Chapter 94: The Alliance Meeting

Seraphine's POV

The room shifted. Both Alphas turned to look at Kaelen. Their expressions changed from amused to something more serious.

But the damage was done. Heat crawled under my skin. Not from embarrassment. From rage.

They'd circled me like I was prey. Assessed me like livestock. Talked about me like I couldn't hear every word.

My father had taught me better than this. Alphas showed respect. Even to enemies. Even to prisoners.

This was something else. This was deliberate.

The blond Alpha smiled. Wide. Friendly. "Forgive us, Alpha Kaelen. We meant no disrespect to your lovely mate."

Bullshit. That was complete bullshit.

The dark-haired one's smile matched his companion's. "We were simply admiring her. After all, she's the reason we're all here tonight."

My stomach dropped. The reason?

Kaelen's jaw tightened. His eyes flashed gold again. Brighter this time. A clear warning.

"Sit down, Seraphine." His voice was carefully controlled. But underneath, I felt his fury through the bond. Hot and barely restrained.

I didn't move. My eyes tracked to the chair beside him at the head of the table. The Luna's seat.

Vespera's seat.

My voice came out steady. Calm. Even though my heart was pounding. "The person who should sit there is Vespera. Not me."

The words landed like a slap. Silence crashed through the room.

I'd just called out his relationship with her. In front of foreign Alphas. In front of witnesses.

Kaelen's eyes darkened. His jaw clenched hard enough I could see the muscle jump. His hand on the table curled into a fist.

Through the bond, his anger spiked. Sharp and sudden.

But I didn't look away. Didn't back down.

If they wanted to treat me like I was stupid, I'd remind them exactly who I was. Alpha blood didn't disappear just because everything else had.

The blond Alpha burst out laughing. The sound echoed off the stone walls. "Oh?" He slapped the table. "Looks like your little beauty isn't satisfied with you, Kaelen."

The dark-haired one's smile turned sharp. Predatory. "Your new mate is much more spirited than Isolde ever was."

My chest tightened. Isolde. Kaelen's dead mate.

They were using her memory as ammunition. Turning her into a weapon to twist the knife deeper.

Bastards.

Kaelen stood slowly. His full height radiating dominance. "Sit. Down. Seraphine." Each word was precise. Sharp. A direct Alpha command.

My wolf whimpered. Wanted to obey. The command pressed against my will like physical weight.

But I held his gaze for three long seconds. Let him see I wasn't afraid.

Then I walked to the chair. My dress rustled against the stone floor. Every eye in the room tracked my movement.

I sat. Straight spine. Hands folded in my lap. Perfect Luna posture even though I felt like screaming.

Kaelen lowered himself back into his seat. His body angled slightly toward me. A protective stance even though he was furious.

Behind him, Orion stood perfectly still. His face showed nothing. But his eyes flickered to me once. Brief. Worried.

The blond Alpha settled back into his chair. Still smiling. "Well. That was entertaining."

Orion cleared his throat. The sound cut through the tension. "Seraphine, allow me to make proper introductions."

Thank god. At least someone remembered basic protocol.

He gestured to the blond Alpha. "This is Alpha Zephyr of the Thornwick Pack."

Zephyr inclined his head. That same friendly smile still fixed on his face. It didn't reach his eyes.

Orion continued. "And this is Alpha Kieran of the Ironfall Pack."

Kieran raised his glass. The amber liquid inside caught the firelight. "Pleasure to finally meet you, Seraphine."

The way he said my name made my skin crawl.

Orion moved through the others quickly. "Elder Aldric of Thornwick. Beta Harbs." Both men nodded. Their expressions more neutral than their Alpha's.

"Elder Helena of Ironfall. Beta Jude." The older woman's eyes were sharp. Calculating. Her Beta sat rigid beside her.

I nodded to each in turn. Kept my expression pleasant. Alpha's daughter playing her role perfectly.

Zephyr set his wine glass down. The friendly mask dropped. His expression turned serious. Heavy.

"Seraphine." His voice lost the mocking edge. "There's a reason you're here tonight."

