir, his only child.”

I paused to gather my courage, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it. Then, I finally said it.

“And I have a proposal for you.”

The words left my lips, firm and deliberate. I drew in a shaky breath before continuing, my voice unwavering despite the weight of what I was about to say.

“Alpha Kieran, I am offering you a marriage proposal. To protect my pack, to strengthen our alliance… I propose myself to you. I ask you to accept me as your mate, to make me your Luna, and to unite our packs.”

I swallowed hard, feeling my chest tighten as I dropped to my knees. The desperation, the vulnerability—it all came pouring out of me.

“Please,” I whispered, “this is the only way.”

A collective gasp echoed through the room. The soldiers and high-ranking pack members around us froze, their shock palpable. No one had expected this—not now, not like this.