Episode 12
Seraphina’s POV
My hands trembled uncontrollably as I held Lucian close. This felt like a dream come true—he called me “Mom”!
I crouched down, pulling him into a tight embrace, my voice breaking with emotion. “What… what did you just call me, Lucian?”
“Mom!” he shouted again, his small arms locking around my neck. “I missed you so much. Please come back, Mom! Let’s be a family again!”
Tears welled in my eyes as I tightened my grip on him, overwhelmed by a mix of disbelief and longing.
“Seraphina.”
Caden’s deep, commanding voice broke through my emotional haze, carrying a subtle warning.
The sound snapped me back to reality. I quickly let go of Lucian and searched his face. Something didn’t sit right. Not long ago, he had accused me of abusing him in front of everyone. Why the sudden change of heart?
“Lucian,” I asked gently, “where’s Althea? Does she know you’re here?”
His gaze darted away, unable to meet mine. “I don’t know if she knows or not,” he murmured. “I just… I couldn’t sleep near her, so I came to find you.”
He grabbed my hand and shook it fervently, his voice softening. “Can I sleep in your room, Mom?”
My heart swelled again, hope threatening to overpower my caution. If this was a dream, I never wanted to wake up.
“Of course, you can,” I found myself replying, tears threatening to spill.
Lucian cheered, but Caden’s voice cut through the moment. “Seraphina, can I have a word with you?” His tone was calm, but his disapproval was unmistakable.
I turned to see him watching me with a stern expression. “Sure,” I replied, standing up.
Lucian, however, clung to my legs, glaring at Caden. “Mom, don’t sleep with him!” he shouted, his voice filled with childish defiance. “You belong to Dad! We’re a real family!”
My cheeks burned red with embarrassment. “Lucian,” I began awkwardly, unsure how to explain this to an eight-year-old, “Alpha Caden and I… we’re not in that kind of relationship.”
Lucian stuck his tongue out at Caden, who crossed his arms, his lips curving into a cold smirk. “The last kid who made faces at me ended up wandering lost in a forest,” Caden remarked icily.
Lucian flinched, his bravado evaporating. He quickly hid behind me, murmuring, “Mom, get him out of here. You can’t let anyone but Dad near you!”
“Sorry to break it to you,” Caden remarked coolly, his smirk deepening. “But Seraphina and your dad aren’t a family anymore.”
“Alpha Caden!” I snapped, my tone sharp with irritation. “He’s just a child!”
Caden shrugged nonchalantly. “A quick word, please? In the garden?”
Sighing, I nodded. I sent a sulking Lucian back to his room before following Caden outside.
A Walk Under the Moonlight
The night was serene, with a full moon casting its silver glow over the garden. The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers, but even that couldn’t compete with Caden’s intoxicating presence. His natural musk seemed to seep into my senses, making my body heat up. My knees felt weak, and I fought the urge to steady myself against his arm.
Get a grip, Seraphina, I scolded myself. You’ve just gone too long without sex.
Caden broke the silence with a deep, measured voice. “Seraphina, you shouldn’t let that kid stay in your room. It’s obvious he’s up to something.”
I bit my lip, reluctant to agree. “He’s just a child, Caden. Maybe a bit mischievous, but he’s not a bad kid.”
Caden stopped abruptly, his piercing green eyes locking onto mine. “He accused you of child abuse in front of an entire room,” he stated bluntly. “If those charges had stuck, you’d be rotting in prison right now. That’s not naughty—it’s malicious.”
His words hit hard, but I couldn’t bring myself to condemn Lucian. “Maybe…” I hesitated, searching for the right words. “Maybe someone taught him to lie. And now he regrets it. That’s why he came back to me.”
Caden’s expression remained stern as he studied me, but his gaze softened slightly. He reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. The simple gesture sent a shiver down my spine.
“You won’t get hurt again under my watch,” he said quietly, his fingers brushing against my cheek.
My heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, I wished his touch wouldn’t end. My mind raced, imagining his hand lingering, stroking down my neck, across my collarbones, and further…
Our eyes met, and the tension between us crackled like electricity. His gaze burned with an intensity that made my breath hitch.
“The land survey will take another week,” he remarked in a husky tone. “When I leave Crimson Hollow Pack, I expect you to come with me.”
My heart pounded uncontrollably. “…Maybe,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
“I don’t like maybe,” he replied, his tone low and commanding, making my pulse race.
Trying to steady myself, I added, “I have a plan to get my dowry back. It might even speed things up.”
“How can I help?” he asked without hesitation.
I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips. “There’s no way Damon will willingly return what he owes me, so I plan to trick him. Here’s what I need you to do: no matter how the land survey goes, tell Damon that the Carnival City project is off.”
Caden frowned, clearly taken aback. “The Carnival City project is your masterpiece. Why would you abandon it?”
I smiled slyly. “I’m not really giving it up. It’s just part of the plan. You’ll understand soon.”
Admiration flickered in his eyes as he nodded. “Alright. I’m here whenever you need me.”
We strolled through the garden under the moonlight, the silence between us comfortable. Part of me wished this walk could last forever.
Althea’s POV
I paced the room anxiously, wringing my hands. Damon had gone out drinking alone, leaving me unsure if he was disappointed in me after today’s events. But I couldn’t afford to dwell on him now—I had bigger priorities.
Just then, my phone buzzed. I snatched it up eagerly.
“Lucian! Did everything go as planned?” I asked breathlessly.
“Perfectly, Mom!” Lucian’s excited voice chirped through the line. “I told her exactly what you said, and she let me stay. Now, while that old hag and Alpha Caden are out walking, I have plenty of time to light the poisoned scented candles. She’ll be dead in no time!”
A triumphant smile spread across my face as I tightened my grip on the phone. Everything was falling into place.
