Seraphina’s POV
I stood frozen in the shadows, unable to process what I’d just witnessed.
Helena wasn’t just a rival in the professional sphere—she wanted to be Asher’s Luna.
From my position, I couldn’t see Asher’s face, but his voice, calm yet laced with incredulity, reached me.
“That’s taking a joke too far, Helena.”
“I’m not joking,” she said firmly. “I spoke to your lawyer. He told me you drafted a contract for a fake Luna—”
“He broke confidentiality. He’ll regret it,” Cadensaid, his tone dark.
“Whatever. I know you need a Luna. I just don’t understand why it’s her? Seraphina? What’s so special about her? She’s divorced.”
Asher’s voice turned sharp. “Don’t tell me you think divorced women are damaged goods. Aren’t you all about women’s rights?”
Helena’s face twisted into a self-righteous expression. “That’s exactly why I can’t respect her! She brings nothing to the table and relies on men for everything. As Alpha of Obsidian Crest Packand head of Hawthorne Enterprise, you should choose someone better—someone like me.”
I bit my lip, gripping the edge of the doorframe for support.
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Cadensighed audibly, glancing at his watch. He looked irritated, but he didn’t tell her to leave.
Helena pressed on. “Announce Seraphina as your Luna, and our stock will drop immediately. The pack members hate her too.”
“Then we’ll have to disagree,” he said firmly.
“Why take the risk?” Helena pressed, her tone more pleading now. “Marrying me would solidify your empire. The pack already loves me. There are no drawbacks.”
Cadenraked his hand through his hair, visibly exasperated. “Fine. If you want the honest truth, I’m looking for someone I actually like, if you know what I mean.”
Helena smirked, stepping closer. “You mean someone good in bed.”
Before I could process her words, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
“We’ve been amazing before,” she murmured against his ear, her hand trailing down his chest. “Let’s get married this time. That way, we won’t have to stop.”
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I couldn’t listen anymore.
Tears stung my eyes as I stumbled back into the shadows, then turned and bolted for the exit.
My hands trembled, my breath came in shallow gasps, and my chest felt like it might burst.
So this was the truth. Cadenand Helena were more than business partners. They were lovers.
How did I not see it before? She was stunning, sophisticated, and held a powerful position by his side. They’d been friends, partners, and now this?
There was no competing with that.
Elin, my wolf, took control as I fled through the woods, running faster than I thought possible. I buried myself in her consciousness, crying and cursing myself for being so naive.
Eventually, we stopped at the edge of the forest, just near the outline of Asher’s summer house on the hill.
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“You don’t have to let what Helena said get to you,” Elin spoke up softly. “Cadenwants you. That’s all that matters.”
I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. “Is it? I’ve had enough of being in relationships where the man cares more about someone else. I can’t go through that again.”
“But if it’s just a contract marriage, why does it matter so much?”
Her question hit me like a punch.
I took a deep, shaky breath, bitterness welling up inside. “Because I have feelings for him, Elin. And that’s exactly the problem.”
Admitting it aloud made it feel real. Too real.
He was handsome, powerful, ruthless yet kind. His charm was overwhelming, and I’d fallen for it like so many others.
But I couldn’t let myself stay in this situation. Staying close to Cadenmeant walking into another Althea-and-Damon disaster.
“I can’t do this,” I muttered. “I can’t put myself in a position where I’m fighting over a man again. I promised myself I wouldn’t.”
Elin sighed. “So, what now? Are you going to refuse the contract?”
I nodded weakly. “Yeah. It’s the only choice I have.”
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But as soon as I said it, the weight of Asher’s past help with Carnival City hit me.
If I turned him down now, would he think I’d used him?
Elin voiced my fears. “You know he’ll feel used, right? After all he’s done for you, it’ll look like you just waited for him to solve your problems and then ran.”
I groaned, frustrated. “I know! And the Carnival City project depends on him. If he’s angry, it could ruin everything.”
“Then what’s the plan?”
“I don’t know, Elin!” I cried out, dropping to my knees. “Maybe I should’ve let Helena’s soldiers kill me at the banquet. It would’ve been easier.”
Elin chuckled softly, but I couldn’t find it in me to laugh.
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Suddenly, my phone buzzed.
I flinched, thinking it might be Cadenalready tracking me down. But when I pulled it out, the name on the screen sent a chill through my veins.
Eason.
My brother.
“Oh my Moon Goddess! Eason’s calling!” Elin shouted.
My hands shook as I answered the call. “…Eason?”
For a moment, all I heard was strained breathing.
“Eason? Please, say something… anything,” I whispered, my voice breaking.
Finally, he spoke, his voice rough but painfully familiar. “You shouldn’t have sent those soldiers back. Shouldn’t have reached out to us again.”
My blood ran cold.
“Don’t come back to Emerald Howl Pack… ever. If you still want to stay alive.”
And then he hung up.
