Chapter 157: The Message

Seraphine's POV

The school gates clanged shut behind us. I could still hear the pups' excited squeals echoing in my head, their tiny hands grabbing at the pastries I'd brought. The way their faces lit up—like I'd given them the world instead of just some baked goods—made something twist in my chest.

"Did you see how fast they ate those?" Cordelia laughed beside me, adjusting her jacket. "I thought Mia was going to choke."

Jason and Derek walked a few paces behind us, close enough to guard but far enough to give us space. They'd gotten better at that lately. Less like wardens, more like... I don't know. Shadows that actually cared.

"They were hungry," I said, my voice coming out softer than I meant. They're always hungry. Just like Lyralei and I used to be.

The walk back felt different now. People nodded as we passed through town, their eyes respectful instead of suspicious. Ever since I'd moved back into Kaelen's house—since we'd started actually living together like real mates—everything had shifted. The whispers had changed from hostile to cautious.

Even those two omega teachers from the school, the ones who'd talked shit about me last time, now practically scrambled out of my way when they saw me coming.

They're not scared of me. They're scared of what he'll do if they disrespect me.

Part of me hated that. Hated that my safety, my status, everything, depended on Kaelen's protection. But another part—the part that remembered being spit on, accused, treated like garbage—that part felt a dark sort of satisfaction.

"Se...Sera?"

I turned. Willow stood there, one hand twisted in her faded dress, the other clutching a half-eaten cookie. Her eyes were huge, dark, nervous.

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Can I... can I call you sister?" The words tumbled out fast, scared, like she expected me to say no.

My throat closed up. Just locked tight. I knelt down, not trusting my legs to keep me steady, and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Of course you can."

She threw her arms around my neck so hard we both almost toppled over. When she finally let go and ran back to the other kids, I had to blink hard. Real hard.

"You okay?" Cordelia's hand landed on my shoulder.

"Fine." I stood too quickly, swiping at my eyes. "Just... dust or something."

She didn't buy it, but she didn't push either. We started walking again, the forest path crunching under our boots. The silence stretched between us until Cordelia finally broke it.

"So." Her tone was too casual. Fake casual. "How are things with Kaelen?"

Heat rushed to my face. Damn it. "Things are... fine."

"Fine." She repeated the word like it was suspicious. "Just fine?"

I kicked at a rock. "What do you want me to say?"

"The truth would be nice." She bumped my shoulder with hers. "Come on. You two have been practically joined at the hip since Damien—"

"Don't." The name made my stomach twist. Even dead, he haunted me.

Cordelia's expression softened. "Sorry. But you know what I mean. You and Kaelen. Something's different."

Different. That was one word for it. Ever since that night—since Kaelen had ripped Damien's throat out to protect me, since we'd fallen into each other like drowning people grabbing for air—everything had shifted. The bond between us burned hotter, tighter, more real than I wanted to admit.

"We're... figuring things out," I said finally.

"Figuring things out." Cordelia shook her head. "That's not the Seraphine I know—"

"He left," I cut in.

Cordelia stopped walking. "What?"

"Last night. Lucian came and said Kaelen had to handle pack business. That he'd be gone for a few days." The words tasted bitter. "Just like that."

My hand went to my pocket, fingers brushing the folded edge of the green notebook page I'd found this morning. I'd woken up alone, the bed cold, and nearly torn the room apart looking for him before I'd seen it—tucked under my pillow where I couldn't miss it.

Seraphine—I'm handling a situation that might be dangerous. I'm leaving tonight because every hour matters. I didn't tell you in person because you've carried enough today.

I'd read it three times. Read the part where he said protecting me was a privilege, not a burden. Read the part where he told me I was stronger than I thought.

And then I'd shoved it in my pocket and tried not to think about the words if I don't come back.

"Sera—"

"I know he left a note," I said quickly, before Cordelia could press. "I found it. But that's not the same as actually talking to me, is it?"

That's not the same as waking me up and telling me where you're going. That's not the same as letting me decide if I want you to leave.

"He probably didn't want to wake you," Cordelia said gently.

"Yeah. Probably." I started walking again, faster this time.

She kept pace, but I could feel her watching me. Worrying. When she spoke again, her voice was careful. "He'll be back soon."

"I didn't ask."

"You didn't have to."

We walked in silence after that. Jason and Derek's footsteps crunched behind us, steady and familiar. The forest thinned as we got closer to Kaelen's house—our house, I guess, though it still felt weird to think of it that way.

The note felt like it was burning a hole in my pocket. I'd been carrying it around all day like some kind of talisman, reading between the lines for what he wasn't saying. Might be dangerous. What the fuck did that mean? And why hadn't he at least tried to explain?

Because you would've tried to stop him. Or worse, you would've insisted on going with him.

Maybe that was it. Maybe he knew me well enough to know I'd fight him on it, so he'd taken the coward's way out.

Or maybe—and this was the part that scared me—maybe he really didn't think he was coming back.

But fuck, I missed him. Missed the weight of his arm over my waist at night. Missed his terrible jokes at breakfast. Missed the way he looked at me sometimes, like I was the only thing in the room worth seeing.

The house came into view through the trees. Something felt off immediately.

I slowed. Cordelia noticed.

"What is it?"

"I don't know." But my instincts were screaming.

We stepped into the clearing. The front door was open. Not unusual—Lucian and Orion came and went all the time. But through the window, I could see them sitting at the table, their postures too stiff, their faces too serious.

And in the shadows at the far side of the room, a flash of red hair.

My whole body went rigid.

"Is that—" Jason started.

"Vespera," Derek finished, his voice hard.

"What the hell is she doing here?" I barely recognized my own voice.

They'd told me—Jason and Derek had both been clear—that after Kaelen threw her out, she was banned from this house. Banned from coming anywhere near me.

So why the fuck was she standing in my living room?

Jason and Derek moved closer, flanking me and Cordelia. I could feel their tension, see their hands drift toward the weapons at their belts.

"Stay behind us," Jason muttered.

But I was already moving forward.

The door swung open under my hand. Lucian's head snapped up. Orion rose from his chair. And Vespera—Vespera just smiled, slow and cold, like a snake that had finally cornered its prey.

"Seraphine." Lucian's voice was too controlled. Too careful. "You're back."

"What's going on?" I looked from him to Orion to Vespera. "Why is she here?"

"We were just about to—"

"Your sister." Lucian cut Orion off. "We have news about your sister."