**Author's POV**
Kael's mere presence was a storm waiting to be unleashed. He stepped closer, his towering from, casting a shadow over Lyra, that sent cold shivers through her. The warning in his voice was low but razor-sharp.
"Let me make this clear," he said, his gaze locked on hers. "If you ever think of harming Seraphina again, I will personally make sure you regret it. Do I make myself clear?"
Lyra face was overshadowed by fury and humiliation. She opened her mouth to respond but her throat tightened due to Kael's piercing glare. Lucian, however remained speechless, his gaze flickering between Lyra and Seraphina.
"Lucian!" Lyra hissed, breaking the silence. "Are you just going to stand and watch him talk down on me?"
Lucian jaw tightened, his indecision evident. He cast a glance to Seraphina, whose face was unreadable, before finally speaking. "This isn't the place Lyra," his voice was low, lacking the formless she had expected.
Lyra brows furrowed with disbelief. "You're siding with her?" She spat, her voice trembling with rage.
"I'm not siding with anyone," Kael said, his tone carefully measured. "Let's leave before this escalate further."
But his attempt at neutrality only fueled Lyra anger. "Coward," she muttered under her breath. She turned on her heels and stormed off without waiting for him to follow.
Lucian lingered for some moments, his gaze lingering on Seraphina, who avoided his eyes. Finally, with a frustrated sigh, he walked after Lyra leaving Seraphina and Kael alone.
Kael turned to Seraphina, his gaze softening. "Are you alright?"
She nodded, her voice quiet. "I don't need you to defend me."
"I know," Kael said, his voice gentle yet firm. "But I couldn't watch and let her treat you badly.
Seraphina looked away, her emotions conflicted. She hated appearing vulnerable, yet Kael’s unwavering support stirred something deep within her—a flicker of trust she wasn’t ready to acknowledge.
*********
Later that day, Kael found Seraphina in the training grounds, pacing restlessly. Her frustration was palpable.
"Seraphina," he called, drawing her attention. "Come with me."
"Where to," she asked, her tone weary.
"To train," he replied simply.
"Train," she raised an eyebrow. "Again?"
Kael stepped closer, his expression serious. "Because you shouldn't give up on learning to control your power. And because I see you're itching at something."
Seraphina hesistated, but the idea of channeling her anger into something productive appealed her. She followed Kael into the training ground.
"Alright. Now, call your magic."
Taking a deep breath, Seraphina shut her eyes closed spreading her hands, she reached for the energy inside. It was like grasping a fire-cold, untamed and scorching. She tried to shape it, to mold it into manageable but it slipped through her fingers like sand.
The ground beneath us trembled as kael stepped closer. "Focus," he said, his voice steady. "Feel it. Don't fight it. Let it flow through you."
His calm presence steadied Seraphina and she tried again. This time the energy came slower, more controlled. A golden glow enveloped her hands, flickering like candlelight.
"You're doing it," he said, his voice filled with quiet pride.
But just as quickly as it came, the magic surged, and slipped out of Seraphina control. A burst of energy shot out, knocking Kael off his feet.
“Kael!” she cried, rushing to his side.
He groaned, sitting up and brushing dirt off his clothes. “Not bad for your first try,” he said, grinning despite the singed edge of his sleeve.
Seraphina stared at him in disbelief. “I could have killed you!”
“But you didn’t,” he said firmly. “And next time, you’ll do even better."
Seraphina looked at him, her guard slipping for a moment. "Thank you," she said quietly.
Kael met her gaze, his expression softening. "You don't have to struggle alone, Sera. Let me help you."
Her heart pierced at his words, but she quickly masked her emotions. "We'll see."
Kael watched her walk away, his eyes glinting with determination. He wasn't going to give up on her-not now. Not ever.
Once inside her room l, Seraphina made a decision. For now, I’d let him teach me. For now, I’d play the part of the willing student. But deep down, I couldn’t forget my true goal: Get stronger and revenge. I'd look for those councils who burnt my mother alive and destroy them. And if Kael became collateral damage in the process, so be it.
********
Meanwhile, Lyra stormed into her chambers, slamming the door shut. Lucian entered moments later, his expression weary.
"Lyra, you need to calm down. Don't forget we're here to strengthen alliance between the two kingdom and you're already causing trouble," he lamented bitterly. "Father won't forgive me, If we caused enmity instead."
"Calm down," she repeated, her voice rising with anger. "And you mean to tell me that the kingdom is more important than your own wife."
Lucian met her gaze head-on. "Of course, Lyra. The kingdom is more important to me," he said, his voice hardening.
Lyra’s eyes narrowed, her anger giving way to something colder. “If you won’t stand by me, Lucian, then don’t expect me to stand by you when this all falls apart.”
"You can leave, Lyra, if you don't want to stand by me," he shot up. Lyra gaze shifted to disbelief. "I only needed you to become the Alpha. And watch how you speak to me. And for the records, I can have as many woman as I desired."
Lyra blinked her eyes startled.
He turned away, leaving Lyra to grapple with her own turmoil. His heart ached for Seraphina, but he knew and doesn't care if his choices were driving an irreparable wedge between him and Lyra.
Later that night, Lyra, still seething from the events of the day, stormed through the darkness with a silk scarf wrapped around herface, carefully concealing her features. The soft glow of lanterns casting eerie shadows on the ground. Her trusted handmaiden, hurried to keep pace beside her. As they approached the grand mansion. With her identity hidden, Lyra pushed open the creaky gate and slipped into the mansion's shadowy depths.
“Lunara,” Lyra greeted as she entered, her tone smooth and calculating.
Lunara turned at her, her gaze glinting with confusion. "Who are you and to what do I owe the pleasure of this late-night meeting?”
Lyra stepped forward, sliding off the scarf from her face, her frustration evident. “Your father said I could find you here. You were Kael’s fiancée. You must know something about him—something we can use to destroy her.”
Lunara raised an eyebrow, a sly smile curving her lips. “Her? You mean Seraphina?”
“Yes,” Lyra spat. “She’s ruining everything.