Seraphina’s POV
I shoved Holly to the ground, her arms and legs sprawling in an undignified heap.
“What the hell is your problem?” she snapped, glaring up at me with a mix of fury and disbelief.
“I should be asking you that!” I growled back. “What were you doing at Alpha Caden’s door? Are you seriously trying to seduce him?”
Her expression faltered—was that shame?—but she quickly straightened up, crossing her arms in defiance. “And what if I am? What’s it to you? Who are you to him, huh? What gives you the right to meddle in our business?”
Her words hit me hard, stopping me cold.
Who was I to Caden? If I’d signed his contract a few days ago, I could have claimed the title of his Luna—even if it was just a temporary, fake arrangement. But without that, I had no right to stop him from sleeping with whoever he wanted.
None.
But fury still bubbled inside me. Maybe it was because it was Holly—someone I loathed deeply. Or maybe, just maybe, I was jealous.
I cared about Caden more than I wanted to admit.
Holly saw my hesitation and smirked smugly.
“That’s what I thought,” she said with a sarcastic laugh. “Get lost. Call your ex, beg him to take you back. You’ll have better luck there. Stop embarrassing yourself by going after Alpha Caden. It’s pathetic.”
Humiliation and anger burned through me, but before I could respond, Caden’s voice cut through the tension like a blade:
“She has every right to meddle in my business.”
I turned to look at him, stunned. Holly’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“What the hell… A-Are you serious?” Holly stammered. “Not even Damon wanted her! And you’re going to let a woman like her walk all over you? You can do so much better!”
Caden let out a dismissive snort, his gaze shifting to me. A small smile tugged at his lips as he said:
“You have every right to kick her out. In fact, you have the right to involve yourself in anything concerning me, Seraphina.”
My heart raced at his words. All the insecurities gnawing at me moments ago vanished.
No one could understand how much his support meant to me.
Back when Damon brought Althea into our lives, I confronted her, only for him to take her side without hesitation. That betrayal scarred me deeply.
But here I was, in a similar moment, and Caden stood firmly by my side.
I thought no man would ever defend me again, not after everything I’d been through. But Caden—powerful, unattainable Caden—did.
Fueled by his encouragement, I turned back to Holly, fire in my voice.
“You heard him. Get lost.”
She stood frozen, her face a mixture of embarrassment and fury.
“You’re not his wife… not even his girlfriend…” she muttered weakly.
“I don’t need to be anyone’s wife to beat the shit out of you!” I snapped, stepping toward her. “Or have you forgotten? You’re Sid’s Luna. He trusted you with an entire pack, and this is how you repay him?”
Panic flashed in her eyes as she staggered back. “I don’t need a lecture from a prude like you! Look at you—so self-righteous, so boring, so dull! A fucking buzzkill! No wonder Damon got sick of you!”
“You think cheating is impressive? You have no shame.”
“Oh, please! At least I have men who want me. What do you have?” Holly shot me a mocking smile.
Her shamelessness infuriated me. Women like her and Althea—who thrived on ruining others’ happiness—were the people I despised most in this world.
Snarling, I shoved her again, my wolf fangs starting to show as a low growl rumbled from my throat. Elin stirred restlessly, eager to break free and deal with her.
“I won’t let you do this to Sid!” I growled, my voice thick with rage.
Holly’s smugness vanished. Her face twisted in horror, and she screamed at the top of her lungs:
“HELP! Someone help! Seraphina’s trying to kill me! She already hurt Sid, and now she wants me dead too! Help!”
Footsteps pounded from the hallway. Within seconds, guards appeared, followed closely by Elder Shelton and Beta Frank.
“What’s going on here?” Frank barked.
Then his eyes landed on Holly’s revealing outfit. His jaw dropped.
“What the hell are you wearing?” he demanded.
Holly turned beet red, scrambling to cover herself. “What are you two doing here?”
I crossed my arms and sneered, hiding my wolf fangs.
“I called them. You put up such a great act, I thought you deserved an audience. Don’t you agree?”
