Seraphina’s POV
My mind was spinning, unable to process everything that had happened.
Eason’s voice echoed in my ears: “Don’t come back to Emerald Howl Pack… Ever. If you still want to stay alive.”
It had been years since I’d spoken to him, and this was what he chose to say? Tears streamed down my cheeks as I collapsed onto the ground, sobbing.
“Elin… he doesn’t want me back. He’s still mad at me for marrying Damon,” I choked out, burying my face in my hands.
Seraphina, calm down! Elin’s voice was firm in my mind. Something’s off about what Eason said. Why would he tell you that going home is dangerous? It doesn’t make sense.
I froze, her words cutting through my despair.
Eason had always been fiery, but he wasn’t one to throw around empty threats—especially not to me. He adored me. If he was warning me, then something terrible must have happened.
My heart raced. “Does that mean something’s happened? Something he can’t control?”
Maybe Alpha Sid doesn’t want you back? Elin suggested.
But I shook my head. Alpha Sid, my brother’s best friend and the leader of Emerald Howl Pack, had always treated me like a little sister. I couldn’t imagine him keeping me away.
“I need to call Trent,” I muttered, fumbling for my phone.
________________________________________
Two days ago, Trent had told me he, Nora, and Liam had just landed at Emerald Howl Pack to meet with Eason and Alpha Sid. I hadn’t heard from him since.
I dialed Trent’s number repeatedly, but he didn’t pick up. My anxiety deepened as I tried calling Nora and Liam—both of their phones were off.
Something was very wrong.
Panic surged through me as I jumped to my feet, sprinting toward the villa. My heel snagged on a tree root, sending me stumbling, but I kept moving.
“Seraphina! What are you doing?” Elin demanded.
“I’m going back to Emerald Howl Pack,” I snapped. “Eason, Trent, and the others could be in danger—because of me. I can’t just sit here!”
But Eason warned us not to go back—
“He’s just trying to protect me,” I interrupted, leaping over a fallen branch. “I know my brother too well. He’s proud and stubborn—he thinks he has to handle everything alone!”
________________________________________
Fifteen minutes later, I arrived at the villa’s front gate, where Caleb and Isolde were waiting.
“What’s going on?” Caleb asked, wide-eyed. “Your dress is a mess—did you fight someone?”
“Did that fuckboy Cadendo something to you?” Isolde demanded, glaring at the guards.
I shook my head, pulling them into a quiet corner to explain everything.
When I finished, their expressions darkened.
“What could’ve happened? Alpha Sid and Eason are strong warriors—no one could hurt them,” Isolde said, frowning.
“They’ve got an entire army of loyal northern warriors,” Caleb added.
“We’ll only find out when we get there,” I said firmly.
The three of us headed toward the gate, but the guards stepped in our way.
“Miss Seraphina, Alpha Cadenhas requested that you return to your room and wait for him,” one of them said politely.
“Not now,” I said, trying to push past them.
“It’s the Alpha’s orders,” the guard insisted, unmoving.
Isolde exploded. “Hey, he’s your Alpha, not Seraphina’s! You have no right to stop her!”
The guards didn’t budge.
Frustrated, I pulled out my phone to find two missed calls and messages from Asher:
[Asher: I know you left.]
[Asher: I’m on my way to hear your explanation.]
Damn it.
He must have realized I bailed on the charity event and ordered his people to stop me. In his territory, I had nowhere to hide.
________________________________________
Caleb and Isolde exchanged a glance.
“We’ll stay here, Seraphina,” Caleb said.
“What? But—”
“Three of us leaving together is too obvious,” Isolde said. “You might be able to slip out alone. Besides, someone needs to monitor the Carnival City project while you’re gone. I don’t trust those Obsidian Crest Packpeople.”
She was right. Helena was pushing for a board review. Someone needed to keep an eye on things.
We hugged tightly before parting ways.
I ran back to the villa, determined to grab a change of clothes and find a discreet way out.
________________________________________
Bursting into my room, I kicked off my heels and struggled to pull off my gown, tossing my earrings onto the bed. I barely noticed the darkness until—
CLICK.
A lamp flicked on, casting light across the room.
I froze, slowly turning toward the source.
Cadenstood up from an armchair, his sharp green eyes locking onto mine.
The air in the room grew suffocatingly thin.
Shit. How long had he been sitting there?
