Seraphina’s POV
“You don’t look so sure,” Cadensaid, his voice smooth and honeyed, wrapping around me like a silken thread.
I quickly turned my head, pulling away from his hand. “No… I’m—dead sure.”
He chuckled softly and let his hand drop, his presence still suffocatingly close.
Every fiber of my being screamed at the loss of his touch, but I forced myself to hold it together.
“You’re a terrible liar, Seraphina,” he said, stepping back. “But I won’t push it. I’ll have the lawyer add your terms.”
“I’ll sign it tomorrow,” I whispered, struggling to catch my breath.
“Tomorrow,” he repeated, his voice holding a mix of patience and certainty.
I tried to sound relaxed, masking my nervous energy. “And… can you tell your guards to let me out later? I’d like to go for a night run. I don’t need them watching me.”
His lips curved into a small, knowing smile. “Of course. This is your home from now on.”
He turned to leave but paused at the door, glancing back with an expression I couldn’t quite read.
“I’m very happy tonight, Seraphina,” he said simply, his smile widening before he left.
The door clicked shut, and I dropped onto the bed, my face burning and my heart pounding like a drum.
We’re going to regret this. No one’s more perfect than him, Elin groaned inside my head.
“No, we won’t,” I shot back, both to her and myself. “Look at how he flirts! Being with a playboy like him is too risky. I’m not going through that again.”
Shaking off the lingering heat from his touch, I jumped up, yanked off the beautiful white gown, and threw on my running gear.
Feigning a casual jog, I left my room without any luggage.
The guards, clearly acting on Asher’s orders, didn’t stop me. They simply saluted as I jogged past.
I kept a steady pace until I was far out of sight. Then, letting Elin take over, I sprinted toward the airport.
________________________________________
By the time I reached the airport, dawn was breaking. I bought the earliest flight to Emerald Howl Pack, but it wouldn’t leave for another five hours.
Five hours of anxious waiting.
I sat in the lounge, trying to calm my nerves as the minutes ticked by.
Three hours in, the terminal began to fill with people.
Four hours later, staff arrived at the gate, and my flight number appeared on the screen.
Four and a half hours in, I was ready to board.
That’s when I heard the commotion—a group of soldiers moving through the terminal, checking IDs and scanning faces.
My heart nearly stopped.
Pulling up the hood of my sweatshirt, I ducked low in my seat, trying to blend in.
“What’s going on?” someone nearby asked.
“Probably looking for a fugitive,” another person guessed. “Hope it doesn’t delay our flight.”
The soldiers were closing in fast.
I leapt up and walked briskly to the gate.
Feigning illness, I told the staff that I was pregnant and not feeling well.
Perhaps my pale face convinced them because they didn’t question me further. They let me board early.
As I walked through the gate, I caught the soldiers arriving at my flight’s waiting area. I heard them asking passengers if they’d seen a woman named Seraphina.
So it was him.
He’d sent soldiers to the airport—he must be furious.
I couldn’t believe it myself.
He was the Alpha of Storm Fang Pack, the ruler of the world’s largest business empire. And I’d just played him like a puppet, slipping through his grasp.
The last person who tried that was probably long dead.
What would happen the next time we met?
He’d likely snap my neck with one hand or rip me apart limb by limb.
But Eason and my soldiers were more important. I had to get back home, no matter the consequences.
I’d apologize to Cadenlater—if he was willing to listen.
________________________________________
Thankfully, my flight wasn’t delayed.
As the plane lifted off, I leaned back in my seat, closing my eyes and letting out a slow, shaky breath.
In a few hours, I’d be back in the place I hadn’t seen in four long years.
Emerald Howl Pack.
