Chapter 140: Sense of Belonging

Seraphine's POV

The kiss ended. Kaelen held me tight against him. My feet dangled off the ground.

I looked at Vespera over his shoulder.

She stood alone. Firelight flickering across her face. Tears streaming down her cheeks.

Her eyes darted around the circle. Searching for allies. For friends. For anyone.

Everyone looked away.

The girls who used to follow her everywhere kept their heads down. Avoided her gaze like she was diseased.

"Liar," someone muttered.

"She tried to hurt Sera."

"Pathetic bitch."

Vespera's face crumpled. Her shoulders shook. She wrapped her arms around herself.

Her mouth opened. A sob burst out. Raw. Broken.

She stumbled backward. Nearly tripped over her own feet.

The crowd parted. Created a path. Nobody reached out to steady her.

She covered her face with her hands. Body heaving with sobs.

Then she ran.

Pushed through the crowd. Disappeared into the darkness beyond the bonfire.

Silence stretched. Heavy. Awkward.

Kaelen set me down carefully. Made sure my weight was on my good leg.

Lucian cleared his throat. Stepped forward.

"Alright!" His voice boomed across the square. "Are we gonna let some jealous bitch ruin the Spring Equinox?"

A few people laughed. Uncertain at first.

"I said—" He cupped his hands around his mouth. "Are we gonna let drama ruin our celebration?"

"Hell no!" Someone shouted back.

"That's what I thought!" Lucian grinned. Gestured to the musicians. "Play something good!"

The drums started. Slow at first. Then faster. Building rhythm.

Flutes joined in. Then stringed instruments.

The music swelled. Filled the square.

People started moving again. Talking. Laughing. The tension broke like a snapped string.

Kaelen guided me to a wooden bench near the fire. Helped me sit.

My right leg throbbed. Pain shooting up from ankle to knee.

Cordelia appeared with a cushion. Shoved it under my injured foot.

"Keep it elevated." She handed me a wooden cup. "Spring special. Honey, wild berries, and something that'll make you feel better."

I took it. The liquid was warm. Sweet. Tart. Burned slightly going down.

"What's in this?"

"Better you don't know." She winked.

Evander brought a plate. Skewered meat. Fresh bread still steaming. Roasted vegetables.

"Eat." He set it on my lap. "You look like shit."

"Thanks." I bit into the bread. It was soft. Buttery. Melted on my tongue.

Kaelen sat beside me. His hand rested on my lower back. Warm. Steady.

Lucian dropped down on my other side. Grinned. "So. First Spring Equinox. How's it going?"

"Dramatic." I swallowed a bite of meat. "Does this happen every year?"

"Usually less attempted murder." Orion settled on the ground in front of us. "But yeah. Always some drama."

"Last year two guys fought over the same girl," Lucian said. "Both shifted. Tore up half the square."

"The year before that," Cordelia added. "Someone spiked the drinks too much. We had fifteen wolves running naked through the forest."

I laughed. Actually laughed. The sound felt strange. Foreign.

When was the last time I laughed like this?

Before Dad died. Before everything went to shit.

The fire crackled. Sent sparks spiraling into the night sky.

People danced around the flames. Bodies moving to the drums. Voices raised in song.

Children chased each other. Playing tag. Shrieking with laughter.

Older wolves sat in clusters. Passing bottles. Telling stories.

It felt... normal. Safe.

Like I belonged here.

The musicians changed songs. Started playing something slower. Melodic.

Around the fire, people joined hands. Began singing.

"Under moon's eternal gaze, we run as one..."

Their voices rose together. Harmonizing.

"Through forest deep and mountain high, our spirits never done..."

I recognized the melody. Dad used to hum it sometimes. When he thought I wasn't listening.

"With claws that tear and teeth that bite, we claim what's ours by right..."

My throat tightened.

"Forever bound by blood and bone, we howl into the night..."

Cordelia squeezed my hand. "It's the Pack Song. Tradition. We sing it every Spring Equinox."

"Come on." Lucian stood. Pulled me up. "Even you can sing sitting down."

They formed a circle around the fire. Still holding hands.

Kaelen helped me stand on one leg. Wrapped his arm around my waist. Kept me upright.

The song started again.

I opened my mouth. Let the words come out.

Shaky at first. Uncertain.

But the melody was simple. The lyrics repeated.

"Under moon's eternal gaze, we run as one..."

My voice grew stronger. Joined the others.

"Through forest deep and mountain high, our spirits never done..."

Heat spread through my chest. Not from the fire. From something else.

From the connection. The unity. The shared breath and heartbeat of the pack.

Kaelen's hand tightened on my waist. His breath warm against my ear.

I looked around the circle.

Cordelia singing with her eyes closed. Evander's deep voice steady and sure. Lucian grinning. Orion's expression peaceful.

Faces I'd seen at the funeral. At the hospital. Around the pack house.

They weren't strangers anymore.

My vision blurred. Tears pricked my eyes.

This is temporary, I told myself. You're here for Lyra. For revenge.

But my wolf stirred inside me. Pushed against my ribs.

This could be home, she whispered. This could be family.

I blinked hard. Forced the tears back.

The song ended. Applause and howls filled the air.

Kaelen pulled me closer. His lips brushed my temple.

Around us, couples started peeling away from the fire. Disappearing into the forest edge.

"Someone couldn't wait," Cordelia grinned. Laced her fingers through Evander's. "We're heading out."

Evander nodded once. Cool as always. His hand gripped Cordelia's tight.

"Have fun." Cordelia winked at me. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

They left. Walked toward the tree line. Vanished into shadow.

More couples followed. Laughing. Touching. The air thick with anticipation.

I watched them go. Something twisted in my chest.

Longing. Sharp and sudden.

I wanted that. Wanted to run. To feel the wind. To be free.

But my leg...

I looked down at my swollen ankle. Then at the forest. Dark. Inviting. Impossible.

Kaelen crouched in front of me. His four eyes caught the firelight. Blazed gold.

"Your wolf wants to run." Not a question. A statement.