Seraphina’s POV
The air was thick with tension as Holly’s soldiers stood frozen, watching Caden’s bodyguard press the gun to her forehead. Her shrill voice cut through the silence, desperate and terrified.
“No! Please! I’m the Luna… I’m from Silverclaw Pack! My father is Alpha Johnson! You can’t do this to me!”
My stomach churned at the scene. Despite everything, I couldn’t just stand there. I rushed forward.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I yelled, but Eason grabbed my arm, holding me back.
“She’s still Sid’s mate! We can’t just kill her!”
“FUCK IT! Sid would be better off without her!” Eason snapped.
Before the situation could escalate further, a trembling voice shouted from the distance.
“STOP!”
Elder Shelton emerged, his hands raised in a shaky but commanding gesture. His presence, one of the most respected figures in Emerald Howl Pack, shifted the atmosphere.
“This is our Luna! You can’t hurt her!” he pleaded, standing protectively in front of Holly.
Caden’s response was cold and immediate.
“Liar. Kill him too.”
His bodyguard moved to aim at Shelton, but Eason and I rushed to intervene.
“Wait! He’s an elder of the pack, I swear!” I called out desperately, looking at Caden.
Caden gave a slight nod, signaling his guard to lower the weapon. Relief washed over me briefly, but his refusal to even glance my way stung deeply.
“What the fuck, Shelton? What are you doing here?” Eason growled, his frustration boiling over.
“You’re the one who’s gone crazy, Eason! Helping Seraphina? She tried to kill Alpha Sid and harm our Luna! Where is your Gamma honor?” Shelton shot back, his eyes filled with accusation.
“She’s lying! Seraphina is innocent—”
Shelton interrupted sharply, “Luna Holly is Alpha Sid’s mate. He recognized her before everyone. You were there the day they mated! I’ll believe my Luna over anyone else!”
Eason cursed, his rage simmering. Shelton’s loyalty to Holly mirrored the blind faith most of the pack had in her. To them, the idea of a Luna harming her mate was unthinkable.
But I knew better. Something was off.
“Either way, I won’t let you harm Luna Holly! If you do, you’ll turn every Northerner against you!” Shelton’s words were directed at Caden, bold despite the fear in his voice.
That was the Northern way—unyielding, stubborn, and fiercely loyal to their truth.
If I wanted to clear my name, Alpha Sid had to speak. His word was the only proof strong enough to cut through the lies.
But where was Sid?
“Let them go,” I said to the bodyguards.
They didn’t respond. I turned to Caden, my heart racing as I looked at him pleadingly, hoping for even the smallest acknowledgment.
He gave his guards a nod, signaling them to release Holly. He still didn’t look at me.
Holly stumbled to her feet, her face pale but defiant.
“Where’s Alpha Sid?” I demanded, my voice sharp. “One word from him, and all of this will be over.”
Her eyes darted nervously before she shouted back, “I told you, he’s too sick to see anyone! I would never harm my own mate!”
Without waiting for a reply, she shot me a hateful glare and fled, likely fearing Caden’s wrath might catch up with her.
Eason watched her retreat, muttering under his breath, “We have to find Sid. He’s the key to everything.”
I nodded, then turned to Caden, nervous and hesitant.
“Thank you… for everything. Truly. I don’t know what would’ve happened if you weren’t here today. But I need to stay for a while longer. Do you want to stay or—”
I stopped mid-sentence as he turned on his heel and walked away without a word, his bodyguards following close behind. Elder Shelton hurried after him, eager to arrange accommodations.
I stood there, stunned and humiliated.
“What the fuck? Does he hate you or something? He won’t even look at you,” Eason muttered, frowning.
“I… I don’t know,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
The knot of emotions inside me grew tighter—embarrassment, disappointment, sorrow.
I had hoped for a small acknowledgment, a glance, anything. Instead, he ignored me entirely, as if I didn’t exist.
And I realized painfully that I was no longer special to him.
This was how he treated most people—cold, distant, indifferent.
I was just another face in the crowd now, unworthy of his attention.
