Episode 18
Seraphina’s POV
By 7 p.m., I quietly slipped out of the packhouse, heading toward the tiny tavern where Trent had asked me to meet him.
I didn’t expect to see Caden leaning casually against his car near the entrance.
“Seraphina,” he called out as he strode toward me, his movements smooth and purposeful. “Going somewhere?”
The sight of him made my pulse quicken. His sharp features were as commanding as ever, but all I could think about was last night’s dream. His wild hands on my body, the way he’d made me cry out his name over and over…
I flushed and quickly looked away. “N-nothing… OK. Bye,” I mumbled, attempting to dart past him.
But his hand shot out, gently grabbing my arm.
The touch of his fingers sent a jolt through me, like lightning racing under my skin. I instinctively pulled away.
“What was that?” His voice was serious, his piercing green eyes locking onto mine.
“…What?”
“Why did you pull away?” he pressed, stepping closer, his gaze unwavering. “You’re avoiding me. What happened?”
My heart pounded. These Alphas and their relentless determination…
“It’s not you… it’s me,” I muttered, hoping he’d drop the subject.
But he leaned in slightly, his intoxicating scent surrounding me. My breath hitched as the heat in my body surged.
“Tell me,” he commanded, his voice low and irresistible.
I groaned internally. There was no escaping him. “I… had a dream last night,” I admitted, my face burning with embarrassment.
His brow arched slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement. The intensity in his gaze deepened. “I’m listening,” he drawled, his voice silky.
Oh no. He wanted details.
“Can we not do this now?” I pleaded, trying to steer the conversation away. “I have a meeting with Trent and the others at 8. I’m already running late.”
He chuckled, pulling his car keys from his pocket. “Let me drive you. And after your meeting, I want to hear all about that dream.”
Caden sped through the city streets, the powerful hum of the engine filling the silence between us.
By the time we arrived at the tavern, my nerves were in overdrive.
He parked, got out, and opened my door himself, his every movement precise and confident. “Good luck,” he said, his voice steady.
I nodded, swallowing hard, and stepped inside.
The bell above the door jingled as I entered, and all eyes turned to me.
My heart clenched.
Trent, Caleb, Liam, Nora, and Isolde—all the captains who had followed me from Emerald Howl Pack—were here.
But their expressions were far from welcoming.
“Hi,” I greeted softly, my voice trembling as I took a tentative step forward. “It’s been a while… I-I’ve missed you all…”
“Cut the crap already!”
Isolde, her fiery red hair framing her furious face, shot up from her chair.
“Trent said you wanted to apologize, so here we are!” she snapped. “But enough with the fake sentiment. Just say sorry and get it over with! But I’ll tell you now—there will be no forgiveness from me!”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut.
She was right to be angry. They all were.
“Calm down, Isolde. Let her explain,” Caleb muttered.
“Explain what?” Isolde snarled. “She married an Alpha, lived a cushy life, and abandoned us! We were warriors back in Emerald Howl, but here? We’re garbage collectors, janitors, and drivers! And that’s just us captains. The regular soldiers are even worse off!”
She slammed her fist on the table, knocking over a cup that shattered on the floor.
“Now tell me, Seraphina, what excuse do you have?!”
All eyes bore into me, demanding answers.
I took a deep breath, my chest tightening.
“I… have no excuse,” I finally said, my voice trembling.
Trent frowned.
Isolde sneered.
Caleb waited, his steady gaze urging me to continue.
“You’re right, Isolde,” I said, tears pooling in my eyes. “It’s all my fault.”
I closed my eyes briefly, the weight of my guilt crushing me.
“I fell in love with Damon, and I was blinded by it. He asked for money, and I gave it to him. He promised to take care of you, and I believed him.”
“Stupid!” Isolde spat.
“Yes. Stupid,” I agreed, tears spilling down my cheeks. “I trusted a man who cheated on me, abused me, and… murdered my unborn child.”
The room erupted in shocked gasps.
“What?!” Trent roared, his fists clenching.
Caleb jumped to his feet, his face dark with anger.
Even Liam, usually so easygoing, looked ready to kill someone.
“Why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Nora asked, her voice filled with concern.
“That bastard!” Isolde shouted, her voice trembling with fury. “You’re Gamma Eason’s sister! You’re our leader! You should’ve snapped his neck the moment he hurt you!”
Their anger wasn’t directed at me anymore—it was for me.
Tears of gratitude streamed down my face. Even after everything, they were still on my side.
Taking a deep breath, I said firmly, “My mistakes end now. I’m going to take back what belongs to Emerald Howl Pack. And I’m going to get you all home.”
The room fell silent.
Then Nora stood, her voice steady and resolute. “What’s the plan? Damon won’t let us go easily. Two thousand soldiers are too valuable to him.”
I nodded, laying out the strategy I’d been forming.
“He won’t let you go because you’re valuable. But what if you become a problem?”
Liam’s eyes lit up with understanding. “I like where this is going.”
“In a few days, Alpha Caden will finish inspecting the land and sign the Carnival City contract with Damon. That day, all the key members of Crimson Hollow Pack will be present, along with many other pack leaders. I want you all to create chaos—make it impossible for Damon to save face. Let everyone, including Alpha Caden, see the chaos under Damon’s reign.”
Excitement flickered in their eyes.
“If we cause enough trouble, Damon will see us as a liability,” Isolde said, her voice full of determination. “He’ll want to get rid of us!”
Trent grinned, his fists tightening. “We’ve been quiet for too long. It’s time to make some noise.”
I nodded. “After the chaos, Caden will demand to cancel the Carnival City project. Damon will feel cornered, and I’ll be the only one who can convince Caden to change his mind. That’s when I’ll demand your freedom and the return of the 30 million.”
They all nodded in agreement, their expressions fierce.
“Liam,” I said, meeting his eager gaze, “make it as large as possible. Let the whole city hear the name Emerald Howl Pack.”
This was just the beginning.
Step by step, I would bring Emerald Howl Pack back to its glory.
No one would ever dare call my home “poor” or “backward” again.
