Episode 16
Seraphina’s POV
I trembled with rage, my fists clenching tightly.
Did Damon truly see my soldiers as nothing more than dogs, to be chained and beaten into submission? The sheer audacity left me seething.
“Why didn’t you come to me?” I asked Trent, my voice raw with emotion. “If I had known this earlier, I would never have let Damon treat you like this!”
Trent’s jaw tightened, his eyes clouded with a mix of bitterness and frustration. “You think I didn’t try? I came to the packhouse looking for you, but Damon stopped me. He said you sent a message: that you were now the ‘esteemed Luna of Crimson Hollow Pack,’ and people like us, from a poor, backward place, shouldn’t bother you. He said it was too embarrassing.”
“What?!” I shouted, my voice rising in disbelief. “I never said anything like that!”
Trent shook his head, his gaze filled with disappointment. “At the time, I believed him. I thought you’d forgotten where you came from, forgotten about us. But now I see it was all Damon’s lies. He wanted to turn us against you.”
His words stung like a slap across the face, and my chest burned with fury. I now understood why Trent had been so cold to me when we first reunited. He thought I had abandoned them.
“Damon…” I growled, my voice trembling with suppressed anger. “As if cheating on me and using me as free labor wasn’t enough. Now he’s turned my own people against me? That bastard!”
The mention of Damon’s other betrayals brought a wave of pain that I quickly suppressed—the unbearable memory of my unborn child, the life Damon had stolen. But I couldn’t allow myself to crumble now. I had to fight for those who still depended on me.
“Listen, Trent.” I grabbed his hand, my tone firm and resolute. “I’m leaving Damon. He refuses to return my soldiers and my money, but I will never abandon you or the others.”
Trent’s expression softened, and a spark of determination lit up in his eyes. “You’re right. We can’t let that bastard take everything from us.”
“I need your help,” I continued urgently. “Can you gather everyone from Emerald Howl Pack? I need to see them all.”
Trent hesitated, a shadow of doubt crossing his face. “I…I don’t know, Seraphina. Many of them believed Damon’s lies. They think you turned your back on them. I’m not sure how many will still be willing to meet you.”
His words cut deep, guilt stabbing at my heart. This was my fault. I should have checked on them, ensured they were cared for.
“Please, Trent,” I begged, my voice trembling. “Tell them the truth. Let them know I’m planning to bring them home, where they belong.”
Trent studied me for a moment before nodding. “I’ll do my best. It’s good to see you standing up for yourself, Seraphina. I’m glad you’re leaving Damon. Eason would be proud.”
We agreed on a time to meet again, and I said my goodbyes, though my thoughts were heavy as Caden and I climbed back into his car.
The drive back to the packhouse was quiet until Caden broke the silence. “What’s on your mind?” he asked, his deep voice pulling me from my reverie.
I forced a faint smile. “I was just thinking…if Trent and the others are disappointed in me, Eason must be too. Maybe he won’t welcome me back to Emerald Howl Pack.”
The truth weighed on me. I had boldly claimed to Damon that Emerald Howl Pack would join the Carnival City project, but in reality, I had no guarantees. Eason had always been fiercely proud, and I wasn’t sure he would forgive me for my past mistakes.
Caden’s voice was steady, reassuring. “Eason is your brother. He’ll forgive you.”
I shook my head, uncertainty gnawing at me. “Eason has the worst temper. He doesn’t give second chances. I messaged him earlier, but he hasn’t replied.”
Caden placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Take it one step at a time. Focus on reclaiming your soldiers and dowry first. We’ll deal with Eason after. Besides,” he added with a faint smile, “Fiona has been pestering me to bring you to Obsidian Crest Pack. She misses you.”
The mention of Fiona brought a genuine smile to my lips. “I miss her too.”
Back at the packhouse, Caden and I headed toward the elevator, but he suddenly stopped, his sharp gaze fixed in another direction.
“Althea and Lucian?” he murmured.
Startled, I turned to see Althea crouched behind a pillar, whispering to Lucian.
Lucian had told me he was done with Althea. So why was he with her now?
I didn’t hesitate. Striding over, I called out, “Lucian!”
Both of them jumped, panic flashing across their faces. Lucian was the first to react, pushing Althea aside and running to me, his small arms wrapping around my legs.
“Mommy, you’re back!” he exclaimed.
I hugged him tightly, my confusion mounting. “Lucian, what were you talking about with Althea?”
He stammered, avoiding my eyes. “N-nothing… We just ran into each other, and she asked me what I had for breakfast.”
As he spoke, something fell from his pocket. I bent down, surprised to see it was the scented candle he had insisted on using at night.
Lucian lunged for it, but Caden was faster, scooping it up with a frown. “What’s this?” he asked.
“Give it back!” Lucian bared his teeth, growling like a cornered animal.
Caden’s piercing green eyes turned icy. The weight of his gaze alone was enough to silence Lucian.
Althea rushed over, her face a mask of false innocence as tears welled up in her eyes. “I just wanted to speak to my son!” she cried dramatically. “Do I need your permission to see my own child?”
“I only want to know what you were talking about,” I replied, struggling to keep my voice even.
But Althea refused to listen, her sobs intensifying. “I see what’s happening… You’re trying to steal Lucian from me because you can’t have children of your own! You’re cruel, Seraphina!”
My fists clenched at her audacity. My breathing quickened as anger surged through me. “You killed my child! And you have the nerve to call me cruel?”
Her voice wavered, but she pressed on, “That’s not true! Your carelessness caused your miscarriage, not me!”
The pain of her words made my vision blur. If only I had proof of her confession on the hill—then everyone would know the truth.
Caden’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. “Seraphina doesn’t need to steal Lucian. Legally, he’s already hers.”
Lucian shifted uncomfortably in my arms, while Althea froze, her tear-streaked face now pale with fear.
“W-what?” she stammered.
Caden’s tone was cold and authoritative. “According to werewolf law, children born out of wedlock to mistresses belong to the Luna. If the Luna doesn’t want to raise them, they’re sent to an orphanage.”
He glanced meaningfully between Althea and Lucian. “Seraphina, you have every right to send him away. His bad behavior would be corrected there.”
