Seraphina’s POV
Eason’s words echoed as I followed Caden’s distant figure with my eyes.
“Now that your savior’s here, I don’t think you need to stay hidden anymore. Let’s head back to the packhouse and figure out a plan to save Sid.”
I shot him a glare, my anger simmering.
“What’s with the death stare?” he asked, frowning.
“The agreement!” I snapped. “You handed it to Holly for my so-called ‘safe passage,’ but I’m still here! I want it back and destroyed!”
Embarrassment flickered across his face. He must’ve realized by now how idiotic his deal with Holly had been. Forcing me to sign the agreement hadn’t helped at all—if Caden hadn’t intervened, we’d both be dead.
But my brother, being the most stubborn man alive, would never admit he was wrong.
“Look,” he said stiffly, “that project was nothing but trouble. You’re better off without it.”
Anger flared through me, and I shoved him hard.
“Hey! What’s your problem?” he yelled. “You don’t treat your brother like this!”
“Don’t give me that patriarch speech!” I growled. “If I can’t get that agreement back, I’ll never forgive you! Let me ask you—if I told you to give up your position as Gamma, would you? It’s just a title, after all!”
He looked shocked. “You can’t be serious! Are you really comparing my position as Gamma to that dumb project of yours?”
“They’re just as important to me! Now apologize for forcing me to sign!”
He threw up his hands in frustration. “I was trying to help you, idiot! Giving up one project for your safety seemed like a fucking awesome deal to me!”
“Then why am I still here, and why did we both almost die?”
“FINE! If you’re so ungrateful, maybe I won’t help you again!”
“If ‘helping’ means turning everything into a mess, then please, stay out of it!” I snapped, storming toward the exit.
Eason cursed loudly behind me, but I ignored him, heading for the packhouse.
________________________________________
As soon as I entered the packhouse, all eyes turned to me. The stares burned with shock and anger, as though I had no right to be there.
I kept my head low, my cheeks burning under their silent accusations, and quickened my pace toward the main hall.
Inside, I found Elder Shelton giving Caden a tour, with Beta Frank also present. The moment Beta Frank saw me, his face contorted with fury.
“What the hell is she doing here?!” he snarled. “This is the person who hurt Alpha Sid—GET HER!”
I tensed, heart racing, as soldiers began to move toward me.
But Caden’s deep, commanding voice cut through the tension.
“Seraphina didn’t have the chance to hurt your Alpha. She’s been with me for the past two weeks. I can vouch for her.”
Frank paused, suspicion flashing across his face. “But she could’ve ordered her soldiers to do it, which is exactly what Luna Holly claimed. Wait… You two were together for the past two weeks? Why? Does this have something to do with her sudden divorce?”
Heat flooded my face as the guards and servants around us began murmuring, their whispers thick with judgment.
I could feel their thoughts. They probably believed I had cheated on Damon with Caden.
“My divorce has nothing to do with this,” I said quickly, trying to redirect the conversation. “Beta Frank, I’m innocent. Please, give me a chance to prove it. Holly may be Sid’s Luna, but I was born and raised here in Emerald Howl Pack. You know me—I’m no traitor.”
Shelton let out a derisive snort, his face twisted with scorn.
But Beta Frank’s expression softened. He had been close to my parents before they passed and had watched me grow up. I could see he still cared about me, even if only a little.
“I want to believe you, Seraphina, but Luna Holly’s testimony was clear. And she’s our only witness.”
“What about Alpha Sid?” I asked urgently. “Don’t tell me you don’t know where he is, either.”
They exchanged uneasy glances and shook their heads.
I stared at them, incredulous. Not even Sid’s Beta, Gamma, or senior members knew where he was. Yet they blindly trusted Holly, an outsider.
“Are you all crazy?” I snapped.
The absurdity of it all hit me like a wave. Sid was missing, and no one seemed to be doing anything about it. Instead, they clung to Holly’s lies like sheep.
It wasn’t just ridiculous—it was infuriating.
