Seraphina’s POV
The prison was eerily quiet, not a single guard in sight. I couldn’t help but marvel at how Caden had managed to clear the place so effortlessly. Maybe power and money really could open any door, no matter how tightly locked.
Caden’s bodyguard led me to a cell where Nora and Liam were held.
“Nora! Liam!” I cried out, rushing forward and gripping the bars.
Nora threw herself against the door, tears streaming down her face. Her once-glowing golden hair now hung limp, and bruises and cuts marred her skin.
“I’m so sorry,” I choked out, holding her hands through the bars. “This is all my fault. I should never have asked you to come back.”
She shook her head. “I’m fine, Seraphina, but Liam…”
“I’m fine too,” Liam interrupted, stepping forward with a wry smile. “It’s just a pinky. I can live without it. Seeing you safe is all that matters.”
My eyes dropped to his hand, and I felt a surge of rage and guilt when I saw his missing finger.
“I’ll make Holly pay for this. Tenfold,” I hissed, gripping the bars tighter.
Liam shrugged casually. “I know you will.”
I turned to the bodyguard. “Can you open the door?”
“The key’s not here,” he replied. “You’ve got fifteen minutes. Make it quick.” Then he stepped away, leaving us alone.
I wasted no time. “What happened after you two returned? How did Holly become our Luna? And where the hell is Sid?”
Nora’s expression turned desperate. “That’s what we’ve been trying to tell everyone—Holly isn’t Sid’s mate!”
The confirmation still left me stunned, even though I’d suspected it.
“She’s faking it? How is that even possible?” I asked, my voice filled with disbelief.
“That’s the weird part,” Liam said grimly. “When we first came back, Sid was normal. He seemed excited about the Carnival City project and said he’d wait for you to discuss it. He even threw a party to welcome us back. Holly showed up that night, introducing herself as an investor. No one knew she was Althea’s sister back then.”
“And when Sid saw her, did he immediately recognize her as his mate?” I pressed.
“That’s the strange thing—he didn’t,” Liam replied. “Not at first.”
My fists clenched tightly. That didn’t make sense.
Werewolves recognize their mate instantly. The bond is primal, undeniable. When Damon and I first met, we shouted “mate” at the same time. There’s no mistaking it.
“If Sid didn’t recognize her right away, then she’s not his mate,” I said firmly.
“Exactly,” Liam continued. “But then Holly claimed she had an investment opportunity to discuss privately with Sid. They left the party together. The next day, everything changed. Sid called Eason and Beta Frank to his office and announced Holly as his mate. He even gave her authority to lead Emerald Howl Pack if something happened to him. Soon after, we were accused of trying to assassinate Sid under your orders, and Holly had us locked up. Trent was the only one who escaped. No one has seen Sid since.”
“What the actual fuck?” I blurted out. “What happened that night they were alone?”
“Only Sid can answer that,” Nora sighed.
It all made sense now—why the elders and Beta Frank obeyed Holly so blindly. They weren’t following her; they were following Sid’s orders. But why would Sid make such a reckless decision?
Sid wasn’t the kind of Alpha to be easily manipulated, let alone hand over the pack’s leadership to a stranger.
“This is insane,” Liam muttered. “Maybe Holly used…witchcraft or something to control him.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Witchcraft doesn’t exist,” Nora snapped, rolling her eyes.
“Then what’s your explanation for this?” Liam countered.
I frowned, my thoughts racing. Liam wasn’t wrong—nothing about this added up.
What had Holly done to Sid that night?
