Chapter 94. The Grace To Look Embarrassed

Chapter 94. The Grace To Look Embarrassed
Lia

"They'll back you, reluctantly, but they will, if you show unity. Strength. Stability." She paused, and I saw her choose her words with surgical precision. "If you take a second Luna."
"No." Kai's response was immediate, venomous.
"Hear me out." Seraphina raised her hands, placating. "Not a real bond. Just political theater. Someone the Council respects, someone who can stand beside you and make them feel safe while Lia..." She looked at me with apparent sympathy. "While Lia recovers. Heals. Learn to control her power without the constant pressure of leadership."
"You're suggesting I step down," I said flatly.
"I'm suggesting you step back. Temporarily." Seraphina's hand reached for mine again, and this time I let her take it, watching her performance. "You're exhausted, Lia. Traumatized. You nearly went feral. Maybe... maybe it would be better if you weren't in the spotlight while we deal with the Circle. Let someone else handle the political maneuvering while you focus on yourself."
"And that someone is you." Kai's voice was ice.
Seraphina had the grace to look embarrassed. "The Council already suggested it. I refused, but... if it's the only way to keep the pack together, to protect Lia from their machinations, then maybe…"
"No." I pulled my hand from hers. "Absolutely not."
"Lia, please understand…"
"I understand perfectly." I sat up despite the pain, meeting her eyes directly. "You want me to voluntarily give up my position. Make room for you to slide in as the 'stable' option. Tell me, Seraphina, how long have you been planning this? Since before or after you helped them lock Kai in the archives?"
Her mask slipped. Just for a heartbeat. And in that moment, I saw pure calculation staring back at me.
Then it was gone, replaced by hurt confusion. "Lia, I'm trying to help you. I thought we were friends…"
"Friends don't manipulate." I looked at Kai. "Viktor said something before they dragged him away. He said not to trust her. I'm starting to think he was right."
"That's ridiculous." But Seraphina's voice had lost some of its warmth. "I've given you evidence. Show you the real enemy. Everything I've done has been to protect this pack…"
"To protect your position in it," I corrected. "You lost Lyanna. I'm sorry for that, truly. But using her death to justify your political maneuvering? That's low even by Council standards."
Seraphina stood, her expression hardening. "You're paranoid. Traumatized. You're seeing enemies where there are only friends trying to help."
"Maybe." I held her gaze. "Or maybe I'm finally seeing clearly. You brought real informationI believe. The Circle exists, and they're a threat. But you're using that threat to position yourself exactly where you've always wanted to be. As Luna. Kai's mate."
"I loved Lyanna…"
"Did you?" The question came from Kai, quiet but sharp as a blade. "Or did you love the idea of being Luna? Of having power and position? Because I'm starting to remember things, Seraphina. Little things. How eager you were to help after Lyanna died. How quickly you integrated yourself into pack leadership. How often you've suggested Lia should 'step back' for her own good."
Seraphina's perfect composure finally cracked. Her eyes went cold, calculating. "You're both making a mistake. The Circle is real. The threat is real. And if you refuse the help I'm offering, the compromise that could save both of you, then you're even more foolish than I thought."
"Get out," Kai said softly.
"Kai…"
"Get. Out." His Alpha command flooded the room. "And if I find out you've been working with the Council against Lia, if I discover even a hint that you've been manipulating this situation for your own gain, I'll make what I threatened in that courtyard look merciful."
Seraphina gathered her documents with sharp, angry movements. At the door, she paused, and when she turned back, all pretense of friendship was gone.
"You'll regret this," she said. "Both of you. When the Eastern Pack tears through your defenses tomorrow, when the Council moves against you, when everything collapses, remember that I tried to save you from yourselves."
The door slammed behind her.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. "She's definitely working with them."
"Some of them, at least." Kai sat beside me on the bed, his hand finding mine. "The question is how deep does her betrayal go? Is she Circle? Or just opportunistic?"
"Does it matter?" I leaned against him, exhaustion crashing over me. "Either way, we just lost our best source of intel about the real threat."
"Maybe not." Kai's expression turned thoughtful. "She gave us real information because she wanted us to focus on the Circle while she positioned herself as the solution. But now we know the enemy exists. We just need to find another way to fight them."
"Tomorrow," I reminded him. "The Eastern Pack attacks tomorrow, and we're more divided than ever."
"I know." His arm wrapped around my shoulders, careful of my injuries. "But we're still breathing. Still together. That's more than they expected."
A howl split the evening air. Then another. And another.
Kai's entire body tensed. "That's the border patrol. They're…"
"Here early," I finished, my stomach sinking. "The Eastern Pack. They didn't wait until tomorrow."
Kai was already moving, grabbing weapons from the cabinet. "Stay here. Lock the door. Don't open it for anyone but me or Viktor."
"Like hell." I forced myself to stand, ignoring my body's protests. "I'm not hiding while they come for me."
"Lia…"
"We're partners, remember? Equals?" I met his eyes. "I fight beside you. Or I don't fight at all. Your choice."
For a moment, I thought he'd argue. Lock me in, protect me whether I wanted it or not.
Then he handed me a knife. "Stay close. And if I tell you to run…"
"I won't."
"I know." His smile was bitter, proud. "That's what terrifies me."
Another howl, closer now. Followed by screams.
The war had begun.
And we were about to face it with a fractured pack, treacherous allies, and bodies still broken from fighting each other.
But at least we'd face it together.
Even if together meant burning.