Chapter 112: Dark Satisfaction

Seraphine's POV

The second my words landed, I felt it. That dark, twisted satisfaction curling through my chest like smoke.

I'd become him. That petty asshole had infected me.

And I fucking loved it.

Kaelen's face twisted. Gold bled deeper into his eyes until they were almost pure light. His jaw clenched so hard I heard his teeth grind. Through the bond, his rage slammed into me—raw, violent, possessive.

But underneath it? Jealousy. Pure, burning jealousy that made my wolf howl in pain and triumph all at once.

Good. Let him feel it. Let him choke on it.

Behind me, the male I'd been dancing with was trying to stand. His movements slow, cautious. Like he sensed the danger but didn't quite understand it yet.

Then Kaelen moved.

Fast. Too fast for me to react.

His boot connected with the male's ribs with a sickening crack. The impact sent the guy flying backward, his body slamming into the opposite wall so hard the plaster cracked.

He crumpled to the floor. Gasping. Blood trickling from his split lip.

"Kaelen!"

The word ripped from my throat before I could stop it.

I lunged forward. Shoved myself between them just as Kaelen started moving toward the groaning male again.

"No!" I planted my hands on his chest. Pushed. "You're not doing this!"

He barely budged. His eyes locked on the male behind me like a predator tracking wounded prey.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Way." Each word came out through clenched teeth. More growl than human speech.

"No."

His Alpha aura slammed into me. The weight of it made my bones ache, my knees threaten to buckle. Around us, I heard gasps. Footsteps. Party guests pressing into the hallway, their faces pale with shock.

Someone whispered, "Alpha's going to kill him."

"Poor guy, he touched Alpha's mate."

Behind me, the male whimpered. Started crawling backward, leaving a trail of blood on the marble floor.

Kaelen's eyes tracked the movement. His shoulders tensed. Claws extended fully now, gleaming in the hallway light.

"Move." His voice dropped lower. Deadlier. "Last warning."

"Make me."

His eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. When he spoke, each word was coated in venom.

"What is he to you?" His gaze flicked between me and the crawling male. "Why are you protecting him?"

I laughed. Actually laughed. The sound bitter and sharp.

"I already told you—it's none of your business!" I stepped closer, tilting my chin up to meet those blazing gold eyes. "You can protect Vespera and throw me out like garbage, but I can't protect some random guy from getting murdered by you? How's that fair?"

His expression shattered. Something raw and furious flashed across his face.

Through the bond, his emotions hit me like a tidal wave. Rage. Possessiveness. And underneath it all, something that felt almost like pain.

The male had nearly reached the stairs now. Still crawling. Still bleeding. Still terrified.

Kaelen's eyes locked on him again.

Then he moved.

Shoved me aside with enough force to send me stumbling. My shoulder hit the wall. Pain bloomed sharp and bright.

He lunged for the male, claws extended, murder written in every line of his body.

"Shit!" A familiar voice cut through the chaos. "Kaelen, stop!"

Zephyr appeared from nowhere, grabbing Kaelen's arm mid-strike. The force of it made both Alphas stumble.

"Are you insane?!" Zephyr's usually easy-going face was tight with alarm. "It's the Spring Celebration! You can't kill someone at your own fucking party!"

Kaelen snarled. Tried to shake him off.

But Zephyr held firm, his own Alpha aura rising to match Kaelen's.

"Calm down," he ordered. "Before you do something stupid."

A hand touched my shoulder. Gentle. Warm.

Kieran's face appeared in my vision, his expression concerned but his eyes bright with something that looked almost like amusement.

"Are you hurt?" His voice was soft. Professional.

I shook my head. Let him help me up.

Around us, the crowd pressed closer. Curious. Terrified.

Kieran turned to them, his smile appearing like magic. Charming. Apologetic. His Alpha presence rolling out in waves that made the crowd settle slightly.

"Ladies and gentlemen." His voice carried easily. "I'm afraid we've had a small incident. Nothing to worry about, but for everyone's safety, we'll need to end tonight's celebration early." He waved toward the stairs. "Thank you all for coming. Please make your way to the exits."

His tone left no room for argument. Pure Alpha command wrapped in politeness.

The crowd hesitated. Then slowly, reluctantly, began moving.

Zephyr hauled the injured male to his feet. The guy was shaking, blood still dripping from his mouth.

"Come on," Zephyr muttered. "Let's get you to the medical wing before your Alpha decides to finish what he started."

He shot a look at Kieran. "You coming? This is their mess, not ours."

Kieran's gaze lingered on me. Something calculating in his expression. Then that knowing smile curved his lips.

"Of course." But his eyes said something else entirely. Said he knew exactly what was happening here.

Said he found it fascinating.

He nodded at me once. Then followed Zephyr and the limping male down the hallway.

The crowd filtered out. Whispers and shocked murmurs fading as they descended the stairs.

Until finally, it was just us.

Me and Kaelen.

The hallway felt too small suddenly. Too quiet. The air thick with everything unsaid.

I stood. Squared my shoulders. Met his eyes.

They were still gold. Still burning with barely controlled fury.

He took a step forward.

I held my ground.

Another step. Close enough now that I could feel the heat radiating off him. Could see the way his chest heaved with each breath.

Our faces were inches apart. So close I could count his eyelashes. Could see the veins of gold in his irises.

His voice dropped to something low and dangerous.

"Tell me why you're here." Each word was carefully controlled. Deadly calm. "Give me one good reason. One explanation that makes sense. Because right now?" His lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. "I'm very close to doing something we'll both regret."

The bond pulsed between us. His rage. His possessiveness. His absolute refusal to let this go.

"And trust me, little wolf." He leaned in until his breath ghosted across my lips. "You won't be as lucky as you were last time."