CHAPTER 27

Serena's POV

Kaidon stood up, and my breath hitched as I watched him closely. He moved toward me, his hand—hot, strong, and impossibly gentle—cupping my chin. His thumb brushed the edge of my bruise, tilting my face upward. The contact felt like a jolt of lightning, sending my thoughts into chaos. He had to be doing this deliberately, right?

*What the hell, Serena?* My mind was a mess as heat pooled low in my stomach, unbidden images flashing through my head—those same fingers tracing my collarbone, gripping my waist, leaving marks, rubbing my pu… *Pull yourself together!*

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breathing as his gaze roamed over the bruise, his expression darkening. He was close—too close. I could feel the heat radiating off him, and his woodsy scent made me dizzy with desire.

“Serena,” he said, his voice low and quiet, yet it sent a shiver racing down my spine. It took every ounce of strength not to sway toward him like a moth to a flame. I think the goddess answered the wrong prayers because this was not... the reaction I was hoping for. Not that I was complaining, though.

“What are you doing?” Amelia's voice cut through the moment as she bolted upright, her hair scraping back in her haste. “Kaidon, are—”

“Sit. Down.” He ordered, turning to glare at her.

She opened her mouth to argue, but then I felt it—raw Alpha aura rolling off Kaidon in waves, pressing down on everyone in the room like a heavy blanket. Even the little girl froze, her mouth slightly open as she clutched her fork.

Amelia hesitated, looking like she wanted to argue. I said a quick prayer to the goddess, hoping she would, so Kaidon could put her properly in her place. But she seemed to have developed a brain in the last minute and sat back down with gritted teeth.

Bummer.

Kaidon’s attention snapped back to me, and I nearly jumped. His hand found my chin again, turning my face toward him once more.

But this time, his eyes weren’t gray.

They were crimson.

My heart sank into my stomach. His wolf was surfacing? I wanted just a small reaction that would lead him to call Liana over and teach her a lesson. I never expected his wolf would be so enraged! What have I done?

“Who. Did. This,” he growled—or rather, his wolf did—each word sharp enough to draw blood.

My throat tightened. Words swirled in my head, but none of them made it past my lips. My hands trembled at my sides as I stood there like a deer caught in headlights.

*Say something!* I screamed at myself. My tongue felt heavy, my mouth useless. I clenched my fists, trying to force the words out, but they died before they could take shape.

“I—” My voice cracked, barely a whisper.

Kaidon’s growl deepened, vibrating through the air. “Who. Touched. You.”

*Say it, Serena. Just say it!* My lips parted, and before I could lose my nerve, I whispered the name.

“Liana.”

The growl that ripped from Kaidon’s chest was low and threatening. . “Who is Liana?”

“She’s... she’s a maid,” I stammered.

His hand dropped from my chin, and without its support, I stumbled backward, landing on my knees.

“Get up and follow me,” he barked, already stomping out of the throne room.

I scrambled to my feet, struggling to keep up with him. *What on earth have I done?* raced through my mind as I followed, his pace forcing me into an awkward jog.

Amelia, of course, couldn’t resist trailing after us. I glanced over my shoulder to see her fuming, her teeth clenched so tightly I thought they might crack. Perfect. A front-row seat for her misery.

Kaidon didn't stop, continuing to stomp toward the kitchen. By the time we reached the entrance, I was practically tripping over myself to keep up. Kaidon pushed the door open with enough force to make it slam against the wall. Every single maid and kitchen staff member froze mid-task, their eyes wide as they turned toward him.

I came to a halt just behind him, breathless and panicked. *What now?*

“Who is Liana!” His voice thundered through the kitchen.

The force of his Alpha aura crashed over the room like a tidal wave. Every maid dropped to their knees, trembling, their heads bowed and necks exposed in submission. Was it just me, or did even the pots and pans seem to rattle under the pressure?

I froze, pressing myself against the doorframe, praying that he wouldn't kill anyone in his rage. Yes, I didn't even want Liana to die. I just wanted her to be punished!

From the corner of the kitchen, Cassie mustered enough courage to rise, her eyes darting between Kaidon’s crimson gaze and the rest of us. “Alpha,” she said cautiously, “what’s the matter?”

“Bring. Her. Out.” Kaidon’s growl was so deep that for a second, I feared his wolf had completely taken control.

Cassie paled but nodded quickly. She turned and shouted toward the back, “Liana! Get out here. Now!”

There was a long pause until finally, Liana emerged, her face pale and her hands trembling. Her wide, fearful eyes darted around the room before settling on Kaidon.

Normally, I would’ve been thrilled to see Liana looking like she was about to wet herself. But right now? I was just praying she’d come out of this in one piece. Literally.

Liana stopped a few feet from Kaidon, her head bowed and her whole body trembling like a leaf in a storm. “I... I’m here,” she stammered, barely audible.

Kaidon took a deliberate step forward. “Why,” he growled, “did you lay your hand on her?”

Liana’s knees buckled slightly. Sweat beaded her forehead, and her hands clenched at her sides. “I... I didn’t mean to…”

“Answer. Me.”

And then, as if a dam broke inside her, Liana dropped to her knees, sobbing. “It’s not fair!” she cried.

The room froze as everyone turned their attention to her. My brain, for lack of a better word, short-circuited. Was she… seriously doing this right now?

“I’ve been here for months,” Liana choked out between sobs, “trying so hard to serve you, Alpha, trying to make sure everything is perfect. I thought... I thought if I worked hard enough, you’d notice me! But she—she’s only been here three days, and she gets to serve you personally! She gets special treatment!”

I blinked, watching her cry her eyes out like a baby and literally confess to the Alpha. Was she intentionally making things hard for me? Wait… she was confessing in front of Amelia! Did she have a death wish or something?

Liana’s hands clawed at her apron as she sobbed harder. “I… I was jealous, okay? I didn’t mean to hurt her... I just—I couldn’t stand it anymore. It’s not fair!”

“Shut up!” Kaidon ordered, cutting her off.

Liana froze mid-sob, snapping her mouth shut as her body trembled.

“Do I look like I care about your pathetic feelings?” Kaidon asked coldly. “I don't. You dared to lay your hand on what is mine. That's not just disrespect—it’s a challenge, and challenges have consequences.”

Liana stayed silent, too terrified to respond.

“The only way you’ll be able to get out of this is if you take one slap from me.”

My heart slammed against my ribs as I stared at him. *What on earth was he thinking?*

Liana’s eyes widened, but to my utmost shock, the stupid girl nodded. “Yes, I’ll take it!”

Without hesitation, Kaidon’s hand rose. My breath hitched, and a sickening foreboding feeling settled in my chest. This wasn’t going to end well at all!

“Wait!” I screamed, but it was already too late.

His hand descended, and—

*CRACK.*

The sound was deafening. Liana’s head snapped to the side—no, *off*. Her entire head flew from her shoulders, an arc of blood trailing behind it.

Her body crumpled to the ground, headless, blood spurting violently from the stump of her neck, painting the floors and walls red.

Breath seized in my lungs, and I collapsed against the doorframe, watching as the headless body twitched once before going still.

*What have I done?*