Chapter 145: Questions in the Shadows

Seraphine's POV

I froze.

Vespera's name hit me like a punch.

My feet stopped moving. The paper flower Willow gave me crumpled slightly in my hand.

I didn't recognize the voices. Not immediately. But they were young. Female. The soft lilt that came with omega genetics.

Teachers, probably. I'd seen a few around the school but never bothered learning names. Never thought I'd need to.

Now I wished I had.

The kitchen door was half-open. Two voices drifted out. Nessa and Freya, I'd learn later. Both omega teachers.

I should leave. Walk away. This was none of my business.

But I didn't move.

"You saw her this morning?" The first voice was low. Excited. "How bad?"

"Bad." The second one sighed. "Her eyes were so swollen she could barely see. Mascara everywhere."

My chest tightened.

"All because of last night," the first said. Bitter. "That outsider bitch stole her Alpha."

The paper flower bent under my grip.

"Eight years." The second voice dropped. "Vespera stayed by Alpha's side for eight whole years. Since Isolde died. She never left."

Eight years.

The words echoed in my skull.

"And that shameless bitch? Can you believe she actually kissed Alpha right there? With everyone watching?" The first scoffed. "She's been here what? A few months?"

My legs went weak.

I pressed against the wall. Tried to breathe.

The flower crinkled. Pink petals folding wrong.

"Do you think..." The second hesitated. "Do you think Alpha's just... you know. Into something new?"

No.

"Men get bored." The first's tone turned knowing. "They like the chase. The novelty. But once that wears off..."

"A refugee." The second clicked her tongue. "How could she compare to eight years of devotion?"

The hallway tilted.

I slid down the wall. Knees hit the floor.

My vision blurred.

Eight years. I only have a few months.

My father's voice cut through my mind. Cold. Precise.

"Your value is being a proper Alpha's mate. Nothing more."

The mark on my neck burned. Like a brand searing flesh.

I'm next. I'm the next Vespera.

"She's probably just a replacement." The first again. Casual. Like discussing weather. "For Isolde, I mean."

"Right." The second agreed. "Once Alpha finishes mourning..."

I closed my eyes.

Tears spilled over.

The paper flower fell from my hand. Landed in a small puddle near my feet. Pink bled into the water. Colors running together.

Last night. His promises. Were they real?

Or just heat-driven lies?

My breath came short. Fast.

Did he go to Vespera in the morning?

Did he regret marking me?

I tried to stand. My legs wouldn't cooperate.

Wrapped my arms around my knees instead. Buried my face.

Silent sobs shook my shoulders.

"Poor Vespera." The second voice drifted out. Pitying. "She gave everything. And this is what she gets. Betrayal."

"That Seraphine doesn't even know." The first laughed. Dark. "She thinks she's special. Thinks she's permanent."

"I give it six months." The second said. Matter-of-fact. "Before Alpha realizes his mistake and—"

My hand flew to my neck.

Fingers dug into the mark. Like I could rip it off. Tear it away.

But I couldn't.

My arm dropped. Useless.

I don't deserve this.

I never did.

The temperature plummeted.

Ice crawled up my spine.

A crushing weight pressed down. Heavy. Suffocating.

Alpha pheromones flooded the air. Thick with rage.

From inside the kitchen, something cracked. Sharp. Like glass breaking.

"Oh shit—" One voice went high. Panicked.

Then another voice. Low. Cold.

"Continue."

Kaelen.

My head jerked up.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

He was here. In the kitchen.

How long had he been listening?

I pressed harder against the wall. Tried to disappear into it.

Inside, someone whimpered.

"A-Alpha—" One stammered. "We didn't mean—"

Footsteps. Slow. Deliberate.

Each one echoed like a death knell.

"Didn't mean what?" Kaelen's voice was ice. "Didn't mean to discuss my private life?"

Silence.

"Or didn't mean to slander my mate?"

My mate.

The words hit me.

Even now. Even after everything they said.

He called me that.

A thud. Someone hitting the floor.

"Forgive us, Alpha!" Sobbing. "Please! We're sorry!"

"Are you?" Each word clipped. Precise. "Tell me. Who gave you permission to speak her name?"

More crying.

I should go. Stand up. Walk in there.

But I couldn't move.

Couldn't face him.

What if they were right?

What if I was temporary?

"Look at me." Kaelen's command cut through the air.

I heard shuffling. Fabric rustling.

"My Luna's name." His voice dropped lower. More dangerous. "From this moment forward. You will not speak it."

Luna.

Not "the refugee."

Not "that girl."

Luna.

"You will not think it." He continued. "You will not whisper it. You will not acknowledge her existence unless she addresses you first. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Alpha!" Both voices chorused.

"Good." A pause. "Now get out. Leave. Before I change my mind about letting you live."

Scrambling sounds.

Two figures burst from the kitchen. Running blind.

They didn't even see me. Huddled in the corner. Tear-stained and broken.

Their footsteps faded down the hallway.

Then silence.

I stayed frozen.

Kaelen was still in there. I could feel him through the bond.

Fury. But also something else.

Something that felt like... concern?

His footsteps resumed. Coming toward the door.

My breath caught.

I couldn't let him see me like this.

Weak. Pathetic.

Believing gossip over his words.

But I couldn't move.

The doorway darkened.

He stood there. Backlit. Face shadowed.

His eyes found me immediately.

Golden. Blazing. Locked on mine.

Neither of us spoke.

The wet paper flower lay between us. Pink dye spreading across stone.

His jaw clenched. Hands fisted at his sides.

Knuckles white.

We stared at each other.

The bond hummed. Tight. Tense.

Everything unsaid hanging in the air.

Did you hear them? I wanted to ask.

Are they right?

Am I just temporary?

But the words stuck in my throat.

His eyes swept over me. Took in my position on the floor. The tears. The broken flower.

Something flashed across his face.

Pain.

Then his expression hardened.

He opened his mouth—