Seraphina’s POV
The hall fell silent as hundreds of people turned to look at me. Gasps rippled through the crowd as their eyes locked onto me. Women whispered about my dress, their voices filled with awe and envy, while men stared openly, their expressions a mix of admiration and disbelief.
But I didn’t care about their reactions. My gaze was fixed solely on Damon and Althea standing at the center of the room. Slowly, purposefully, I made my way toward them. The crowd parted as though I commanded the space, clearing a path until I reached them.
Althea’s face was ghostly pale, her hands gripping Damon’s arm for support as if she might faint. Damon, on the other hand, looked conflicted—surprise mingled with an unmistakable glint of desire in his eyes.
“I asked you to stay in your room, Seraphina,” Damon said, his tone deep and commanding.
“I don’t need your permission,” I replied coolly.
His lips curled into a smirk. “But you do. I’m still your husband and your Alpha,” he remarked, his arrogance dripping from every word.
He leaned in, his voice dropping low, meant only for me to hear. “I know you’ve been feeling left out these past few days. Stay by my side tonight, and maybe we can forget all this talk about divorce.”
Althea heard his whisper, and her sharp intake of breath didn’t go unnoticed. Her resentful glare burned into me.
I took a deliberate step back and laughed, the sound cold and sharp. “What’s so funny?” Damon demanded, his voice rising.
“The idea that I’d come crawling back to be your mistress, serving you and this pack while bowing to the woman who took everything from me. That’s what’s funny,” I said, my voice trembling with suppressed fury. “It’s over, Damon. It ended the moment you brought Althea back into our lives.”
His eyes darkened, a flicker of anger sparking within them. “Only I get to decide when it’s over. And it’s not over now.”
“Our mate bond is gone,” I snapped.
“Then we’ll mate again,” he replied nonchalantly, turning to the guards. “Luna Seraphina isn’t feeling well. Escort her back to her room.”
The guards gripped their weapons and started toward me.
I stood my ground, raising my chin high. “I’m not here as your woman, Damon. I’m here as a representative of Emerald Howl Pack, one of the partners in the Carnival City project.”
A ripple of whispers erupted through the crowd.
“Alpha Damon, is this true?” a businessman called out, frowning. “You never mentioned a third party in the Carnival City project. I’ve invested heavily in this—I don’t like surprises.”
More murmurs of concern followed, all eyes now scrutinizing Damon.
“Don’t worry,” Damon said sullenly. “Her status as a partner was never acknowledged.”
A cold voice cut through the noise. “I don’t think so.”
The crowd parted once again, and Caden strode toward us. His presence was electrifying, his dark hair slicked back to reveal his sharp, chiseled features. His emerald-green eyes glinted with intensity, perfectly matched by the color of his cufflinks and tie. The custom-tailored black suit he wore hugged his powerful frame, making him look like he had just stepped off the cover of a magazine.
When his gaze met mine, it softened, burning with unspoken passion. “You look stunning tonight,” he said in a low, husky voice.
“Thank you,” I murmured, feeling my cheeks warm despite the tension in the room.
Standing beside me, Caden turned his attention to Damon, his tone icy. “I recognize Seraphina as my partner. Since I’m the one funding this project, I have every right to say so.”
Damon’s jaw clenched. “But it’s my land! If I don’t want her here, even you can’t overrule me!” he retorted, his voice rising.
“That’s right!” Althea added, her fists clenched tightly. “This is our land and Alpha Caden’s money. Seraphina has no place in this project. Don’t think you can use this as a way to walk all over me!”
Caden’s expression darkened further. “Then I can take my money and walk away. I have no shortage of other packs willing to partner with me.”
Damon flinched. His worst nightmare was coming true, and it showed.
But Althea quickly interjected, her voice desperate. “You can’t do that! Even though you’re the largest investor, there are other smaller investors too! They’re all here tonight! If you back out, you’ll ruin your credibility. No one will trust Obsidian Crest Pack again!”
