Chapter 118: Doubt

Seraphine's POV

They both looked uncomfortable now. Really uncomfortable.

"Some kind of large predator." Jason said slowly. "That's what the official reports said."

My mind flashed to my own attack. That lynx. How it had come out of nowhere while I was injured and weak. How it had felt almost... planned.

How I'd barely survived.

My face must have gone pale because Derek stepped forward slightly. "Luna? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." But my voice shook. "What kind of predator?"

Derek shrugged. "No one knows for sure. Something big enough to kill a wolf. Some say a bear. Others say wild cats."

"What animal can kill a werewolf?" The question came out before I could stop it.

"Lynx." Derek said it quietly. "They're one of the few predators that actively hunt wolves. They go for the throat. Quick kills."

My blood went cold.

"But there are other rumors." Jason added. His voice dropping even lower. "Darker ones."

"Like what?"

"Like maybe it wasn't an animal at all." He glanced down the hallway. Making sure no one else was listening. "Like maybe someone made it look like an animal attack. To cover up murder."

Murder.

They were talking about murder.

My chest felt tight. Too tight.

"Who would do that?" I asked.

"We don't know." Derek shook his head quickly. "And honestly? We don't want to know. This is Alpha's business. His past. His deepest pain."

"Even mentioning her name is dangerous." Jason's grip tightened on the green book. "Alpha banned it for a reason. Anyone who speaks it faces his wrath."

I stared at them. At their scared faces.

They're terrified. Not just of telling me this. But of what Kaelen might do if he found out they had.

My mind raced. Isolde accused of betrayal. Exiled. Killed by something that hunted wolves.

Or murdered and made to look like an accident.

I thought about that storybook. About her words.

"They're watching us. Whispering."

"I wish I could tell him. But how can I? He wouldn't believe me."

She'd known something was wrong. Had felt it closing in. But couldn't warn Kaelen.

Why?

What had she discovered that was worth killing her over?

And why make it look like an animal attack?

My chest twisted. That familiar burn of jealousy mixing with something else now.

Fear. Sympathy. Recognition.

Isolde's story sounded too much like mine. Trapped. Accused. Unable to defend herself.

And then killed for it.

Part of me still hated her. Hated that Kaelen had loved her first. Hated seeing her ghost in every corner of this house.

But another part...

Another part saw myself in her story. Saw what could happen if I wasn't careful.

"Thank you." I said quietly. "For telling me."

They both looked relieved. Like they'd expected worse.

"Please don't tell Alpha we said anything." Derek's voice cracked slightly. "He'd—"

"I won't." I cut him off. "Your secret's safe."

Relief flooded both their faces.

"Now leave." I crossed my arms. "Both of you."

They exchanged a glance. Uncertain.

"Luna, we should stay nearby." Derek shifted his weight. "With those wolves on the border, Alpha said—"

"I need to work in the garden." I kept my voice firm. "The flowers need tending. You two should deliver that book to Kaelen."

"But Alpha told us to stay close." Jason protested. "To make sure you're safe—"

"Alpha told you to follow my orders, didn't he?" I let my expression go cold. Hard. "Do whatever I ask. No questions. Isn't that what he said?"

They both nodded slowly. Warily.

"And now I'm ordering you to leave." I tilted my head. Let my voice drop even lower. "Or are you refusing to obey? Are you disobeying a direct command from your Luna?"

Jason's face went white. "No! We're not—"

"Because that would mean you're disobeying Alpha's orders too." I stepped closer. Let the threat hang heavy. "And you both know what happens to wolves who disobey Alpha Kaelen."

Derek swallowed hard. His hands trembled slightly.

"The punishment for defying an Alpha's command is severe." I kept my gaze locked on them. "Permanent. You know that better than anyone."

"Luna, please." Jason's voice cracked. "We're just trying to keep you safe. We don't mean any disrespect—"

"Then prove it." I cut him off. "Leave. Now. Let me work in peace."

They stood frozen for a moment. Caught between competing fears.

Fear of leaving me unguarded. Fear of what Kaelen might do if they disobeyed.

The second fear won.

"We'll go." Derek managed. His voice barely steady. "But if you need anything—anything at all—"

"I'll scream real loud." I gave them a sharp smile. "Someone will hear."

They retreated down the hallway. Almost stumbling over each other in their haste. Jason clutched the green book like it might explode. Derek kept glancing back over his shoulder.

I watched them disappear around the corner. Listened to their footsteps fade into silence.

Then I closed my eyes. Took a breath.

Isolde.

Accused of betrayal. Exiled. Killed by something that hunted wolves.

Or murdered and made to look like an accident.

Just like someone had tried with me.

The pattern was too similar. Too perfect.

My hand moved to my neck. To that mark Kaelen had left. The bond pulsed softly beneath my fingers.

He'd loved her. Really loved her. And then she'd died.

And he'd never been the same.

Now he was trying to recreate that story with me. New sketchbook. New drawings. New love story.

But I wasn't Isolde.

And I sure as hell wasn't going to end up dead like her.

I grabbed my gardening gloves from inside. Headed down the small path toward the flower beds behind the cottage.

The morning air hit cool and fresh against my face. Dew still clung to the grass in silver drops. Everything smelled green and alive and uncomplicated.

Simple. Clean. Real.

I knelt beside the first bed. Started pulling weeds. Let my hands sink into the cool soil.

This was better. Simple work that made sense. No political games. No accusations. No mate bonds or dead Lunas or complicated histories.

Just dirt and plants and quiet.

I yanked a stubborn weed. The roots came up with a spray of earth.

But my mind wouldn't settle.

Damien's wolves on Shadowmere land. Moving like they knew the territory.

A traitor feeding them information.

And eight years ago, another traitor. Another woman accused of betrayal.

Isolde.

I pulled another weed. Harder this time.

Had she really betrayed them? Or had someone framed her the same way Vespera tried to frame me?

"They're watching us."

"I cannot tell him the truth."

She'd known something. Something she couldn't explain. Something that got her killed.

My shoulder ached. That phantom pain from the lynx attack.

That could have been me. Dead in those woods. Killed by something that knew exactly how to hunt wolves.

Just like Isolde.

I moved to the next bed. Started loosening the soil around the roses. They were blooming now. Deep red petals unfurling in the morning light.

Beautiful. Alive. Thriving.

I sat back on my heels. Stared at those red blooms.

The more I learned about Isolde, the more our stories overlapped. Both accused. Both trapped. Both hunted.

But Isolde was dead now.

And I was still here. Still fighting. Still trying to survive.

My neck tingled. That bond mark sending warmth down my spine.

I ignored it. Went back to work. Dig, pull, smooth. Dig, pull, smooth.

The rhythm helped. Made my mind go quiet.

Nothing else mattered right now. Not Damien or traitors or dead Lunas.

Just the garden. Just this moment.

Just—

"Alpha! You're back! We were just—"

Jason's voice cut through the quiet. Loud. Panicked. Coming from the direction of the cottage.

My hands froze in the dirt.

Kaelen.

He was back.