Chapter 144: Trust of the Cubs and Undercurrents

Seraphine's POV

The knock dragged me out of sleep.

I groaned. Buried my face in the pillow. My body ached everywhere. Muscles sore. Skin sensitive where his teeth had grazed.

Last night. The bonfire. The kiss. The forest. Kaelen's body covering mine under the full moon.

Heat flooded my face.

Another knock. Louder.

"Coming," I called out. Voice rough.

I sat up slowly. The sheet slipped down. Cold air hit my bare shoulders.

Right. We'd run back in wolf form. Shifted. Collapsed into bed.

I grabbed Kaelen's shirt from the floor. It hung past my thighs, smelling like cedar and him.

My right leg protested when I stood. Still healing. But stronger than before.

I limped to the door. Pulled it open.

Jason stood there. Holding a breakfast tray. His eyes went wide.

Then he grinned. "Morning, Luna."

My face burned. "Don't call me that."

"Everyone's calling you that now." He held out the tray. "After last night's show."

I took it. Eggs. Toast. Fresh berries. Tea smelling like mint.

"Thanks."

I set the tray down. My hand went to my neck. The mark tingled under my fingers.

Through the bond, I felt Kaelen. Not close. Northern woods maybe. His emotions calm.

Jason cleared his throat. Still in the doorway.

I looked at him. "Something else?"

His eyes dropped to the shirt I was wearing. Kaelen's shirt. Then quickly away.

I leaned against the doorframe. Let the shirt ride up slightly. "Why Jason. Are you blushing?"

He went red. "I'm not—I should go—"

"Where's Derek? He didn't come with you this time?" I tilted my head. "Am I that scary?"

"That's not—you're—"

"Am I?" I grinned. "You look like you want to run."

He straightened up. Tried to look dignified. Failed. "Alpha would kill me if I stayed."

"Smart boy." I pushed off the doorframe. "Tell him I said thanks."

Jason practically sprinted away.

I closed the door. Laughed quietly.

The food was still warm. I ate quickly.

Cordelia's voice echoed in my head. "Willow said she missed you."

The pups. I should visit them.

I got dressed. Simple clothes. Grabbed what was left of breakfast.

The walk to the school took longer than usual. I moved slow. Careful.

I heard them before I saw them. Laughter. Shouts. Children playing.

The school appeared. Small wooden building. Surrounded by grass where pups ran wild.

Evander stood by the door. He saw me. His face lit up.

"Seraphine! Welcome. The pups will be thrilled."

I glanced around. "Where's Cordelia? I thought she'd be here."

Evander's face went red. He cleared his throat. "She's, uh, resting today. Said she was... tired."

The way he said "tired" told me everything.

I bit back a smile. "Ah. Right. Makes sense after last night."

His blush deepened.

"SERAPHINE'S BACK!"

A little girl with pigtails sprinted toward me. Full speed.

I barely braced before she crashed into my legs.

More pups followed. A wave of small bodies. Excited voices.

"You're here!"

"Did you bring something?"

"Is that food?"

I laughed. "One at a time. Yes, I brought snacks."

They cheered. Swarmed around me.

Evander helped me inside. The classroom was bright. Drawings covered the walls.

I set the food on the table. The pups gathered around.

"Cookies!" A boy with dark hair pointed. "The good ones!"

They grabbed treats. Scattered to their seats.

A blonde girl held up a purple flower. "Can I have this one?"

"Sure."

That started it. Every pup wanted a flower. They crowded around. Picking favorites.

The room filled with chatter. Laughter.

I sat on a desk edge. Watched them.

This felt right.

The black-haired boy finished his cookie. Came closer. Stared at my neck.

"Your mark looks brighter."

My hand flew up. Covered it.

Several pups perked up.

The blonde girl bounced over. "The bonfire was amazing, right? Everyone's talking!"

Oh no.

"Did you see the big fire?" Another pup asked.

"Did Alpha shift?" The boy's eyes went wide.

"Did you dance?" A girl with braids tilted her head.

Heat crept up my neck. "The bonfire was nice. Very pretty."

They weren't buying it. Leaned closer.

"But what did you do?"

"Did you dance with Alpha?"

"Did he kiss you? I bet he did!"

My face was on fire.

"I—we—it was—" Words failed.

The pups giggled.

"Who wants more cookies?" I blurted out.

They scattered. Crisis averted.

Evander appeared beside me. Tried to hide his smile. "Smooth."

"Shut up."

He laughed. "Come on. Let's take them outside."

The pups raced for the door.

Evander organized a game. The pups scattered across the grass.

I sat on a bench. Watched them play.

Guards patrolled the forest edge. I caught glimpses of movement.

Damien's face flashed in my mind. His threats.

My chest tightened.

But then I looked at the pups. Running. Laughing.

They deserved protection.

I'd make sure they got it.

"Seraphine!"

Willow appeared. Red hair wild. Green eyes bright.

She grabbed my hand. Pulled. "Come on! You have to see!"

She led me to a tree. A pile of paper flowers sat there. Carefully folded.

"I made more!" She picked one up. Pale pink. "This one's for you."

She pressed it into my palm.

My throat went tight. "It's beautiful."

"I practiced every day." She bounced. "Mr. Evander said you'd come back."

I knelt down. Hugged her. "Thank you, Willow."

She hugged back. Small arms tight.

When she pulled away, her expression turned serious.

"Alpha's nice to you, right?" She whispered. "I saw your mark. It's really pretty."

My eyes went wide. "You—what—"

She giggled. "All the grown-ups are talking. They say you're mates now. For real."

Heat flooded my face. "Willow—"

"It's okay." She patted my hand. "I think it's good. Alpha smiles more now."

She skipped away.

I stood there. Holding the paper flower.

Back inside, I helped Evander clean up. Papers everywhere.

I picked up a stack. One caught my eye.

Two wolves drawn in crayon. One white. One grey. Standing close.

"Alpha and Luna" written at the bottom.

Evander glanced over. Smiled. "They've been drawing those all week."

I looked through more. Same theme. Different versions.

Wolves protecting pups. Wolves together.

All labeled "Alpha and Luna."

"They see you as family now," Evander said quietly.

My chest felt tight.

I picked up Willow's drawing. Two large wolves over smaller ones. "Our Family" across the top.

Something cracked inside me.

"You okay?" Evander touched my arm.

I nodded. Couldn't speak.

Eventually, time to leave.

The pups gathered at the door.

"When will you visit again?"

"Can you bring Alpha next time?"

Willow squeezed my hand. "We're doing a spring show soon. You have to come!"

"I'll come back," I promised. "As often as I can."

Evander walked me to the door. "They love you. You're important to them."

"This is home now," he added. "You're family."

Before I could respond, I heard voices from the kitchen. Low. Conspiratorial.

Two young omega teachers. Didn't notice me.

"Did you hear?" One whispered. "About Vespera?"

My ears perked up.

"What about her?"

"I saw her this morning. Coming back from somewhere. She was crying. Like, really crying. Ran straight home."