**Author's POV**
“Yes,” Lyra spat. “She’s ruining everything. Kael defends her, Lucian can’t take his eyes off her, and somehow, she always lands on her feet. It’s infuriating.”
Lunara leaned back into her chair, her arms crossed, her gaze flickering with amusement and curiosity as she studied Lyra.
"So," Lunara began with mock sympathy, "you've come to me because you can't handle seraphina yourself?.
Interesting.
Are you a coward or something?" She asked, her tone condescending.
Lyra bristled, her fists clenched to her side as a hint of anger flicker on her face. "I didn't come here to be insulted Lunara. I came for result. You were supposed to be married by Kael, but here you are, cast aside. Surely you have some lingering bitterness towards him and his little pet."
Lunara's smile faltered for a while before she recovered. "You're so bold, I give you that. But don't expect me to help you without knowing what is in it for me. I only do profitable deals."
Lyra smiled, sensing an opportunity. "Name your price."
Lunara leaned forward, her tone cold and calculating. “When Kael finally falls—and make no mistake, he will—I want his territory. Every inch of it. You can have Seraphina, but the land will belong to me. If I can't be the Luna, should be the Alpha instead."
Lyra hesistated for a while, her gaze calculating before she nodded. "Now tell me what you know. Everything, without leaving out a word."
Lunara stood up and pace., her gown trailing behind her. "Kael strength is rooted in his honour. He is predictable, bound by ridiculous sense of loyalty. But Seraphina, his mate is his weakness."
"They are mates!" Lyra voice rose in shock.
"Yes," Lunara answered. Then she continued. "He’ll do anything to protect her, even if it means leaving himself vulnerable.”
Lyra eyes gleamed with malelovent intent. "So we take advantage of that weakness and use it to exploit him. Draw him out by threatening her.
Lunara turned to face Lyra, her expression grim. "Threatening him won't be enough. We need to break her, if he falters, Kael will crumble. And once he is weak, we'll strike. She needs to be taken down fast. She’s just too good, too... perfect.”
The room Into silent at Lunara's admission, then she continued. "You have to know that she wield a dangerous dark magic."
"Dark magic!" Lyra voice rose again, as her hands flew her mouth in shock. "Seraphina?" Is there anything you can't do? She lamented bitterly.
Lunara’s gaze turned sharp, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “You’re not wrong to see her as a threat. Seraphina isn’t just a nuisance; she’s dangerous. Her power is untamed, and if she learns to control it, there won’t be anyone who can stand against her—not even Kael.”
Lyra's eye narrowed. "So we need to act fast before that happens!"
"Precisely," Lunara agreed, her voice cool and calculated. "A direct attack on Seraphina would only rally Kael and others to her side. We need to isolate her and weaken her from within."
Lyra nodded. The two women shared a sinister smile, their alliance solidified in the flickering lantern light.
Meanwhile, in the palace, Kael stood at the edge of the training ground, his eyes scanning the horizon as frustration simmered beneath his calm exterior. Ever since their last training session, Seraphina still avoided him, finding excuses to stay out of his sight.
"She's distancing herself," he muttered, his voice low but filled with concern. Then he turned towards Collins, who stood behind him. "What do you think is happening?"
Collins eyes flicker with surprise, hesistating before speaking. "Perhaps....she needs time, your majesty," he answered, his words measured. "Controlling magic is no small feat and neither is trusting anyone with her struggles."
Kael gaze still fixed on him, his jaw tight. “Time isn’t a luxury we have, Collins. The threats against her are growing, and she won’t even let me train her to protect herself properly.”
"Patience, your majesty. More patience," Collins pressed again. "You've always been the one to break down walls with persistence. Seraphina is no different. You can equally do this, your majesty," he added, his voice laced with pride.
Kael sighed, running a hand through his hair. “She’s more than just a charge, Collins. I can’t explain it, but…”
Collins raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “You care for her," he said softly.
Kael didn’t respond, his silence confirming what Ilias already suspected.
Seraphina was in her chambers, her hands trembling as she stared at the faint glow of her magic flickering at her fingertips. Memories of the training session with kael tugged at her mind. The way he had looked at her. The way he believed in her, even though she didn't believe in herself.
Her heart pierced at the thought of it. She couldn’t afford distractions, couldn’t afford to let him in. Not when her path was so clear. Getting stronger was all that mattered.
A sharp knock at the door startled her, and she quickly stood up, ready to attack.
“Who is it?” she called, her voice steadier than she felt.
“It’s Kael,” came the reply, deep and firm.
Seraphina hesitated, then opened the door a crack, meeting his intense gaze.
“What do you want?” she asked, keeping her tone cold, like he had offended her in her past life.
Kael frowned, his frustration evident. “To talk. I can feel your troubled thoughts inside me and I'm not leaving until you talk to me."
“IThere's nothing to talk about.” she replied curtly, attempting to close the door, but his hand shot out, holding it open.
“Seraphina, you can’t keep running from me,” he said, his voice softening. “Whatever it is you’re dealing with, you don’t have to face it alone. We are mates."
Her eyes flashing with defiance. "So I should trust you blindly because we are mates," she shot back.
Kael's face was etched with shock, his gaze fixed on her. "What did you mean, Sera?" he asked, his voice rising with frustration. But she stood firmly, her arms crossed.
"Don't test me, Sera," Kael's voice came again, this time harder than Seraphina was used to, that it sent cold shivers down her spine. "What did you mean?"