Chapter 5
Seraphina’s POV
I stood there, watching them disappear into the distance. My heart churned with shock and confusion, ripples of unease spreading through me.
Why would Asher, of all people, demand my presence so forcefully?
The only memory I had of him was from my graduation ceremony years ago. Even then, his piercing gaze burned into me, an intensity that made me feel like prey under the eyes of a predator—or a tempting dessert adorned with a cherry on top.
He wasn’t unhinged, that much I knew, but his aura demanded distance. I avoided him mostly because of his reputation. Known as the strongest Alpha in the world, he was also infamous as a notorious playboy, never spending more than a single night with the same woman.
Getting involved with someone like him would have been a disaster waiting to happen.
After that ceremony, our paths never crossed again, and I had assumed I was long forgotten.
But today’s events suggested otherwise.
I glanced around the now-empty courtyard. Everyone had gone inside to prepare for tonight’s grand party. If I wanted to confront Damon, I couldn’t show up in these filthy rags.
I rushed back to my room, determined to reclaim my dignity. Isla, ever the loyal maid, greeted me and immediately got to work.
She helped me slip into a silver, backless dress that cascaded over my curves like liquid moonlight. A dazzling diamond necklace adorned my collarbone, radiating brilliance. Isla styled my hair with pearl pins and fresh lilies, their natural fragrance wafting around me like an intoxicating aura.
“My goddess, you look stunning!” Isla exclaimed, stepping back to admire her work. “You’ll be the center of attention tonight!”
I turned to face my reflection in the mirror, momentarily stunned by what I saw. Memories of my college days flooded back—days when suitors flocked to me, charmed by my confidence and beauty. I had relished dressing up, feeling powerful in my own skin.
But that version of me had been buried after marrying Damon. I had sacrificed vanity for the role of Luna, dedicating myself to his pack and his needs. And yet, none of it had saved our marriage.
At 8 PM sharp, I descended the staircase toward the banquet hall. Guests dressed in their finest were arriving, drawn by the rumor of Alpha Asher’s presence. Everyone seemed eager to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic tycoon.
At the top of the grand staircase, I spotted Damon, Althea, and the Crimson Hollow Pack elders engaged in tense conversation.
“…Still no sign of Luna Seraphina?” an elder inquired.
Damon scowled. Althea dabbed at her eyes with a delicate handkerchief, her expression sorrowful. “Maybe it’s my fault. Perhaps she’s hiding because of me,” she murmured. “I never wanted to cause such trouble for you, Damon.”
“Don’t be absurd,” Damon replied in a low voice. “I’ll send more soldiers to track her down. She won’t remain hidden for long.”
Clinging to his arm, Althea tilted her head, her sweet smile tinged with triumph. “I do hope she returns in time for our engagement party. Do you think she’ll be happy for us?”
I couldn’t bear another second of her charade.
With steady steps, I emerged from the shadows. “…Damon!”
The crowd hushed as Damon and Althea turned in unison. Althea let out a small, startled cry.
Damon froze. His eyes locked on me, wide with shock. Admiration—and something darker, perhaps lust—flickered in his gaze. For a moment, he seemed to forget the woman clinging to his arm.
“Seraphina…” he breathed. “You look… incredible. Where have you been?”
“You’re marrying her?” My voice trembled as I forced out the question.
His expression darkened.
Althea, ever the actress, interjected. “Don’t blame Damon. He thought you ran away. Still, it’s wonderful to have you back. We were all so worried.”
I fixed my glare on her, my voice rising. “Worried? You should be! You hit me with a truck! You’re a murderer!”
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
“A truck? What are you talking about?” Damon demanded, visibly rattled.
I pointed an accusing finger at Althea. “She ran me down and left me to die in the woods. If hikers hadn’t found me, I wouldn’t be standing here!”
The elders exchanged horrified glances, their suspicion growing.
Althea’s expression faltered for a fraction of a second before she dissolved into tears. “This is absurd! Damon, you know I can’t even harm a bird. Seraphina must be… unwell.”
I clenched my fists, unwilling to let her win. “Check the surveillance footage outside my office. Or find the truck driver. The evidence will prove I’m telling the truth!”
Damon nodded to a soldier, who hurried away to retrieve the footage. Fifteen agonizing minutes later, the soldier returned, his face shadowed with reluctance.
“I reviewed the footage,” he admitted quietly. “But… there’s no evidence of a truck or accident.”
My blood turned to ice.
“No… No, that’s impossible,” I stammered, my voice cracking. “The footage must have been tampered with…”
“Enough!” Damon’s voice thundered through the hall. “Why are you so determined to attack Althea? She’s done nothing wrong!”
Althea swayed, her sobs filling the room. “I’ve caused so much trouble for your marriage… Perhaps I should end this once and for all.”
Without warning, she bolted toward a marble pillar.
“Althea!” Damon shouted, rushing to catch her as she collapsed. Blood streamed from her head, staining her delicate features.
Cradling her in his arms, Damon turned on me, his eyes blazing. “Are you happy now, Seraphina? When did you become so heartless?”
“Heartless?” I whispered, my voice trembling. “This woman tried to kill me… She admitted to murdering our unborn child. Damon, she—”
“Enough!” Damon roared. “You’re insane! If anything, I’m glad that child never lived. At least they were spared having you as their mother.”
His words shattered what little hope remained in me. My husband—my mate—was glad our child was dead.
Tears clouded my vision as I turned away, my legs buckling beneath me. I stumbled toward the exit, desperate to escape the suffocating weight of his betrayal.
Before I could collapse entirely, a firm hand caught my arm.
I looked up to see Alpha Asher, his emerald eyes piercing mine. The light from the chandelier cast a golden glow over his chiseled features, illuminating the power etched into every line of his face.
“Luna Seraphina,” he greeted me, his deep, velvet voice sending a shiver down my spine. “Good to see you again.”
Electricity coursed through my body as his touch lingered. I quickly pulled my hand away, my heart pounding.
“Hello, Alpha Asher,” I managed, my voice barely steady.
His gaze was unrelenting, his presence overwhelming. “May I have a word with you in private before the party begins?”
“Oh… Okay,” I replied, unable to refuse.
Ignoring Damon’s protest, I followed Asher as he led me to his private suite, his soldiers closing the door behind us.
“Please, sit,” he gestured to a chair opposite him.
As I took my seat, his intoxicating scent filled the room, clouding my thoughts. Pressing my legs together, I struggled to maintain my composure.
“What do you want to discuss, Alpha Asher?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly. “If this is about the project, perhaps you should speak to Damon—”
“It’s not about the project,” he interrupted, sliding a document across the table.
His intense, possessive gaze locked onto mine. “This is a contract,” he explained. “I want you to be my Luna for a year after you divorce Damon.