My hands tightened in my lap. Here it comes.

"Over the past two weeks, both Thornwick and Ironfall territories have been invaded."

The room seemed to shrink. All air sucked out.

Kieran leaned forward. His elbows on the table. "The invaders were searching for someone. A female. Named Seraphine."

Every pair of eyes locked onto me. Assessing. Measuring. Blaming.

My throat went dry. I forced myself to keep breathing. Stay calm.

Zephyr's voice continued. Flat. Factual. "These invasions resulted in casualties. Thornwick lost three warriors. Seriously injured."

Kieran's expression hardened. "Ironfall lost two. Dead."

The words hit like physical blows. Dead. Because of me.

Zephyr leaned back in his chair. His eyes never left mine. "Kaelen has told us about Ravencrest's betrayal. About how your pack was destroyed."

My stomach twisted. So they already knew.

"But we need to hear it from you." Kieran's voice was flat. "Confirm what he said. Tell us what really happened that day."

My hands clenched in my lap. Of course. They didn't trust Kaelen's version. Wanted to hear me say it. Wanted to judge if I was telling the truth.

I drew a breath. Forced my voice steady. "Everything Kaelen told you is true."

"That's not enough." Zephyr's fingers drummed on the table. "We've lost warriors. Our packs are at risk. We need details."

I felt Kaelen's anger spike through the bond. But he stayed silent.

"The betrayal happened during a treaty renewal ceremony." The words came out mechanical. Practiced. "Alpha Malachar of Ravencrest had been our ally for decades. Our families had marriage bonds. Trade agreements."

My throat tightened. "He waited until we were all gathered. Unarmed. Celebrating."

Kieran's eyes narrowed. "And your father?"

"Killed immediately." My voice cracked. "Malachar cut him down in front of everyone. Before anyone could react."

Elder Aldric shifted in his seat. His expression darkened.

"My mother tried to protect us." The words came faster now. Harder. "She was Alpha-born too. Strong. But there were too many of them."

I could still see it. Her fighting. Blood everywhere. Her screaming for us to run.

"She held them off long enough for me and my sister to escape." Tears burned behind my eyes. "But she didn't make it."

My voice broke completely. "She died buying us time."

Silence crashed through the room.

"Your sister." Elder Helena's voice was soft. Gentle. "Lyralei. What happened to her?"

My chest tightened. "We got separated in the forest. During the chase."

The memory hit me. Sharp. Painful. Her hand slipping from mine. The sound of wolves closing in. Her scream cutting off abruptly.

"I looked for her." The tears spilled over. I couldn't stop them. "For days. But there were too many of Damien's wolves. I had to keep moving or they'd catch me."

"You don't know if she's alive?" Kieran's tone had shifted. Less hostile. More cautious.

"No." The word came out broken. "I don't know anything. She could be dead. She could be captured. She could be hiding somewhere waiting for me."

My hands shook. "And I'm here. Safe. While she's out there alone."

The guilt crushed down on me. Made it hard to breathe.

Kaelen's arm came around my shoulders. Pulled me close against his side. His warmth surrounded me. His scent wrapped around my senses.

The bond hummed. Comfort. Protection. I'm here.

I leaned into him. Just slightly. Couldn't help it.

Elder Aldric's voice broke the quiet. Soft. Sad. "Such betrayal violates every law of our kind."

Elder Helena nodded. Her expression had gentled. "The pain of losing your family... we understand, child. You've shown tremendous courage."

Zephyr's face was stone. "Malachar's actions threaten all packs. Today it was Silverwood. Tomorrow it could be any of us."

Kieran nodded slowly. "Alliance betrayal cannot be tolerated."

Kaelen stood. His presence filled the room. Dominated it.

"I propose an alliance." His voice was Alpha-strong. Commanding. "The three packs unite against Damien's invasions."

Zephyr's fingers drummed on the table. "Alliance means resources. Thornwick has already lost three warriors."

Kieran crossed his arms. "Ironfall's losses are greater. Two elite warriors dead. We must consider our pack's interests first."

The air shifted. Grew heavier.