Seraphina’s POV
Holly’s words sent a jolt of realization through me.
This wasn’t just about ruining me. This was a power play—her way of proving her worth to her family, outshining Althea, and asserting dominance.
“You’re insane,” I spat, glaring up at her from the dirt. “You think you can use my project to one-up your sister? That’s what this is all about?”
Holly smirked, lowering her gun slightly but keeping it aimed at me. “Family is everything, Seraphina. You wouldn’t understand—you abandoned yours.”
Her words hit harder than I wanted to admit, but I wouldn’t let her see that.
“Your sister’s not better than me,” Holly continued, leaning in closer. “She’s weak, emotional, and desperate. But me? I play the long game. That’s why I’m going to win.”
Her soldiers hauled me to my feet. My arms were pinned tightly behind me, and I could feel Elin’s fury bubbling beneath the surface.
“You’re not getting my shares,” I growled.
Holly rolled her eyes. “Still clinging to your little rebellion? Look around you, Seraphina. You’re alone. No allies, no pack, no power. Just sign the papers, and maybe I’ll leave your brother and friends alone.”
I froze.
Eason. Nora. Liam.
Holly noticed my hesitation and smiled cruelly. “Oh, don’t worry. If you don’t sign, I’ll still get what I want. It’ll just take a little more… persuasion. Maybe I’ll start with Liam’s other fingers. Or better yet, Nora’s.”
A guttural growl escaped me, low and primal. Elin surged forward, demanding to take control.
Not yet, I warned her.
“Do it, Seraphina,” Holly taunted, waving the pen in my face. “Be a good little martyr and sacrifice yourself for your precious friends.”
I glared at her, weighing my options.
If I signed, Holly would gain control of Carnival City and use it to cement her influence. Everything I’d worked for would be gone.
But if I didn’t…
I couldn’t risk Liam and Nora’s lives—or Eason’s.
My fingers twitched as she shoved the pen into my hand.
“Tick-tock,” she sang mockingly. “Time’s running out.”
Suddenly, a low growl rumbled from the edge of the forest.
Holly stiffened, and her soldiers turned toward the sound, their weapons raised.
“What the hell was that?” one of them muttered.
Another growl echoed, this time closer, more menacing. The air grew tense, charged with an electric energy that sent shivers down my spine.
A massive black wolf emerged from the shadows, its emerald-green eyes glowing fiercely in the moonlight.
“Caden,” I breathed, my heart leaping in a mix of relief and dread.
Holly’s smirk faltered as the wolf bared its teeth, its growl vibrating through the ground beneath us.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she muttered, raising her gun. “The mighty Alpha himself. What’s he doing here?”
Before she could react, Caden lunged.
The next few moments were chaos. The wolf moved like a shadow, ripping through Holly’s soldiers with terrifying precision. Guns fired, growls and screams filled the air, and the scent of blood thickened around us.
Holly turned to me, her face pale but furious. “This isn’t over,” she snarled, backing away.
But before she could flee, Caden’s wolf stood between us, his massive form blocking her path.
Holly froze, clutching the gun tightly.
“You think this changes anything?” she hissed.
Caden shifted back into his human form, towering over her. His emerald eyes burned with rage as he spoke, his voice low and deadly.
“Touch her again, and I’ll end you.”
Holly’s lips twisted into a bitter sneer, but she didn’t dare move.
Caden glanced at me, his gaze softening just enough to send a shiver down my spine. “Seraphina, are you hurt?”
I shook my head, my voice caught in my throat.
“Good,” he said, turning his attention back to Holly. “Now, get out of my sight before I change my mind.”
Holly hesitated, her pride warring with her survival instincts. Finally, she snarled something under her breath and motioned for her remaining soldiers to retreat.
Caden watched them disappear into the forest before turning back to me.
“You shouldn’t have come here,” he said, his tone firm but tinged with concern.
“I had to,” I whispered, my legs trembling beneath me.
He stepped closer, his hand brushing against my arm. “You’re not alone in this, Seraphina. You never were.”
For the first time in days, I felt a flicker of hope.
