Seraphina’s POV
My skull felt like it was being split apart with an axe. The pain was thick and relentless, making it impossible to lift my eyelids without effort. Whatever happened last night that caused to lose consciousness remained a mystery. Despite the agony shooting through my temples, I found myself grinning.
Joyful voices drifted up from downstairs. Pure, infectious laughter that imdiately lifted my spirits and ward sothing deep in my chest.
I forced myself upright, gripping the wooden bedpost as the room swayed dangerously around . The dizziness was overwhelming, but I waited until the world stopped tilting before attempting to move.
In the bathroom, I cranked the shower handle to its coldest setting. The icy water shocked my system into alertness, numbing the throbbing in my head long enough for to think clearly.
Minutes later, I slipped into a soft cotton dress, skipping any attempt at makeup. My reflection showed a woman who looked exhausted and drawn, but I was determined to start the day.
Last night’s events tried to creep into my thoughts, particularly my attempt on Roxanne’s life. The rational part of should have felt remorse, but all I could muster was disappointnt that she had survived.
"Mommy!"
Theo’s voice preceded his small body as he charged across the kitchen tiles, his legs pumping furiously. He crashed into my legs with the force of a tiny hurricane, wrapping his arms around . I lifted him carefully, mindful of my still-aching head.
"Good morning, my sweet boy," I murmured against his forehead.
His small hands cupped my face before he planted a sloppy kiss on my cheek. I returned the gesture with kisses on both his cheeks, sending him into a fit of delighted giggles.
After setting Theo down, my eyes found the breakfast table. Julian sat there looking devastatingly handso even in the early morning light. Beside him sat Elena.
Elena observed Theo and with intense focus, her fork suspended between her plate and mouth. Her expression held a mixture of fascination and unease, as if she was trying to solve a puzzle she couldn’t quite grasp.
I helped Theo scramble back into his chair before approaching Elena. Leaning down, I pressed a gentle kiss to the crown of her head.
"Good morning, beautiful girl," I said, marveling at the fact that this child was truly mine.
"Morning," she replied quietly, her attention returning to her scrambled eggs.
I moved toward my empty chair, but Julian’s hands found my waist before I could sit. He pulled down with a quick motion that made yelp softly as I landed in his lap.
His rich laughter filled the kitchen as he tilted my chin up and captured my lips. The kiss was slow and tender, sending warmth cascading through my body despite my earlier cold shower. When he finally released , I couldn’t suppress my own laughter.
The children’s giggles joined ours, clearly entertained by our display of affection.
As Julian’s fingers traced soothing circles on my hip, I studied Elena’s face carefully. I didn’t want her feeling uncomfortable, knowing she might be confused about her parents’ relationship.
"How are you feeling this morning, Elena?" I asked softly.
She inhaled deeply before nodding. "I’m fine. But I don’t understand why I’m here. I went to sleep in my own bed at ho." Her bottom lip quivered slightly. "Mommy is probably looking everywhere for ."
My smile disappeared instantly. I turned to Julian, the reality of Roxanne’s confession hitting fresh. She had stolen my daughter without a second thought.
Julian’s grip on tightened as he exhaled slowly. This was the conversation we’d been dreading.
"Lena," he said gently, "your mommy had to travel sowhere important."
Elena’s eyes widened with concern. "Where did she go?"
"She won’t be back for several days," Julian continued with carefully controlled calm. "That ans you get to stay here with us. We have you all to ourselves for a while."
The sparkle faded from Elena’s eyes, replaced by disappointnt and perhaps fear at being abandoned.
"Oh," she whispered.
Theo imdiately bounced in his seat, sensing her sadness. "But it’s going to be amazing! We have the best toys and this huge backyard and we can play all kinds of gas!"
Elena looked at Theo’s beaming face, and a small smile finally broke through her worry.
Julian seized the mont. "Finish eating, then we’ll head upstairs to find a good story before I have to leave, okay?"
Both children eagerly cleared their plates and raced upstairs, Theo already outlining their day’s adventures to Elena.
The mont they disappeared, the lightness in the room evaporated. Julian helped transition back to my own chair, his expression turning serious.
"How do you feel, Seraphina?" he asked, his fingers massaging my temples.
"My head feels like it’s going to explode, and everything keeps spinning," I confessed. "But I’ll survive. What did the doctor say about my fainting spell?"
Julian leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table.
"He confird what we suspected. Your wolf is growing more powerful, Seraphina. The strength is increasing far beyond our expectations."
I furrowed my brow. "And that’s why I collapsed?"
"You haven’t learned to manage this level of power yet. Your body can’t handle the intensity of these surges. You need ti to adjust and develop control."
"Everything I’ve read about my wolf abilities sounds completely impossible. Like sothing from a fairy tale rather than reality."
Julian grasped my hand firmly.
"Seraphina," he said with a tone that made my stomach clench, "there’s sothing critical we need to discuss. Sothing very serious."
My pulse quickened. I feared he was about to confirm the outlandish things my parents had told about my wolf nature.
The atmosphere grew heavy with apprehension.
Before Julian could continue, we both felt a devastating pull through the pack bond. It wasn’t rely an emotion, it was a physical blow to our cores, a profound anguish that traveled through our connection to every pack mber.
Death had claid one of our own.
Julian shot to his feet, his body rigid with Alpha authority. His eyes beca distant and focused, already shifting into leadership mode.
"I have to leave imdiately," he declared with urgency.
"Go," I said, rising quickly. "I’ll stay with the children until soone can watch them. Handle what needs handling. Just keep inford. Stay safe."
He nodded once and turned away, his mind already consud by pack responsibilities.
The front door opened as Penelope entered, her face grave and weary.
"Penelope, perfect timing," I said, hurrying to et her. "I need to leave too, but the children need supervision."
I reached out to squeeze her arm in gratitude. The mont my fingers touched her sleeve, everything shattered.
It wasn’t simply a mory, it was like being struck by lightning, forcing directly into her consciousness. I lived through her experience of today, feeling the humiliation and cruelty she’d endured from other pack won after they learned about Nolan.
My breath caught as I gasped and stumbled backward. The vision snapped away violently, leaving staring at Penelope’s worried face.
My legs buckled and I crashed to the floor, trembling uncontrollably. My entire body shook from emotions that weren’t mine, overwheld by the intensity and speed of the experience.
Penelope rushed forward. "Seraphina! What’s wrong? What happened?"
This was identical to the sensation I’d felt when I witnessed the vision of children dying, except now I was experiencing Penelope’s mories and pain.
I struggled to stand, my hands shaking against the floor. The pounding in my head had intensified beyond belief.
"I’m okay," I lied unconvincingly, nodding weakly. "Just dizzy. My head hurts. Watch Theo and Elena. Don’t let them see like this."
I wanted to discuss what I’d seen, but the pack crisis took priority. As Luna, I needed to be there for our people.
I pushed myself upright, ignoring Penelope’s frantic questions, and staggered toward the door, compelled by duty and instinct.
I managed to cross the threshold, taking one shaky step off the porch. I attempted another, trying to build montum.
The exertion proved too much. The world tilted sideways, the ground rushed up to et , and darkness consud everything.
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