Seraphina’s POV
Holly’s enraged screech was drowned out by the gray wolf’s growl, the deep sound echoing through the woods like a war cry.
The wolf’s massive frame blocked me completely, its fur bristling as it faced down Holly and her soldiers.
“GET THAT BEAST OFF ME!” Holly screamed, struggling to get up as the wolf’s sharp claws pinned her down.
The soldiers scrambled, aiming their weapons at the wolf. But before they could fire, a deafening howl echoed from the forest.
From the shadows, a pack of wolves emerged, their glowing eyes fixed on Holly’s men.
My breath caught. I recognized the leader.
“Eason!” I gasped, my voice cracking.
The gray wolf turned its head slightly, locking its familiar green eyes with mine. Relief washed over me as I realized my brother had finally come.
Eason growled again, his body tense, ready to lunge at the soldiers.
“Stand down!” Holly screeched, her voice trembling now. She wiped dirt from her face, glaring at Eason. “Gamma Eason, what are you doing here? This has nothing to do with you!”
Eason shifted back into his human form, standing tall and imposing. He didn’t bother covering himself, his scars and tattoos visible as he strode toward Holly, his eyes blazing with fury.
“It has everything to do with me,” he snarled. “You dared to touch my sister.”
Holly’s face twisted with fury, but there was fear in her eyes now.
“You’re just a Gamma! You have no authority to interfere with Alpha Johnson’s orders!” she spat.
Eason ignored her, his gaze snapping to her soldiers. “Anyone who lays a finger on my sister will answer to me. And I promise, none of you will leave here alive.”
The soldiers hesitated, exchanging nervous glances.
Holly’s arrogance wavered. She motioned for her men to lower their weapons, but her sneer returned. “You can’t protect her forever. Johnson wants those shares, and he always gets what he wants. Not even Caden can stop him.”
Eason’s lip curled in disgust. “Leave. Now.”
Holly hesitated, but the sound of more wolves approaching made her reconsider. She gestured sharply to her men.
“This isn’t over,” she hissed, pointing a manicured nail at me before retreating into the forest with her soldiers.
As soon as they were gone, Eason turned to me, his expression softening.
“Seraphina,” he said, kneeling beside me and inspecting my injuries. “Are you alright?”
Tears welled up in my eyes as I nodded, my body trembling. “Eason… I thought… I thought you didn’t want me to come back.”
His jaw tightened. “I didn’t want you to come back because I knew they were after you. I’ve been trying to track Holly’s movements for days, but she’s slippery. I couldn’t risk her getting to you.”
“She blames me for everything,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “And now she’s after Carnival City too. She’s willing to kill me for it.”
Eason’s eyes darkened. “She won’t touch you again. I’ll make sure of it.”
He helped me to my feet, his strong arms steadying me. “We need to get out of here before they regroup. I have a safe house nearby.”
I nodded, leaning on him as we made our way deeper into the forest.
As we walked, my mind raced. Holly’s connection to Johnson, her desire to ruin me, and the Supreme Bounty Caden issued—it was all too much.
But one thing was clear:
I wasn’t going to let Holly win.
Not this time.
And if Caden really wanted me back, maybe I still had a chance to set things right.
