CHAPTER NINETEEN

**Seraphina’s POV**

My breath hitched as I stared at him, my body stiffening with dread. Lucian wasn’t the type to wander anywhere without purpose. If he was here, it wasn’t a coincidence—it was calculated. And I doubted it was for anything good.

“Sera?” Kael’s voice broke through the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. I turned slightly to see him standing a few steps behind me, his brows furrowed in concern.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice soft as he attempted to brush a strand of stray hair from my face.

But I quickly stepped back, forcing a nod. The silence between us was awkward but my eyes refused to leave Lucian. Just as I thought it couldn’t get worse, another figure stepped into view.

Lyra.

Her sophisticated attire was sharp and imposing, radiating authority. She moved with deliberate grace, handmaidens trailing behind her like shadows.

Kael followed my gaze. “Who’s that?” he asked, his tone curious.

My heart pounded as I debated how to respond. Should I tell him the truth? Kael had been helping me, but trust was a luxury I couldn’t afford. Especially not when Lucian—a ghost from my past—was standing here, threatening to unravel everything.

“No one,” I said, forcing nonchalance into my tone. “Just someone I used to know.”

Kael’s gaze lingered, as if he could sense the lie beneath my words. “If you’re sure…”

“I am,” I replied too quickly, the words tumbling out. “I’m just tired. I’ll… see you tomorrow.”

Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel, hurrying toward my room. Relief swelled as I thought I’d slipped away unnoticed.

“Seraphina,” a sharp, familiar voice called out behind me.

I froze, my fists clenching. Slowly, I turned to face Lyra, her lips curling into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“It is you,” she said, her voice laced with venom. “I’d recognize you anywhere.” She stepped closer, her expression hardening. “So, this is where you ended up. Let me guess—you’ve managed to weasel your way in here as a maid. Cleaning and scrubbing the floors is the only thing you’re good at, after all.”

I swallowed the retort burning on my tongue.

“Lyra,” I greeted, forcing a saccharine sweetness into my tone. “What a surprise to see you here.”

"Cut the crap," she snapped. "You bitch."

Before I could reply, Lucian joined her, his approach casual and disarming. “Seraphina,” he said warmly, his voice light and cheerful enough to earn him a sharp glare from Lyra. “What are you doing here?”

“Why do you care?” I shot back, watching the light fade from his face.

Kael’s footsteps approached, his voice cutting through the tension. “What’s going on here?” His sharp gaze swept over Lyra and Lucian before landing on me. “And who are they?”

Lucian bowed slightly. “Your Majesty, I am Lucian, the new Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack.”

My stomach dropped. Alpha? When had he risen to that position?

Kael’s expression shifted, intrigued. “Ah, the one here to strengthen the alliance. Interesting.” His gaze flicked between us. “You know Sera?” he asked, his tone casual.

My breath caught as Lyra’s eyes widened with surprise, but before anyone could respond, I stepped in. “No,” I said quickly. “They were just asking for directions to the palace.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded.

“I’ll be in my room,” I added, not waiting for a response before hurrying away.

Inside my room, I paced relentlessly. Lucian and Lyra being here could only mean trouble. Memories of the past clawed at the edges of my mind. What if they found out about my crime? Or worse, the dark powers I now wielded?

A soft knock startled me, and I froze.

“Seraphina,” Kael’s voice called, gentle and steady. “I thought you might need this.”

I opened the door to find him holding a tray of food, his piercing blue eyes studying me with an intensity that made my walls tremble.

“Thank you,” I said quietly, taking the tray from his hands.

He hesitated, his presence filling the doorway as if he had more to say.

“Kael,” I said, stopping him before he could leave.

He turned back, his expression open, waiting.

The truth teetered on the edge of my tongue, but fear held it back. Instead, I forced a weak smile. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Seraphina,” he replied softly. But he didn’t move. His voice was heavy with unspoken words as he finally asked, “Why does it feel like you’re avoiding me, Sera? Did I do something wrong?”

The sadness in his tone tightened around my heart. “No, Kael,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “You’ve done nothing wrong. I just…” I hesitated, my eyes darting away. “I need to focus on myself. I can’t be with you—not like this. Not until I get rid of the darkness inside me.”

“Sera, we can-"

“I need to rest,” I interrupted, cutting him off before his words could sway me. I couldn't myself to fall back into his arms. I was here to be saved and I should concentrate on just that. 

He nodded reluctantly, the hurt clear in his eyes, and turned away. As the door closed, I leaned against it, my chest heaving with the weight of suppressed emotions.

The food on the tray sat untouched as a plan began to form in my mind. If I wanted to escape this fate, I needed answers. I needed the elder.

Minutes later, I stood at the dungeon gates, the flickering torchlight casting eerie shadows on the walls.

“The mother witch,” the elder rasped, a twisted smirk on his lips. His milky eyes bore into me. “You’ve killed a child, haven’t you? This is just a start of the many destruction you're destined to cause."

My stomach churned, but I didn’t flinch.

“The elder,” I said, pacing the small room, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside. “How do I escape this fate? You must know something."

His laughter echoed, low and menacing. “There is no escape, mother witch," he said. “You will suffer the same fate as your mother—betrayed and murdered by the late Lycan King.”