Chapter 0040 – Seraphina’s POV
“Alpha Caden!” I gasped, my voice trembling as his imposing figure filled the room.
Caden’s emerald eyes burned with intensity as they locked onto Damon, a silent but powerful warning emanating from his stance. Damon, visibly unnerved, tried to maintain his composure, though his shoulders stiffened with intimidation.
“I’m simply talking to my wife,” Damon said stiffly, emphasizing the word as though it was a shield he could hide behind.
The word sent a wave of nausea through me. Wife. He hadn’t called me that in months—not when he paraded Althea around, not when he abandoned me to die. Now, when his world was crumbling, he clung to the title like a lifeline.
“Stop calling me that!” I snapped, my voice laced with fury and pain.
“I haven’t signed the papers yet!” Damon barked, desperation flashing across his face as he grabbed my shoulders. “So you are still my wife! Seraphina, we can fix this. The mate bond… I know it’s not completely gone. Don’t you miss being with your mate?”
A dark growl rumbled from Caden’s chest. His soldiers poured into the room, their predatory forms poised to strike. The tension thickened as Damon froze, his wide-eyed gaze darting between Caden and his men.
“What the hell is this?” Damon sputtered, trying to mask his fear with indignation. “Alpha Caden, are you threatening me on my own soil?”
Caden’s voice was calm but razor-sharp. “You brought your mistress back into this house, Damon. Be a man and sign the papers. Don’t be a cowardly backtracker.”
Damon’s face darkened with fury. “This is none of your business, Alpha Caden!” he spat.
The atmosphere became suffocating as the two Alphas stared each other down, their auras clashing. My heart pounded painfully in my chest, caught in the middle of their escalating standoff. Then Caden turned to me, his gaze softening ever so slightly, though the edge in his voice remained.
“Seraphina,” he said, gesturing toward a corner. “A word. Alone.”
Damon glowered but reluctantly stepped aside. Caden led me to a quieter corner, his towering frame dominating the space. His expression was unreadable, but his piercing gaze demanded answers.
“You didn’t tell Damon about the contract,” he stated, his voice low and controlled. “About becoming my Luna after the divorce.”
My heart skipped a beat. “No,” I murmured. “I didn’t tell anyone.”
Caden’s eyes narrowed. “Why not?”
I hesitated, feeling the weight of his gaze. “Because… it’s not anyone’s business,” I muttered.
He cut me off with a biting tone. “If your ex-husband knew, maybe he wouldn’t be clinging to you like a desperate insect.”
I swallowed hard under his scrutinizing stare. He wasn’t going to let this slide. I needed to be honest.
“Alright,” I admitted softly. “The truth is… I haven’t decided whether to sign the contract yet. This is a huge decision, Caden. I need time.”
His jaw tightened as he took a step closer, his Alpha presence pressing against me. Instinctively, I moved back until the cold wall stopped me. Trapped, my breath quickened as his scent and energy enveloped me.
“I’ve been patient, Seraphina,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “I waited. I invested. I showed you my sincerity. But you’re still hesitating.”
His breath brushed against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “Maybe I’ve given you too many options. Maybe it’s time I tell you what to do.”
I bit my lip, my body betraying me with the mix of fear and a strange thrill that coursed through me.
“Are you dragging this out, Seraphina?” he asked, his gaze drilling into me. “Hoping for better terms? Playing hard to get?”
“No!” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “It’s not like that.”
He leaned back slightly, his towering form still imposing. “Three days,” he said flatly.
“…Three days for what?” I managed to ask.
“Three days, and I want that contract signed,” he demanded. “That’s my final deadline.”
I nodded, my voice shaky. “Okay. Three days.”
Caden raised an eyebrow, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his face. “Good.” He stepped back, granting me space to breathe.
“So, how will you deal with your persistent ex-husband?” he asked, his tone casual but challenging.
I frowned, considering my options. “If Damon doesn’t sign, I’ll submit evidence of his affair to the Supreme Tribunal. They’ll grant the divorce within a month.”
Caden’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I’d prefer we force his hand now, but it’s your call.”
I nodded in relief, turning back to Damon. His gaze was fixed on us, suspicion etched on his face.
“What did you two talk about?” Damon demanded as I approached him. “Why were you whispering? Was it about Carnival City?”
Ignoring his questions, I replied coldly, “It doesn’t matter if you sign or not. I’ll submit evidence of your affair to the Supreme Tribunal today. The court will finalize the divorce within a month.”
Damon’s face turned red with rage. “You can’t! Taking this to the Supreme Tribunal for a simple divorce… the whole world will laugh at us!”
I glared at him, my voice icy. “The world was already laughing when you brought your mistress home and cast me out. See you in court.”
Before he could respond, the door burst open with a loud crash. Althea stumbled in, tears streaming down her face.
“Damon!” she cried, rushing past Caden to grab Damon’s hands. “Please, just let her go! Don’t do this anymore.”
I frowned, a sinking feeling growing in my chest as she continued.
“We don’t need Seraphina anymore,” Althea sobbed. “We’re going to be a family… again.”
“What do you mean again?” Damon asked, his voice rising.
Althea turned to me, her tear-streaked face filled with desperation. “I’m pregnant, Seraphina. I’m having another baby with Damon,” she said, a triumphant smile breaking through her tears.
My stomach dropped as the room spun around me.
