Chapter 24 Protector
CHAPTER 24: Protector
Seraphine's POV
I didn’t stop walking until the throne room doors were far behind me.
My chest burned. My head throbbed. Every step felt too loud, like the walls themselves were listening. I knew the guards Aric had assigned to me would be looking for me, so I took a turn I normally didn’t take. Then another. Then another.
I wasn’t trying to escape. I just needed air.
Space.
Somewhere I could breathe without feeling like I was about to scream or stab someone.
The forest.
That was the only place that felt quiet enough right now.
The closer I got, the cooler the air became. The stone paths gave way to dirt, and the palace lights faded behind me. I slowed down, my shoulders dropping a little.
Then I heard a slow clap.
“Well, well.”
I stopped.
Of course.
I turned and found Vespera leaning against a tree, arms crossed, smile sharp and cruel. Her silver eyes glinted in the dim light.
“Running away already?” she asked. “Or did Aric finally see through you?”
I rolled my eyes.
“You really have a talent for showing up where you’re not wanted.”
She pushed off the tree and walked closer.
“This is my territory, little human.”
“Funny,” I said. “It smells like wet fur and bad decisions.”
Her smile widened. “Careful.”
“Or what?” I shot back. “You’ll glare at me harder?”
Her claws slid out with a soft, terrifying sound.
“I’ll bring a whole world of pain into your life,” she said softly. “Unless you crawl back to your useless little human world.”
I squared my shoulders. My heart was pounding, but I refused to show it.
“You talk a lot for someone who hides behind smiles,” I said. “If you’re so powerful, why are you so scared of me?”
Her eyes darkened.
“Scared?” she laughed. “Of you?”
“Yes,” I said calmly. “Because if I didn’t matter, you wouldn’t keep circling me like this.”
She stepped closer. Too close.
“You don’t belong here,” she hissed.
“And yet,” I said, leaning in just a little, “here I am.”
For a moment, I thought she was going to attack me. Her claws flexed. Her lips pulled back just enough to show her teeth.
I braced myself.
Then...
“Seraphine!”
Vespera stiffened.
Maya came running toward us, breathless and wide-eyed. The moment Vespera saw her, she withdrew her claws and stepped back.
“This isn’t over,” Vespera said quietly to me. “Remember that.”
Then she disappeared into the shadows.
Maya rushed to my side. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” I said, even though my hands were shaking.
“I’ve finished my chores,” she said nervously. “I was coming to tell you goodnight.”
“Thank you,” I said, managing a small smile. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
She looked past me. Toward the forest.
Her face went pale. “You’re not going in there… are you?”
“I just need some peace,” I said.
“That place isn’t safe,” she whispered. “Please don’t.”
“I’ll be careful.”
She grabbed my sleeve. “Seraphine, please.”
I gently pulled free. “Go get some rest.”
She hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. “Be safe.”
I watched her go, then turned back toward the forest.
The trees loomed ahead, dark and quiet.
I walked until the palace was nothing but a memory behind me. I found a large boulder near the edge of the woods and sat down heavily.
I let out a long breath.
Everything replayed in my head.
Aric’s face.
His denial.
The way he looked honestly confused when I accused him.
That was the problem.
In the time I’d been here, I’d learned one thing very clearly... Aric Draven could be many things.
Cold.
Arrogant.
Infuriating.
But a liar?
No.
And yet…
I had seen him.
That night.
His wolf was massive. His eyes glowed. I remembered the blood. The screams.
My father.
I pressed my hands to my face.
How could both things be true?
A low growl cut through the silence.
I froze.
Slowly, I lifted my head.
It was standing a few steps away from me.
A grimhowl.
This one was nothing like the first one I’d seen. It was huge. Its body was twisted and wrong, eyes burning with hunger.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
I stood slowly and backed away.
The creature stalked forward.
Then something roared behind me.
I ducked instinctively as a dark shape flew over my head.
Aric.
He shifted mid-air, bones cracking, fur bursting through skin, landing as a massive black wolf between me and the grimhowl.
The two beasts collided with a thunderous snarl.
I stumbled back, helpless, watching claws tear and teeth snap. Dirt flew. Blood sprayed.
“Aric!” I screamed.
He fought like a storm.
After a brutal struggle, he ripped the grimhowl apart.
Silence fell.
He shifted back, human again, breathing hard, bruised and bleeding.
I didn’t think.
I ran to him.
“You’re hurt,” I said, grabbing his arms.
“I’m fine,” he said, pulling me closer.
Then he kissed me again…!