Seraphina’s POV
I refuse to act without thinking, but concentrating on anything besides locating my daughter has beco impossible. My faith in Julian bringing her ho safely has crumbled to nothing.
The bitter taste of terror filled my mouth as I stared at Dorian’s contact on my phone screen. My thumb trembled above his na. This was my breaking point. No more endless waiting. No more torturing myself with what-ifs.
I tapped the call button. The silence in my kitchen felt suffocating as my pulse thundered in my ears. One ring. Two rings. Then his voice sliced through the quiet like a blade.
"I despise interruptions," Dorian’s tone carried ice and nace, "but I’ll make an exception for you. Speak."
His words hit like a physical blow. The monster who stole my child addressed like I was nothing more than a nuisance. I squeezed the phone until my knuckles went white, fighting to steady my breathing. "You already know why I’m calling," I managed, my voice barely audible. My throat constricted as if invisible hands were choking .
A dark laugh rumbled through the speaker. Not genuine amusent, but the sound of soone savoring another’s pain. "Finally ready to be reasonable, Seraphina. Finally willing to put your daughter first."
A burning tear slipped down my face. The audacity of this man, lecturing about doing right by my child. I scrubbed it away with fierce determination. Tears were a luxury I couldn’t afford. Strength was all I had left.
"Na your terms," I said, my voice gaining steel despite the tremor underneath. "Whatever you want from , I’ll deliver. Just tell what it takes." The words tasted like poison, but I forced them out anyway.
"Such a good girl," Dorian’s voice turned sickeningly sweet, making my skin crawl. "Co to . The northern boundary of pack territory. Soon. This might be your only opportunity to see your daughter again, Seraphina."
"I’ll be there," I promised without hesitation. The response ca from sowhere deeper than thought, pure maternal desperation.
The line went dead with a sharp click. My entire body collapsed inward, caught between crushing relief and absolute terror.
I made myself a vow in that mont. I would find the strength to handle this alone. Dorian’s psychological warfare was nothing new - he’d always been a master manipulator. But my mission remained crystal clear: discover Roxanne’s role in this nightmare. Of course, this could easily be an ambush. Dorian might plan to take prisoner. He might have worse intentions entirely. But choice was a luxury I no longer possessed.
I drew a shaking breath, shoving my fear into the deepest corners of my mind where it couldn’t paralyze . My first priority was creating normalcy for Theo. I prepared his favorite breakfast - fluffy pancakes that usually made him beam with joy. I even humd softly while cooking, though my stomach churned with anxiety. After he finished eating, I helped him dress for the day, carefully fastening each button and tying his tiny shoelaces. Every gentle touch felt like a potential farewell.
While he played contentedly, I grabbed my phone and composed a ssage to Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins. I kept the text brief but clear - specific instructions for tomorrow morning if they didn’t hear from . Julian might share blood with Theo, but he remained essentially a stranger to my son. If sothing happened to today, Theo needed protection from people who genuinely loved him. My hands trembled violently as I typed, but I steadied them through sheer willpower.
Next, I brought Theo to the packhouse. I had no close friendships within the pack, no trusted confidants who could watch him safely. The pack orphanage beca my only option. The staff mbers there radiated warmth and genuine care for children. Theo would be secure there, happily distracted by gas and playmates for several hours.
We entered the building to the sounds of children’s laughter echoing through the halls. Theo’s face imdiately brightened as he spotted a group of kids playing together. I dropped to his level, wrapping him in the tightest embrace I could manage. I pressed my lips to his soft cheek, desperately trying to morize every detail - his warmth, his innocent giggles, the way he slled like sunshine and cookies. He didn’t sense anything unusual, just wiggled impatiently, eager to join the fun. "Mommy won’t be gone long, baby," I whispered, painting on my brightest smile.
He nodded enthusiastically, squeezed back quickly, then raced toward the playroom without a backward glance.
I watched him disappear into the joyful chaos, my throat closing with unshed tears. Then I slipped away like a shadow, praying no one would notice my departure.
I stayed hypervigilant during my journey, choosing forgotten paths and weaving between dense trees to ensure I wasn’t followed. The northern territory remained perpetually quiet, an overgrown wilderness of ancient forest and jagged rocks. Perfect for clandestine, dangerous encounters.
Fang patrols had increased dramatically since those mysterious bodies appeared on our land without explanation, so I moved with extra caution.
The temperature dropped as I ventured deeper into the woods. Finally, I pushed through a tangle of thorny branches and froze. There he was.
Dorian leaned casually against a massive oak tree, initially facing away before turning slowly to et my gaze. His hands rested in his pockets with infuriating nonchalance, mocking the hurricane of emotions tearing through . His eyes, empty and calculating, locked onto mine across the small clearing.
My heart hamred against my ribs, drowning out the forest’s silence. This confrontation would end one of two ways - with my death, or with my daughter’s freedom. No middle ground existed.
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