353- Embarrassed
POV Seraphine Valerian:
Raluca dropped the notebooks and rushed to help her.
I panted, looking around, trembling. I stepped back, nervous.
That’s when I saw Viktor near the office building, watching me seriously. Embarrassed, I tried to explain to everyone:
“I was just defending myself.”
He said nothing. Others murmured in surprise. The woman recovered much faster than a human, pushing Raluca aside and getting to her feet. She coughed, her furious gaze fixed on me.
I was screwed.
When her claws and fangs appeared, hissing between her lips, I knew she would tear me apart. Even so, I didn’t run. I raised my arms in defense, ready to kick.
“Enough! I don’t want a fight here!”
Lana froze, growling, when Viktor’s voice cut through the air like thunder.
“We are at war. Our enemies are out there. Go back to the castle, Seraphine.”
I didn’t know whether to be grateful for not being torn to pieces or furious at being treated like a child in front of everyone, full of authority.
I swallowed the shame and anger, still watching her warily. I backed away until I was sure she wouldn’t attack me from behind. Then I ignored everyone and ran off, my feet hurting against the small stones.
I only let the tears fill my eyes when the guard opened the gate. I ran up the stairs and threw myself onto the bed in the guest room.
I didn’t cry—too confused and shaken, still unable to believe I had fought a she-wolf and survived by a thread.
What would she have done to me if Viktor had let her retaliate? It wasn’t fair! The coward could have fought like a woman, not a wolf! Of course, I wouldn’t have stood a chance.
That blonde wasn’t just angry about her friend—she was angry at me for Viktor keeping me there, for saving me. I cursed her under my breath, jealous too.
I had gone there to help and only made things worse, reinforcing their view of me, fighting like a street kid! What was the point of connecting with nature and filling myself with energy—to do that?
I felt so ashamed that I didn’t leave the room again.
Daciana had been right—it was better to stay in my place.
(...)
POV Viktor Averwyn:
The attacks began, coming from all sides at once.
The greatest concentration came through the center and the forests that separated Cyndrael from Averwyn. They tried to charge in great numbers along the road toward the main lower gate, shouting and running like madmen.
That might have been their mistake—relying on brute force and numbers, while I used strategy and had armed myself for years. I had explosives and silver in abundance, thanks to the mines. And they were used until it became a massacre.
My soldiers, positioned behind the high, impenetrable guard towers, fired arrows and shot precise bullets at those in the front line, while others launched explosives that wiped out several at once. Bodies convulsed and limbs were torn apart, blood soaking the ground before they even reached the gate.
Panic spread quickly, and the few who survived retreated, running back into the forest. To the west, the traps were enough to halt the advance. When night fell, the attack stopped and they regrouped in camps throughout the surrounding woods. Too many casualties and amputations to deal with.
The noise and movement ceased. Only then did I relax slightly, while the others in the office celebrated. It was only the beginning.
“We’ll use the night to reset the traps. Send a few men—the most efficient, the quietest, those who know the terrain well.” I stood up. “The rest stay stationed at the main secret passages. Weapons and explosives reloaded in the towers.”
“It’s already being handled,” Cezar said. “Go home. You haven’t slept since yesterday. We’ll let you know if anything changes. I’ll stay here tonight.”
I nodded, truly exhausted, my mind overloaded. I needed to steady myself, not let my emotions take over and make me do something reckless.
There was a knock on the door, and Petru, Cezar and Ionut’s brother, poked his head in.
“May we come in?” When I agreed, he stepped aside to let Katarina in, one of the duchesses. He closed the door behind them.
“Now that’s a good idea!” Cezar perked up immediately, probably imagining some entertainment.
“I hate to disappoint you, my dear.” The beautiful, tall, curvy female, in a tight, low-cut dress, gave him a sensual smile. “I came to discuss other business today. With my alpha.”
She looked at me as she approached, swaying her hips, her long straight brown hair brushing her shoulders.
Everyone fell silent, watching her. So did I, though I was already preparing to turn her down. Sex was the last thing on my mind.
Seraphine flashed through my thoughts and I pushed it away.
“What do you want, Katarina?”
“I came to offer myself.” She stopped in front of the table, her gaze traveling down my body, her smile widening. “I’m at your service if you want to relax a little. I know you’ve been very tense. Georgeta and Anica too. But beyond that, my offer is for something else.”
“Something… group-related?” Ionut perked up, making her laugh.
“I heard about the plan to place a spy in Alpha Lucian Tharengard’s territory. I want to volunteer.”
Calmly, she leaned her hips against the edge of the table, playing with her long red-painted nails.
“I expected everything—except that.” I studied her, my mind already working. I knew how to recognize a good strategy when I heard one. “It’s dangerous.”
“I know.”
“Perfect idea! The duchesses never leave this place. No one knows them. A woman would be easier to accept—they always need more,” Cezar encouraged.
“Especially during wartime, with wolves everywhere and territories open to new members,” Emil added.
“Why do you want to do this, Katarina?”
My question made her smile broadly.
“We’re a family here. You’ve always given us everything, took in my parents when they were old and fleeing attacks in the south. They had the best until they died. And I’ve known Adelina since she was a baby. She’s a little bit everyone’s daughter.”
That hit me hard, filling me with emotions I struggled to contain. It was unexpected, honest—and important.
I wanted to accept immediately, in my desperation. But I held back. The Duchesses were under my protection too, and I wouldn’t risk her life without carefully considering everything.
“Thank you. I’ll think about it.”
“I know how to take care of myself, after centuries dealing with males full of testosterone and heat.” She pushed away from the table, glancing at all of us. “I’m at your disposal, Alpha Viktor. For both things.”