Chapter 29 The Sudden Sting
Sera’s Pov
Caden dropped me off in front of my house just after sunset. The sky was a soft mix of gold and fading blue and the air felt warm enough to calm me a little. He walked me to the porch even though I told him I would be fine. I could tell he did not believe me. His shoulders were tense and he kept glancing around like something might jump out at us.
“Text me when you get inside,” he said quietly.
I nodded. “I will.”
He hesitated a second before brushing his thumb along my cheek. “Get some rest. Please.”
“I will try.” I managed a small smile and he returned it before turning away and heading back to his car. The moment he drove off I let out a long breath. Today had been interesting and all I wanted was silence. I smiled as I thought about Caden's cum on me.
I unlocked my door and stepped inside. My bag hit the couch. I was halfway through removing my shoes when someone knocked sharply. Three quick knocks. My body froze. Was that Caden? Or probably Lily? Maybe it could be Damien.
I thought about the only three people that could possibly want to be here at this hour. No one else came to my house at night.
My stomach tightened. I walked to the door and opened it just enough to see who it was. My breath caught.
“Elder Rowan?”
He stood on my porch, face tight, eyes unsettled. He looked like he had run here.
“Sera,” he said in a low voice. “You need to leave.”
I blinked. “What?”
“You have to leave the pack. Right now.”
My mind stalled. “I am not going anywhere. Why are you even saying this?”
Rowan stepped inside without waiting for an invitation and closed the door behind him. He kept checking the windows like he expected someone to appear. That alone made my heart speed up.
“Rowan,” I said again. “What is going on?”
He faced me with a grim expression. “Your presence here is no longer safe. There are people calling a private assembly. They want answers about you. They want to question your identity and the more they talk the worse their ideas get.”
I folded my arms even though my hands were shaking. “I am not running because of rumors. And you tried to take me away before, so why are you trying to save me now.”
“These are not rumors.” His voice held a quiet edge. “This is turning into something else. You need to go before they arrive. You do not understand how serious this is.”
“No,” I said firmly. “I am done running. I am not leaving my friends. I am not leaving my new life. And I am not leaving because some people cannot mind their business.”
“Sele–Sera, listen to me,” he insisted. “If you stay here you will regret it. They want to take you in for questioning and they will not handle you gently. Leaving is the safest option.”
I shook my head. “If they have questions I will answer them. I am not afraid of them.”
Rowan exhaled sharply. “You should be.”
I stepped back. “Why are you acting like this? Why are you afraid?”
His jaw clenched. “Because I know what happens to people who become inconvenient.”
A cold chill moved through me but I refused to back down. “I am still not leaving.”
He ran a hand over his face in frustration. “You stubborn child. I am trying to protect you.”
“And I am telling you no.”
Rowan opened his mouth to say something else but the door behind him swung open so fast it slammed the wall. Rowan turned just in time.
A man rushed inside. I did not recognize him. He moved with the speed of someone trained and his eyes were locked on me.
“Wait,” Rowan snapped. “Do not touch her.”
But the stranger ignored him.
He reached me in two steps.
I tried to move back but his hand caught my arm and something cold pressed against my skin. A sting. Sharp and fast.
“What are you doing?” Rowan shouted and grabbed at the stranger’s shoulder.
The man shoved him away with surprising strength.
My vision blurred instantly. My legs turned weak. I grabbed the edge of the table but my fingers slipped. Everything tilted sideways.
I forced myself to look at Rowan. He looked terrified.
“Sera,” he said urgently. “Stay awake. Stay with me.”
“I…” My voice faded. The room stretched and folded like soft paper.
I could feel myself falling but it felt distant, like it happened to someone else.
The last thing I heard was Rowan yelling at the stranger.
The last thing I saw was the ceiling spinning above me.Then everything went black.