357- The Night I Crossed the Line
POV Seraphine Valerian:
I thought that time I would get beaten.
That’s what Daciana warned would happen if I insisted on sticking my nose where I wasn’t called. According to her, everyone was on edge because of the war and Adelina’s escape. And Lana had a hot temper.
Even so, I left the house and went there. If I showed fear and hid, I would never be respected and would truly become a prisoner.
I greeted the residents, who remained somewhat distant and curious. When I went in, the she-wolf looked at me with a scowl and stood up immediately, ready to fight. My heart raced; I prepared to run if things got worse. But I spoke calmly and confidently:
“I didn’t come here to cause trouble. I regret escaping with Adelina. I don’t want her place, I just want to help. What can I do?”
“Are you crazy or stubborn?” She approached, looking down at me.
I could hear the children talking in the next room. I didn’t move.
“I’m human. And I don’t think you’re a coward who’d want to tear me apart here. I didn’t mean to embarrass you yesterday. I was just defending myself.”
The blonde nearly pressed against me, her face full of disgust.
“I only didn’t finish you off because Viktor gave that order.”
“I know.”
She kept staring at me, furious. Dying to tear me apart. And I stared right back.
“I already said there’s nothing to do. They’ve already studied today.”
She went back to her desk as if I wasn’t worth the effort of defying the alpha.
“How long until they leave?”
“Fifteen minutes.”
“Can I tell a gypsy story? I think they’d like to hear it. Outside, around the tree.”
She glanced at me, irritated. I smiled, and she huffed.
“If anything happens to them, you’ll pay dearly!”
“All right.”
And there I was, surrounded by seven little wolves who seemed like ordinary human children, excited as I told them a bit about my people. Our relationship with nature, our games and legends. They asked questions, didn’t care that I was different, and didn’t judge me.
When time was up, Lana came out with them, and they said goodbye to me happily. I thought it was good—a small victory. And it made me happy.
I went back to the castle, and Daciana looked me up and down.
“I see you’re still alive.”
“It was better that I went. Now everything’s settled with Lana. Tomorrow I’ll be there earlier.”
She looked surprised.
“Why? What are you trying to prove?”
“Nothing.”
“Before, you were furious, wanting to run away no matter what. Now you insist on staying with us?”
“If I’m going to live here, let it be in peace, Daciana. And I’m tired of doing nothing.”
“All right. Let’s have lunch.”
“And Viktor?” I went to wash my hands at the sink.
“He’s staying in the office. I asked the guard to take his food.”
I felt disappointed, really wanting to see him. Especially after the dream from the night before and watching him in bed, naked and beautiful. The image wouldn’t leave my mind. Nor the fact that he had taken my virginity and then thrown me out of his bed.
It was confusing and disturbing.
We served ourselves the delicious, steaming food. I wanted to know more about him.
“Is it true he’s really 413 years old?”
“Yes.”
“How long do you live? If you die naturally?”
“Around five hundred.”
“Why does he look only in his early thirties?” I looked at her gray hair, the wrinkles on her face.
“We start aging faster after 480. Then it speeds up. That’s why I look over 50—I’m about to turn 485.”
“It’s all so different from us! It must be good to live centuries with a young appearance and good health.”
“Very good! Things only really get worse close to 500.”
“Has any wolf ever lived past that?”
“Not that I know of. There are legends, of course. That there are Superior Alphas—they can reach 700, 800 years. Even beyond. Some talk about immortality.” She shrugged, smiling. “Nonsense. That must get tiring too. We need to stop at some point—everything in life is an endless cycle of being born and dying.”
“I believe in souls, in spiritual lives. I think my father must be in a very beautiful place.” I felt a deep longing for him, the urge to cry. But I held back. I also missed my aunt Gretel, who must be suffering, thinking I died. “Do wolves have souls? A heaven for you?”
“They say everyone goes to the same heaven or the same hell. Maybe we’ll find out someday.”
We smiled, at ease, calm. And we ate more.
I really wanted to ask what the women who had lived there were like—the ones buried in the cemetery. If Viktor had loved them, how they died. If he had suffered for them. And about my great-aunt Jasmina, the only one he had married. And killed.
According to Adelina, it happened because she killed the baby, which made him lose control. He also discovered it wasn’t his child.
I said nothing, because I knew Daciana wouldn’t gossip about him.
“Yesterday you said Adelina arrived here very weak and injured. Didn’t Viktor think about putting her up for adoption in the village? Maybe with one of the couples?” I looked at her, finishing lunch, very satisfied.
“He never mentioned that. From the beginning, he took care of her like a daughter, and I helped him.”
“Maybe because he lost his baby. The one Jasmina was expecting,” I probed.
“It wasn’t his. That snake betrayed him. And I don’t like talking about her.”
Tense, Daciana ended the subject and walked away. I didn’t ask anything else and helped her with the dishes.
I spent the afternoon in my room and finished sewing all the clothes. Even being careful, I couldn’t fix them very well. I stacked them up to return later. At least I had obeyed that order.
After my bath, I wore one of the outfits and sandals the lady had lent me—Adelina’s. And I went downstairs quickly, hoping to be there when Viktor arrived.
It was already dark, and Daciana was sitting at the table, finishing a cup of tea.
“I thought you’d already gone home.”
“Yesterday he arrived late and had dinner because I was watching. Better to wait again.”
“I’ll stay here.” She looked at me.
“What for?”
“To make sure Viktor eats.”
“And serve his food?”
“If you let me…”
“Are you serious, Seraphine?” She seemed suspicious.
“I know he’s buried in problems. It’s no trouble for me. Tomorrow I’ll tell you if he ate or not.”
She observed me silently, carefully. I felt my face burn and went to the fridge to get some water.
“All right. This could be interesting. Then I’ll go. Florian and those hungry kids of mine must already be there, sniffing the empty pots! Take care, girl. And don’t cause trouble.”